Frugal Gift Closet: Part 3

So in Part 1 we covered where and the how of a Gift Closet. And in Part 2 we covered the how to present your gift. Now let’s talk about the point of all of this….the gift itself. Where, how, how much and what are things many us ask ourselves when seeking gifts for others. I am going to tell you what works for me in hopes maybe it can help someone else.

How do I stretch my gift $$ ?
I shop where ever my $ goes the furthest. Sometimes that means a really cool picture at a thrift store, an old chair on the roadside or pair of teacups on clearance at Ross. Being a shopper in a former unfrugal part of my life has taught me one thing that is now an advantage in my frugal life…..what things cost. Having a knowledge of the prices is really a key to getting things frugally. In grocery shopping the frugal world calls this a price book. In the gift closet world it comes by either experience or study. I’ve done both. If you have a SIL who loves Italian figurines then it would really pay to ask her the names of the manufactures that she likes. Learn where to look for the name imprinted at on the pieces. Then study up on them a bit at the library. I find antique stores and eBay a really good source of retail and wholesale prices for items of worth. A good deal is only a good deal if you know what your buying. Otherwise luck can only carry you so far. Knowing the prices of items help to define where you can shop.

Where do I shop?
Everywhere. I shop at Goodwill for things that sometimes are better quality than I find in other of our area thrift stores. I shop also at the American Vets Family Thrift stores and that is my favorite. I always can find vintage Tupperware, wool rugs, dollies and other favorites there for next to nothing. I also shop at CVS and Target. I am an avid couponeer and through Crystal’s blog have saved our family $100’s of dollars on groceries, gifts, clothing and pharmacy needs.

What is the best frugal gift to give someone?
A gift that is homemade always always says they are well thought of to me. I treasure the gifts of time as well. A coupon from one my children that gives me a night off cooking is wonderful. My oldest daughter will for no reason at all at times set up a spa retreat on my bed for nice surprise before I turn in for the night. Thoughtful no cost gifts are my favorite. To give and receive. Do you have a talent? If so then use it. Maybe you take really good pictures, maybe you are a great baker or you organize really well. Give the gift of yourself. It is always welcomed!

What do you buy for other people’s children?
This is hard for me. As many of the people I exchange gifts with are not frugal. My best friend is and I adore that she gets me and knows what to give me & my family. But when it comes to the other families and their children , I struggle. They are very consumed by consumerism like most of the world. As of now I buy them something they would like rather than what I prefer to give them. After all the gift is for them, not me. I am not fond of the plastic action figures but I digress. I bought what was desired and used coupons to reduce the prices of the items. But I have to say, I did tell the other families (friends not our family) that we would be opting out of the gift exchange after this year. We are planning on moving to the Chattanooga, Tenn. area in 2 years and now is the time to just start the gradual breaking away process anyways. For those who are trapped in the same situation, I have no other advice for you. This is an area I really stink at and hope some day to be better at. My only advice, use coupons when you can (Target does do toy coupons) and scour the after Christmas deals for the following year.

What if they do not like my frugal/thrifted/homemade gift?
Find a gift in your price range. If their tastes are not in your price range , then give the gift of your time. If that still falls on frowning faces, then do what I do……give them a gift card. I click emails all year long at My Points so I can get gift cards for free. That covers 2 people in my life whom are hard to buy for. They have no clue that all it took for me to give them a $25 GC is a bunch of clicking of emails and they are happy. Remember the gift is for them, not you. Try to please them. If nothing pleases them, then reevaluate your exchange list to see if it’s time to par down. If they really have not liked your gifts, then they may welcome that suggestion.

Do you have a no fail backup gift?
Why yes I do! For women it is candles. I take Dollar General candles and decorate them with my stacks of scrapbook paper (remember I said I had a unfrugal past and I still have some of the remains of it!) and tie them with my ribbon scraps. For men, hands down …..jerky! When I find flank steak on clearance (not sale, but clearance) I buy it and freeze it. When I need a man gift I partially defrost slice while still half frozen , it slices thinner that way, marinate and then dehydrate. I bagged it up in a zip lock bag and put in a brown paper lunch bag with some stamps and ribbon on it. Men love it. For children, books. I don’t care what parent tells you , ‘Oh my kids don’t like to read.’ I have yet to meet a kid that did not love a perfectly matched book. For families? A basket that I have thrifted filled with some bake goods. Who doesn’t love food? Grandparents love a framed photo of your children. Pairing it up with some free CVS prints or Walgreens prints and a thrift store frame, you can not go wrong!

I hope these series of posts has been enjoyable to read as it has been for me to write. You can find other examples of gifting on the frugal edge from these women: Laine, Amy at MomAdvice and of course Meredith at Like Merchant Ships.

God Bless,

Michele

Editted to add: I have put in the link to Crystal’s blog that I had forgot and so many of you emailed to ask me for! :)