Help! Help! We are heading into the Christmas holiday season when budgets tend to fly out the window along with our diets and New Year's Resolutions. What is a generous hearted mother, sister, daughter, Santa Claus-in-disguise to do?
Let's break it down. With today's economy, frugality as a lifestyle is finally become hip. Not always fun but at least a little more stylish. So, if you are trying to become more frugal, why can't you give gifts that not only reflect your commitment but encourage others along the same path?
But what does frugality mean? Boiling it down, frugality can mean simplicity, organization and homespun resourcefulness. All these attributes contribute to a responsible, money saving lifestyle and can easily be translated into gifts which encourage others to learn from what you have achieved.
For example, I was given a wonderful little 5×7 planner to review by Sarah Pinto. This compact weekly planner fits in the large purses of today and is easy to carry everywhere you go. Coming in lots of fun colors, it allows you to give a gift at a reasonable price that is simple, fun, stylish and supports a great cause. The paper is from recycled paper and soy based ink and has my green seal of approval. The little book contains a three year snapshot, monthly view, notes page, weekly view, special days, future planning and telephone & address section. What more could you ask for? Toss that blackberry (or give it away). There's nothing like good old pen and paper.
Sarah's son was born with a heart defect and proceeds of her pink tapestry planner are going to the California Pacific Medical Center where he had open heart surgery. Her son is doing great now and she wishes to use this opportunity to give something back to the center who saved her son's life.
The planner is a great way to encourage organization and gives the giftee a place to note sales and deals throughout the year. Pair it with a coupon organizer and you have a delightful present for a friend or family member that shows your commitment to organization. The planner retails for $25.
But, if you really are hooked on your blackberry and other electronic devices that have taken over our world, another great item that will appeal any modern family member this Christmas is the I-Go everywhere, a wall and car charger with interchangeable tips. You might be looking at me funny now. Were you expecting recipes for soup mixes and hot chocolate in a glass jar? All these are good and great for saving money at the holidays and make very useful gifts.
But, in the vein that organization also helps us keep simplified and organized, the IGO is a VERY cool product that I and my family can't live without. Also sent to me for review, the I-Go charges phones, bluetooth accessories, PDA's, MP3 players, Portable Gaming Devices, Digital Cameras, IPods and GPS Devices. I realized how hooked we were when the girls couldn't find their DS Charger. Realizing that my little device packed neatly in its travel kit had just the right tip, I was able to help my girls both in the car with the car charger on the way home and then at home with the wall attachment. With everything fitting in the all-in-one companion case for the mobile traveler, the IGo is worth the investment and bound to please the techno-hooked members of the family.
Sometimes, focusing on quality multi-use items is just as beneficial a money-saving device as ten chargers bought cheaply. There is definitely something to be said for keeping organized so that you can keep track of your belongings and use them most efficiently. This one seemed like a great gift for anyone in the family. The IGo everywhere retails for $39.95.
An additional idea might include a paint can and brush and a promise to help clean out and freshen up the home office of your spouse or a loved one. There is nothing like having to move around an entire area to paint that gets the organizing and cleaning juices going.
How can you turn your frugal commitment into clever and creative gifts that give the gift of frugality without breaking your budget?
Original Reviewsings Post
Sarah blogs regularily at Genesis Moments, is a featured storyteller at Story of My Life, and offers beauty product reviews at Chic-Critique.
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Excellent advice! As a fellow organizer, I love the idea of giving gifts that might help someone else get organized or live a more simple lifestyle. Maybe it will turn out to be just the nudge they needed. Thanks!