The holidays can be a stressful time, especially when it comes to buying gifts. If you want to give something nice without breaking the bank, below is a list of five gift ideas that will suite almost anyone on your list.
Gift cards – Nowadays, almost everywhere you shop offers gift cards. Retailers, restaurants and professional service merchants, such as spas or photographers, have them available for purchase. Most of the people on your holiday shopping list will love that they can buy what they want when they want. And they’re convenient for you because you can control how much money to put on them and you don’t have to worry about someone’s clothing size or favorite color.
Magazine subscriptions – Buying magazine subscriptions can seem like a luxury to some, especially those on tight budgets. By purchasing a yearly subscription for someone, you give he or she something to enjoy well beyond the holiday season. Amazon.com has discounted subscriptions to a variety of magazines, including Essence, Jet, Black Enterprise and O, The Oprah Magazine.
Personalized gifts – You can transform everyday items such as a beer mug, money clip or picture frame into memorable gift by having them engraved with someone’s name, initials or a short inscription. Personalized gifts give an added touch to your thoughtfulness and the recipient something to truly cherish.
Books or e-books – The smell of a crisp, new book might be a thing of the past, especially with the emergence of e-books, but, for some, it’s a love that will never waver. There are books on virtually every topic and they’re often available in paperback or used copies, which are less expensive. You’ll just want to ensure the used copy is in decent condition. E-books are also great because they are generally cheaper than physical books and can be downloaded by anyone who has a smart tablet or e-reader, such as Apple’s iPad, Amazon’s Kindle Fire or Barns & Nobel’s Nook.
Spirits – While they’re only reserved for the 21-and-up folks on your list, spirits can make a great gift. There are plenty of red and white wines to choose from. You can also buy a decent bottle of cognac, vodka or countless other spirits for under $20.
TIFFANY L. WILLIAMS
Defender
