Everyone has struggles whether due to the economic times, loss of employment, or just extra bills to pay and with the upcoming Christmas season, this can put us all in a bind to come up with money to remember our friends and relatives. We all need to budget our money so that we can share the Christmas spirit and bring extra joy this holiday season. That being said, the following is a list of great places and great items to pick up for under $20.00 this Christmas:
Dollar Tree is a great place to shop for great gifts in an extensively frugal atmoshere. Great items for only a dollar and sometimes less with special deals and clearance items can be found here, as well as crafting items to make holiday gifts. Great things for all types of family members can be found here, from porcelain trinkets, to toys, to electronic items, to bath items, and apparel these can be great stocking stuffers or combined to make a larger gift such as grouping a toy doll with accessories for a low price.
Budget stores such as Dollar General and Family Dollar can also serve up an offering of many items that can be obtained below $20.00. Although not all electronic items and others are less than twenty, there are a good deal of items available in this price range including toys.
Walmart and other lower priced department stores will have an assortment of gifts for under $20.00 in just about every department, even electronics. They have most everything a person can use and even great jewelry items for under $10.00. Also watch for clearance items that can be useful. Sometimes some great things like MP3 players and digital cameras can be available for a great price.
This year, even some higher end stores like Kohl’s and Younkers have some great sales on clothing that puts it in the under $20.00 range. They also sell toys or CD’s for charitible giving at Kohl’s and have toys under $20.00 such as Beanie Babies at Younkers.
If you’re one who likes antiques and have relatives that want them, even some antiques go for under $20.00. I obtained a beautiful bird plate for $14.99 at a place called the Harp Gallery. Some places even sell collectible toys such as ones to do with older cartoons for a low price. Another great place to obtain these antiques is Goodwill, St. Vincent DePaul, or other local thrift stores and sometimes even garage sales if you know what to look for.
You can buy candy, even at specialty candy makers, for under $20.00–or make it yourself if you’re good at it. Simple candy can be made easily from ingredients obtainable at any store. Chocolate covered caramels, turtle candy, and others can be made at home easily, especially if the chocolate is meltable in the microwave. Tis can taste really great if the right ingredients are purchased.
Music is a great gift to give and most compact discs are available for under $20.00 yet, especially at lower end department stores. If they like classic music, the price can be even lower for collections of assorted artists.
Someone on your list want some low priced video games, office software, language learning software, or other types of software local stores may have dump bins or displays of great software for sale, even Office Max and Office Depot.
Lastly, try online places like Amazon.com. They have a great variety of bargain items for under $20.00. Even if it’s out of print, some books can be obtained there, not to mention the assortment of other great items they have for sale.
There are just so many great ideas, you may come up with more just by reading this article. Have fun, and rememeber there is a great range of gifts within your budget!
