I swapped out some new things I had for some of my friend’s new stuff (neither of us were using) and we both got what we wanted for other people. That’s how I got hubby’s almost new snowboard gear for $50. Originally $450. Yeah! If you don’t have immediate friends put the word out on what you’re looking for or try Craigslist. Lots of people don’t end up using the things they thought they would or their lifestyle changes so they just want to get rid of some things.

I also always go to Big Lots. They have great stuff for home, gift wrap, and toys that rival thrift store prices. Plus, it’s a business model I really support. They buy up excess inventory from other struggling retailers and pass the savings on to consumers. We also find tons of great stuff for our charity work at this time of year without breaking the bank.

In addition, I love Half Price books. Great NW cookbooks for all my chefs back home for like $5. Also other books make great stocking stuffers. They carry cute stationery and kids books too.

ROSS is great too, but watch the quality.

Bought $100 worth of Starbucks gift cards for $80 at Costco when I was with a friend – saved 20%. Don’t know if they still have that special but it’s worth a try.

Also I’m making keepsake gifts this year. We had visitors this summer and I’m making movies for them of their trip here. Found scapbooks for $7 with cute little DVD holders in the front. That way they can make their own memories too. I already had the DVDs and I’m using software to make the movies. I have a color printer at home for the jacket covers. Unfortuately this will take more of the other expensive asset-TIME

I was overseas earlier this year when the dollar rallied hard so I bought some unique gifts over there for not much money.

I don’t know if other people count travel money in their Christmas budget but we have to because neither of our families are here. So, we have to shop for airline tickets way ahead of time.

deejayoh @ 10: Oh, I plan to help the economy with my savings….. around the time the housing market bottoms out, and starts rising / staying flat again.

Go to the US Government converter box $40 coupon website, get yourself a couple $40 coupons to get free coverters….great free gifts for friends still using outdoor antennas….lol

;^)

But this year we decided to cancel cross-country x-mas; trying to save shipping costs (FL-WA). Shipping was always more than the cost of the gifts. We’ll probably carry the gifts next summer during our yearly rehab trip to Seattle.

Everett Tom, I love your idea about handmade cards. Thanks for the tip, and see you at the Goodwill maybe.

The price of coal has been falling nicely.

On a more serious note…it’s not about how much you spend on a gift, rather the thought that goes into the choice that counts.

And no…although fruitcakes may be inexpensive, they’re not very thoughtful.

We are doing the following:
- Cutting images out of old book from goodwill to make Christmas cards to mail and To-From cards for presents (we found gardening books can have a lot of nice drawn images).
- Making a few “cookie mix in a jar” with thrift store jars.
- Hot coco mix w/ a nice tea cup & saucer -> also from a thrift store.
- Instead of wrapping presents, using old cookie tins from goodwill.