How Much Should You Spend on a Birthday Present?
Give Thoughtful Birthday Gifts without Breaking the Bank
by Sarra Jackson
Birthdays are a time of joy, celebration, quality time…and presents. Just how much you should spend on a gift depends on how flexible your spending is. Of course, other factors such as how well you know the person, and the significance of the birthday can steer you to spend a just a little more or a tad less.
The Bottom Line
It’s important to note that a gift in any price range (or with no price at all!) is a thoughtful gesture. Gifts should convey a message and over-priced presents can be as much of a bust as cheap gifts if they are not thoughtful. A thoughtful gift for $15-20 is better than an arbitrary, meaningless one for $80.
Spend some time thinking about the gift recipient. Is there something he or she needs? Is there a magazine he or she loves to read that you can get them a subscription for? It’s easier to part with cash for a gift when you’re purchasing a present with utility rather than one of unnecessary extravagance.
When certain birthdays, such as your boss’s, arrive, you may feel the pressure to spend a certain amount of money. Note that even a boss will appreciate the simple gesture of a card or a moderately-priced bottle of wine.
To search for gifts within your budget and price range, visit online retailers that can help you narrow your search. Amazon.com and Gifts.com are great places to start.
Creative Alternatives
Instead of purchasing a birthday present, consider making your own. If you can sew, perhaps you can make a nice tablecloth or a napkin set. Or, put together a scrapbook or photo album. You can even bake a batch of cookies or a cake in lieu of a present. Handmade gifts require you to invest your time, and as a result, are more personal gestures to the receiver.
Gifts of time are lovely as well. We each have a unique skill set that can be of value to someone else. Do you have a green thumb? Spend some time helping the birthday guy or gal plant an herb garden. They’ll think of you every time a plant sprouts a new leaf! Are you handy? Offer to do some minor repairs or installations around the house as a gift. These may seem like unconventional gifts, but they make good use of your talents to others and save you money. Do-it-yourself websites like Craftbits.com are a great resource for these types of gifts.
Sometimes, a nice card, store-bought or homemade, and some pretty flowers are plenty to show someone that you care about him or her on a birthday. It’s the gesture they’ll remember, not the price tag.
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