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Gifts on a
Budget - Say a Lot, Spend a Little! www.
planetcinta.com By Kathryn D'Imperio Times are
tough and money is tight anymore, so this article is designed to help you
give meaningful gifts at a minimal investment. The first steps are to
determine exactly what your budget is, and secondly, who is receiving the
gift. No Budget
Great ideas for gifts when you don t have a dime to your name -- Write a
Poem for your loved one you can immortalize a person, a memory or a moment
with a string of words. This sentimental motion will not be easily
forgotten. Love poems
for your inspiration. -- If you
are musically inclined, Compose a Song for the recipient! There is no
feeling in the world quite like hearing a song and knowing you were in the
mind of the composer. -- Using
materials you already have, Create a Painting, or sketch or draw a
picture/portrait for your friend or loved one. -- Film a
Fun Video! Make your memories and laughs will last a lifetime. -- Create
a Custom Coupon Booklet Include such luxuries as a back rub, night without
the kids ... use your imagination! Minimal
Budget Cool Creations
and Ideas when you have a few bucks to spare -- If you
have MS Power Point and a CD burner, Make a Slideshow with special
pictures play around with it and have fun. It is actually quite easy to
add music in the background- so put your own soundtrack to your memories!
(A dollar, give or take, depending on the cost of the CD) -- A
Hand-made, Decorated Photo Frame is a thoughtful gift especially after a
recent special event or fun gathering in which you were both present. My
friend gave me a frame she decorated herself in a Halloween theme with a
picture of us in our costumes. -- Crafty
Little Extras Purchase
inexpensive votive holders and design them as you wish, using the
recipient s favorite colors. -- Bake
Cookies or Desserts for your special person
who can turn down homemade sweets!? Just
A Budget For
those extra-special people who make us want to spend our money! --
Date-in-a-Box! Snag a gift card to the local movie rental, pick up a box
of microwave popcorn and some movie theater style candy and you are all
set! -- Play
Chef for the Night Make
a special dinner of your loved one s favorite meal, complete with
candlelight, wine and dessert if you can manage it! -- Learn a
craft really well and show off your skills... crochet or knit a blanket,
sweater or scarf or practice the art of glass painting and pick up some
stained glass paints and a glass beer mug, vase, or item of your choice.
Personalize as you desire and voila! You have a beautiful gift that will
last and remind them of you for ages. -- Create
a Scrapbook for your special recipient it doesn t have to be anything
elaborate, or you could spice it up as much as you want. Sometimes I use
old construction paper and magazine clippings, and other times stickers
and special materials from a craft store. For a really low budget
scrapbook, check out the dollar store for mini-scrapbooks and add your own
special touches. Sometimes
the most sentimental gifts cost very little or nothing at all. The time
and care you pour into a gift for a loved one says more than your charge
slip or next bank statement. In fact, some of the most treasured items are
so special due to your understanding of the person
i.e. how well you know him or her. For
example, I recently learned to crochet, and my very first
real project was a
present for my boyfriend s birthday. I handcrafted a blanket for him in
the colors of the Philadelphia Flyers, and I even figured out how to
crochet the logo and numbers of all the players on the team. He tells me
all the time it is his most cherished possession. It really
showed me how much he appreciates me and my time and effort and most
often, effort, time and thoughtfulness are more important than the price
tag! |