Nowadays, many people are feeling the pinch of a distressed economy here in the United States. With the holiday season fast approaching, the idea of buying gifts for friends and family strikes fear into those whose household budgets are already stretched to the limit. Here are a few ideas on finding quality items to please family and friends without breaking your bank account.

Café Press

Cafe Press offers great gifts in a large variety of subjects from sci fi, nature, garden, sports, politics and more. Many gifted artists offer their designs on t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, framed prints, and other affordable items. It’s a great way to get quality made, unique items strait from the artists that produce the work, kind of a gigantic art fair online. A money-back guarantee, secure ordering and fast shipping are just part of this reputable website. One fun store worth noting is Two Purring Cats Design Studio, full of great items for kids to adults, featuring nature, pet and garden lovers. Check out Café Press and its many stores, and enjoy the wide selection of lovely items that they sell.

Ebay

Ebay is an amazing variety of treasures, from past or present, offered by vendors worldwide. It’s free to sign up, then search for items you want, quickly and easily. The best strategy for winning auctions is to wait and bid at the last minute of the auction. All auction ending times are posted, so you know when to bid. Here, you can buy food to cars, and everything in between. My hand carved mahogany desk was bought new on Ebay, and cost me only a quarter of the price it would cost elsewhere. Make sure to figure the shipping prices into your cost, to make sure you’re getting the best deal, before placing a bid.

Amazon

Amazon has not only books, but auctions, and items ranging from groceries to healthcare. It is a huge place, and the prices aren’t bad. You can buy used books, if you don’t want to pay full price, if they are offered. Each page displaying an item tells you if private vendors are offering the same item at a cheaper price second-hand. Secure payment and fast shipping are just a few of the perks of buying from this online superstore.

Homemade gifts

If you want to do something totally different, try making your gifts. Do whatever you like, from baking, drawing, painting, or whatever else interests you. Make your notecards and Christmas cards this way, too. The recipient will appreciate your thoughtfulness and time spent in making something for them. My favorite tradition is to bake bread or Christmas cookies then wrap them attractively in colored cellophane and a sprig of silk holly before giving them away.

Even on a budget, it is possible to find gifts for your friends and family. You can sell your own items on Ebay or Amazon if you wish, as well, to bring more money in during this tough financial time. Enjoy your holidays, despite it all, with family and friends. Togetherness is the biggest present of all to everyone.