Because of multiple birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day and graduations, May is a more expensive month for me than December!  I need frugal, quality ideas for everyone. 

I bought my mom flowers for her planters, some of her favorite candy, and I'm going to make her a cake. If she's up for it, we might go for a picnic like someone suggested on another thread.  If anyone else has any other good ideas, I'm open.

Someone's idea for a phone card was a really good idea for graduation, but I already purchased the graduation gift for my niece--a contact grill with automatic shutoff and removable plates for easy washing.  It was far from cheap, but I got it online for the best rate and free shipping directly to her.  I hope that it will really help her eat well through the years instead of the junk that I ate in college.  (She also enjoys cooking, and since she'll be stuck in the dorm, I thought this would allow her to do a little.  This is one of the few appliances they allow and she's excited about it.)

I need inspiration for a really nice 18th birthday present for her as well.  She likes reading, writing, and photography.  I usually buy her books, music or movies, but this year I want something really special that she can keep to remember this special date.  (Typing that out made think to look for Things Remembered coupon codes.)  If anyone has any other ideas, I'd really appreciate them! 

My sister's birthday is also this week.  Usually she's pretty good about giving me suggestions, but she hasn't had time.

And as usual, I never know what to get for my parents' anniversary. 

I can be really frugal with clothes, food and anything for myself, but I really struggle in the area of gifts.  Because gifts are my primary "love language" I have a tendency to not stay within a budget for them, and I NEED TO.

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

For your niece's birthday, have you considered giving her a journal?  amazon.com has some really nice leather-bound journals for $12.50.  Write a letter to her on the inside cover.  The letter I leave up to you, but she's getting ready to start life as an adult and go off to college. A journal is a nice way to keep those memories for years to come.

For your sister, does she have a hobby she enjoys? Gardening, cooking, reading?  You can make up a nice basket catered to her hobbies and likes fairly cheaply, especially if you have a dollar store nearby.

Your parent's anniversary...that's a tough one.  How are you at scrapbooking?  Is there a way to get ahold of pictures from their wedding and through the years without them knowing about it? You can make them a scrap book from color copies of those. 

 

 

 

Those are great ideas!  Thank you Arianasilver!!

There are several stores around here that carry nice journals, so I am going to do that for my niece.  I did find a small book about inspirational women whose lives "demonstrate the far-reaching consequences of everyday actions."  I thought that might be a nice combination since she aspires to make a difference in the world. (She's a cool niece.)

You asked about my sister's hobbies.  She works ALL THE TIME, so she has no hobbies.  She recently mentioned that she should do more fun things.  I thought of the books at www.entertainment.com since you get discounts to all sorts of activities.  Does that sound like it would be a nice gift or do you think it would be weird to get a book of discounts as a present? 

I haven't started on the scrapbook for my parents, but I still think it's a great idea!

Thanks again for the feedback and ideas!

Mimi, those entertainment books are really useful, and normally out of the price range I'd spend on one for myself, but I'd love to get one as a gift. I think that's a great idea!  You could also could get her a gift card for movie tickets or something along those lines

I'm glad you think it's a good idea!

 Thank you!

 Mimi

my mom bought my dh and I an entertainment book for xmas. she was worried it was tacky, but we love it! I had thought about buying them beofre, but wasn't sure if it was worth the money. it totally has been. we used to coupons for our regular haunts in the first month, and it has challenged us to try out some new places in our town. for the money we have saved (on things we would be doing anyway) it is totally worth it. if she doesn't get it for us again, i will buy us one!

I'm so glad you're enjoying your Entertainment book Pink Lemonade!  I did go ahead and buy it for my sister and she seemed enthused.  I hope she gets as much good out of it as you're getting out of yours!

I too would be more than happy to receive an Entertainment Book as a gift (hint to any relatives reading this as June 7th is approaching quickly LOL)

They usually go on sale mid summer here and the savings are well worth it.  In the past, friends and I have bought the 2 for 1 one items and then split the cost of the one purchase ... its almost like eating/shopping/going places at a massive savings!

A local radio station here has a website too where you can buy discount gift certificates at 30 percent off.  I have bought these for Christmas gifts.  The best part:  you buy them online and print them right off on your own home printer.