kruemi / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Have you been on Swap.com lately? The site has expanded beyond books and media items! We’ve been saying it for a while now, swapping is the new shopping, and with its latest expansion, Swap.com is making it much easier to trade all sorts of items.
Disclosure: Our friends, The Swapaholics, are the swap experts and event planners for Swap.com’s events around the country. You may remember them from our 2010 Frugal Festival — they co-sponsored the event!
My Mother's Day gift to myself!
This post is brought to you by Coupons220.com, offering coupon codes for thousands of online stores.
What do you want for Mother’s Day? One popular Mother’s Day gift is an iPad, according to a recent TechBargains survey.
- Of 1,500 respondents, 91% said they would prefer an iPad over flowers this Mother’s Day
- 13% of moms want flowers
- 26% of respondents will buy mom flowers
- 31% of moms want a tech gadget
- 11% will get their mom a tech gadget
Seems there is a sizeable gap between what moms want and what they will receive. I suppose that is true of any gift exchange.
For Mother’s Day I bought myself a sterling silver necklace, above, that says “I love Lucy.” I told me husband that I wanted to get a card from him and Lucy. I’m easy to please – partly because I know exactly what I want!
What do you want for Mother’s Day?
Chu's / Flickr
Reader Teresa cried out for help on our Facebook page and then emailed me her question about a missing discounted gift card. What would you do if you were in her position? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
Sorry can’t recall which freebie site I ordered a Barnes & Noble gift card from on sale @Christmas. Charged my Visa.
I wonder what this person received. jessamyn / flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Okay, so you didn’t get exactly what you wanted for Christmas or Hanukkah. So what’s a cheapskate supposed to do? Below I share five options to deal with unwanted Christmas gifts and gift card.
Re-gifting
I’m not a fan of re-gifting because I’ve received really bad gifts. But, I confess I’ve done it – the right way. The trick is to make sure you pass the gift to the appropriate person that will appreciate it. When done properly, it
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Soda bottle lantern/Things Deb Loves
I LOVE holiday crafts! They are so sparkly and fun to make with kids of all ages.
Here is a list of 8 of my favorite holiday crafts.
- Soda bottle lanterns. Cut the top off a 2-liter soda bottle. Take off label. Decorate with tissue paper put on with watered down Elmer’s glue. Punch two holes on top and string wire or string for a handle. Put a battery operated tea light or glo-stick inside. This is more beautiful than you can image. (more…)
BaconThenEggs / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Want to save even more money on Christmas? Here are eight homemade stocking stuffer ideas you can make if you are on a tight budget. The best part is that you don’t have to be super crafty to make them.
Leo Reynolds / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
If you’re still on the look out for the perfect gift, I’ve found some awesome gift card with perks you might want to consider. I share those below. Want to save even more money? You can also purchase discounted gift cards.
AMC Theatres – Free $5 concession bonus card when you spend $30 on gift cards. Offer is available in theaters, while supplies last.
Applebee’s – Get a $10 gift card when you purchase $50 in gift cards. Not valid for digital purchases. The bonus card is good through Feb. 29, 2011.
Ben & Jerry’s – Get a free scoop with every $10 of gift cards you purchase. You can also get a $10 gift card for $5 for joining Saveology for a VERY limited time.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Romantic Crafts/flickr
I love homemade holiday gifts the best. Anyone can go to the store and buy something, but it takes time and thought to give someone a gift that you made.
Here are 7 unusual frugal and homemade holiday gifts. For more gift ideas, check out the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide.
- Firewood. With all the recent storms, it is possible that you are now in possession of lots more wood than you need. Bundle it up and give it as gifts to those you know with fireplaces. Include a couple of mugs, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. (more…)
I was surprised by how creative this lady from CreditCards.com wraps her gift cards. Very inspiring!
Gift cards make a great gift!
Phew! Today’s post on the best overall gifts brings the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide to a close. After 10 days, I’m all shopped out! We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, toys for kids, mens’ shavers, gifts for teens, unique and quirky gifts, All You mag gifts, restaurant gift certificates, and gifts for men and women.
Gifts cards are a thoughtful gift that is easy for the giver and receiver. No guessing what size or brand; no returns. You can make it a thoughtful gift card by picking a store the recipient loves to shop at, and by wrapping it in a special way. (This video has three great ideas for creative gift card wrapping.)
Kindle Fire is HOT!
The most sought-after gift cards,
Makes tending bar easy
The second to last day of the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide is devoted to gifts for women and men. We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, toys for kids, mens’ shavers, gifts for teens, unique and quirky gifts, All You mag gifts, and restaurant gift certificates. We’ll finish tomorrow with the best overall gifts.
A smart cocktail shaker set
Free Shipping Day is Dec. 16
Just a heads up to let you know that Free Shipping Day, when hundreds of online retailers offer free shipping with guaranteed Christmas Eve delivery, is coming up on Dec. 16, 2011. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase by shopping through Ebates.
Some retailers have minimum spend requirements, others don’t. Here is an abbreviated list of the 1,595 participating retailers.
Apple Store
Barnes & Noble
Beauty.com
Bed Bath and Beyond
This code expires today!
Eating out is one of my favorite things to do. But aside from fast food joints, restaurant coupons are rare. I use Restaurant.com to drop my tab by 25-40%, an incredible savings. TODAY ONLY, you can get a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant of your choosing for $2, plus earn 30% cash back through Ebates – which means you pay just $1.40!!! Coupon code below.
We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, toys for kids, mens’ shavers, gifts for teens, unique and quirky gifts, and All You mag gifts. Tomorrow’s edition covers gifts for men and women. We’ll finish the gift guide on Dec. 9 with the best overall gifts.
If you’re new to this site, here’s how Restaurant.com works. You have three gift options on Restaurant.com:
What's a great white elephant gift? Credit: col&tasha/Flickr
Maureen has a pressing question that I’m sure many of you share!
Do you have any ideas for a white elephant $10 gift limit?
It’s for a work party. I was perusing online for creative/humorous and would love to hear ideas. So far I have liked buy a loaf of bread and jars of peanut butter and jelly (the food theme). Or buy a bunch of batteries and add a note “gift not included” (humorous).
I hope you get to blog on it soon, our party is next week!
Maureen’s ideas are snazzy. I might even use the battery one myself! Here are a few more ideas that I found online of what to give and where to find a great white elephant gift.
Bzzzt. Kills flies with this fun $5 gift!
Unique and quirky is the theme of the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide Day 6. We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, kids’ toys, mens’ shavers, and gifts for teens. Coming up are gifts for men and women. We’ll finish the gift guide on Dec. 9 with a roundup of the best overall gifts.
Don’t forget to enter to win a $100 Sears gift card as part of the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide! ENDS TODAY, DEC. 5!
We have a gnat
