Gifts for/from a Frugal Person
10th March 2008
It was so sweet the other day; our drivers brought me roses for “Woman’s Day.” Such a nice gesture. While I don’t expect drivers to contribute to my 401(k), there are some better gifts for all the holidays…here are some ideas if you can get past the “weirdness” of non-typical gifts:
1. Contribution to a 401(k), 529, or other retirement/tuition payment plan. This will benefit the receiver much more than any trinket.
2. Straight-up cash. How about something that doesn’t expire, will be good anywhere in the world, and requires no time to acquire?
3. Experience vs. expendable good. If you know that the frugal person will not spend the money to go out to eat, but loves a certain restaurant (be sure they love it), try giving them a dinner there. Or how about some exercise-related experience (think rock-climbing or sight-seeing). Be sure that it’s something they would want, not something you would want first.
4. Garage sale finds. My grandma and grandpa have everything they could ever want, but my grandpa is obsessed with trains, and my grandma loves these weird “head vases.” That’s fine, but a lot of things you can find for them are old. The best places to find them are online or at estate sales. And they love receiving something rare instead of a store-bought cheap new thing.
5. A donation to the charity of their choice. Just ask which charity. This is much classier than trying to buy them something that sits in their closet for years before they garage-sale it. And be ready with a charity for yourself if they ask you the same.
6. Grocery store gift certificate. My sister is in college, and I bet she would love someone to buy her groceries. Much better than a trinket. How about diapers for your favorite new mom? Functional makes me happy.
These are just a few ideas. What are some of the most functional/frugal gifts you’ve gotten people?
March 10th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I found your blog on MSN Search. Nice writing. I will check back to read more.
Eric Hundin
March 10th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
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March 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I don’t know if this counts as “frugal,” as it is not always cost-friendly for me (the purchaser), but I feel it is very valuable to the recipient: I ALWAYS give new moms a basket (say small laundry-basket size) full of diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, diaper rash cream, baby powder, etc. I, of course, make sure that this mom is using these products before giving, but I have found that these gifts are VERY appreciated. I am a very practical person and the way I see it, they can always use more diapers or wipes or powder no matter how many they get. And if the diapers aren’t the right size, it is easy enough to exchange practically anywhere for the correct size. I also try to throw in an appropriate treat for the mom, like some bubble bath or some pedicure-type tools so that she doesn’t get lost in the pampering of baby (she’s worked hard too and her job is just beginning!). So, there are my two-cents.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
This is an idea about something I got rather than gave.. basically, recycling.
When I was a child my mother was given a coloured glass clown ornament by her sister. Although I generally avoid “dust-collectors” now, I’ve always liked this clown, and in the back of my mind I had the idea that when she died (hopefully a day that is a long way off) I would inherit it. A couple of months before my 40th birthday, while Mum was showing me a new china purchase, I saw the little guy had been banished to the dark of the back of the cabinet. Since she wasn’t displaying it anyway, I suggested that she give it to me for my birthday present. I’ve counted 6 benefits:
1) She got to save money since she didn’t have to buy anything new. That made her happy!
2) It’s an eco-friendly gift since “the greenest products are the ones you don’t buy” (Leslie Garrett).
3) I get to enjoy the clown (displayed in my bedroom) for more years than I would have otherwise.
4) The clown was really just clutter for my packrat mother, since she wasn’t using or enjoying it, so she has one less piece of clutter now.
5) History shows that my mother is useless at picking presents for me that I actually like, LOL, so by telling her what I wanted, I avoided another piece of clutter too.
6) She knows she gave me something that gives me pleasure, so she’s happy too.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:12 am
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