7 Gift-Giving Trends That Don't Break the Bank
Were you there during the Beanie Baby Outbreak of '95? How about theGreat Furby Epidemic of '98? If so, you have some experience when it comes toholiday gift-giving hysteria.
With the economy still in the doldrums, seasonal madness issubsiding. Consumers aren't breaking down doors to pay a premium for the latestand greatest gadget.
We asked consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch for her advice on saving some cash. This year, shoppers are shifting toward more affordableand thoughtful presents. As you start to plan your Christmas list, considersome of these gift-giving trends.
We asked consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch for her advice on saving some cash. This year, shoppers are shifting toward more affordableand thoughtful presents. As you start to plan your Christmas list, considersome of these gift-giving trends.
1. The Latest Craze
Would you believe the hottest holiday item outthere is a rectangular piece of plastic? According to a survey from the National Retail Federation,57.7 percent of consumers want gift cards as holiday presents, putting theirdemand at an all-time high. Happily, you can find cheapgift cards at sites like GiftCardGranny, which sells them at lessthan face value. If you're recipient isn't totally satisified, they can alwayssell the card for cash on Gift Card Exchange Day, the one-day eventscheduled for Dec. 26 when gift card resellers typically offer maximum valuefor unwanted cards.
Would you believe the hottest holiday item outthere is a rectangular piece of plastic? According to a survey from the National Retail Federation,57.7 percent of consumers want gift cards as holiday presents, putting theirdemand at an all-time high. Happily, you can find cheapgift cards at sites like GiftCardGranny, which sells them at lessthan face value. If you're recipient isn't totally satisified, they can alwayssell the card for cash on Gift Card Exchange Day, the one-day eventscheduled for Dec. 26 when gift card resellers typically offer maximum valuefor unwanted cards.
2. An Experience
A close relative of the gift card, the dailydeal voucher is making its own name this year. Vouchers allow you to pampersomeone with a massage or provide an experience like skydiving without goingover budget. If this kind of gift doesn't seem personal enough, take some timeto gather important details, like expiration dates and restrictions. This showsyou put in more effort than simply clicking your mouse a few times.
A close relative of the gift card, the dailydeal voucher is making its own name this year. Vouchers allow you to pampersomeone with a massage or provide an experience like skydiving without goingover budget. If this kind of gift doesn't seem personal enough, take some timeto gather important details, like expiration dates and restrictions. This showsyou put in more effort than simply clicking your mouse a few times.
3. What Goes Around Comes Around
Once taboo, re-gifting is now allthe rage. It's a great way to pass on presents you'll never use to someonewho'll actually appreciate them. Re-gifting can be a risky venture, though.Make sure you haven't lamented to the recipient how much you hate it or, worseyet, forgot they were the kind person who gave it to you in the first place.For some re-gifting tips and hilarious horror stories, check out Regiftable.com.
4. The Gift of Gifts
The true spirit of the season -- kindness,generosity, caring -- is slowly fading with each years' Black Friday,doorbusting stampede. Break the cycle this year and extend your generosity tothose in need. Sites like JustGive.org sell charity gift cards, wherethe recipient can donate their card's balance to any of 1.8 million charities.Plus, when you give a charity gift card, you can write it off on your taxes.
The true spirit of the season -- kindness,generosity, caring -- is slowly fading with each years' Black Friday,doorbusting stampede. Break the cycle this year and extend your generosity tothose in need. Sites like JustGive.org sell charity gift cards, wherethe recipient can donate their card's balance to any of 1.8 million charities.Plus, when you give a charity gift card, you can write it off on your taxes.
5. Learn to Accessorize
The iPad 2 and Kindle are hot holiday items,but they're gifts reserved for those with money to blow. When you can't affordto give someone the gadget itself, you can still make their user experiencemore enjoyable. If you know someone is going all-in on an iPod, give themessential accessories like a case and headphones. They're going to need themanyway, and it still shows you pay attention to things they value.
The iPad 2 and Kindle are hot holiday items,but they're gifts reserved for those with money to blow. When you can't affordto give someone the gadget itself, you can still make their user experiencemore enjoyable. If you know someone is going all-in on an iPod, give themessential accessories like a case and headphones. They're going to need themanyway, and it still shows you pay attention to things they value.
6. A Festivus for the Rest of Us
With so much attention focused onbank account balances, many are choosing to turn away from material goods.Instead of giving individual presents, host a holiday party. Just ask everyoneto contribute something easy and affordable, like cookies or dip. This relievesthe pressure of gift giving and provides quality time with the people you careabout most. To make it a memorable celebration, try one of these Christmas theme party ideas.
With so much attention focused onbank account balances, many are choosing to turn away from material goods.Instead of giving individual presents, host a holiday party. Just ask everyoneto contribute something easy and affordable, like cookies or dip. This relievesthe pressure of gift giving and provides quality time with the people you careabout most. To make it a memorable celebration, try one of these Christmas theme party ideas.
7. The Easiest Gift of All
Though it sounds cliche, there's no betterpresent than the gift of time. Take a step back from indulgent gift giving anddo something thoughtful. Rent a favorite movie of everyone in the family andthen have an at-home movie marathon together. If you have a family full offoodies, plan a gourmet meal and enjoy each other's company while it's beingcooked. Options are really only limited by your imagination.
Though it sounds cliche, there's no betterpresent than the gift of time. Take a step back from indulgent gift giving anddo something thoughtful. Rent a favorite movie of everyone in the family andthen have an at-home movie marathon together. If you have a family full offoodies, plan a gourmet meal and enjoy each other's company while it's beingcooked. Options are really only limited by your imagination.