gifts-911.com

How many times have you spent a fortune on gift, which had little thought put into it, only to regret it later? There is no reason to break the bank when buying gifts for your friends, family and co-workers. Look like you’ve spent a mint and avoid being called cheap with one of these affordable, yet thoughtful gift ideas:

Dollar Store Items: Stop cringing. You’d be surprised at the treasures awaiting you at your local dollar store. Unlike a few years ago, today’s dollar stores have quite an impressive selection. You can purchase a bunch of items and make a nice gift basket. Or buy individual items such as decorative clasp boxes, vases and picture frames. You have a great choice of stores, too. There’s Dollar General, the Family Dollar Store, All for a Dollar, Dollar Discount and Dollar Tree, among others. Or go online and visit the Oriental Trading Company at www.orientaltrading.com to find fun dollar deals.

Ethnic Cookbook: Ethnic cookbooks are windows to creating dishes from other cultures. And they’re a really inexpensive gift idea for people who enjoy cooking. Think Thai, Brazilian, German or Finnish. Discount cookbooks can often be found in the sale section of book stores for less than $10.

Regift: Have you received a gift that you don’t want, that you really don’t need or just don’t like? Can it be rewrapped and given as a gift? Call it tacky or call it unthinkable, but the real name for this pastime is called regifting. It’s perfectly acceptable and practiced by millions! Just make sure that you don’t regift an item to the person you received it from.

Photos: Okay. Run back to the dollar store and pick up a nice photo album or frame. Fill it with personal photos that have sentimental meaning to the recipient. Want something original? Try creating a themed photo album - like through the ages or high school days - and include copies of brochures, school announcements (if you still have any!), newspaper articles or other tidbits that tie in with the theme and can be easily inserted into the photo pages.

Stationery: Give a letter-writing extremist a nice selection of pretty note cards, pens, decorative writing paper, envelopes and a book of stamps. Yes, you can get these items at the dollar store or visit your local Target, Wal-Mart or K-Mart for an inexpensive assortment.

These are only a few suggestions. Use a little creativity and you’re on your way to coming up with other terrific ideas. For instance, if you are artistically inclined you could paint a picture of a place or person that has meaning to your recipient. Or if you’re a writer, you could pen a lovely poem. Use your skills and take advantage of your talents. Remember. The earlier you start gift planning, the more money you can save.