Unique Gift Basket Containers--Make Gift Wrap Part of the Present

Why do we we buy gift wrap? We're only going to throw it out. How about wrapping gifts in something reusable? Here are gift basket ideas that make the container or wrapper part of the gift. Below is a list of alternative gift containers. No waste wrapping paper!

Decorative cardboard storage box: Round boxes with a corded lid were originally used as hat boxes. Family Dollar and Dollar General sell sturdy decorative varieties of these hat boxes. Fill boxes with beauty products, cosmetics, bath soaps, lotion. Nestle items in washcloth and towel.

Magazine rack: Fill with personalized gift items for readers and writers: books, a quality pen, journal, paper clips, magazines, puzzle books, coffee mug and specialty coffee or tea.


Cooler or portable lunch sized beverage holder: Fill with items for fishermen, campers, hunters, sports fans, motocross, bikers, golfers, boaters and outdoor activity enthusiasts. Include beverages, snacks, warmers, equipment.

Backpack: Perfect gift container for students, hikers, kayak and canoe enthusiasts, bike riders and climbers.

Craft tote or caddy: Walmart sells several sizes of pocketed craft caddies, from purse size for $6 to large ones for about $20. These are perfect gift containers for craft and sewing supplies, knitting, embroidery, crochet, quilting, painting, pottery, beading, sculpture, drawing and art. Fill small craft totes for children with scissors, glue stick, crayons, construction paper, tape, sequins, colored pencils, stickers.


Briefcase or portfolio: Computer and photography enthusiasts, musicians, collectors and electronics buffs will like locking briefcase with compartments, pockets and drawers. Handy for transporting small delicate parts. Padded pockets are useful for power cords, mp3 player, USB drive, iPod, smartphone, software, small tools, batteries, bulbs, tuning equipment and extra supplies.


Tool box: car, truck, motorcycle and boat enthusiasts will appreciate a tool box filled with emergency supplies.


Large mixing bowl: Great for cooks, bakers, cake decorators. Fill this with oven mitts, bamboo spoons, spatula, apron, cook's knife or other useful cooking supplies.


For more creative gift giving ideas, visit me at

thechristmasseason.blogspot.com
allaboutgiving.blogspot.com
shopchat.blogspot.com
pennypincherpost.blogspot.com .

Affordable Father's Day Gifts at All Price Ranges That Dad Will Love

Shopping for men can be tricky if you don't know what he wants. And holiday and birthday gift-giving can get expensive. So you want the most bang for your shopping buck. Here are top 10 affordable gifts for men for birthday, Christmas, Father's Day. I've listed gifts in different price ranges. My husband enjoys these and your guy will love too. Affordable Father's Day Gifts at All Price Ranges That Dad Will Love

Gifts for Dieters, Fat Burner Food Basket

So what presents do you give a person on a diet? Father's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, birthdays--no fun without the candy, booze, salty and sugary snacks, right? Wrong, for people trying to lose, all that junk is sheer torture. So how about stocking her cupboard with healthy, fat burner foods? I've lost 96 pounds by swapping junk food for healthy. Ironically, diet foods, contain fewer calories, but cost more! Go figure. For birthdays, holidays, open houses, fill a basket with diet foods. Help your dieting friends and family stay the course. Here's a grocery list of what should be in your shopping cart if you're trying to lose weight.  Healthy Diet Foods That Should Be in Your Shopping Cart 

Sexy, Intimate, Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts

Whether you are in a new relationship or you've been married for 30 years, it is important to keep the spark of romance alive. Romantic Valentine's Day and anniversary gifts keep that flame alive and glowing. Romantic gifts don't need to be expensive to be special. Some gifts cost nothing more than a little time and creativity. Valentine's Day and Anniversary gifts must be unique and personal, however. Here is the definitive guide for choosing a romantic gift for that special him or her. Romantic Valentine Gifts for Lovers

Minimalist Lifestyle is Healthy for Kids, Parents

 My out-of-the house son and I were recently discussing the minimalist lifestyle. We noticed how many people claim to be minimalists but in fact aren't. Case in point: money. It's easy to talk about living simply, but much harder to do it. And now that our son is paying his own way, he realizes why dad and I were so frugal when he was growing up. He sees first-hand how expensive things are and how easy it is get deep in debt. Avoiding debt is one reason parents should live simply. Here are others. Minimalism is Good for Families

Educational Preschool Gifts that Won't Bankrupt the Budget

Every Christmas, I say to myself, "I'm not going overboard shopping for the kids this year." And each year, I do. But at least, I'm a good bargain-hunter. I may overspend a little but I get lots of bang for my holiday buck! As a teacher and mom, I insist on educational toys and gifts. Here are low-cost, high-learning toys and gifts for preschool-age kids.  Read more

Best Kids' Toys and for 2012 Christmas Presents

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is buying gifts for kids. I love choosing toys, but I'm very picky. I demand that toy gifts I buy have some intrinsic educational value. And there are a lot of junk toys on the market. How do you wade through the chaff to find the best gifts for kids? Here's a guide from a 25-year veteran teacher and 24-year mom of four.  read more

Black Friday Sales Alternative--Cyber Monday Online Shopping

Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping event of the holiday season. It's probably the biggest online shopping event of the entire year. Save time, headaches and gas money. Skip the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday madness. You can enjoy the safer and more peaceful online shopping of Cyber Monday. Check out cellphone deal finder apps and browse in your jammies. Online shopping can be challenging, though. Every store and merchandiser is vying for your shopping dollar. They ply you with coupons, free shipping and "great deals." How do you navigate the ocean of internet commerce? Here's your shopper's guide to Cyber Monday deals.  read more

Top 10 (plus a Few) Gift Ideas for Teenage Boys

Let me preface this article by saying that I have two sons, one husband and four brothers, so I have Christmas shopped for teen boys for about 25 years or so! The style of gift they ask for has changed over the years, for teen boys, as technology changes, but the content has stayed very much the same! Top presents for teen boys

How We Got Cheap Wedding Rings (Romantically) Under $200

 When we got married, my husband and I paid for our wedding and reception. To cut costs, we looked for cheap wedding rings. For less than $200 we bought an engagement ring, woman's wedding ring and man's wedding ring. Here's how.  read more

Best Grandparents Day Gifts

With Grandparents Day approaching, the buzz is on the best gifts. This article was written for Mother's Day and lists outside-the-box (and envelope) gift-giving ideas. The concepts apply to Grandparents Day gifts, too. There's a lot of competition for our gift-giving buck. Stores and vendors are ripe with advice about what mom supposedly wants. That's why families should think heart (as in gifts from the) and smart.

Speaking of smart, for Mother's Day shopping (and Grandparents Day, thinking inductively) the best tips I found come from Denver Post $MART columnist Amber Johnson. Johnson surveyed moms about what they wanted most. Essentially, the consensus was to dial down the spending and pay attention to the individual mom's preferences. I'd add skip the three Cs (cards, candy and cut flowers). If you want to send a card, don't buy one. Use free printable greeting cards from my blog. And for shopping, use this advice for grandparent gifts, too. Mother's Day Gifts

Back to School Eye Exam and Glasses from Walmart, Best Gifts for Kids

There's one aspect of back to school preparation that sometimes gets overlooked--eye exams and glasses. We scrupulously follow school supplies list. We buy pencils, notebooks and backpacks. We shop for school clothes and shoes. We stock the cupboard with healthy school snacks. But we forget the one thing that can make or break a school year for a child--good vision. This year, give the gift of sight with Eye Exam and Glasses from Walmart 

Cyber Monday: How to Save Big Money with Online Shopping

Cyber Monday: Make Online Shopping Work for You Cyber Monday: the biggest online shopping event of the holiday season. After the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday shopping spree, we can enjoy the safer and more peaceful online shopping of Cyber Monday. But even online shopping can be challenging. Every store and merchandiser is vying for your shopping dollar. They ply you with coupons, free shipping and "great deals." How do you navigate (pun intended) the ocean of internet commerce? Here's your shopper's guide to Cyber Monday deals. Read more

Best Gifts for Arts Enthusiasts, Dance and Ballet Fans--All Price Ranges

Best Gifts for Arts Enthusiasts, Dance and Ballet Fans--All Price Ranges Ballet and ballroom dance events makes wonderful spectator sports. Even if you have two left feet, you can still enjoy dance performances. Here is a guide to the best holiday gifts for fans of ballet, jazz, modern and ballroom dance. I've included gifts in all price ranges. Read more...

Best Gifts for Dads

Why is it that holiday shopping for women is so easy, but finding gifts for men is so difficult? Fathers are especially challenging to shop for. Why is it that holiday shopping for women is so easy, but finding gifts for men is so difficult? Fathers are especially challenging to shop for. Got a few hard-to-shop for dads on your holiday giving list? Here are the top 10 gifts that are sure to please Dad. Read on...

Toys to Avoid Buying This Holiday Season: CPSC "Most Wanted"

When holiday shopping, we usually think in terms of what gifts to buy, not gifts to avoid. But some children's toys are not safe or have been recalled. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has compiled a list of recalled and "most wanted" toys to avoid this season. Read more...

Green Fair-Trade Holiday Gift-Giving Guides

Green, Sustainable, Fair Trade Holiday Gift-Giving Ideas Whatever your religious views, if you participate in holiday gift-giving, why not consider giving green, eco-friendly, fair trade gifts this holiday season? Here gift-giving ideas from companies committed to using renewable, sustainable resources. Read More

Best Wedding, Bridal Shower and Holiday Kitchen Gifts for Bakers

Best Gifts and Kitchen Must-Haves for Bakers Under $15 Looking for holiday or birthday gifts for bakers? Maybe you are going to a kitchen bridal shower or need a great wedding gift? In this economy, we're all looking for ways to pinch pennies. Here are best gifts and kitchen must-haves under $15. Read More

Buying Guide for Fall Leggings Fashions for Girls

Fall Fashion Trends: Animal Print, Metallic, Lace and Liquid Leggings Leggings -- or footless, stretch pants worn under dresses, skirts or sweaters -- come back in style periodically. Fall will see leggings, but they are taking a walk on the wild side, with animal prints, lace and liquid leggings. Read More

Oscar Schmidt- Washburn Guitar Product Review- Gifts for Musicians

Our son has been playing the guitar, entirely self-taught for about 12 years. He cut his musical teeth on the ubiquitous Fender Strat (Stratocaster), and got an acoustic guitar about 8 years ago. An Oscar Schmidt, by Washburn which has been a workhorse and a great investment. I haunted Firehouse Guitars, Meier Music, RIT Guitars and our local RIT offshoot. Here is the best deal I could find. Read More