It is true. An item that is $10 before a holiday can be $2.50 the day after. This realization made me eager to find other ways to take advantage of these tremendous savings. Here are a few ways I save money throughout the year.

1. Candy Extravaganza

After Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Halloween I stock up on candy. For example, I found Lindt Lindor Truffles in large heart shaped boxes after Valentine’s Day for only $1.50 per package. Because they are individually wrapped, and because they don’t expire until the end of 2011, I bought and froze several boxes. I plan to re-package the candy in cute candy dishes for gifts. You may not realize it, but chocolate candies freeze well for several months. Because of this, I buy and freeze Halloween candy for use in Christmas stockings as well.

2. Crazy for Candles

Each holiday offers a plethora of candles. This is especially true for Christmas and Mother’s Day. After these holidays, I purchase several to use as birthday gifts. Contrary to what you may think, retailers offer candles other than holly berry or pine at Christmas. After New Year’s I was able to purchase vanilla scent Yankee candles for $2.50.

3. Luxurious Lotions

Another popular item at Christmas and Mother’s Day is lotion. I hit my local Walgreen’s for deals on these after the holidays. Think gift sets. Sure the set might be packaged in holiday specific wrappings, but when taken apart, the components can be re-purposed for birthday gifts. These lotions are great to have on hand for hostess gifts and for teacher gifts. Similar to chocolate, lotions have a lengthy shelf life. No worries about them “spoiling.”

4. Plush Pets

Many holidays revolve around plush pets. These bunnies, chicks, lambs are so cute that sometimes I buy them for birthday presents or to use as “toppers” on baby shower gifts. If you find a cute animal on clearance, see if you can remove any holiday specific items – such as a red, white, and blue ribbon for the 4th of July – and add a neutral ribbon.

5. Wonderful Wrappings

Each holiday offers wrapping paper and bows. When these items end up in the clearance bin, buy them for wrapping birthday presents. For example, I have a friend who relishes her Irish heritage. I often snap up St. Patrick’s Day decorative paper to use for her special day.

1. Check out companies that offer free shipping. This is more common than you’d think, especially around Christmas. There may be a minimum purchase you have to make, but not necessarily. L.L. Bean, for example, charges no shipping for a short time before Christmas. (Google “free shipping” to find lots more offers.) Just enter the other person’s street address on the order form instead of your own. Most companies, when shipping a gift this way, will put in a gift receipt that shows no price but can be used to make a return. They may even gift-wrap the item for you, for a little more money.

2. Go digital. Buy and send your friends eBooks, or anything else that can be delivered by email or a download link. If you’re not sure what they’d like, send a digital gift certificate – lots of online businesses sell these. This is not only postage-free, it’s close to instant.

3. Redeem some points. Rewards programs that ship or courier items to your home, like Airmiles, do charge you shipping for heavier ones. But it’s not a problem with things like gift cards, which can travel in an envelope. If you have them ship gift cards directly to your friends, you won’t even have to spend the price of a stamp.

Bonus: All this can be done online. So something else you won’t have to spend is time in a crowded mall.

I have a friend who says, “Never go to a house with an empty hand.”  This is his way of remembering that when you are invited to a house or party you should bring some flowers or other hostess gift.  Being a wine fan, my friend’s proverb was a good excuse to give a bottle as a gift.  But packaging and labeling the gift for presentation was always an issue.This past weekend, at the Boston Wine Expo, I found a product that makes that part of the giving a whole lot easier.  Drink Me Tags are “colorful, custom designed cards with taglines”.  These gift tags hang on the neck of a wine bottle and make it a gift worth noticing.  With a combination of whit and design they offer sentiments like, “It’s 5PM Somewhere,” “Grape Therapy,” and “Drink me.”

Instead of searching for the right sized gift bag or (even worse) trying to wrap it in cellophane or gift wrap, try this simple and catchy gift tag.  Buy a bottle of vino, and then purchase the perfect Drink Me Tag for your recipient.  Both you and your wine will be well received!

1. Bargain Hunters

To all the bargain hunters out there, be sure to drop by blogs like Good Deal Gal for information on good deals, coupons, free shipping info, etc. Don’t forget to take advantage of store coupons like Old Navy to get information on their latest sales and coupons.

2. Camera Enthusiasts

For camera enthusiasts, hobbyists and professionals, why not give them something they’ll appreciate without breaking the bank for you? Try Borrow Lenses, a website where you can borrow, rent or buy camera equipment you cannot afford to buy otherwise.Purchase a one-year membership for them (where they can get discounts every time they rent equipment) or purchase gift certificates (amount ranging from $10 to $500), so they can choose what to rent. If you’re in or near the San Francisco or San Mateo area, you can choose to pick up equipments at the store. Otherwise, you can choose to have the items shipped to your home.

3. Food Lovers – Coupon Mom

Use Coupon Mom to purchase restaurant gift certificates for 80% off. Give it as a gift or use it to treat other people out for lunch or dinner.

4. Low Deals – eBay

Never underestimate the power of eBay to give you the best choices for the best deals. Remember to be extra patient at this time, as a lot of people will be doing the same thing. And make sure to read all conditions. Sometimes, deals are too good to be true because you’ll be spending too much on shipping. So, be sure to read all the fine print.

5. Cheap Deals

Scour your area for the best deals on events, travel deals or attractions. In San Francisco, try Bay Area On The Cheap for discounts on museum and concert tickets, suggestions on cheap dates, happy hour sightings and farmers market locations.

If you’re resourceful enough, you’ll be able to find last minute ideas and deals for your Christmas gifts. Never give up.

River Street is a  cobblestone street that looks out onto the Savannah River. A must-see for any tourist, you’ll find plenty of shops that cater to visitors, but you’ll find some candy shops and other worthwhile shops including apparel and book shops. Highlights include the River Street Market Place, which is a lot like a flea market, except they specialize in imported products from around the world including Australia and Japan. You will find plenty of souvenirs made in the south.

Moving up north, Broughton Street is a major street has a pleasant mix of locally owned boutiques and chain shops, including the Gap and the city’s only Banana Republic. Savannah’s City Market was a flea market at one time, but now it’s one of the leading entertainment and shopping districts, appealing to both locals and visitors. A few choice shops include Time After Time (which sells accessories, jewelry, and watches), and Scented by Nature, a fragrance shop that sells perfume and scents for the home.

Last but not least, head down south to the malls (which are about 10 miles apart from each other, but both warrant a visit). Oglethorpe Mall is an upscale shopping plaza that has a variety of shops including Macy’s, Belk, and even Barnes and Noble.  Savannah Mall has some chain stores, but they also have quite a few locally owned clothing and gift  shops like Event and Creations From The Heart.

Come to Savannah for shopping paradise!

1. Newbury Street

The Newbury Street shops start at the Public Garden and go all the way west towards Massachusetts Avenue. This is a very trendy area of Boston and mostly tends to the upscale locals of the city. Highlights of the street include 1154 Lill Studio (a design-your-own-handbag shop that will be delivered to your own home a month later), Bliss (which promises to give you a wide variety of tableware and home accessories to choose from to satisfy every taste), Teuscher Chocolates Of Switzerland (sample the Champagne truffle, made with only the finest ingredients) and Stel’s (where fashion meets classic).

2. Harvard Square

Harvard Square is the place you go to when you want to surround yourself with the city’s history. Highlights of the place include the Harvard Coop (established in 1882 and is America’s largest college bookstore), Calliope (which features locally made and specialty clothing for kids until six years old), Hidden Sweets (a locally owned and operated candy and gifts store designed to satisfy your cravings) and The Harvard Shop (run by Harvard students and specializes in Harvard insignia merchandise).

3. Faneuil Hall Marketplace

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace used to be a market for fishermen, merchants and vendors until it evolved into what it is today, an urban marketplace. Shops to go to include Boston Campus Gear (sells activewear featuring the top universities and colleges in Boston), Newbury Comics (an independent store with all your music, movie and pop culture needs) and Funusual (a specialty shop that promises to satisfy your artsy, funky and unusual cravings).

Next time you’re in Boston, ditch the malls and stroll through these streets. You never know what you’re going to discover.

1. Gift cards are generally tacky. It doesn’t take a lot of effort in purchasing a gift card, even if it is a card/certificate for someone’s favorite store or service. The best gifts are usually bought with great thought and creativity. Unless the person actually requests a gift card (or are notorious for gift returns), a gift card is bad taste.

2. You don’t need to spend a lot of money for the gift, but you don’t want to buy something dirt cheap either because the gift giver will know. And whenever you buy any gift, make sure to remove the tag or price sticker, so they don’t know how much you spent.

3. If you don’t know what to give the person, ask a close friend or relative that you both know well.

4. Regifting is never wise, and they will find out. It makes you  look cheap, and its just as embarrassing for you as it is insulting to them.

5. A perfectly acceptable gift for a giver? A donation in her name to a charity that’s important to her.

6. Who says a gift has to be something tangible? Give them an experience that they will remember. Check out Cloud 9 or Excitations for more ideas.

7. Get creative with your gift giving expertise. Go to a stationary store to find beautiful wrapping papers or a craft store to make your own. You also can give several small gifts, place them in a basket, and wrap it in cellophane paper.

We buy gifts as a token of love and appreciation. We want to show others how much they mean to us, regardless of the occasion. In order to do that, you need to know what the person in question likes and does not like. The key to this is paying attention.

It has been said that if you want to know what matters most to a person take note of what they spend their money on. For example, if your mother always heads for the housewares department every time you go shopping and is always looking for something to make her home more inviting, then this is a clear indication that a gift for her home would make her very happy.

Another obvious clue is to listen to what people say. If your sister keeps mentioning that she needs a new blender or that she wants to buy a new steamer but never seems to get around to it, then she has provided you with a perfect gift giving hint!

You have heard others talk about driving defensively, but have you heard about the need to shop defensively? Learning how to shop defensively means that you are organized and planning ahead for all holidays, birthdays, weddings, etc. This is especially important for the person who is not thrilled at the idea of shopping.

Of course, there always is online shopping (or shopping through a mail order catalog) but that also involves planning- often more so than trolling the malls for gift ideas! If you decide to do online shopping, then order your gifts early. Aim for at least three to four weeks before the special occasion arrives. During the busy holiday season you should order anywhere from four to eight weeks early to guarantee delivery of the goods.

If you are not a shopping genius, then you might want to take someone with you who is more of a shopping pro. Most of us know someone who fits into this category!

This website reminds me of a large craft bazaar-only much larger. You will not only find a great gift for mom, you will probably be tempted to buy yourself something (or two). Etsy’s shop keepers also keep the prices very reasonable, which only adds to the appeal. You could spend hours here searching in what may seem a bit of a hodge-podge of  an art gallery.

Etsy is not only fun to browse, it is also easy to navigate to find exactly what you’re looking for. Once you’re on the homepage, look to your left, and you will see the list of categories which list the types of products. Click on one type of item (such as accessories), and you’ll find yet another list on your left of the subcategories. You also can search for specific items by typing in keywords in the search bar above.  If you need some great ideas on where to start, you c.an browse Etsy’s Gift Guides and Editor’s Picks.

You must register for free on Etsy to buy and access special features, set up your own shop, and participate in the community. What is really great about Etsy, though, is that you can buy really unique and quality handmade items. This is not only a great place to find eco-conscious gifts and items. It’s also an easy way to support small business and thus stimulate the economy.

2. Clothes are a practical choice but don’t necessarily score big with the kids. But, of course, we don’t think of that when we see all those cute shirts and dresses. This is a hit-or-miss decision. But be sure, when you give clothes as a present, make sure the clothes look good. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so make sure the parents will like it.

3. Books are a tricky choice. Some parents do not like to read to their kids. Some love to do it. On this part, I say go for the classics. Dr. Seuss books always will work, as well as educational books that will help the one-year-old child in the long run.

4. Accessories include bags, high chairs, strollers, cribs and the like. These are expensive. And unless you’re related to or best friends with the parents or the godparents of the celebrant, these items may cost more than you planned.

What do you think is the perfect gift for turning a year old?

For Girls:
1.    Romantic – For the romantic girl, give her a personalized book of your love story, from the time you met to present time. She definitely will appreciate the time you put into arranging and designing everything to please her. You also can include a sincere message.
2.    Food Lover – Don’t just bring her to her favorite restaurant. The best gift for a food lover is to prepare her favorite meal yourself in your home or hers and surprise her with it. Even if it doesn’t go according to plan, she will appreciate the gesture.
3.    Never Go Wrong – If you can’t decide what to give her, then go with the one that can never go wrong: chocolates. But don’t even think of just grabbing some at the grocery or nearest convenience store. Ask around for the best chocolates in town or online. Get her the best chocolate there is and not the everyday kind you can buy anywhere. Always remember to be unique because your partner’s not just like everyone else.

For Guys:
1.    Sports Lover – If you can afford it, get a private instruction session for your partner. Whatever sport he loves and plays, he will be able to use this. If you can’t afford that, you can buy a gym or sports club membership for him.
2.    Outdoors Enthusiast – Give him new tools to use during his outdoor activities. Or if his tools don’t need replacing just yet, give him upgraded versions of the tools he currently has.
3.    Voracious Eater – Cook for him. And be sure to include his favorite dishes. If you can’t make all of them, try to pick the best one for each course. Or better yet, give in to his requests to eat the meal you hate the most to prepare.

These are only a few ideas, but if you shop around some more, you’ll find a dozen more options that you can give to your partner. Shopping around early gives you a big chance of making Valentine’s Day really special for your partner.

The first on the list is somewhat like a venue I mentioned earlier (Amazon). However, this one searches shops and venues internationally and locally. Shopping.com will allow you to search through a large database of items and will in turn provide you with a list of closely matched products related to your search. It also will display the separate venues that sell the item and price match each competitor’s listed retail price. This ensures that every user gets the best deal possible. Shopping.com has no specific foray of items, therefore you can find any type of product from electronics to clothing and accessories. The user interface is fantastic, and everything is laid out nicely. Even the most lacking of internet users will find it completely navigable.

Overstock.com is another brilliant site that derives its roots from a collection of Amazon-type product search engines. The difference, however, is that Overstock actually is a company that carries the products, whereas Amazon and Shopping.com refer users to other venues. Once again Overstock is a company that carries a wide range of products and items; users can find nearly any type of object imaginable. For the holiday season Overstock is even offering $1 shipping site-wide for any qualifying product that is purchased. The user interface is simple and is designed elegantly with a classy look and feel.

BizRate.com is a little different than the rest mentioned here.  On one hand it searches a database of products and items just like Amazon while offering the same type of price comparisons, but on the other hand it also offers full product reviews. The reviews are excellent, informative, colorful and in many cases they help you ultimately make a decision. Not only can you find the best prices around for what you want to purchase, but you can decide before laying your money down if you want to go with a different model or perhaps a different brand based on the item ratings and reviews. The user interface here is a little more complex than the other sites mentioned, but not so much that it borders scary. It still works and runs efficiently.

One of the best ways to come up with a gift idea is to match up personalities with things that would complement him. For instance, if a man is an adventurer or outdoorsman, then chances are the best thing to get him would not fall in the indoor electronics category. On the other hand, an electronic fish finder or waterproof camcorder would, if you catch my drift. To further state this example, a pass to the hottest local nightclub on the strip would not suit a family man well. In other words, the first step to finding a gift is identifying the personality of the man you are buying for.

It is also important to remember that gifts don’t always have to be objects or things of possession either. Sometimes people forget that “giving” is a very general word. Often a night out away from the kids or an evening flick is just enough of a present as well. Planning events also can hold this point, like scheduling a kayaking excursion or an underwater dive, or even a parachuting trip. Husbands and boyfriends also do enjoy time alone with their special someone every now and then, and that, in many cases, could be a wonderful gift. Accent that time alone with a new set of lingerie, and I’m quite sure the men would fall in love with their gift.

One thing to keep in mind not to get that special man is another object that he already has many of. You want to keep the gift unique and special but at the same time not necessarily expensive. If he has a ton of business shirts or polos, then what would be the point of buying him more?

While registering for gifts has exploded in popularity in recent years, there are still some couples who find the idea of registering for presents to be tacky—almost like begging. For the gift giver, this can present something of a headache. How can you make sure that you won’t be giving the happy couple the same photo album that everyone else gives them?

The type of gift you give at a wedding typically depends on how close you are to the people who are getting married. Obviously if you are very close to them, you have an easier time choosing something that will be personal and unique. But what if you aren’t that close? What then? Here are a few tips to help you make sure that your gift is well received and not one gravy boat of many.

1. Donate to charity in the couple’s name. Do a little research and find out what causes the couple is passionate about, and then, instead of giving them a physical present, tell them that you donated that money to their pet cause. You’re giving to charity, and the couple will be touched that you took the time to help a cause about which they care.

2. Pool your money with other guests to get them a larger gift, like a piece of furniture that you know they need or a weekend getaway that they can use later.

3. When in doubt, gift cards or cash are always good ways to go. It might seem tacky, but it will be far more appreciated by the bride and groom than something they don’t need but feel obligated to keep.

1.  Cook- Instead of a dinner out, go to the grocery store and buy some lunch food. Take your Mom on an afternoon picnic! She will love the excuse to get out of the house and not have to cook! If you are running low on funds, make dinner from ingredients you already have around the house! Better yet, make all of the meals on Mother’s Day.

2. Free baby-sitting- While moms love their kids, they need some “Mom” time every once in a while. One of the reasons that moms have so little “Mom” time is that child care is so expensive and finding a reliable and trustworthy baby sitter is often a nerve wracking experience. Give your favorite mom some baby-sitting time, so that she can get out of the house without having to feel guilty about spending money on child care!

3. Maid Service- You’d probably love to buy this for your mom, but why not donate your time instead? Spend a few of your Saturdays doing the weekly chores for her. She will love that you care enough about her and the house. (After all, how many times do you hear her complaining that nobody notices all the work she does to keep the house clean?) In addition to giving her some “time off” you might also gain some appreciation for just what she encounters when she cleans the bathroom.

Mother’s Day is about appreciating Mom. This doesn’t have to mean showering her with expensive gifts; it is more about showing your mom that you notice and care about her!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and if you have not picked out your gift for your mom, you may be interested in how much the average American spends and on what item for Mother’s Day gifts. According to BIGresearch the top items are:

• A Special Outing (like dinner or breakfast) – $25.48
• Jewelry – $23.80
• Flowers – $17.65
• Gift Certificate – $13.89

When I see this list one thing really jumps out at me…. where can you get any jewelry item for $23.80?!?

No matter, pick up something nice for your mom, I am sure she deserves it!

Green Thumbs

Does the mother in your life love gardening? Instead of buying fresh-cut flowers in a vase, buy some pretty potted plants that can be planted in window boxes or decorative planters. One year, I bought several six-inch terra cotta pots, and I let each of my children paint one. We filled them with dirt and a geranium, and they presented the pots to their grandmother.

Picture This

What mother doesn’t enjoy family pictures? Take some fun snapshots of your family ,and buy some unique picture frames for them. If your mom likes scrapbooking, you can take your photos and design a few clever pages to add to her scrapbook.

Stories From the Past

Is your mom interested in genealogy and family histories? My mom loves to collect journals, pictures, and memorabilia of ancestors and family members. For Mother’s Day every year, each of my three sisters and I write journal pages of the past year to present to our mom. We write about our adventures with our families, changes in our lives, and experiences that made us grow. My mom has a folder for each of us to keep our stories in. My mom loves this Mother’s Day tradition, and I love the opportunity to record my family’s story.

Time Out

Spending time with mom is one of the best ways to show you care. Take her to her favorite restaurant, or take a stroll through a park and bring a picnic.

Words

Tell the mother in your life how you feel about her. Tell her what you appreciate about her. Say, “I love you.”

Giving gift cards should be an art form. It’s all in the presentation. What gives a card its worth is not the amount you put on it (although that can always help), but the way you give it. Do you need some ideas?

First of all, you can’t go wrong with the classic box in a box trick. Don’t know it? Try wrapping your card in a small , such as a duck and cover box.  Find a slightly bigger box to put around that. Find a slightly bigger box to wrap around that, etc. Want to put a twist on this classic? Don’t put the card inside the smallest box. You could try inserting a clever riddle that leads to the card, or you could simply hand the card to the recipient after a few seconds of enjoying his or her reaction.

Another way to give the card is in a hidden form. My friend is a sports fanatic. For her birthday, I bought her a packet of gum and a gift card. I slid the gift card (which was to a nearby sports store) into the packet. She only discovered it when we decided that it was time for a piece.

Using wrapping paper you can also amuse your friend by giving him or her a (nearly) empty gift. You can use paper goods or cardboard to wrap your wrapping paper around an “invisible” gift. The shape of your wrapping could hint at what you think your friend might plan to buy.

Gift cards are the new, thoughtful way to share gifts and laughs with a friend.

With so many choices out there, how do you know which Ipod to buy? Well, really, it’s up to you, but I’ll give you some information.

The newest Ipod classic is 160GB of memory. That’s enough room for 200 hours of video or 40,000 songs. Forty thousand songs! You could put practically anything that you ever wanted on there without worrying about whether or not it would take up too much space. This option is $350. Of course, the 80GB option is out there for $249. I feel like this is one of your best deals, especially because those 160Gbs came out, so hopefully the price on these will drop.

And then we have those nanos. They are cute, small, and colorful. For 4Gb or 8Gb of space, these are perfect for runs or just to slip into your pocket. They cost about $150 and $200, respectively. What’s even more perfect for runs are those 1Gb shuffles ($80). Holding about 300 songs on it, it’s a nice gadget to have while you are running or exercising; it clips on and stays on with no problems. I’d recommend getting one of these to exercise with and one of those 80Gb Ipods to hold the rest of your music.

There are also some snazzy Ipod touches for sale, which are really cool. Those can be 8Gb, 16Gb, and 32Gb for $300, $400, and $500.

For more information, check out the Apple site or this comparison chart. Of course, you can probably find cheaper Ipods elsewhere!

But buying for men is much trickier. Women can’t just buy diamond earrings and be a winner (unless of course you are buying for a professional athlete or rap star, and diamond earrings may be appropriate then).

So ladies, I have decided to give you a list of 7 fool-proof gifts for you to get your man:

#7 - A hand written note telling him what he means to you. I know it sounds sappy, but most men I know would really appreciate a secret note that they find that tells them how important they are in your life.

#6 – Say “Thank You” more than normal. All men are creatures looking for praise. If you tell us we are doing a good job, we are all happy.

#5 - Get us a big steak. The number of men who do not like a big piece of meat is far and few between. Plus, beef is full of protein which builds up testosterone, which helps the libido. Connecting the dots with a great cut of meat goes a long way.

#4 - Watch our favorite sport with us. Most men I know love to have company watching sport. And the love of our life sitting and watching the game with us is a great gift.

#3 – Bake him something. The smell of fresh bread is a huge winner to me. For other men, it might be cookies, pies, or cakes. Besides getting to our stomachs, it showed us you took the time to make something special for us.

# 2 – Take him fishing. This can be replaced with any other type of  activity that requires outdoor clothing. Spending time outdoors with the perfect partner is a perfect recipe for bringing a couple together.

# 1 – Buy him a drink after work. Meet him at the best martini bar or local hangout after work and make sure you buy him the first drink. Most places like this have a great atmosphere and set a great mood for the evening.

Any of these ideas can be a winner for most men. Take a chance and put a little heart into your gift, and a good man will give it back to you two-fold.

While any gift that you give should be accepted graciously, more original and thoughtful gifts make for happier recipients. Yes, candy, flowers, and jewelry are fine, but they are commonly given items. Your gift should be memorable, especially if this is your first Valentine’s Day with a significant other. Note that the gift should be memorable due to its thoughtfulness, not due to bad taste (such as the runner’s vest I once received).

To help start your shopping, I have some suggestions based on the person for whom you are buying.

For your significant other: a personalized collection of favorite songs either loaded onto his/her mp3 or made into a cd, breakfast in bed, a picnic lunch delivered at work, a book of poetry with your own poem as the inscription, or to make shopping easier buy wine online.

For a child: a heart-themed t-shirt or pair of socks, a framed family photo, a card that arrives via mail.

For a friend: pedicures for 2, a handwritten gift certificate for an afternoon of coffee and conversation, a homemade dinner delivered to his/her door.

To avoid being the person placing an order for overpriced roses on February 14th, get your shopping started now!