Tip on Paying the LEAST @ Gift Giving Time

anae428 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 03:22 PM

1. The smartest thing to do is buy a gift for someone a few weeks before their birthday or other special occasion. This will give you some time to compare prices.

2. DON'T compare prices by going store to store. Go online and look for the weekly ads link. Even if the item isn't on sale, you can at still check the price. Just recently, I planned on buying my boyfriend a new video game and a DVD anthology, both of which were expensive. By checking the prices online at Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart, and Target.com, I got to see who had the lowest prices for each all while I'm sitting at my desk! That saved me a hectic Saturday running from store to store, not to mention how much gas you'll save if you compare prices online. My online comparison shopping saved me $13 total. I had to go to 2 different stores, but it was worth it in the end. Every bit counts!

3. If you want to buy someone an impressive gift, like name-brand clothing, DON'T make your first stop Marshall Field's or some other expensive store like that. Instead, try going to shops that offer name-brand clothing at discount prices, like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, or AJ Wright. I recently bought my cousin a Jones New York coat at Value City, a discount store. The retail price was $239.99, but I paid $39.99!! This coat was an irregular, meaning there's a little imperfection. The imerfection was in the lining of the inside of the coat. Don't let the term "irregular" scare you. Sometimes irregularities in name brand clothing can be so discreet that it's worth the money you save. So my cousin thought I spent a fortune on her new coat, and I spent less than $40. Everyone's happy!

Momof3grls · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005, 01:56 PM

Heres what I do at xmas & stuff try to use coupons to buy gifts like those$10 jcpenneys coupons. I always use those to buy my brother a shirt & whatever gift cards & phone cards I can get off the internet I give those as gifts.

For next year my thoughts are too do those walgreens rebates which I do every month & then get gc's each month got my 1st one today BTW & then at xmas time buy gift cards with those gift cards & give as gifts because walgreens does sale gc's to lots of different stores so those will be some gifts for next xmas

lsavino · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2005, 07:10 AM

I pick up gifts year round for those that I know I will give gifts to. I find very unique things at off season prices. It took awhile to convince my husband, but when Christmas rolls around and my shopping has been done for months - he was convinced.

rjn · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2005, 06:46 PM

If you are going to buy online, make use of the price search sites and coupon and discount sites.

cysl · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 09:08 AM

What I usually do is to search online to find out the cheapest price for the item that I want and then I will go on ebay to see if there is any gift cards on sale. Sometimes you can get a gift card for least than 20% its original value. Then I will use this card to buy the gift. That way it is really cheap.

KarenSue · #6 (**permalink**) 04-12-2006, 02:49 PM

I pick things up during the after Christmas sales. One of my favorite places to go is Target. This past January I hit the 75% off sales and got grab-bag gifts for DH's family, as well as everything I need for my great-niece and great-nephew. The parents don't take care of any of their posessions, so I won't pay full price for items for the kids that will most likely be trashed anyhow.

I like MYPoints a lot. When I do online shopping I go throught this site and it really does add up. My DH's birthday is in June and I'm saving for a gift card for him.

funnyvalentine · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 05:48 PM

I always use an affinity site like Upromise or Mypoints when I shop online. My favorite is Timespoints.com, which will allow me to use accumulated points to pay for my subscription.

Trillian · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 10:46 AM

Last year while I was at the post office lugging all my gifts to ship across the country to all the places my family lives, the Postal clerk said "This is why my family just sends gift cards with a standard stamp -- we save a fortune in postage."

Of course, a small lightweight gift is a good way to go, too. Just dont make the mistakes I usually make, 1) forgetting all about postage factors, 2) budgetting for that postage and 3) the closeness of the date of mailing to the date you want it there.

Now on my calendar, when I mark a birthday, I mark a ship date 5-7 days in advance and the shop date a week prior to the ship date. That way, the steps of the task all get done smoothly and saves stress, frustration, and "expedited fees."

funnyvalentine · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 11:22 AM

When I shop online, I always have them ship it direct to the person; but yes, having a deadline that is at least two weeks before the birthday is key!

shelbylovesmelby · #10 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 02:36 PM

I always buy gifts when they are on sale preferably 50-75%+ off & save them for that particular occasion so I don't have to pay full price & I don't buy anything that will "go bad" to I can store it atleast 6 mo if need be.

Lenae · #11 (**permalink**) 07-27-2006, 08:48 PM

I always shop year 'round for Christmas and birthday presents. Off season is always great for bargains!

Gifts for my family, I use the 'goody bag' method. I buy a lot of items I get on sale (usually 75% off or more) and put them in a pretty tote bag or box (sometimes I decoupage them). My mom and sister love getting gifts this way, there are a few items that they really love.

I thought it was funny when I got mom a cool trinket to hang outside. She loved it and then asked where I bought it. I told her I couldn't tell her or she would know how much I spent... LOL

Some of my favorite places to find gifts are:dollar stores (they sometimes get awesome overstock from other places), Wall's, Tuesday Morning, Big Lots and Ross.

Fortunately, my husband shops for his family (it's a big family!). He bought most of their Christmas gifts at Hasting's. He bought a lot of used DVD's and books. For 13 members of his family, he spent $200.

cschin4 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 04:41 PM

I just pick up gifts during the year as I see them at clearance sales. I have a gift box which I keep and just toss in whatever I found, usually for $5 or less. This works especially well if you have kids that are often invited to parties. And, I bought alot of nice soap, bath and body type gift baskets that were marked down to $2 a piece. They make a really nice gift and come in handy on short notice.
So, when you are shopping, just keep and eye out for clearance and ask yourself who you would be purchasing for at gift time.

Kewells · #13 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 03:34 PM

I recently went to an 80% off sale at Kohl's and purchased a variety of outfits for baby boys and baby girls at around $2-$5 each for baby shower gifts. Also, I go to dollar stores to buy generic birthday cards at 2 for a dollar and save them in a drawer. In New Jersey we have two major craft stores (Michael's & Rag Shop) that put out a weekly circular that always has a 40% off coupon. Around this time of year (October) I start going every week to pick up inexpensive ornaments, kids crafts kits, picture frames, etc. I really like the Walgreens idea Momof3grls suggested. I guess I'll have to go and get a card from there next.

funnyvalentine · #14 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 04:12 PM

This whole thread is making me depressed. I honestly don't believe that the spirit of giving is all in finding the cheapest possible way to gift someone; if that's all it is, maybe we should question why we give gifts to begin with. While I try not to spend the most money possible, it's a real joy to shop with a specific person in mind, thinking about what they'd love to have. It the giftee isn't worth that effort, why give at all?

Kewells · #15 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 04:13 AM

You can get some very thoughtful gifts on a budget. However, there are times, like a coworker's baby shower that some people feel obligated or it's just darn polite to give a gift and if you're so depressed about a $2-$5 baby outfit, I'm sorry I offended you.

pearlieq · #16 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funnyvalentine

This whole thread is making me depressed. I honestly don't believe that the spirit of giving is all in finding the cheapest possible way to gift someone; if that's all it is, maybe we should question why we give gifts to begin with. While I try not to spend the most money possible, it's a real joy to shop with a specific person in mind, thinking about what they'd love to have. It the giftee isn't worth that effort, why give at all?

I agree wholeheartedley! The gift-giving threads always depress me a bit because they're invariably about how to check off a gift "obligation" for the cheapest way possible. It's rarely mentioned what the recipient might actually want, and frankly the items mentioned are usually things I would never want or use.

I do understand there are certain occasions where a general token gift might be required, and of course people can and should keep those as frugal as possible. But for gifts to family and friends, cheap is not my first priority. Finding something they would enjoy is.

tinapbeana · #17 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 07:14 AM

when i go 'gifting on the cheap', i'm not buying generic no-thought gifts. part of the challenge for me is finding the best gift at an amazing price.

for instance, my mother has said the most meaningful gift she's gotten from my sister and i was about 15 years ago: a glass tree-topper ornament. my mom collects them, and this one was issued the year my mother was born and had the original box and sales receipt still inside: it sold for $3.59 in 1959. my sister and i spotted this gem at goodwill for $0.50, and were tickled pink to tell my frugal mother exactly what we spent on it after she opened it (frugal family = bragging on who got the most for their money).

was this 'gifting on the cheap'? without doubt this was a very frugal gift, but one that my mom still treasures.

fairy74 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 09:32 AM

First pare the gift list down, so you can give meaning loving gifts to those who mean the most

If you must give gifts to those you are not particularly close to:
1. gift baskets (made from samples collected throughout the year)
2. shop garage sales, clearance, thrift
3. baked goods (most people love these!)
4. Nice cards (bought for up to 75% off in January) with a nice family photo (shutterfly has cute border designs)

Focus on your immediate family, closest friends---Christmas can become a rat race if you let it.

funnyvalentine · #19 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 12:55 PM

That is great! What a wonderful story! I guess the bottom line is that spending all the money possible on a gift isn't the answer, and neither is buying generic gifts.....actually, there is an article in the latest Women's day or Family circle that suggests that your friends might not really appreciate the generic scarf or soap that really says, 'I'm done with it, check it off the list"......

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinapbeana

when i go 'gifting on the cheap', i'm not buying generic no-thought gifts. part of the challenge for me is finding the best gift at an amazing price.

for instance, my mother has said the most meaningful gift she's gotten from my sister and i was about 15 years ago: a glass tree-topper ornament. my mom collects them, and this one was issued the year my mother was born and had the original box and sales receipt still inside: it sold for $3.59 in 1959. my sister and i spotted this gem at goodwill for $0.50, and were tickled pink to tell my frugal mother exactly what we spent on it after she opened it (frugal family = bragging on who got the most for their money).

was this 'gifting on the cheap'? without doubt this was a very frugal gift, but one that my mom still treasures.

gptmca · #20 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 12:22 PM

As stated earlier, buying in the after Christmas sales is the ideal time to buy gifts. This is especially true for Christmas themed gifts as the stores want to get rid of these asap. Last January I picked up lots of bargains...almost all of my gifts for this Christmas infact. So remember to have a good look around in January!
Also I remeber picking up Christmas cards and wrapping paper for 75% of their original price!!!