Holiday Gift Giving in a Recessionary Economy

Like the Christmas song says, Santa is "making a list and checking it twice." But this year, it is not necessarily because he wants to know who's been naughty and who's been nice. It is because -- just like the rest of us -- Santa's holiday shopping budget has to stretch significantly further than last year. Holiday shopping during a recession can be a challenge, but difficult economic times only heighten the need for rejoicing and celebration. So before you give up on holiday gift giving altogether, here is some expert advice to help you give generously in a recessionary economy.

GIVING GENEROUSLY DURING A RECESSION ...
Ask yourself this question ... "What does it mean to give generously?" Generosity is more spiritual, than financial. Giving generously is a mindset. It is the attitude of the giver and not the size of the gift that really matters. Giving generously requires effort, thought, and planning. It is about choosing a gift from the heart, not merely finding an item in the dollar range that fits your budget. A meaningful gift is always appreciated by friends and co-workers and cherished by loved ones.

OLD ADAGES STAND THE TEST OF TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE ...
In an online article on eHow entitled How to Give Christmas Gifts in a Recessionary Economy, terrific Seattle writer Kristina Jensen emphasizes that the key to holiday gift giving on a budget is to follow the old saw -- It's the thought that counts! "In times of economic instability, the gift you give doesn't have to be the height of luxury. It just has to be thoughtful and aimed at the person you're giving to."

GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH THE PEOPLE ON YOUR GIFT LIST ...
eHow author and and expert gift giver Kristina Jensen recommends a simple strategy to assist shoppers in their search for thoughtful and affordable gifts. "Consider each member of your family and all of your friends. Rather than ask, 'What does my cousin most want?' Ask [yourself] 'What makes my cousin happy?' Asking the question this way opens up a lot of new possibilities for Christmas gifts."

FIND A GENUINE NEED ...
On some level or another, everyone is making sacrifices to make ends meet. Often the first items to get cut from one's family budget are the personal indulgences -- the little luxuries -- that make life worth living. When choosing holiday gifts -- especially for co-workers and friends -- those acts of self denial can be a great source for holiday gift ideas. If your co-worker has recently started bringing coffee from home to save money, how much would he or she enjoy a high tech thermal mug or thermos? While it may require some effort on your part, nothing is more appreciated than a gift that fills an authentic need.

THE GIFTS WE REMEMBER ARE THE ONES THAT COME FROM THE HEART ...
Without a doubt, the best holiday gift anyone ever gave me was a video cassette player / recorder. The result of a group effort, my entire family chipped in to buy it and, as I remember, it was the only present that I received that year. At the time, I was a single working mother with a young child. To say that I had no social life in those days, hardly begins to describe the situation. That VCR was quite literally the perfect present. Not because it was the most expensive model with all the latest bells and whistles, but because that video recorder was my lifeline during a very difficult period (remember the Internet was not a household word back in the late '80s). Each time I popped a Disney cassette into the VCR so I could have 10 minutes all to myself, I remembered my family's unexpected thoughtfulness and generosity. What was your best Christmas present ever? I'll bet that it wasn't the gift that cost the most, rather it was the one that was the most heartfelt.

FOCUS ON SHARED MEMORIES & PAST EXPERIENCES ...
In another eHow article entitled How to use Great Gift Ideas in a Recession, Lynn20 (another talented online writer who uses a nom de plume) reinforces the value of making meaningful gift choices. She advises using shared memories and past experiences to point the way to the ideal gift. "Think! Think about past conversations or experiences you have had with each person you want to give gifts." Pick a gift that reminds you of some special memory that you shared with the recipient -- something reminds you of a time when he or she was "embarrassingly happy, sad, furious, or excited ... There is something that you can find ... to bring the joy of WOW I THOUGHT YOU FORGOT ABOUT THAT!" One of the most rewarding aspects of shopping on eBay is that there is almost infinite supply of collectibles -- both original and reproductions -- to get your creative juices flowing.

TELL THE STORY ...
According to Lynn, "The key here is to either tell the story when they open the gift or write a reminder in the [gift] card." Sharing the story behind the present makes the moment even more meaningful. After all, who wouldn't want to play Ralphie in their own personal rendition of A Christmas Story? What could be more precious than a memento of days gone by? So this holiday season, put another yule log on the fire and add another old chestnut to the trove of treasured memories spent celebrating with family and friends.

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