Be informed Series

Recently I was in a bad situation. I was suppose to be in charge of buying a gift. I couldn't do it! Why? I couldn't remember what would be the best gift at the time. I searched and searched and nothing came to mind. The leader of a group I belong to had to come to the rescue. She did a great job with such a wonderful selection in the gift department. It was most appropriate for the occasion. She saved the day!

Be informed series this week is about gift giving. Every year we are all faced with a dilemma of gift giving as adults for many different reasons. Of course my favorite is weddings. They are generally easiest because of registries. However not all brides and or grooms register. What to do? Simple.

Here are three rules to go by.

(A)  Always set your personal budget. What are you willing to spend on any gift and stick to it.

(B)  Occasion appropriate

(C)  Age appropriate

Now let us brain storm together.

(1) Weddings: Budget $25-$100.00

Kitchen garbage can full of cleaning supplies, paper towels, sponges, dish cloths.
A box of spices or spice rack (Salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, etc.)
Pool your money with others (equally)and give a large VISA gift card to be used at the discretion of the couple. (We used ours for extra bills and that $200 was really a God-send.)
Framed copies of really old family photos or of the couples baby pictures (obtained by calling their parents).
5 stainless steel cooking utensils -- they are heavy and generally lasts numerous years.(A really good cooking utensil is generally $10 each--spatula, 2- spoons, slotted spoon, and soup ladle).
2- sets of towels (simple white) for private use (2-wash cloth, 2- hand towels, and 2
bath sheets).
Iron, ironing board, and can of starch (Shouldn't laugh -- makes a great gift).
A living frame with their picture in the center that can be added to continually until full of pictures and such like neat paper collectibles, their honey moon plane ticket stubs, the first $1.00 made in their married lives together, the announcement of the arrival of their children, yearly family snap shots,other paper keepsakes, etc. can be put into this frame.
A laundry basket full of laundry supplies and if they do not have a washer and dryer throw in a roll of quarters.
A homemade gift from the heart that should be noted on the card as such will bring a tear to the couple -- like a homemade Christmas ornament for their 1st tree together or a needle point share pillow. (One large pillow where they can put their heads together and think. Let the couple know this is what the pillow is for.)
Two silver ID bracelets-matching with their initials.
A gift card for two auto oil changes. (Don't laugh this is at least a $50.00 gift and in some cases a most needed one.)

(2) Gift Adult: Budget $10-$75.00(all occasions)

Manicure or pedicure gift card (men love this too).
Sterling silver key chain with monogrammed initials.
Sterling Silver ladies antique purse mirror compact with initials (I once found one in a pawn shop that was really ornate. Yes it was used but once they polished it and monogrammed it with the initials it was a really beautiful piece. I gifted a really unique retiring teacher with that for $45.00)
VISA Gift Card -- pool with other guest of equal amount to be used at the discretion of the receiver. (I used mine to buy groceries or pay an extra bill off.)
A gift card to have for auto oil change. (I kept needing an oil change but never had the money to get one done until someone gave me a gift certificate for Christmas. I was very appreciative because it was 6 months overdue.)
Two movie passes to the local movie theater.
A nice monogrammed writing pen. (I still have mine from years ago,refill it and use it).
(If they are elderly) A gift card to the local pharmacy or holistic health food store.(Which ever is appropriate for their lifestyle).
Offer of free baby sitting service for Mommy and Daddy for 2 date nights.
Two passes to the local ball game.
A small monogrammed pillow for the office chair.
A gift card to the local Army/Navy store.
A sterling silver ID Bracelet with initials.
Sterling silver earrings.
A gift card for a make over.

(3)Gift - Child: Budget $10-$75 - make it age appropriate

$25.00 US Savings Bond.
Gift passes to the local roller skating rink.
Two movie passes to the local movie theater.
Manicure or pedicure gift card.
VISA gift card pooled with other guest to the local Mall.
Gift card to glamour photography package.
Two passes to the local ball game.
Two concert tickets.
Keepsake toy.
Age appropriate toy that your child picked out for the other child.
A card with $10.00 is wonderful.

(4) Baby Shower: Budget $10-$100.00

The best gift of all is supplies. As a new parent, you never have enough diapers, baby wipes, baby shampoo, electrical covers, shoulder covers, bibs, pacifiers, etc.
A package or two of "t-shirts" or "sleepers".
A special keepsake outfit. (This can be found really inexpensive at any upscale resale shop.)

RULES FOR GIFTING and RULES FOR RECEIVING

(a)As a receiver, accept the gift lovingly no matter how bad it is.

(b)Never buy a $9.99 gift at the last minute. I would have rather received a card with a $10.00 bill or a $5.00 bill (even as an adult instead a $4.99 or $9.99 standard stock useless Christmas gift.) I could use the cash for gas and would have loved you more for giving it to me or a simple card would have done just as wonderful. I would have understood and really do not expect gifts from anyone.

(c)Homemade gifts are from the heart and should be noted on the card as such.

(d) Do not gift fast food restaurant gift cards. Encouraging bad eating habits is not a good gift.

(e) Never buy video games, because you could be training tomorrows high school shooter.

(f) Never buy school supplies unless it is a "just because gift" and you know that the parent(s) are financially having a hard time but never at a specific occasion.

(g) Never buy anything that has to be returned or sized--specifically socks, shirts, or any type of clothes. (I had a relative who use to buy my underwear for me. It was always too big. They didn't have a lot of money and a simple card to say "Hey! I love you! Would have been wonderful.)

(h) Never buy crafts (unless the child or adult is a craft type person.)

(i) If you do not know the receiver you are gifting to, buy simple or a card with $10.00 cash for the "crunch times". Everyone has a "crunch time."

(j) Do not be afraid to shop at Pawn Shops. You would be surprised what you find in the better ones. The price is generally budget friendly and can be "negotiated."

(k) Jewelry should always be sterling silver preferably something that can have the initials put on it. (Silver is generally inexpensive.)

(l) Resale shops are wonderful for baby shower items.

(m) If you have a really close relative that is having a baby shower and your child just outgrew or never worn those items; wash them thoroughly and gift them. Explain to the relative that instead of having a garage sale, these are clothes that your child has outgrown. It will save you a bundle in the long run. Be sure to clean them and pass to the next relative expecting a child. My cousins and I did this often. We received new and used items and were very thankful. It did save a lot of money.

(n) Do not be afraid to shop at junk stores. I once found a place setting of
authentic depression glass. It happened to turn out to be a match of the up coming bride-to-be that she had been collecting for years. (That $350.00 collectible cost me $20.00. What a gift!)

(o) If you are older and have an extra family heirloom that was always admired by one of the upcoming bride or groom, gift it. The cost involved is wrapping and delivery.
I once received my g-g grandmother's flat cast iron skillet. I had admired it for years. I still have it in my possession. My mother started a green swirl depression class collection over 40 years ago. No one in my immediately family cared for it. My cousin loved it. He was getting married. Guess who received it as a wedding gift. Another cousin was a collector of antiques. I had many old, old family photos. I had them copied and placed in antique style frames. He and his new bride loved them very much and it fit perfect with their decor. Giving a used gift is acceptable. Mother had an ugly orange vase from my grandmother. I hated it. Couldn't stand to look at it. It is now in my aunts living room. She always loved it. We gave it to her as a Christmas gift.

(p) Easter for children: No to all the advertisement junk at Easter. A simple basket with 1-toy so the child won't feel left out is sufficient.

(q) Christmas for children: No to all the advertisement junk at Christmas. Two simple items per child not only keeps the parents out of the "red debt zone" but in the long run does not turn your child into an expectant materialistic brat! To other relative children, a simple card $5.00-$10.00 cash enclosed is appropriate or one simple gift. As grand-parents, stick to the card and money when the child is older. When the child is younger, like baby age, a $25.00 US Savings Bond is fantastic. <b>REPEAT DO NOT GO INTO HOCK AND SPOIL YOUR CHILD MATERIALISTICALLY BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET IT AS A CHILD-- A COMMON MISTAKE AMONG PARENT(S).</b>

(r) Christmas for adults: No to all the advertisement junk at Christmas. One simple gift,
YOU NEVER KNOW ABOUT GIFTS UNTIL YOU TRY. KNOW WHO YOU ARE GIFTING TO IF POSSIBLE.

VALENTINES DAY:

Buy some red construction paper. Make a heart. Fold, sign it and give it with a simple sucker taped to each as a child.

AS A MAN TO A WOMAN: The best gift of all. Buy some red construction paper. Cut out a
heart. Write on it your feelings. Fold it and give it to her. If your penmanship is bad, use the words out of a magazine to express your feelings. (She will melt in your arms.)(If you want to take her to dinner, make the picnic dinner yourself. She will remember it for the rest of her life. Menu: sandwiches, soda, chips, strawberries, and a chocolate candy bar --for 2--at the park is priceless.)

WOMAN TO A MAN: A simple chocolate heart will please him and you doting over his gift is all that is wonderful. (Unless he doesn't buy you a gift. Then he can have only a chocolate heart but not yours because that is not a good sign.)