Top 10 Tips for Low-Cost Gifts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2009

If a birthday, baby shower, or anniversary is fast approaching and you're short on funds, here are some suggestions for low-cost gifts that have the potential of pleasing both the giver and the recipient, said a University of Illinois Extension family and consumer economics educator.

"Often it doesn't take much imagination to go to the store and quickly buy something. People appreciate a gift that's taken thought and effort on the part of the giver," said Evelyn Prasse.

Here are 10 suggestions for giving and wrapping a good gift without breaking your budget:

1. Bake special treats and include the recipe. Cookies, quick breads, cakes, and pies make wonderful gifts.

2. Give a little girl a dress-up box of your old clothes, jewelry, and hats.

3. Give a special treasure that you own to someone else to cherish and then pass on to someone else.

4. Take pictures and create a photo album of special times.

5. A gift certificate sharing your time or talent is always appreciated. Try coupons for babysitting, massages, house cleaning, meal preparation, whatever talent you can share.

6. Encourage a budding artist with a decorated box of art supplies or items from which to make puppets and masks.

7. For group gift exchanges, suggest drawing names so you will only need to buy one gift.

8. Or have a white-elephant exchange. Someone will treasure the item you don't want.

9. Instead of spending a lot on wrapping your gift, sew special one-of-a-kind fabric gift bags.

10. Or fashion beautifully wrapped gifts out of recycled newspapers, Sunday comics, or brown paper bags.

For other good advice on getting through tough financial times, including which bill to pay first, how to talk to your creditors, how to save food dollars, how to talk to your children about your financial situation, and more, visit U of I Extension's "Getting Through Tough Financial Times" website at http://www.ToughTimes.illinois.edu