When Jobs Are Disappearing....an article I wrote in 2009

This was an assignment, that was written for pageview pay only. Non-exclusive.


http://voices.yahoo.com/when-jobs-disappearing-4653095.html?cat=46



When Jobs Are Disappearing
Economical Gifts to Give



Holiday Shopping.
This year especially the number one tip I would have for most people would be to skip shopping at department stores.



Well this might be a bad idea if someone does not live in an area where local crafter's can be found.
If you are not able to go to a nearby craft sale, or know of local crafter's in your area, it would be better for you in my opinion to really consider what your recipient would like or may need that is affordable for you.



So tip number two for those of you who are limited as to where you might find some bargains to buy will have to make due where you are able to shop.



Shopping for gifts at a local craft sale or from a nearby local crafter, may enable you to find unique and stylish gifts for someone on your list. Many people who sell their own quality made crafts will have several different items in different prize ranges. So this could be an affordable option, depending on what you're buying. *Some items are you might want find will not be within the reach of a tight budget.



Now if you must shop at a department store for your next Holiday gift buying season, then it is helpful to look on the clearance racks first. Also look for sales, if you have internet access you can access many department stores online, and look for sales, or specials in the stores closest to you. The downside to shopping online you will not see the in store markdowns. Some of these can be as much as 80 to 90% off. And on some products you may even be able to use a coupon, reducing your cost even more.



So tip number three is to look closely for bargains, items on sale, items on clearance, items marked down, and also try to find a coupon for your purchase if possible.



Holiday shopping tip number four, never go shopping for gifts if you are hungry or depressed, or just not feeling well. Because you are likely to overspend, your budget and not even get a gift that would work well for the person intended. I mean seriously if you are hungry, depressed, moody, or not feeling well, and decide to just get whatever, the "whatever gift" could be a "fruit cake" for someone allergic to fruit cake. So it would just be a poor choice.



Instead of going out shopping for gifts, if you have the talent and ability and means to do so you could instead make some gifts for your friends and family.



One gift you might make would be decorative soaps. You can buy the soap molds at your local craft stores, "Michael's"," Hobby Lobby", etc, these are reusable so once you have bought these you can use them over and over again.



All of the supplies you need to make soaps can be found at your local craft stores, including a melting pot to melt the soaps in. (The melt and pour type soaps are easy to make and can be scented, colored, additives added, to make the soap unique to the person you are planning to give the soaps too.)



Something else you can make is Holiday candle's to give to friends and family for the holidays. All of the supplies you need to make candle's can be found at your local craft stores.



Or if you really do not have time to make gifts before your Holiday seasons comes up, you can instead buy small sample starter kits. To give as gifts to friends and family, who knows you may open up a new hobby or business idea for one of the recipients of your gift.



This year in our area there have been many job losses, and many people will not be buying as many gifts as they may of in years past. For many making gifts such as soaps, candle's, cookies, candies, cakes, or other items will be a way to save money and still be able to give someone something for Christmas.



The best way of course is to start buying gifts well ahead of the Holiday gift giving seasons, and set it back for later. But this is not always possible for all people especially in difficult economical times.
So remember if someone gives you a gift at all, even if it is not the high dollar gifts you had expected in years past, at least someone thought of you and made a way to give you a little something even if it was just a few homemade cookies, or a coconut cake. Or some other specialty.