by: Kelly Kennedy

Shopping on a budget may seem difficult to some, but there are so many things you can do that will cut your costs in half and the gifts will still be great! It's easy to whip out your credit card and charge all the gifts you find, however you'll be dreading the day your statement arrives in the mail. Well its time to take charge and buy only what you can afford and you'll be saving dimes for sure!

There are also those few who save a little every month to cover holiday expenses but before you do, why not consider giving a gift from the heart, which can still be special to the gift getter.

Let's start off with greeting cards. Instead of purchasing expensive cards for friends and relatives why not write a letter that wraps up what the purpose of the greeting is. If you are sending a lot of cards for the holiday such as Christmas you can design your own letterhead with a computers design expertise or make own design. This way you can create a lot of letters and it's less expensive. If you are sending one card you can also personalize e-cards which you can send to all your friends and family if you have internet access and an active email account as well as them having both internet and email. There is a lot of e-greeting card websites that allow you to personalize a card for free. This is the short and quick way to get your message out and it means no stamps or licking envelopes!

Take time to think about each person you are shopping for and what he or she would like as a gift. It will be easy to think of great gifts that anybody might want such as a new car but that isn't being realistic. Think about what each person does, their hobbies, and other interests.

Do you know anyone getting ready to go to college? Why don't you put together a "care package"? Fill it with basic necessities a college student might need. Such as cookies, snacks, toiletries, socks, college guidance books, etc.

Are you gift-giving to someone at work or who has an office? You can create an "office pack". The key is in how well you present it. Find a fitting container and fill it with office supplies, mouse pad, personalized pens or coffee mugs, magazines, a calendar, etc.

Baskets are a great giving idea, because you can fill them with so many different things. Don't spend money at the mall buying one filled with overpriced goods, instead make one yourself. You can find baskets at any discount store. Then, simply put something to cover the bottom of the basket, whether it is cloth, tissue paper, or something creative. Then just organize whatever items you have and put a bow on it or decorative piece. If you don't know what to put in the basket you can find all types of arts & crafts ideas in books at your local library or on the Internet. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cookie Basket
  Homemade cookie variety, toppings, napkins, cocoa mixes


• Coffee Lovers Basket
  Assortment of coffees, mugs, stirrers, creme assortments, something to read


• Traditional Jelly Basket
  Small jars of homemade jelly, muffin/cornbread mix, spatula, butter & knife


• Sweet Tooth Basket
  Brownies, cookies, small jars of candy, cocoa mix, chocolates


• Pasta Lovers Basket
  Jars of various pastas and sauces, parmesan cheese, pasta ladle, strainer


• Fire Starter Basket
  Pinecones, long stick matches, starter blocks, candle scents/oils, ash shovel

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