4-Fill stockings with items needed on a daily basis.  This way you give practical gifts the recipient is sure to use.  Ideas include toothbrushes, band-aids, batteries, socks, postage stamps, etc.

5-Perishable gifts are almost a sure hit because you avoid giving the person a knick-knack that is most likely going to collect dust or not even make it to the display table.  Try a gift bag full of snacks or maybe a gift bag with some hot cocoas and/or coffee. 

6-If money is really tight, consider giving a coupon or two to entitle the recipient to your assistance performing some type of errand or service.  Consider a coupon running errands for an elderly parent or a coupon for a foot massage for a spouse.  I know I’d love someone to give me a coupon for someone else to clean my house!

7-If you can afford $50-$70 for a special friend, give them an evening away from home.  Check out www.priceline.com where you can find a hotel room for $35-$50.  If the recipient has children, offer to keep the kids for a night.  Give the friend an evening of peace and quiet.  It’s like a mini vacation!

8-For your spouse or special friend, how about a dessert coupon?  You can prepare a dinner at home for less than dining out, and then splurge with dessert at a restaurant. 

9-Fill a jar or canister with 31 compliments and kudos for a special friend.  Then, every day, your friend can select a piece of paper with a special message for him/her.  This can be an “I love you because” jar or it can be “Thirty-one things I admire about you” container.

10-Give your friend the gift of a hobby.  Maybe your family member has been interested in learning to play golf.  Buy him/her golf lessons.  Perhaps a gift certificate to A.C. Moore or Michael’s will brighten someone’s day who enjoys crafts. FYI—I’m giving my husband a gift he can enjoy with our son.  It’s a membership to a local golf facility where they can hit golf balls and track their progress over the coming year.  This way, it gives the two of them the joy of being together while doing something athletic and having fun all at the same time! 

NOTE:  Be sure to review November’s SONshine Savings newsletter for additional thoughts on gift giving.

DECEMBER SHOPPING  
Restaurants:  Last month I mentioned Chic-fil-a’s calendar deal.  Look for other restaurants offering similar deals—-buy some type of savings item (ex:  calendar or The Entertainment Guide) that offers a year of savings for dining out).  If you are going to dine out, you should save what you can while doing it.  If you do enjoy dining out, there are several coupon books that are well worth their price as long as you utilize them during the entire year. 

Christmas Cards:  You can save money and time by emailing your Christmas greeting.  While this is a bit impersonal, you can send 20 or 100 greetings simultaneously with the push of a button.  Emailing is for the “last minute” card sender.  With postage continuously increasing and digital cameras more prevalent, you can save a few dollars with emailing greetings to your friends who you think will enjoy the greeting, regardless of the method of delivery. 

Birthdays gifts, Thank you gifts, Teacher presents, etc.:  If ever there was a time to shop, December is it!  Buy now gifts at 50-75% discounts to use throughout the year for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Easter baskets, and thank you gifts (teachers, coaches, etc.).  Stores like K-Mart and Target offer non-seasonal merchandise at discounts starting December 26th.  I keep a Rubbermaid tote filled with gifts we give year-round.  Stock up now and have a supply of gifts for all the birthday parties your children are invited to attend!

Coupons:  When you shop, ensure you are participating in store frequent shopper programs.  Also check your favorite stores’ websites for coupons.  Another site to consider is www.ultimatecoupons.com.  Happy discounts!

EXCURSIONS
Free Entertainment:  In December, check out local churches, community centers, schools, and malls for free entertainment.  Avoid impulse shopping at the malls— but enjoy the fabulous Christmas music and performances.  This is a fun way to make family memories for free.

National Christmas Tree:  Annually my family treks towards the White House (at the elipse) to view the National Tree, state and province trees, National Nativity and yule log.  Bring your own hot chocolate and enjoy a free brisk night watching the many trains circuling the National Christmas Tree.  You can also use it as an educational moment to talk about states and geography.  However, I recommend you mostly just take in the sites and enjoy the family time.  This year, we each got to name a state and then we made a game of “running around” to find those state trees. 

SHOPPING/MARKETING
This past week, ABC’s 20/20 program featured for one hour many tips about shopping.  Here are just a few I thought my readers would enjoy:

• When shopping on the internet, use only one credit card.  This way, if your card number is stolen and used without your authorization, you have one card statement to closely watch.
  
• When shopping for jewelry on the internet, particularly e-Bay, beware of appraised values and authenticity of jewelry.  Jewelry is one internet purchase that is particularly susceptible to misrepresentation or fraud.
  
• Outlets typically sell first quality merchandise and usually represent “good deals.”  Of course, many of us already know this!  As you do shop, outlet malls are often great places for bargains!
  
• When shopping warehouse stores, like Sam’s Club, use a list and stick to it.  This stores try to entice you to impulse shop.  Be aware of the marketing tactics and even shop with a buddy to help you avoid over-spending.
  
• Know your prices and merchandise values!  Just because a store is advertising a sale, this does not mean the prices are “rock bottom.”  Know the prices offered by competitors and do your homework before making a major purchase.  Most stores will match their competitors’ prices (if you prefer to purchase from a particular retailer). 

ESTATE PLANNING
This is not intended to be advise; rather, this is information you should consider if the scenario fits your circumstance. Be sure you check with your tax advisor to get specific details and to see if this estate planning information can benefit you.

While this tidbit probably won’t directly help my readers, it could help you help a parent or elderly relative.  In August 2006, President Bush signed legislation that allows Americans to make tax-free gifts from their IRAs if: (1) IRA owner is 70.5 or older, (2) Gift is made prior to 12/31/07, (3) Funds are given from a traditional or Roth IRA, and (4) Gifts do not total more than $100,000 per year.  Maybe you are helping someone plan their estate.  This information could help people support Christian organizations, such as missions organizations.  If you know someone at least 70.5, you might want to share with them about this new law and have them investigate it further with their tax advisor.