Holiday gifts that save the recipient money
Posted
Sep 23 2008, 02:03 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Be a careful shopper and you'll save money on gifts. Be a considerate shopper and you'll save your recipient some money as well.
We can see lots of people pursuing this new goal in gifting as the holiday season speeds our way. (Did you notice how early Halloween stuff started to appear in stores? At this rate, we'll be inundated with Christmas promotions long before the last leaf has fallen from the tree. But we digress.)
Jennifer Derrick, one of our favorite PF writers, gives 28 examples of gifts that will enhance the giftee's frugality in a post at Personal Finance Advice. "Who can argue with a gift that saves them money," she says.
Here are some of our favorites from her post:
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Reusable shopping bags. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you aren't surprised to see this one on our list. We recommend bags that are more durable than the standard 99-cent kind. Your recipient can get discounts at lots of store for bringing her or his own bags, and in some municipalities there's a fee for using the flimsy plastic store bags.
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Gift cards. Not everyone here at MSN Money will approve of this idea, but gift cards can save the recipient money -- if you choose a store where your friend or loved one routinely shops. Just about everyone goes to the grocery store now and then.
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Rechargeable batteries and a charger. And throw in some CFL bulbs.
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A fan, space heater or a window air-conditioner unit.
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A digital camera, or a photo printer if your recipient already has the camera.
Here's a concept: Ask friends and family what they need or want, and buy them that. Jennifer says, "Gifts that meet a need are just as appreciated (if not more so) than the doodad that you thought was 'so cute' that you had to buy it."
