My Definition of a Bargain

I think it's very important for my loyal readers to know how I determine what products, stores, and services I blog about. My criteria is:

• Is the markdown at least 50% the retail price?
• Is the shopping experience pleasant and stress-free?
• Will the blog or website content help others save money, time and stress?

If I personally answer yes to all three questions, then I will most likely post this information on my website or blog within days or minutes of me finding such a great treasure! This in a sense makes me a Bargain Critic as I do not randomly post merchandise and gift ideas without buying them or reviewing them first. But I also approach my reviews from a positive angle and will rarely, if ever, post a negative review. There are tons of those kinds of sites out there already and would happy to refer you to them when necessary. Yes, you may find links to products and services that I personally recommend, but it is up to you as a consumer to review your options and do your own research as well. Sales come and go all of the time and you may even find a better deal out there....which is exactly what I hope you do! To empower you, my readers, to actively seek your own bargains so that you can re-direct your time, energy, and money toward what is really important...your friends, family and community. Shop Smart GIVE MORE! I hope each and every one of you can find your own meaning within this statement and share your victories with everyone you meet. This concept is BIG and it just may change the world we live in... one shopping trip at a time!

Blessings for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008!

Jennifer

http://www.thegifttherapist.com/

Holiday Clearance Merchandise Alert

The best bargains this time of year can be found if you just think outside of the box. Or think inside of the barrel, the Cracker Barrel that is! Just got back from a wonderful breakfast in Washington, PA and did a little post-holiday browsing in their Country Store. All of their holiday themed merch is a whopping 70% off! Holiday scented Yankee Candles are 50% and the now famous Woodwick candles are buy one get the other 1/2 off. I found beautiful cookie jars, teapots and candle holders for only $6! They all retailed for $20 before the holiday. At 70% off, their ornaments were selling like hotcakes...no pun intended! My guess is that by next week all left over merchandise in the holiday section will be down to 80or 90% off. The sooner you get there, the better the selection, so HURRY!
Happy Shopping!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

The Bragging Zone is Up and Running

Hi Everyone! So excited to announce that you are cordially invited to join my "Bragging Zone" community forum, specially designed for my smart shopping friends! Come on over and share your best shopping strategies, treasured finds, and clearance conquests with all of us who are always on the lookout for a great shopping tip or two! You can visit directly by clicking HERE Remember finding the bargain is only 1/2 the fun...telling people about it is the BEST part! Happy Shopping!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

Use your Macy's Gift Card Online..YAY!

I am the proud recipient of a Macy's Gift Card and can't wait to check out the upcoming bargains for the big New Year sale. The best part is that now I don't have to leave the house because you can now shop online and pay with your Macy's Gift card! Now that's what I call a bonus gift! Shop online following the link below to get even more bang for your buck during their after Christmas sale. Go ahead...Buy yourself something "REALLY" nice! Happy Shopping!
This New Year's Get What You Really Want. Save 20-65% + values at macys.com. Valid 30-Dec-07 through 3-Jan-08.

www.theGiftTherapist.com

Bargain Alerts and Site Improvements for 2008

Hello Everyone!
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season! I have taken the past few days off to re-evaluate my website and begin the reconstruction process for 2008! I have so many ideas, but really want to make sure that I will be giving YOU, my loyal readers the information that you really want! Please leave your comments below and I will consider each and every one of them, I PROMISE! You may be curious why I am not out there shopping today, considering the huge discounts on Christmas merchandise, but I find the best bargains on this stuff really come in after the New Year. I will probably wait until the second week of January for the 90% off sales :) Winter clothing and accessories really hit rock bottom around that same time, too so I'll wait out the rush and plan my mid-January shopping trip in early 2008! Happy New year everyone, and please keep coming back! Later this week I will update you on the lists of sales that you can expect to stumble upon in January and February!
Happy Shopping!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

Shop Smart, Give More in Action

A few months ago my husband and I found out that our Dad, Papa Bob, really wanted to buy himself a train for Christmas but could not bring himself to buy such an expensive gift for himself. He used to have an old steam engine train that was eventually passed around the family and subsequently lost in the shuffle. After losing two of his siblings in a three year period, Papa Bob was feeling a bit nostalgic and really wanted to find the perfect train for under the tree. Because my husband and I were such great bargain shoppers this year, we were able to afford a brand new Pennsylvania Flyer with all the bells and whistles for Papa Bob. With the help of his wife, we were able to keep the big secret under wraps! Last evening was the big night! Papa Bob and Karen came to our house for the tradional holiday feast and visit. After tearing through a series of "gag gifts" that included an awful tie and knock-off cologne we brought out the grande finale...The Lionel Train. The look on Papa Bob's face was priceless. Eyes and mouth wide open in complete shock, he was speechless. There wasn't a dry eye in the house last night. Not only were we able to give him a gift for the future, but we were able to give him a gift from his past. You can't put a pricetag on that! We feel so blessed to have been able to do it this year! God Bless Us Everyone...

www.theGiftTherapist.com

More Last Minute Gift Ideas Under $10

While browsing the office supply section at Ollie's Bargain Outlet, I found the perfect emergency gift! For only $5.99 they have a high quality boxed assortment of all occasion greeting cards. I bought an assortment similar to this at Michael's crafts a few years ago for about $12.99, so based on this figure, this assortment is a steal! Throw in a pen and some pretty stationary and you have a lovely gift for under $10! Throw in a book of stamps and you have a perfect gift for Grandma or Aunt Rose for under $20. Good luck and happy Shopping...and most of all Merry Christmas!!!!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

The Gift of Emmet

For over ten years now my friends and family gather at my home to watch a timeless, but often overlooked classic Christmas story...Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. What a wonderful story for young and old to enjoy. Full of comedy, song and tender moments, this mini-movie is one of my all time favorites. I can remember watching this over and over when I was very young because HBO would air it constantly during the holiday season. Made by Jim Henson, this classic has come back full force with the 30-something crowd. Now on DVD you can find this just about anywhere, so if you don't have a copy I highly recommend that you get one or two or three! Tradition in our home is to watch it on Christmas Day night with friends who stop in for our annual open house. We usually watch it more than once because people are constantly in and out and no one wants to miss it! I love this tradition and just wanted to share it with all of you looking to start some new traditions this year. Have a wonderful holiday!
"Look at the birds up in the trees..." (Chuck)
"We're not birds, we're a jug-band!" (Charlie)

www.theGiftTherapist.com

The Gift of Time

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season we tend to forget about giving the gift that means the most...the gift of our time. As I was reminded today by a wonderful friend and devout Christian, Christmas is a season, not just one day. Why do we try to cram everything and everyone into that one day? Many families jump from house to house, lugging gifts, and looking at their watch because they have to be somewhere else, not truly being able to enjoy that time. If you are suffering from this dilema, it's time for you to put the "season" into perspective and make some changes that will allow you to experience the best gift of all...Time. Please put yourself and your immediate family first and establish new traditions that will allow you to enjoy the holiday season as much as possible this year. Schedule a lunch with your favorite Aunt, a brunch with your favorite cousin, etc...just spread things out a bit so you can truly enjoy your time. Best wishes for a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

Shopping for Jewelry? Great Last Minute Deal of the Day

Great news for all of you who still have yet to find that perfect piece of jewelry for that special someone! ICE.com is now offering free overnight shipping AND 20% OFF! I've browsed the site and they really have some beautiful pieces and unique pieces starting at $20. They also offer free return shipping if you are not completely satisfied. Don't forget, Valentine's Day is right around the corner :)

More Last Minute Gift Ideas Under $10

Precious Moments Snow Globe: $6.99 @ Aldi's

Board Games: $6.99 @ Gabriel Brothers

Chef's Kitchen Compact Expresso Maker: $9.99 @ Gabriel Brothers

Example of A Bad Gifter

My husband just shared an interesting gift giving scenario that he witnessed at his office today. As supervisors and employees were exchanging gifts, my hubby admired a lovely gift-set from Hickory Farms that was given to his female office mate. The set was an expensive one with a sampler of all three summer sausage flavors plus cheese and crackers. Worth at least $30, the recipient quickly turned up her nose when the boss wasn't looking....she is a vegetarian! So not only did the boss waste $30, he offended his employee in the process. Her comment was "shouldn't he know that about me by now?". The moral of the story is that it's better to buy a cheaper gift that has meaning rather than a more expensive one that was clearly bought without the recipient in mind. Yes, be kind and gracious when you receive one of these types of gifts...you now have a wonderful gift for someone who may really appreciate it! Shop smart...GIVE MORE!

Last Minute Holiday Gifts for Under $5

Last Minute Holiday Gifts for Under $10

If you haven't signed up for my mailing list, please do so ASAP. I sent out a list of over 100 last minute holiday gift ideas that may help you brainstorm the perfect gift for the person that you forgot to buy a gift for! Visit this page to sign up or share your ideas! You will get my weekly email about once a month :) Just kidding, but please know that I won't spam you with useless information. I'm here to help and I completely respect your time and inbox capacity!
http://www.thegifttherapist.com/contact.html
Happy Shopping!
www.theGiftTherapist.com

Merry Christmas to Me!

Shop Smart GIVE MORE!!!

Last Minute Gifts for Guys at Filene's Basement

3 Super Easy and Affordable Last Minute Gift Ideas

Just realized you forgot to buy someone a holiday present? Don't panic! Here are three super easy ideas that you throw together for a nice gift at the last minute!

• Chocolate Lover's Basket: One pound box of candy, gourmet hot chocolate, coco flavored coffee and chocolate biscotti. Buy at the grocery store or go to BigLots for deep discounts.
• Italian Basket: Gourmet pasta and pasta sauce with a loaf of italian bread. Throw in some red,white and green tea towels for a pretty presentation and an Italian cookbook for good measure. (Or choose a different food theme with a cookbook to match!)
• Greetings Basket: All occasion greeting card holder, greeting cards, stamps, pen and stationary.

Most of these ideas can be purchased at your local grocery store! I'll be back later today with more last minute gift ideas!

http://www.thegifttherapist.com/

We have a winner!

Thanks to all of you how took guess at the retail price of the necklace set below! Because I want to get the prize to the winner before the Christmas holiday, I am going to award the prize to the closest bidder! Kathy (with a y) placed the closest bid at $2.99...but I only paid 80 cents for the set! There is a wonderful store in Belle Vernon called "Accessorize This" that is liquidating their store for a new concept. Everything, and I said everything from purses, scarves, handmade jewelry, and cruise wear is a whopping 60% off !!! At these prices, things are flying off of the shelves...get there soon! If you want more info on hours and location please contact me through my website and I'll forward the info to you directly! So please don't forget to patronize your local merchants this holiday season...their prices may surprise you! And you'll be doing a great thing by supporting business in your local community. This is so much fun! I think I'll do it again very, very soon! Keep comin' back and get your chance to win! Happy Shopping!
www.theGiftTherapist.com

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Gift Extravaganza!

Just got back from my weekly trip to Ollies Bargain outlet and wanted to share a few gift ideas under $20 that would make wonderful gifts. When I arrived today I was greeted by a gigantic display of name brand cookbooks that would make great last minute gifts or compliment a gourmet basket that you may be putting together. They had a set entitled recipes from the 50's with nostalgic recipes for only $3.99. Now there's a nice gift for your Aunt Rose! They had many of the "Fix it and Forget It" Cookbooks, too...lite cooking, 5 ingredients, home cooked meals, etc ...all for $3.99 each. Heaven's to Betsy, I love this store!!! And for the wine lover, they have a great gift set for $9.99 that outlines all of the wineries of note in the United States. Very nice addition to the hostess gift, I must say! On my way out, while stuggling with a handful of large packages I noticed a great idea for the young and old alike. It was a heavy duty tobogan-like sled called the Raptor. Only $14.99! Now that's something that every kid doesn't already have, I'm sure! I could go on and on about Ollies, but you really just have to go and see it for yourself! Tell them the Gift Therapist sent ya!
Happy Shopping!
http://www.thegifttherapist.com/

The Gift of Laughter

I love to shop for gag gifts. As long as the gag is not the only gift you're giving, go ahead and buy something completely useless and funny for someone you love. I know of a family who goes to Goodwill every year to purchase a tacky outfit for one unsuspecting family member. Last year my favorite guy cousin was the proud recipient of a pair of plaid bermuda shorts, white leather loafers and green felt beanie hat. How funny is that? And then he actually wore the outfit to our holiday open house the following day! If you do a really good job of mixing it up, sometimes the recipient thinks it's a REAL gift and thanks you with a puzzled look on their face until you spill the beans! If you are looking for gag type gifts and don't want to pay retail prices for them here is a great website with a great link to their clearance section: http://www.baronbob.com/clearance.htm
Good luck and happy shopping!
www.theGiftTherapist.com

Guess how much I paid for this...

Can you guess what I paid for this? It is a costume necklace and earring set like you would find in the department stores. No hints...no name brands....the first person to guess the correct price (forget the tax!) will win this item! Consider this an early Christmas present! Go ahead...take a guess by responding below! You've got nothing to loose. I'll even pay the shipping :) Good Luck!

Buy Oprah's Favorite Things Online!

Beauty.com is a wonderful site that I use all too often when I'm too lazy to drive into the city to purchase specialty gifts that are only found in the city! To save time, stress and gasoline these days is a gift in itself! Ever wondered where you could find some of the great items showcased on Oprah' s favorite things each year? Well, you're in luck. One click below will allow you to find most of her highly recommended beauty items! My favorites are the oversized bath soaps! What a wonderful gift idea! They even make scents for men...Yippee!!!
Claus Porto Soaps featured on Oprah's Favorite Things

Don't forget the pets!

I found a wonderful site, with the help of Ashely DiParlo from Channel 4. It's called www.chimpfeet.com and they carry gifts especially for our four-legged friends. From fashion to furniture, this site packs a lot of punch! And the prices are very reasonable, too! I couldn't resist posting this doggie jersey for all of you steelers fans out there! It retails for $28.00 and you can buy it through the website. If your budget is limited, they have really cute doggie t-shirts in the $9-12 range. Don't forget to click the funny doggie video tab to get your chuckle for the day!

'Tis the Season for Giving

Ever wish you could give more to your favorite charity each year? Are you not giving because you can't afford to write a big check or too embarassed because your check would be too small? Speaking from my personal experience of being a Director for a non-profit organization, any type of donation of money, goods or volunteer help will be greatly appreciated! Did you know that one of the biggest obstacle for non-profits groups is finding people to serve on Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards? Do you have a special skill that you could share? How can you use your stengths to help them? The key is to find your "signature" charity. One that is close to your heart and get to know the organization as personally as you can. The more you know the people and what they are doing in your community, the more comfortable and motivated you will be to give of your time, yourself, and your money. Give your favorite charity a big gift this year...the gift of you!
Happy Holidays!
Jennifer Melnick Carota
Executive Director, The Schooner Youth Center

Watch the Gift Therapist in Action

If you missed out on my interview with Ashley Diparlo yesterday, you can still view the video by following the links below!

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/video/14843490/index.html for Part 1 of the Plugged In
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/video/14843496/index.html for Part 2 of Plugged In

I will also be appearing this Sunday on the Jennifer TV Show, Channel 4 Pittsburgh, at 11am to showcase my bargain shopping skills. A clip of my appearance can be found here:

http://www.jennifertvshow.com/tvshow.php for my shopping challenge on the Jennifer TV Show!

Thanks again for all of your support!
www.theGiftTherapist.com

Too busy to bake for Christmas?

Find great bargains on frozen cakes, pies and tarts at Aldi's! Did you know that you can buy a frozen deep dish apple pie at Aldi for only $3.99? Wether it is for your table or a hostess gift, you can't afford not to buy them. We've had them and they are wonderful! Another favorite is their cheesecake sampler. For only $9.99 you can't beat the quality, selection and price. This sale begins December 16th so plan accordingly!
http://www.aldi.com/ for more holiday treats, toys, and gift ideas for the entire family! They sell toys and gift items too! This week they have a really nice fondue pot for only $19.99. I'm guessing those are gone by now, but run and and see what other goodies you can find. Some of my best and most thoughtful gifts come from the local grocery store! Good luck and happy shopping!
http://www.thegifttherapist.com/

Perfect Gifts For the Pittsburgh Lover

I spend a lot of Saturday mornings watching Chris and Nancy during their awesome WQED cooking marathons. I love the idea that all of their recipes are tried and true and come from households from throughout the Pittsburgh region. Sometimes the cookbooks seem a bit pricey, but if you go to their website right now they are having a clearance sale!!!!

http://www.wqed.org/genl/shop/clearance.shtml

Yep...three best of cookbooks for $24.95 plus $4.95 shipping. Now that's a perfect $10 gift for Pittsburgh Foodies and friends or family out of state! Pittsburgh DVD's are also on sale. Buy three and get one free! Don't forget to check out the Mr. Roger's section for the little ones...the hand puppets are priceless for only $12.95. Good luck and happy shopping!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

Thank You!

Great Gift Ideas for Kids and Young Adults

What do you buy for the kid who has EVERYTHING? Why not take the nostalgic route? Here are some ideas if you are stumped and short on cash!

• Classic Christmas DVD's: Frosty, Rudolph, Emmett Otter. Find them on Ebay, Amazon or Walmart for the best prices.
• Classic Movies: Wizard of Oz, Disney, etc...see above for where to buy.
• Classic Board Games
• Fun Computer Games
• Personalized ornaments (mom's will love that!) Buy online or make yourself!
• Art or Activity Books
• Jigsaw Puzzles: Make one with your own photo from www.shutterfly.com or www.photoworks.com
• Learning Games and Computer Software
• Cookbook for Kids

Good luck and Happy Shopping!

www.theGiftTherapist.com

Major Bargain Alert

Gabriel Brothers in Greensburg, Pennsylvania now has leather coats from the Kenneth Cole Reaction series for $79.99. These blazer style coats retail for $199 and are available in black and brown. Very sharp, very soft leather, and quite a dream come true for that special guy on your Christmas list! Good luck and happy shopping!
http://thegifttherapist.com/

Major Bargain Alert

Gabriel Brothers in Greensburg, Pennsylvania now has leather coats from the Kenneth Cole Reaction series for $79.99. These blazer style coats retail for $199 and are available in black and brown. Very sharp, very soft leather, and quite the bargain shopper dream come true! Good luck and happy shopping!
http://thegifttherapist.com

Shopping Secrets: Tuesday's Tips of the Day

The holiday season is not only tough on shoppers, but equally stressful on the sales associates who serve on the front lines of the holiday shopping madness. Imagine how you would feel after dealing with such chaos from the other side of the register! There are several things you can do to reduce the stress of shopping in stores this time of year and keep the spirit of the holiday alive:
1. Have empathy for the person behind the counter. Smile and be polite. Read their nametag and say hello using their first name. Keep smiling! Pay them a compliment. This will usually get them to smile back and lighten the mood!
2. Once you have made nice with the sales associate, ask them if there are any other discounts available on the merchandise you are purchasing. He or she may be more inclined to share a coupon that was left behind, inform you of a special promotion or indicate when another big sale is comming. The key is to build a relationship with this person as well as the store. Thank the associate by name and keep smiling!
3. Too much stuff to manage? Ask the associate to request a carry-out for you. With one quick phone call a magical dollie will appear and your items will be carted outside to the curb-side loading area for you. Thank the associate by name and keep smiling!
4. Can't find the item you are looking for? Ask a sales associate to check if they have more of that item in the stockroom. A quick computer query by the associate will tell you how many of that item are still on the premisis. Thank the associate by name and keep smiling!
5. Ask the associate if you can speak to the department manager. Keep smiling! Step aside and let the associate continue his/her work. When the manager arrives, introduce yourself and give the associate who waited on you a COMPLIMENT in public. Thank them both again and walk away smiling! You just gave a gift that was totally priceless!
Good luck and Happy Shopping!
www.theGiftTherapist.com

Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea: Gifts of Food With A Twist

Easy and Affordable Emergency Christmas Gift Ideas

My First TV Show Appearance!

If you would like to see a preview of my appearance on the Jennifer TV Show that will air next Sunday on Channel 4 Pittsburgh at 11am! I'm proud to say that based on this preview, I think I did a pretty good job! Have fun and Happy Shopping! www.theGiftTherapist.com

Unique Hostess Gift Ideas

If I could, I would do all of my Christmas shopping in the grocery store! While strolling our local Giant Eagle today, I came up with several creative hostess gifts that any party host would enjoy...male or female! I'm not saying that you have to buy all of the items at Giant Eagle, I was just inspired there :)

-Gourmet dipping sauces: Basil, Italian, Garlic or Balsamic: Select two and pair them with a fresh loaf of tuscan bread in a basket with a bottle or two of wine. Yummy!

-Gourmet italian salami, sopressata, pepperoni and procuitto ham: Pair one or more in a basket with fontinella, asiago or fresh mozzerella cheese. And throw in a bottle of wine with a bunch of grapes for a pretty garnish.

-Fresh pine wreath: Found in the floral section for $24.99, a beautiful pine wreath made in the shape of a cross or candy cane with pinecone and berry accents. Absolutely unique and georgous! I bought one for my Godmother on the spot!

Good luck and Happy Shopping!

The Gift Therapist

Mrs. Prindable's at TJ Maxx

For those of us who LOVE gourmet carmel apples but hate paying $22.50 per apple, boy have I got some great news for you! While perusing TJ Maxx this week I found a end-cap of gourmet candy and guess what I found???? Yep, Mrs. Prindable's (the best carmel apple on the planet!) on sale for $12.99 each!!! What a perfect gift for a teacher, neighbor or hostess! To test the quality, my husband and I dove into one when we got home. This apple was dipped in soft carmel, then into chocolate chips and dark chocolate, then drizzled with white chocolate. Oh dear...this was heaven! The granny smith apple was perfectly crisp, tart and a perfect compliment to the heavenly chocolate and carmel shell! Go get 'em tiger...they won't last!!! Happy Shopping!

Jennifer

The Gift Therapist

A new twist on Ebay...Etsy

While enjoying an evening surfing the web for creative gift ideas, I found a wonderful new site (well, new to me!) that I thought you folks would enjoy. It's called Etsy.com and there you can find fantastic gifts for auction or purchase from several vendors all over the world. The hook is that EVERYTHING is handmade! You name it, they have it! I especially love the handmade jewelry and winter accessories. Most of the items that I found were very affordable and shipping costs were more than fair! Check it out at here. You are only seconds away from finding the perfect unique gift!

For Music Lovers!

Wolfgang's Vault is one of my favorite websites! Not only can you listen to archived rock concerts for FREE, you can find really cool rock and roll merch and vintage items up for sale...and priced for every budget! Who doesn't love Rock and Roll? Go ahead and browse and enjoy all the free stuff! Don't forget...free shipping until the end of December! Let me know how you like it!

The Gift Therapist

For Steeler Fans!

For the Pittsburgh Steelers fan who has everything, this belt is pretty awesome! I love products made by Little Earth. Sometimes I get lucky and find their overruns at Gabriel Brothers during the holidays! Nothing yet, but you'll be the first to know I promise! Check out their site...very cool stuff...moderately priced, but a very, very unique gifting opportunity. The are currently offering a 30% off sale on select merchandise. Click the button below and check it out!

Perfect Girlfriend to Girlfriend Gift!

OK Girls..the holidays are coming and your want to look your best, right? Well, here is the perfect gift for your BFF or for yourself! You can order this at www.beauty.com for only $6.95! Buy more than one and get a huge discount $10 off $60 at Beauty.com! The tape is made from a gently adhesive that will help keep your bra straps in place, your cleavage concealed or your skirt safely in place! At the very least, this is great for the gal that has absolutely everything, and you don't have to spend a fortune! Happy Shopping!

Easy and Classy $5 Gift Idea

Now that dollar stores are EVERYWHERE, everyone these days can pretty much tell when someone has bought them a gift from the dollar store!!! Believe me, no one wants to look cheap especially over the holidays, so here's a piece of advice that can keep you shopping at the dollar store and also add a touch of class to your gift! Use dollar store gifts to compliment the main gift....never to be the main gift! Here's a good example:

1. Go to Starbucks and buy a small promo package of their holiday blend coffee. These retail for $2.50 each so I usually buy a few to make more than one gift....in case an emergency gift is needed!

2. Now go to Walmart, Big Lots, or the Dollar Store and find a really cute holiday mug. Or check your closet! Wait as long as you can to buy these. They'll be marked down heavily just prior to the holiday and you can get them for fifty cents each. If you can't wait, splurge and pay the extra dollar! If you're lazy, just to the walmart site Cyber Monday and Beyond Online Specials at Walmart.com

3. Bake or buy a batch of chocolate chip, shortbread or biscotti cookies. If you make them, the more you will save! If you're buying, go to Big Lots...they have a huge selection or gourmet cookies and are reasonably priced.

4. Place 1/2 dozen cookies in a regular sandwich bag. If you have ziplocks, just cut off the zipper part. Now tie the top with a prety ribbon. Presto...insant gourmet gift that won't make you look like a cheapskate! Make this a $15 gift by putting in a $10 Starbucks gift card...whoohoo...big spender!

5. Put all items into a small gift bag or basket and just wait for the compliments!

The main idea here is to be creative and thoughtful at the same time. For more creative gift ideas please visit my website at www.theGiftTherapist.com

Happy Shopping!