Five Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas

Yep, it's that time of year again. Even if the turkey has not yet been eaten and frost has barely started to glaze that Halloween pumpkin still on your porch outside. Christmas gift buying time.

This year, with everyone concerned about the economy, many would like to save money amid all that Christmas cheer. Here are several gift ideas that are sure to please their intended, yet won't put a big dent in the pocket of the gift giver:

Choose Selections for a Book Lover at Thrift Stores--$2-$10

Book lovers, in general, genuinely are those types of people for whom the thought really does count. And books can be bought at your favorite thrift store, often, for at most, a couple dollars-and sometimes as little as ten to twenty-five cents.

The best places to find books are university towns, or library sales, because the selection is great and the books are almost always in good shape. And at this price, you can even ‘theme' your gift selections-in example, buying a stack of biographies for the biography lover, or a stack of how to's for the do-it-yourselfer.

One of my best finds was an old book from the 1930's containing a montage of original black and white prints of Canyon de Chelly. Two dollars, as I remember, bought at San Francisco's downtown library sale.

Original Framed Art or Black and White Photographs--$5-$30

If you are a good artist or photographer, this can be a very classy gift (as well as cheap-if you choose materials and frames wisely!) to both give and receive.

Pencil drawings-both graphite and colored pencil-are both easy to do and easy to frame, because they are mostly done on paper. Inexpensive, too. Frames can be chosen for both attractiveness as well as cost. The art world even has a term for this kind of art-‘Ready Mades.' Target has a great selection of inexpensive frames, some even pre-matted.

Black and white photography, with its emphasis on light and shape, always looks sophisticated when used to decorate in people's homes. Giving your own original framed black and white photographs is a great way to highlight your creativity, and will likely be warmly received by anyone who likes beautiful things.

Similar frames are used for photographs as are for drawings on paper, and many printer/copying stores will print up your computer files on high quality photographic paper to size for nominal fees.

Goody Filled Cosmetic Gift Bag--$5-$10

This is for the girly-girl on your list, and can be done as one-stop shopping by visiting your local dollar or drug store.

You know those little cosmetic bags made by Modella? The ones you can't believe are actually only $1, because they are so cute? They come in all kinds of materials and patterns-I have one of embroidered black, one that is violet sueded material, one of cotton with bright red and black stripes for summer. All for a buck a piece.

Buy one to fit the girl you are gifting. Simply fill it with stuff she'd like or could use-nail files, polish, lip glosses, small bottles of perfume. You get the picture. She'll be happy.

A Cool Winter Neck Scarf-$5-$20

I read that this was one of the most under-used ‘cool' wardrobe items for guys. And it looks like this is true, as my guy didn't stop wearing the ones I bought him all of last winter. Luckily for the gift giver, even the coolest and most luxurious winter scarf is usually pretty inexpensive. Even cashmere.

Some suggestions: You cannot go wrong with black of any kind. An oatmeal colored, marled yarn scarf looks great against those black leather jackets many guys wear during cold weather. Select a color to match the guy. Is he sporty? Outdoorsy? Blue or brown shades are always good for an outdoorsy guy. Edgier shades, like burnt orange or even lime green might go over well with some.

Write Your Own Recipe Book with a Gift Basket of Spices-$10-$20

A gift for Mom, sisters, brothers, or anybody who enjoys cooking. One idea is to collect all the old, handed down family recipes (you, know, those special walnut/chocolate chip cookies that Grandma baked every Christmas, or in my Scandinavian family, Anise candy and Danish pastries) that may some day be lost, and print them up in a book you design yourself. This will undoubtedly be appreciated by family members.

Another idea is to theme your book, "Best Dad's Gone Fishing Recipes," or "Sis' Prima Vera Garden Recipes." Whatever fits your intended.

Include a selection of those little bags of spices you can buy in the grocery store for a dollar or so. Everybody can always use spices in their home kitchens. If you want to get fancy, and have the time, you can bottle the spices in small, inexpensive containers that you decorate and label yourself as well.