Here's a tip for saving on all those gift-giving occasions you'll encounter throughout the year:
Instead of expensive gifts, give something from the heart. Write and frame a letter that lets the recipient know how much he or she means to you. Or give an IOU coupon book to a friend or family member. They can “redeem” their coupons for things like free babysitting, a cup of coffee, a car wash, house cleaning, etc. This will not only bring you closer to the recipient, but can also save $100 or more in a year.
This works especially well if you have kids. We have our kids make cards for people for their birthdays, Mother's and Father's Day, and "special days" like Grandparents Day. The recipients LOVE them. And our kids really get into it as well and have a fun time creating the cards. (Even a card from a store nowadays can cost $3-$4.) Add up the cost if you save 3-4 of these per month for the entire year.
If you don't have kids, give something that means something to you and the recipient. I grow roses as a hobby, so for $1.50 I can get a nice vase at Wal-mart, cut some flowers from my garden, and the recipient has a wonderful bouquet that I grew for him/her. I also give away bike riding trips (I'm a cyclist), chess classes (I play chess as a hobby too), and even nice gifts that I've been given but just aren't my style. (We keep these on a special closet for when gift-giving occasions arise.)
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