Remember, when the going gets tough, the tough have fun. I guess that not exactly the way the old cliche goes, but it makes sense to me. Face it, we’re in a recession, and that’s no fun for anyone. But…people are still going to have that annual birthday, the year is still filled with those never-ending greeting card holidays, so can you really just forget about some of our most enjoyable cultural rituals?
When it comes to gift giving, maybe it’s is time to alter a few of our attitudes about what makes a gift valuable. It’s always been true, but now the economic conditions give us an extra reason to remember that the cost of a gift isn’t what really matters. Giving a friend or loved one a token sends the message that you care about them and remember them during important occasions.. That’s all our message of a gift means, or that is all that it needs to say.
So here is a tip for giving the frugal way: Think jewelry! I realize that the word “jewelry” doesn’t really bring to mind the notion of frugality, however I suggest Italian charm jewelry, and that definitely is frugal giving. I’ll elaborate a bit on that.
If you have a friend who has a stainless steel Italian charm bracelet, you can add a whimsical Italian charm to her alternatives for around four dollars. You might even have enough left over for a cute gift bag from the local store.
If she doesn’t have any such jewelry, you can get her started in a fun fashion hobby by buying an Italian charm starter bracelet for well under ten dollars. That’s about the same as two cups of the house blend Java at your local coffee shop. That starter bracelet has the additional benefit of providing you with gift ideas for many years into the future, as you help her build her new collection.
What if that dear relative or friend is a male? Simply substitute an Italian charm keychain. The starter keychain is around five to seven dollars, kick in another funny charm for an extra few dollars, and your shopping is finished. In later years, as your economic life returns to normal, you can spend a little more to get an official sports related Italian charm licensed by NASCAR, the NBA or even his favorite college team.
Remember that you don’t have to give up giving or a little whimsy when times get rough. In fact, this is just the thing to bring fun, rather than high price tags, back into the spirit of giving.
