Re-gifting. Do not be afraid of re-gifting. I repeat, do not be afraid of re-gifting. Though this method of gift-giving was stigmatized in certain Seinfeld episodes, I think it has come back into vogue lately, and you certainly should not be ashamed to exploit this gift-giving tool. Just so we're clear, re-gifting is the act of giving someone else a gift that you received, but didn't need to keep because it didn't fit/wasn't your style/was actually meant for someone older/younger.
Some things to remember, if you can, try to actually match the gift to the gift-tee, for example no cat stuff for your older brother. Also remember who you got the gift from and DO NOT re-gift it to them, or re-gift it in a social setting that they partake in. Make sure your re-gift is in good condition,and in the spirit of the holiday, if the gift is worn or doesn't fit anyone on your list, it might be better to donate it to a local charity. Score if you actually have a gift with price tags still on!
Gift cards.'Nuf said. Easy buy for the person on your list who's impossible to shop for or someone (like my mom) who really likes to get gift cards. Plus you decide what amount of $ to spend. There is no one who would turn down a movie/restaurant/store gift card.
Work discounts/purchases/products. If you work at a bookstore, clothing store, or any other place that sells consumer products, what are you waiting for? Do whatever shopping you can on your employee discount. Also keep your eye out for company giveaways or work sales (i.e. products the company gets for free are "sold" to employees for a $1 or similar such events) and those friends and family fliers. for holiday gifts.
Pulling names for relative Secret Santa. If you've somehow acquired a large number of extended family, consider throwing everyone's name in a hat and simply buying a gift for the person whose name you draw, it’s simple math, the less people you have to shop for, the more $ you save.
Doing a gift swap for family with jokey gifts/re-gifting. The ultimate in saving $, and good for a few laughs, agree with family members that you will purposefully re-gift items. Throw them all into a pile and let someone select the first gift, unwrap it, and then let the next person take that gift or choose one from the pile, and so on, until the last person gets to either keep the gift they’ve opened or “steal” one from all the other gift-tees. We did this last year and I think I got the biggest laugh with a Hannah Montana 2009 calendar that I re-gifted.
Using actual wrapping paper as a card instead of spending $ on labels. To save a few dollars, you don't need to shell out for cutesy tags with snowmen and bears on them; you can simply cut some paper from your gift wrap and fold it over to make a tag. Voila!
Spending limits. Agree with friends/relatives on a pre-set amount of money to spend on gifts and stick to it.
Dollar stores.These are a great source for all of those holiday extras such as wrapping paper, cards, gift bags, tissue paper. Note: I am not endorsing them for your actual gift shopping, but you can sometimes find some neat gifts there too.
Re-use and Recycle. Save those gift bags and boxes from holidays past, and use them for current gifts. Check for tears and past tags before stuffing them full of gifts.
Inexpensive gift ideas:
Coupons. Create some “naughty” or “nice” coupons for those you love with cards for things like household chores like doing dishes, vacuuming, dusting, walking the dog, making dinner, washing the car, child care, or doing yard work.
Donations to charity. Pick a cause, any cause, and make a gift of money in one of your gift-ees names. Of course if you can match the cause to the person (a donation to an animal shelter for the pet-lover in your life, or a donation the local library for the bookworm you know) that's the just the extra stripes on the candy cane.
Lottery tickets. I know those nutcracker ads are probably driving you nuts, but these can be a fun way to say “happy holidays!” There are holiday-themed cards, and who knows, maybe you can get a finder’s fee if your gift-tee strikes it rich.
For the book-lover. Books at the Strand/Housing Works are half-price and many are in almost-new condition so you're sure to find something that they’ll like, and a $10-$20 gift card from one of these institutions will go far. (This gift may also perform double-duty for someone on your list who likes a good cause-all purchases at Housing Works goes to help homeless people with HIV and AIDS in NYC.)
Candles, calendars, and bookmarks can be found in many places and are generally inexpensive.
Making gifts
Put together photos in an album, bonus points if you decorate the album with extras like ribbon, markers, glitter, and other crafty favorites.
Buy a nice picture frame and put a meaningful picture in it
Knit or crochet a scarf or sweater
Make a collage of cut-out magazine words/images, or actual photographs that remind you of the person you are giving it to, and possibly frame it.
Make cookies, brownies, pies, or other treats and wrap them up with some ribbon or seasonal covering.
Burn a CD of your friend or family member’s favorite songs. I once had a friend help me make a CD of NYC-inspired songs like “New York, New York” and “The Easter Parade.”
Favorite websites: These are a few of the Cheap Chick's favorite gift websites (any family members who are looking, close your eyes now!)
Our Name is Mud (also has bricks-and-mortar store in Grand Central): http://ournameismud.com
Fave Stores/Gift Marts in NYC:
MOMA store and design store: http://www.moma.org/visit/plan/stores
The Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle holiday marts.
Kate's Paperie: http://www.katespaperie.com/about_kates/category/our_stores/article/our_stores
Met Museum gift shop: http://store.metmuseum.org/
Evolution: http://www.theevolutionstore.com
Forbidden Planet: http://www.fpnyc.com/
Pearl River Mart: http://www.pearlriver.com/v2/storelocation.html
Papyrus: http://www.papyrusonline.com/, select store locator to find NYC locations
NYPL gift shop: http://www.thelibraryshop.org
Aphrodisia: http://www.aphrodisiaherbshoppe.com/
Porto Rico Tea Importing Company: http://www.portorico.com/store/
Bath and Body Works: http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/corp/index.jsp?page=storeLocator&clickid=topnav_storeLocator_txt
Urban Outfitters: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/help/store_locator.jsp
Peanut Butter & Company: http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/
Dylan’s Candy Bar: http://www.dylanscandybar.com/
Child’s Play
For the young ones in your life!
Scholastic Store: http://www.scholasticstore.com
M&M store (http://www.mymms.com/service/locations.asp
And yes there are bargains to be found at Toys R Us, and Babies R Us, if you're willing to fight the crowds. Locations for both stores found here: http://www2.toysrus.com/store/index.cfm?tru=1&sa_referral=http://www.toysrusinc.com/tstorelocator
Closing Thoughts
You can find some good bargains at the Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle holiday marts if you look for them, I am particularly fond of the ornaments that you can get personalized.
Remember that both Queens and Brooklyn have their own Targets, and there are a couple of Kmart locations in Manhattan. The bargain sections of Barnes & Noble are also chock full of gift possibilities.
Of course there are always I Love New York t-shirts, always a hit, I think ;-)
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