A few days ago I blogged about thinking ahead and preparing for the holiday season. I think some preparation goes a long way to making gift giving less stressful and more enjoyable. But, it isn’t all about the future is it? You can’t plan for everything and sometimes you just need to step back and focus on the present in order to be a good gift giver. Just like everything else in life, gift giving requires balance.

Let me explain. Focusing on the here and now will make you more aware and a better sleuth when it comes to noticing things about your friends and family – the people at the top of your gift list!

Like many of you, I have a limited budget so I have three categories of gifts – presents, surprises and thoughtful things.

* Presents are the things I try to plan …read more

In this day and age we often e-mail invitations and thank you’s.  A very inexpensive yet very personal way to thank somebody doesn’t even have to cost a lot, nor needs any special wrapping – sending a thank you card, bought or even made, is just as viable as giving a thank you gift.

Black and Cream “Thank You” Cards
There are so many styles to choose from. You can get thank you notes that say “Thank You” on the front or inside, you can use a blank card or even a homemade card. You can get cards that reflect the reason why you are thanking them – animals for baby shower thanks or hearts for wedding thanks, etc. It doesn’t matter what you choose as long as you think they are attractive. Yes, this is Frugal Friday but not …read more