Hold On To Your Gift Receipts (image courtesy of billaday)

Is that new sweater too small? Get a gift that you already have? Or perhaps you just want something different? Returning gifts for what you really want can be a hassle, but it can also be great to exchange something you don’t have a need for for the present you were really hoping would show up this holiday season. Here are a few ways to return gifts for what you really want.

Use the Gift Receipt

Chances are retailers are going to be a bit more strict post-Christmas than they have been in the past. They know lots of consumers may want cash-in-hand instead of the gift they received. If you’re lucky, your box held a gift receipt along with your present so you can return it. Some stores still may only give you gift cards instead of a refund. This is OK if you like the store, but if not you may have to get creative.

Sell the Gift Card

Whether you were given a gift card for a store you don’t usually shop at, or you ended up with one because you had to return something, you can still sell that gift card online for cash. A couple of sites to check out are PlasticJungle.com or SwapaGift.com. With Swapagift.com, the card must have between $25-$200 in value and be one of the dozens of stores on the preferred merchant list. They’ll pay you up to 70% of the card’s value. You’ll get the most if you’ve got gift cards from stores like Best Buy, Lowe’s, Target, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods. You’ll take a hit on the value of the card, but at least you’ll be able to put that money towards the gift you wish you would have received.

Ask for the Receipt

If you didn’t get a gift receipt, consider asking for the original receipt. This can be a touchy situation depending on your relationship with the gift giver. Be tactful and honest. Explain why you’d like to return or exchange the gift. With the original receipt you shouldn’t have a problem getting a full cash refund for your item. If you expect the person to get offended, you may want to consider another alternative.

Sell the Gift

If you can’t return the gift, try selling it yourself. List it on eBay or even Craigslist.com and then use the cash to buy yourself something else. This option is a little risky since you may not know what kind of cash the sale will generate. But if you truly hate the gift you received, or you simply don’t have a need for it you may as well try to get something you really want.

Before you know it the holidays will be here. From family events to special gatherings, schedules will be filled will lots of extra demands. Want to make this Christmas season stress-free? Then start preparing for holiday gift-giving early with these simple tips.

Make a List

First things first– grab a pen, a piece of paper and get to work. Make a list of all of the people you know you need to buy gifts for. Talk it over with your significant other to make sure you’re not leaving off any important names.

Brainstorm

Now that you’ve got your list, start brainstorming gift ideas. A sweater for Aunt Rita, a book for Uncle Joe, and maybe a new video game for your nephew. Come up with several ideas for each person on your list. When you’re not focused on one idea shopping will be a lot easier. Go high tech with your planning and budgeting by using an iPhone app like Better Christmas List. That way your list will always be with you and you’ll be able to track your spending when you start shopping for those on your Christmas list.

Start Shopping

Now for the fun part– start shopping! Rather than rushing around just before your deadline, start this step as early as possible. Keep an open mind when running errands or walking through the mall. Don’t leave all of your shopping to be done at once. Taking care of it over time will make it more fun, less stressful and easier on your budget.

Get Crafty

Perhaps you’ve decided to go handmade with some of your gift giving this Christmas. Making gifts is a great way to save money, but it’s done best when you give yourself plenty of time. Since you’ve started your Christmas gift-giving early, you’ve got lots of time to get crafty.

Buy Extra

Chances are there are people who have inadvertently been left off your list while planning. Buy a few extra gifts– perhaps candles, body lotion or a DVD. Keep the items flexible so they can be given to a wide variety of people who may pop up on your list as Christmas approaches.

Make Room in Here for Gifts (Photo courtesy of The County Clerk.)

It happens to even the most organized individuals. A birthday is forgotten or a special occasion arrives at life’s busiest moment. Or perhaps a gift shows up during the holidays that you weren’t expecting, so you have nothing to give in return. These are times when a stocked gift closet can be a huge help. It cancels out the need for frantic trips to the mall, trying to find a suitable gift in 15 minutes flat. It eliminates the added stress when work and obligations prevent gift-buying excursions. And it makes awkward moment of being blindsided by a gift with nothing to give in return a thing of the past. Your gift closet doesn’t have to be expensive, extensive or complicated. Here are a few ways to stock a gift closet in your home.

Shop Post-Holiday Sales

Black Friday or the days following Christmas can be great times to pick up extra presents for your gift closet. You’ll find great bargains and slashed price tags. Since the items aren’t for anyone in particular, waiting to hand them out until next year won’t matter.

Think Timeless

Avoid gifts that could get outdated. Make sure there’s not a date on the package or that your gift doesn’t expire. The last thing you want to do is give a gift that is obviously old.

Re-Gift Sparingly

Peggy Post would probably call re-gifting a major faux pas, but come on, we’re in a recession. Just because you don’t like a gift doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it. That being said, if you do stock your gift closet with a few unused gifts make sure you keep track of who they came from so you avoid any monumentally embarrassing moments.

Buy More

Find a great deal on a blanket, serving dish or key chain? Pick up an extra one and stash it in your gift closet. If you like it enough to buy one then someone else will probably appreciate receiving it from you as well.

Support Charity

Stocking your gift closet is a good time to support charities. Is a local organization or neighborhood child selling a product that might work well in your gift closet? You’ll not only support a great cause, but you’ll be better prepared, too.

Find Unisex Items

It may be easier to fill your gift closet with smelly candles or flowery lotions, but remember that you could have a need for a gift for the opposite sex. Be sure to stock items that are fitting for a man or a woman like a book, a game or a gift card to a coffee shop.

Throw in Extras

While you’re at it, make sure your newly stocked gift closet also includes a couple of cards– one for a birthday and an anniversary. Also, make sure there are a few gift bags on hand in case you only have a few seconds to wrap your present.

We mentioned VoiceQuilt.com in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide.

Sometimes words are not strong enough to express the emotion and joy VoiceQuilt will bring. That’s why I posted the video above. 

VoiceQuilt is the perfect gift for Valentine’s, Christmas, birthday, anniversary and any special day! It is a unique product that strings (or quilts) personalized audio messages from family/loved ones that are set into a variety of beautiful keepsake boxes.  During these tough times, the best love and support a lot of people need come from the heart of many.

Available at VoiceQuilt.com. Check them out today!

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If you have tried VoiceQuilt, please leave a message and share the love!

My husband and I have been busy. We decided that in order to save money this year we would give a list of 24 friends and family members a homemade gift. It’s neatly packaged muffin mix for one of our favorite recipes complete with the instructions. To be honest, I got the idea from another post here on 1HappyCorner. I just adapted it to make it more personal and threw in some low-cost packaging. Here’s how you can make a Christmas gift for under $2.

1. Make a list of the people you want to make gifts for. This will tell you how much of each ingredient you need to buy.

2. Select a recipe. Choose one that you like and that includes a majority of dry ingredients that can be included in a mix. We picked one of our favorite muffin recipes and adapted it to make it easier to package.

3. Buy baggies and measure dry ingredients into each one. We had to use a separate baggie for coconut and chocolate chips that are folded into the muffin batter at the end of the process.

4. Put the baggies into a cute brown paper craft bag like these from CoffeeBags.com. They should cost less than $.50 a piece.

5. Afix each bag with a label. Just pick up shipping labels from a local office supply store and design them on your computer.

6. Include a note about why you chose this recipe along with the ingredient list and recipe instructions. We explained that we make these muffins on Saturday mornings and enjoy them warm out of the oven with a homemade latte.

7. Try hand-delivering them to friends to save on shipping costs.

8. Celebrate because you just saved a lot of money and still managed to give friends a thoughtful, personal gift for less than $2 a piece!

Christmas Shopping Crowds. Photo courtesy of Peter Hilton

One in three people feel stressed out during the holidays, according to a Gallup poll. That’s not hard to believe when you think about the obligations, the crowds and the craziness that comes with the Christmas season. To make sure you’re on the other side of that statistic, here are five ways to have fun shopping for holiday gifts, rather than getting stressed.

Put Someone Less Fortunate on Your List

When gifts become so extravagant you worry more about what they’re doing to your budget than how they’ll be received– take a step back. Rather than getting your kids one more video game or your spouse another sweater, try sharing your gift-giving spirit with someone less fortunate. Buying new shoes or a winter coat for someone who doesn’t have one will remind you of the true reason for the season. And it does a lot to squelch stress.

Bring Along a Friend

Solo shopping can be dangerous– especially when the crowds grow to enormous levels. Bringing a friend will make the excursion seem more festive and fun. Plus you’ll have someone helping you make difficult decisions.

Don’t Overspend

Nothing can swell stress levels more than money problems. Make a Christmas budget and stick to it. Ending the holidays without lingering debt will wrap up the season on a much happier note.

Start Early

If you haven’t started on  your shopping list– now is the time to do it. Waiting until the last minute will turn joy into stress because you’ll have less time and be dealing with more crowds.

Remember Why You’re Doing It

Don’t think of Christmas shopping as an obligation. Instead, think of it as a way to bless your family and friends. It’s your chance to show them you care about them by buying a great gift. And if they don’t like it? Don’t stress out.

Are you looking for a unique wedding or anniversary gift?  Do you want to offer a gift that is fun and brings laughter in the bedroom? Well, I think I have the right gift idea for you!

The “His & Hers Sheet Set”

His & Hers Sheet Set from www.BedHog.com

If you want to stay away from any conventional gift and offer something fun and unique, I suggest the “His & Hers Sheet Set” from www.BedHog.com. The set is made of 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases. The 100% cotton sateen sheets are white with a stylish “His” and “Hers” print on them. A line down the middle will delimitate the two sides and help reveal who the real Bed Hog is!! The flat and fitted sheets are reversible so partners have a choice on which side they want to sleep.

The set comes in King ($119.99) and Queen ( $99.99) sizes. I wish they had a California King size to fit MY bed! hahaha Anyway, this would be an excellent choice for a unique and special gift! One of my favorites!

For $29.99, you can buy a separate pillowcases set; they even offer pillowcases sets for Gay Couples or singles who like to have the bed all to themselves!

Who is Behind BedHog.com?

photo courtesy of BedHog.com

The story goes that Sue and Patrick were newlyweds when all of a sudden they had an important debate in the bedroom. The topic: who was hogging more than their fair share of the bed?! In order to find out, they created the Bed Hog sheets. So, now they are sleeping on their own Bed Hog sheets and are happier than ever!

To read more about their story please visit www.BedHog.com  

When better to say “thanks” than on Thanksgiving? Heading to a friend’s house or family member’s place for the big meal? Or maybe there is someone who just deserves a little pat on the back. Here are some great (and affordable) gifts to demonstrate your gratitude.

Ornament

An ornament is a great Thanksgiving gift. It arrives at the perfect time– just as the tree is about to go up. This hand-crafted “Love Dove” ornament from Lilly Pottery is just $10 and comes stamped with the word “love”. A jute rope allows the ornament to hang from a branch all season long.

Calendar

As 2008 winds down, a calendar can make a great thank-you gift. Especially when accompanied by a note describing your excitement of looking towards another year of their friendship. This beautiful Keisuke Serizawa calendar has been popular since it first appeared in 1946. Serizawa created it using stencil-dyed Japanese paper. It was a popular gift for well-to-do army wives and now it’s a popular gift around the world! You can pick up one from Tortoise for just $18.

Snow Globe

Snow globes can be beautiful works of art. Bring a miniature winter wonderland into a loved-ones home with the tree snowglobe from West Elm. It’s a modern take on this classic gift. It’s just $29 and shipping is free.

Luggage Tag

Looking for a lovely way to say thanks to a travel buff? These colorful luggage tags from Pottery Barn can be monogrammed for a few extra dollars.

Sweets

Say thanks with a super sweet gift- cupcakes. Order a set of nine from RedEnvelope.com. They’re made in San Francisco at the Teacake Bake Shop. Your lovely box of sweets comes with four combinations: three vanilla with vanilla buttercream, two vanilla with chocolate buttercream, two chocolate sour cream with vanilla buttercream, and two chocolate sour cream with chocolate buttercream

Card

Saying thanks doesn’t necessarily require a gift. Just a thoughtfully written note can be worth a lot– especially when written on cute cards like these from Swoozies. Ten cards are $15.95.

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If you have tried the products mentioned in this post or if you have any other gift ideas that would make great “thanks” gifts, please leave us a message!

A handful of exceptional skin care lines has made it easy to be earth-friendly from head to toe by providing organic and natural alternatives for many of the products we use everyday. Here are ready-to-go gift ideas for the health and earth conscience.

Korres Limited-Edition Sugar Plums Set

Korres Limited-Edition Sugar Plums Set

This limited-edition nature-inspired kit has all you need for a fresh and flawless look. Korres Sugar Plums Set comes with a lip butter, lip gloss, and a shimmering eyeshadow. The Plum Lip Butter is a mix of Shea Butter and Rice Wax that will melt on the lips and provides a shiny, tinted finish which will hydrate and add softness.  Plum Cherry Lip Gloss is a sheer, high-shine, color lip gloss.  Cherry oil hydrates the lips while vitamins E and C offer antioxidant protection. The Plum Shimmering Eyeshadow is very easy to apply and is infused with sunflower and evening primrose oils to nourish the sensitive eye area.

LAVANILA Three Wishes Healthy Body Trio

LAVANILA Three Wishes Healthy Body Trio

The trio of 100% pure Shea and cocoa butters are infused with super anti-oxidants Goji Berry and Kakadu Plum, for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins & minerals and 19 amino acids to feed the skin.  These naturally formulated and rich body butters deeply nourish and repair the skin. 

The LAVANILA Three Wishes Healthy Body Trio comes with a Pure Vanilla Body Butter, Vanilla Grapefruit Body Butter, and a Vanilla Blossom Body Butter, all in a beautiful signature gift box.

Tsi-La Organic Eau De Parfum Mini Collection

Tsi-La Organic Eau De Parfum Mini Collection

Delicate, sophisticated and 100% organic. Untouched by alcohol, preservatives, artificial fragrances or colorings, the Tsi-La Organic Eau De Parfum Mini Collection uses a moisturizing base of select coconut oil infused with botanical extracts of pink orchid flowers.

The 4 miniature bottles are perfect for travel and come packaged in a black lotus signature box. 

Comes with four fragrances: Fleur Sauvage, Kesu, Ilang Ilang , and Kizes.

Burt’s Bees Men’s Natural Grooming Kit

Burt's Bees Men's Natural Grooming Kit

We didn’t forget the men!  This collection of men’s grooming necessities is the perfect gift for guys on the go. Burt’s Bees Men’s Natural Grooming Kit is all you need to cleanse, moisturize, shave and invigorate your skin with natural botanicals including Sunflower, Coconut, Cyprus and Fir oils, Aloe and Vitamin E. Each kit contains aftershave, shave cream, body wash, bar soap, and a lip balm all in a men’s travel bag.

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Do you have any earth friendly bath & body products you would like to recommend?  Please leave a comment and share any ideas you have.

Photo courtesy of Alice J-T

Sure, Christmas is still more than two months away, but since budgets are tight this year planning is even more important. Gift giving can get extremely expensive. However, with some preparation you’ll know exactly how much you have to spend on each person on your list.

Make a List

No, this is not a list of what you want for Christmas. It’s a list of who you plan to buy gifts for. Include everybody– whether the gift is small or large.

Get Ideas

Generate a few ideas for each person on your list. Would they like an iPod? A sweater? A magazine subscription? Come up with some gift possibilities for each person.

Estimate Cost

Now that you’ve got an idea of what a good gift might be, estimate how much that will cost. Do a little online research to find out what you could be spending to buy that gift.

Make a Budget

Add up those estimated costs for all of the gifts you want to buy. Does the number scare you? Then try brainstorming lower cost gifts. Come up with homemade ideas for some of the people on your list. Get that number down to something you can afford.

Save, Save, Save

You’ve got a budget so now is the time to start saving. Planning ahead means you won’t face unexpected gift expenses. The important part is setting aside some extra money each week or month so that you’ll be able to Christmas shop without the stress.

Start Shopping

Carry that gift list with you from now until Christmas. Keep an eye out for sales or bargains that include the items you’re looking for. Since you’re not waiting until the last minute you can keep your eye out for the best deal possible.