I've been away for a week

We drove in late last night, through pouring rain and, at points, zero visibility. It was exhausting! But we made it home, safe and sound. I had a homemade pizza waiting for us in the freezer, to quickly heat for a late dinner. I'll give more details on our trip in another post. Today I have to catch up on absolutely everything!! Including reading other blogs, your always helpful comments, a ton of laundry, baking bread and getting my 2 daughters set for Welcome Week at their university. I may be a tad busy this week.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

Gift giving when the budget is small: part 2, how I purchase gifts with a modest budget

In my post earlier this week, I outlined gifts that I could craft for fall birthdays and Christmas, this year. But not every gift on my list can be crafted. And even when I handcraft a gift or two, for a particular person, there's always a little something that I'd like to purchase, in addition. 

In part 2, I thought I'd share with you the gifts that I purchase, while keeping to my modest budget. And as my spending money is limited, I've had to get creative in just how I make these purchases. Here are my plans, so far.

Gift cards that I've been given, can be used to purchase new gifts

--I have craft store, book store, coffee shop, and outdoor recreation store gift cards. When I have a person on my list that I need to actually buy a gift for, I'll turn to stores where I have gift cards, first.

Coupons

--I receive Kohl's $10 coupons every couple of months. These are good for $10 off any purchase. Last month I was able to birthday shop for someone, using one of these coupons and found a couple of nice gifts.

--I received a coupon for Lands' End last month, for a percentage off, free shipping, and they sent me the clearance catalog. I was able to purchase 2 of my son's birthday gifts, and 1 Christmas gift for about half the retail price. And all three of these items were generically on my list for him (meaning I wasn't particular about color or pattern, but had a type of shirt, slacks and belt in mind). I had intended to shop Lands' End for him anyways, as that's a preferred brand with him.

Second hand stores

--there's a type of second-hand gift that is generally acceptable to almost all gift recipients, that's the collectible gift. When I'm in a second-hand shop I always check areas like housewares, for potential gifts. Last December, I found a Christmas serving dish (new condition), in a pattern that someone I know collects, for about 1/10 of the retail price. I had already sent a gift to this person, so this has been saved for this Christmas. It's a small Christmas serving tray. I'll make up a batch of homemade candies (like toffee), and some white chocolate-covered pretzels, sprinkled with candy cane pieces. Then I'll bag these goodies up, and include with the tray. 

Dollar stores

--I buy mittens every year as stocking stuffers at the dollar store. Sometimes there are two pairs tagged together, making the gift 50 cents per pair

--picture frames, for the framed photo you plan on sending to Grandma and Grandpa. In addition to finished frames, they have unfinished wood frames, which can be painted or gilded to customize them to the recipient's decor. We have two "someones" on our list, to whom we'll be sending family photos. I'll customize the frames to each recipient, and add a picture or two, from this past year.

--candles and candle holders. I like to start with a pillar candle, then add decor, like greenery, moss, beads, etc. These make nice hostess gifts or teacher thank you gifts, and several can be made at a time, kept in a closet, then wrapped up for presentation when needed.

--confection-making supplies, like pretzels, for chocolate covered pretzels, and nuts, for peanut brittle, toffee and fudge.

It may only be September, but by beginning early, I should have the holidays wrapped and under the tree in time for me to enjoy the season. And not receive the Grinch's hefty credit card bill in the mail come January!

Have you begun your Christmas gift planning for this year? What are your best tips for gift-shopping with a small budget? Some of you are fabulous "clearance shoppers". Do you have any tips on finding those great bargains?