You may have escaped your Christmas shopping with only a moderately sized hole in your pocket, but while Christmas gets more than its share of mainstream coverage, today’s overly commercialized society has turned gift-giving into a year round obstacle for those on a budget. Blink once and suddenly it’s a family member’s birthday, wedding, Martin Luther King Day (equal rights, the gift that keeps giving), Valentine’s Day, one present-for-presence exchange after another. Though we don’t endorse coercing others into spending outside their means by passing it off as a form of celebration (we do endorse equal rights, just for the record), we recognize the need to partake in such holidays and momentous occasions in order to maintain good social standing. Though it may not be better on your bank account to give than receive, the following suggestions will at least make it better than it could it have been.Cut Down on Overhead Costs Buying a gift is one thing, wrapping paper? Total scam. Try using old newspaper. A cartoons page or Sunday crossword can help not only effective cover your present so as to preserve the surprise, but also provide a source of entertainment wrapping paper simply can’t match. Not to mention, newspaper also overs a chance to add even more thoughtfulness to your gift, perhaps making up for less-than thoughtful gift purchases. For example, wrap a wedding gift in a page with wedding announcements or a birthday gift with that day’s paper. Your gift can double as a conversation piece by including topical current events.Go Sentimental It’s the thought that counts. Mementos from the past are great starting points for gifts, particularly for those in relationships. Children and teens may not appreciate gifts in this vein, but for those with a little more earthly experience, sentimental gifts may even be preferred to the latest and greatest technological release or shiniest item in the store. Continue Reading »