With holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries gift giving can be a frugal nightmare. It seems that the more people we have to give gifts to the more the prices go up, leaving some of us wanting to say "Bah-humbug". However gift giving does not have to empty your bank account. With a little creativity anyone can put together a great gift that is sure to please without the heavy price tag. Whether you are creative and crafty or all thumbs you can get your shopping done and still manage to be frugal. Getting an early start before the major shopping season will help you avoid the shopping rush and keep your head.

They say it is the thought that counts, and when you need to spend frugally you will certainly need to put some thought into your gifts. Think about what things your gift recipient loves and try to put together a personal gift based on that. If you are giving a gift to a coffee lover wrap up a nice mug and a few samples of various coffees. Food lovers would adore mixes, sauces, or spices put together nicely. A small sewing box filled with notions, a gardening can with various seeds and gardening gloves, or a travel sized make-up bag with a few things are great examples of gifts that can be low cost and still show that you know what they care about.

For kids you can find many great gift ideas that are still on the frugal budget. Board games, travel sized games, and puzzles are great ideas that can be found for little cost. You could put together a fun deck of cards and a small book with various card games for a great low cost gift that will be a big hit. Art and craft supplies are also always appreciated. Paper, crayons, markers, scissors, and glue can be put together in a small canvas bag for a creative adventure.

Think about what the gift recipient might need and try to find something low cost. A housewarming gift might be a few new pots and pans, kitchen gadgets, picture frames, or decorations that they would enjoy. Fancy candles, interesting clocks, and beautiful lawn ornaments are all great housewarming gifts that can be found for low cost. If you are crafty you could also make them something such as a plaque with their name on it to hang in their new home.

Gift certificates can be great gifts, even without using a lot of money. Pay for one or two movie rentals and put together with a bag of microwave popcorn and a bottle of soda for a cheap yet thoughtful gift. If you have a local craft shop a small gift certificate can often go a long way there. A book lover might enjoy a small gift certificate to a used book store to browse through. Even just a certificate for one movie ticket at a local theater can be a low cost gift that is sure to please.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to give a great gift. For those of us who are trying to be more frugal with our money there are many great gift options that will not break the bank.