Gift season is upon us.  In the last week, I’ve received two graduation notices, one graduation party invitation, and one baby shower invitation.  Add bridal showers, weddings and the regular assortment of birthdays and even a generous gift budget is stretched.  The Simple Dollar had a great post, last week, about how to give meaningful and personal gifts without overspending.  Here are their top ideas:

Handmade cards:  Gift cards and money are a popular and easy gift, but very impersonal.  Instead of grabbing a pre-written (and, admit it, cheesy) card, try writing your own note on a blank card.  If you are particularly crafty, create a card with stamping, ribbon or a calligraphied poem.

Free babysitting:  An excellent gift idea for any baby shower.  Baby outfits are a dime a dozen, but a night out with your spouse is priceless!

Homemade care packages:  I fondly remember opening my college mailbox and smelling my mom’s cookies.  A gift certificate/coupon for several care packages makes a lovely graduation gift.

Personalized address book or cookbooks:  Buy an inexpensive address book and handwrite contact info (don’t forget emails) for all the wedding guests.  You can contact a wedding party member for a list ahead of time and give the bride and groom a personal and useful gift.  Or gather favorite recipes from friends and family and handwrite them in a recipe book or box (leave room for additions).

Other handmade gifts:  Be it homemade foods or food kits for Christmas, hand knitted blankets for a new baby, or a beautiful framed photo or sketch of the couple as a wedding gift, any gift made by you will speak volumes to the recipient.  I’ve made photo ornaments for Christmas, and homemade sugar body scrubs for birthdays.  Both were time-consuming, but inexpensive.  And best of all, they were personal and meaningful gifts. 

Read the full article (and excellent comments) at The Simple Dollar.

Do you have other ways to save money on graduation or wedding shower gifts?  Let’s discuss at Blissfully Domestic Living.