Grandma probably doesn’t want another scented candle, but she could very well use a ride to the store. Your underemployed nephew would likely prefer a little help filling the pantry instead of a jokey T-shirt. And the sister who’s staying home with her kids may not be able to afford any extras just now. Instead of dropping $40 on a sweater for her, why not put that money toward a membership to the local museum?
You’ve still got a few weeks to think about Christmas gifts. Make this the year when you pick presents that actually help.
Giving Gifts That Help
I’ve put together a list of items that save the recipient money or fill a specific need. Prices range from as little as $5 to upward of $50 or more—and some of the suggestions will cost you little except time.
Warehouse club membership. If you’ve got $40 or $50 to spend, why not make it possible for someone to buy in bulk all year long? Note that this gift isn’t suitable for folks who don’t buy much at a time or who have limited storage space—unless you offer to split some big buys with them.
Frugal hack: If you’ve got a membership already, then make up a gift certificate that says “I will take you shopping once a month for twelve months.”
Greeting cards. Some of us dinosaurs still like to send snail-mail birthday, get-well or “thinking of you” cards. You can get decent ones for as cheap as two for a buck at some dollar stores. I got an even better deal on Hallmark assortments at Walgreens: ten cards to a box, two boxes for $5, or a quarter apiece. Ideally, you’ll spring for at least a ten-pack of stamps along with this gift.
Frugal hack: Shop thrift stores and rummage or yard sales—a lot of really nice card sets end up deeply discounted in these places.
Annual pass. A season’s membership to a local zoo, museum, or theater company may cost less than you think. You’re not only giving someone a year’s worth of entertainment, you’re investing in community organizations.
Frugal hacks: Social commerce sites like Groupon or Buy With Me sometimes offer annual passes; sign up for a few of these services right away and see what pops up in the next few weeks. Be sure to buy the social commerce vouchers through a cash-back site for a 6 percent rebate.
