Clark Tin
10 Tips for Staying Within your Christmas Budget
You've saved all year (ok, maybe just for a couple of weeks) to buy Christmas gifts, and now you're finding that you're running low on dough. How are you going to buy gifts for everyone on your list? These 10 tips will help you select just the right gifts without going into the dreaded "Christmas debt."
- Make a list of any "must-have" gifts for the people on your list (like that mp3 player your daughter just HAS to have). Once you've jotted these down, do some quick research online to find the lowest price. Remember to compare both stores in your area and also online stores that have special shipping offers.
- If you're getting a gift for parents or in-laws, consider a group gift. A nice television or piece of furniture is much more affordable when the cost is divided between you and all of your siblings.
- Suggest doing a name exchange for the adult members of your extended family. Why? Doesn't it make more sense to spend $50 or $100 on a nice gift for one person, rather than $5 or $10 on so-so gifts for each person? Everyone can purchase gifts for the young children, if you so choose.
- Make sure you really know your friends. What are their interests or hobbies? Do they like to entertain? The answers to these questions (and others) can yield some great (and inexpensive) gift ideas. The music lover will appreciate a music download card (even if it's for $15), and your friend who loves to entertain will enjoy some nice linen napkins or place mats, which can be found for a bargain nearly anywhere.
- Dust off your baking pans! Seriously...who doesn't love cookies, candies and sweets? Homemade holiday cookies, candies and such make thoughtful gifts for neighbors, teachers and coworkers. Just put them in festive tins or colored plastic wrap, both of which are very inexpensive.
- Never underestimate the power of sample sizes. Is there a frequent traveler who must deal with pesky airline regulations or a college student with limited storage space on your list? Purchase small or trial sizes of designer perfumes or colognes, lotions, shaving creams and shampoos, then put them in a fun cosmetics or shaving bag.
- Warm up your glue gun - or your stencils or stamps or...well, you get the picture. Putting your craft skills to work is a great way to create thoughtful, inexpensive gifts. Are you buying for someone who likes to send cards? You can pick up a set of blank cards and envelopes for next to nothing at craft stores, and then emboss them or decorate them with rubber stamps and ink yourself. Or maybe you have some great photos of a dear friend. Create a unique collage or calendar with copies of your favorite snapshots, and voila - you've got a unique and heartfelt gift.
- Decide not to give. This doesn't mean you should stop giving altogether, Scrooge. Simply discuss with your friends the possibility of not exchanging gifts for Christmas. Instead, you can get together at a restaurant for a holiday dinner or have a potluck and girls night at someone's house. For years, my friends and I have chosen to exchange nothing more than cards for Christmas, and focus on our birthdays instead.
- Forget about cards. Holiday cards are nice, but if you want to save yourself time and postage, create a free photo sharing family Website.You can include your traditional "holiday letter" and then update it after the holidays so people know what's going on in your life all year long. Many sites offer free web sites that take only moments to set up, and you can even control who sees it. Just email the URL and password to your friends and family.
- Repeat after me: Theme gifts are good. And if you're creative enough, no one will know that it didn't cost you much. For example, if you know a family who likes to rent movies, create a Movie Night Basket. You can get an inexpensive basket almost anywhere (probably even the back of your closet), then just add a $10 movie rental gift card, a couple of bags of microwave popcorn (there's probably some in your cabinet), and an assortment of packaged candy (M&Ms, Junior Mints, Milk Duds, etc.,). For about $15, you've created a gift that anyone would love to receive.
There really are ways to stay within your budget at Christmas. Just use a little creativity and put forth a little effort and you'll have a merry holiday, indeed.
About the Author
Heather L. Clark is a Web researcher and writer. In her spare time she enjoys pilates, music and Seinfeld reruns. She believes in the power of Christmas Wish Lists and making endless to-do lists in her day planner.
Is it a pathetic but humourous Q concerning leather shoes ?
Hi,
This question is pathetic, so all humouroua answers greatly appreciated.
I bought a pair of black leather shoes the other day, not cheap, but not a silly price.
I dreampt that I had totally knackered the toes, and discovered that indeed I have scuffed them considerably
I have no notion as to how to repair them.
Black shoe polish from a tin just makes it worse-looking.
Should I turn them into flip-flops, or get my limited money back ?
As I say, a perhaps petty question, but I don't like being ripped off by Clarks & others.
Any ideas ?
Bob
I wouldn't turn your shoes into flip flops, unless you really knew what you were doing. I would, however recommend that you take them to a shoe hospital. They really know how to work with shoes and depending on where you go, they will do it at reasonable price.
 |
 Electronic Kitchen Scale with Stainless Steel Platform $17.99 Time Remaining: 1h Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 Kitchenaid 17Pc Black Kitchen Tool Gadget Set $39.99 Time Remaining: 1h 32m |
 13 Cooks Knife Free ShippingKitchen Tools Gadgets $11.99 Time Remaining: 2h 2m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Bottle Stoppers Corks X 2 New Wine Silicone Screw Kitchen Gift Designed Gadget $14.19 Time Remaining: 3h 9m Buy It Now for only: $14.19 |
 Pampered Chef KITCHEN GADGETS $4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 35m |
 New Stainless Steel Garlic Press Kitchen Cooking Gadget Excellent Garlic Tool $25.99 Time Remaining: 4h 7m Buy It Now for only: $25.99 |
 OXO Good Grips Meat Tenderizer Kitchen Tool Cooking Gadget Utensil $14.99 Time Remaining: 4h 9m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Oxo Good GRIPS Citrus Juicer for Fresh Fruit Kitchen Tool Gadget Utensil $13.99 Time Remaining: 4h 9m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 OXO GOOD GRIPS Egg Slicer Chopper Kitchen Tool Gadget Utensil $14.99 Time Remaining: 4h 9m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 8 Piece Assorted Kitchen Gadget Chef Tool Set w Stand $8.12 Time Remaining: 4h 28m |
 MICHAEL GRAVES DESIGN STAINLESS STEEL SOFT HANDLE 4PC KITCHEN GADGET SET NEW $99.99 Time Remaining: 4h 47m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 MICHAEL GRAVES DESIGN STAINLESS STEEL TWO TONGS IN ONE KITCHEN GADGET NEW $19.99 Time Remaining: 4h 58m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Chefn FreshForce Garlic Press Crusher NEW KITCHEN GADGET COOK CHEF FOOD $4.35 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 55m |
 JOHN LEWIS SLOTTED TURNER KITCHEN COOKING COOK CHEF FOOD GADGET HIGH QUALITY $1.56 Time Remaining: 6h |
 Meat Grinder 10 Kitchen Tools Gadgets $28.88 Time Remaining: 6h 4m Buy It Now for only: $28.88 |
 Pizza Wheel Steel Cutter Easy Home Kitchen Tools Gadgets Dining New $19.99 Time Remaining: 6h 58m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 K GARLIC ONION PRESS Cooking Kitchen Gadgets ALUMINUM $8.00 Time Remaining: 7h 4m Buy It Now for only: $10.70 |
 Rachael Ray Spoonula Spoonulas Spatulas 3 pc Set Orange Kitchen Tools Gadget NEW $14.49 Time Remaining: 7h 33m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Baggy Rack Storage Bag Holder Kitchen Tools Gadgets $8.99 Time Remaining: 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 Nylon Whisk Kitchen Tools Gadgets $3.99 Time Remaining: 8h 10m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 OXO SteeL Garlic Press Stainless Kitchen Gadgets New $27.99 Time Remaining: 9h 16m Buy It Now for only: $27.99 |
 OXO Good Grips Box Grater cheese Grater Kitchen Gadgets $25.99 Time Remaining: 9h 16m Buy It Now for only: $25.99 |
 Oxo Good Grips Locking Salad Tongs Kitchen Gadgets New $19.99 Time Remaining: 9h 16m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Zester Jole Kitchen Gadget Utensil Yellow Plastic Handle Google Eyes $0.99 Time Remaining: 10h 39m |
 Apple Pear Fruit Vegetable Peeling Kitchen Gadget $5.01 Time Remaining: 11h 10m Buy It Now for only: $5.01 |
 WOLFERMANS ENGLISH MUFFIN SPLITTING TOOL KITCHEN GADGET MOTHERS DAY NEW IN BOX $5.99 Time Remaining: 11h 55m |
 Lot Vtg kitchen tools gadgets metal spoods tea strainers fork camp cabin utensil $14.83 Time Remaining: 12h 15m Buy It Now for only: $14.83 |
 Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner Colander Serving Bowl Kitchen Gadget $34.99 Time Remaining: 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Mini Kitchen Gadget Set of 6 New $0.99 Time Remaining: 13h 36m Buy It Now for only: $3.50 |
 Vintage Mod Dep Red Handled Tool Beer Making Bottle Capper Kitchen Gadget $7.29 Time Remaining: 14h 47m |
 Group Of 4 Kitchen Gadgets $0.99 Time Remaining: 14h 53m |
 NEW Rubbermaid Slotted Turner Spatula Red Kitchen Tool Gadget Cooking Meals $3.49 Time Remaining: 15h 49m |
 BOSTON WAREHOUSE BBQ Folk Corn Picks Set of 8 New in Box Kitchen Gadget Fun Gift $10.47 Time Remaining: 15h 57m Buy It Now for only: $10.47 |
 Meat or Sauce Heat Probe Kitchen Gadget $19.99 Time Remaining: 17h 16m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Kitchen Tool Magic Useful Automatic Apple Peeler Gadget $19.99 Time Remaining: 17h 55m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Simple Kitchen Tool Useful Cut Onion Chopper Gadget $12.99 Time Remaining: 17h 55m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Simple Kitchen Tool Magic Useful Garlic Peeler Gadget $2.99 Time Remaining: 18h 13m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Kitchen Garlic Press Box Dicer Kitchen Gadgets Helper $0.99 Time Remaining: 19h 29m Buy It Now for only: $0.99 |
 Gifts Lifestyle Design Crime Scene Kitchen Gadgets hot pot trivet Silicone red $0.01 Time Remaining: 21h 56m |
 Cake Decorating KIT WITH TIPS 31 Pieces Kitchen Gadgets $6.95 Time Remaining: 22h 19m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 KITCHEN 51 Piece Cutlery AND GADGET SET $38.44 Time Remaining: 22h 22m |
 Lot of Kitchen Gadgets Banana Slicer Garlic Press Corn Steamer Waffle Grill NEW $6.99 Time Remaining: 22h 47m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Portable Metal Garlic Press Presser Crusher Slicer Gadgets Home Kitchen Tool $2.39 Time Remaining: 22h 56m Buy It Now for only: $2.39 |
 Kitchen Non slip Plastic Handle Silver Tone Garlic Press Gadgets $11.03 Time Remaining: 23h 23m |
 Kitchen 2 in 1 Bottle Opener Gadget Bowl Dish Clip Tong Clamp $5.67 Time Remaining: 23h 48m |
 Set of 12 Kitchen Gadget Clip Ons 6 Lemons 6 Limes NEW $6.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9m |
 Tupperware Citrus Peelers Lot 5 Kitchen Gadgets Pick Your Color Purple Blue Aqua $3.99 Time Remaining: 1d 21m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 For Fruit Vegetable Peeling Peeler Kitchen Gadget $5.01 Time Remaining: 1d 24m |
 Vintage Taiwan metal KITCHEN tool gadget Black Handle BBQ BARBECUE TONGS 8 1 4 $2.99 Time Remaining: 1d 32m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 6 Heart votive candle holder sterilization basket kitchen gadget replica NR $0.95 Time Remaining: 1d 49m |
 Digital Kitchen Timers for leftovers Great household gadget $1.99 Time Remaining: 1d 55m |
 Kitchen Gadgets Knife Chocolatier equipment free shipping $20.00 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 EarthPan BROWN Trivet Pot Holder Hot plate Kitchen Gadget Gripper Cooks essentia $6.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 19m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 Orange Ice Cream Scoop Dipper Kitchen Tool Gadget $5.14 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 34m |
 Kitchen Gadgets and Tools Flatware Caddy $21.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 1m |
 Assorted Kitchen Knives 2 Gadgets New and MIB $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 4m |
 Japan Oyster Knife Clam Opener Shellfish Shucker Kitchen Gadget Seafood Tool BLK $8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 37m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 Kitchen Gadget Mincing Tool Plastic Garlic Press Orange $6.19 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 4m |
 NEW Kitchen Apple Slicer Corer Gadget w Plastic Grip $9.08 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 19m |
 Kitchen Non slip Plastic Handle Silver Tone Garlic Press Gadgets $11.03 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 23m |
"In Association with Amazon"
 |
OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner List Price: Sale Price: $28.86 You save: $1.13 (4%)  |
 |
Progressive GT-3520 International 19-Piece Measuring Cup and Spoon Set List Price: Sale Price: $7.59 You save: $2.36 (24%) |
 |
Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater List Price: Sale Price: $8.99 You save: $3.96 (31%) |
 |
OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Pastry Scraper/Chopper List Price: Sale Price: $8.15 You save: $1.84 (18%) |
 |
Chef'n StemGem Strawberry Stem Remover List Price: Sale Price: $7.71 You save: $1.28 (14%) |
 |
Simply Calphalon Nonstick 6-Piece Bakeware Set List Price: Sale Price: $24.99 You save: $5.00 (17%) |
 |
Swissmar Borner V-1001 V-Slicer Plus Mandoline 6 Piece Set List Price: Sale Price: $34.95 You save: $10.05 (22%) |
 |
OXO Good Grips Silicone Pastry Brush List Price: Sale Price: $5.49 You save: $2.50 (31%) |
 |
Bear Paw Meat Handler Forks Sale Price: $9.95 |
 |
OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler List Price: Sale Price: $5.95 You save: $3.04 (34%) |
Thank You
We hope you found the
Clark Tin
you were looking for.