BellaOnline Forums Money Frugal Living Holiday spending ideas?

Sometimes health food stores and natural body care shops sell trial-sized products or offer free samples. Grab a few trial-size samples and/or free samples and stick a scented candle in the gift bag or box. Add a few bites of dark chocolate, if the person likes chocolate. Stick a bow on top, and viola! I admit I'm lazy and usually, my "gift bag" is a ziploc bag with a bold-colored bow stuck to it. (Of course, this idea breaks down if the person who receives the gift shops at the same natural body care shop as you shop).

I always pass the word that I am a big fan of home-made chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal raisin cookies (I think baking a dozen or so would be cheaper than buying some gifts). It's amazing that some people would rather buy gifts than bake and offer cookies as a holiday gift!

Pick up a pretty bowl from the dollar store and place inside a cookie recipe. Add some ingredients for the cookies such as chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, or spices. Throw in a mixing spoon and wrap up with a bow. You'll have a very nice and thoughtful gift for $10. or less!

They also have very nice candle holders at the dollar store. Add a few name brand, more expensive candles and this also makes a inexpensive gift.

I love this idea for christmas this year: world vision gift catalogue I think we often buy things for the sake of having to give a gift, it would be nice to see people in need benefiting from that habit.
It's great that you can search by price. I figure, I can get something small from the site, and give the gift card with something else small, like a food gift, to my friends.