Holiday shopping is very exciting but, unfortunately always underestimated.  Buying gifts for your family is a given, but what about relatives, friends, coworkers, bosses, teachers, neighbors, nurse, and the list goes on!  So buying for everyone can cost a fortune.

On top of that, you don’t want your gift to blend in with the rest.  Baskets, ornaments, and treats can, once graciously accepted, be thrown on the table with the rest of the goodies.  So how do you get the biggest bang for your buck?

When choosing a gift, it must be creative, useful and have longevity. Let’s start by categorizing our gift recipients.

Office workers/coworkers – under $50

If your company does not participate in  a Secret Santa gift exchange, you’re on the hook for a lot of gifts.  Here’s some cool ideas:

1.  Basket of $2-5 Gift Cards – Buy an inexpensive basket from a hobby store (or reuse last year’s), line it with tissue paper and decorative filler, place 10 gift cards (coffee house or donut shop would work pretty well at that price point), and throw some candy in the basket as well.
2. Basket of Tools – Hammers, nuts and bolts from your nearby hardware store can be inexpensive and could make an awesome basket for those who could use an extra tool around the house.  And as long as they don’t lose it, it may last for years
3. Basket of Scented Soaps – many bath and beauty shops sell these for $5 a piece, so make a basket with these and candy and let everyone grab one. Again, some longevity with this gift.
4. Online Spanish (or language) course – many offices need bilingual staff and those who aren’t would love to learn.  Que bueno!

Relatives – under $20

Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, nephews …how do you not go broke?

1. For the Chef – Grab a cookbook, some spices, and a tool and put it in a decorative bag or basket.
2. For the Gardner – Grab some packets of seeds, small bag of soil and put in in a pot filled with decorative filler
3. For the Auto Enthusiast – Grab some turtle wax, cloth, air freshener – you know the drill
4. For the Coffee Drinker – Grab two mugs, a rich coffee bag, and add sweets to the basket
5. For the Tea Drinker – Find as many flavors as you can and throw some honey in the basket…or a decorative mug

6. Gift cards – movies, restaurants, can’t go wrong with these
7. Books – not an easy pick since you need to do some detective work ensuring they hadn’t read your choice yet, but great price point
8. Bottle of wine, goblets, candles, these can be flexible and creative
9. Pedicure gift card
10. For the pet lover – a how to book, toys, treats for their pet.
11. For the one who loves to laugh – funny desk calendar, book of jokes, fart machine
12. Cuddly blanket – make sure its not an obnoxious color, or better yet…why not? 

and the list goes on……

Acquaintances/buddies

There are many people in our lives who we want to recognize during the holidays (Postal Worker, Sanitation team, Security Guard, etc) so here are some ideas that can accompany a warm Holiday message:

1. Stocking of goodies (sunscreen, treats, phone case)
2. Scarf or sport’s team hat
3. Cool car accessory
4. Box of treats, warm even better
5. Gift card, etc.

The holidays are a time of giving, and the joy it brings to both the recipient and you is priceless. Fortunately, creative and worthwhile gifts don’t have to be too costly.

Good luck shopping this year and have a wonderful holiday season!

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Daliah Wachs is a guest contributor to GCN news, her views and opinions, medical or otherwise, are her own. Doctor Wachs is an MD,  FAAFP and a Board Certified Family Physician.  The Dr. Daliah Show , is nationally syndicated M-F from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and Saturday from Noon-1:00 pm (all central times) at GCN.