Gift-Giving on a Budget
Dec 3rd, 2008 by Capsun
Calling all Santas!: As of today, you now have three weeks left to get a gift for those on your Christmas list.
Finding a gift for the people in our lives can be a challenge, so I want to help you by sharing some recommendations. With these tough economic times, I’m following Oprah’s lead and sharing gift recommendations that all cost $25 or less. Because I have many layers, I want to recommend something for each of my personalities. Hey, no psychiatric/psychology jokes, please!
To be clear, I’m not asking for these things, in fact, I have most of them. But perhaps someone on your gift list matches one of my personalities and you might use these recommendations to get a gift for them.
Onward to the giving ideas:
- For the geek in me: A personalized Twitter shirt from Tino Valdez of Valdezign. ($25)
- For the blogger in me: A 2009 calendar designed by blogger/photographer Ian Lind featuring Kaaawa Cats, Totally Toby, Kaaawa at Dawn, or Morning Dogs. This is one of the few ways that Ian monetizes his blog, so if you are a devoted reader of his blog like I am, do try to support him. ($16.98-$17.99)
- For the anal person with OCD tendencies that I am: Absolutely anything from Moleskine (rhymes with “Latina” not with “skin” or “teen”). These little notebooks are more than just a simple notebook, they bring the joy of writing back, although I usually use them as a nice notepad to record blog drafts, notes, and lists. With Moleskine, luxury can be yours for just a few dollars. I’ve always loved their pocket-sized cahiers the most, but recently got something from their recently relaunched Volant line that has instantly become my new favorite. Plus, they never need upgrades nor updating and will never have its batteries die on you. And no, the irony of promoting something analog like Moleskine on something as digital as a blog is not lost on me! ($6.96-$17.95, depending on model)
- For the political junkie that I’m proud to be: The Dream Begins: How Hawaii Shaped Barack Obama co-authored by Advertiser columnist Jerry Burris. ($17.95)
- For the kinda environmentalist that I need to work harder at being: A Brita water pitcher (or any other brand, for that matter) that reduces the waste produced by bottles, caps, and labels needed for bottled water. ($10.99-$22.99 for certain models)
- For the iPhone fanatic that I am: An Apple or iTunes gift card available at an Apple Store near you. ($25)
- For the Big Island boy and snacker that I am: In Kona, anything from Kona Chips. ($0.95-$14.95 for their signature line of potato chips) In Hilo, anything from Big Island Candies. ($7-$17.50 for their best-selling Chocolate Dipped Original cookies)
- For the anti-go!/Mesa Airlines evangelist that I will always be: Hawaiian Airlines stock. With today’s opening price of $4.39, Hawaiian (NASDAQ: HA) is trading for almost nine times as much as Mesa Air Group (NASDAQ: MESA), parent company of go! Airlines and The Real Aloha usurper, soon to be “Not Aloha” or “No Aloha” or “Aole Aloha” airlines. In the current market, Hawaiian is a bright spot in the otherwise gloomy airline industry.
And if those are too expensive, don’t forget that foot massages and back rubs are always free. While they are overwhelmingly accepted with glee by the gift recipient, I think they may be harder to come by than a few bucks to spend on a gift.
But seriously, you can always give gifts from the heart. For example, one year I gave my fiancee a coupon book filled with gems like “One Free Argument Win” or “I Promise to Stop Talking and Listen to You Instead” – I actually think it may have been the present she’s ever received from me. Happy gift-giving!
Mahalo!
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onGift-Giving on a Budget « Capsunâ??s CornerHere’s a quick excerptAs of today, you now have three weeks left to get a gift for those on your Christmas list. Finding a gift for the people in our lives can be a challenge, so I want to help you by sharing some recommendations. With these tough economic … [...]
Great list of gifts! This list works for a lot of people I think. Especially the massage and foot rub part.
What if we have decided that Christmas is too commercial and we aren’t exchanging gifts?
Fran: Good luck getting the “free” gifts!
Quilly: Then you are quite a bit more enlightened than I am and less materialistic – good for you! If only I didn’t love gadgets, Tumi, and Moleskine so much…
Although, I’ve always enjoyed the gift-giving at birthdays far more, you know, when all the attention is on one person.
I agree that Christmas is way too commercial and neglects “real” gift giving that reflects the recipient’s wants/needs. I want one of your free coupon books.
Muiling: I gave the coupons to my fiancee years ago. Nowadays, I take the easy way out and buy her a present.
[...] 14 days left until Christmas – check out my gift recommendations. [...]
[...] 13 days left until Christmas – check out my gift recommendations. [...]
[...] 11 days left until Christmas – check out my gift recommendations. [...]
[...] 10 days left until Christmas – check out my gift recommendations. [...]
[...] 9 days left until Christmas – check out my gift recommendations. [...]
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