Here are some great gift ideas that will make it in time for Christmas, and require no trip to a crowded mall:

Red Poinsettia – $44.95

iGift Card – Instant Delivery – Choose Your Amount

Choose a design of the gift card, customize an amount and a message – the best part is the recipient can spend the card at hundreds of merchants – they choose one great store or spread it out among a couple retailers, restaurants or even hotels.

Gift of the Month - Prices Vary

Choose their favorite something and have it delivered each month (or as often as you’d like). Select from wine, beer, chocolate, flowers, lobster, cookies, movie, even neckties…you get the picture!

SpaFinder Gift Card – Starting at $25

Give the gift of spa! Recipients can choose from numerous locales and the pampering of their choice!

Champagne Gift Basket – $49.99

Start the New Year out right – delivered right to their door!

100 Blooms of Christmas Cheer – $39.98 (on sale!)

Flowers also include spa treats, including bubble bath, shower gel and bath beads, and $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate!

What are you buying last minute this week? Share some more ideas in the comments!

Happy (Last Minute) Shopping!

- Kristen

1. True Blue Spa Set – $10.00 (on sale!)

2. Kenneth Jay Lane Camelia Ring – $64.05 (save almost $30 + free shipping!)

3. Wrist Watch Band Case for iPod Nano – $5.95 (regular price $24.95!)

4. Pooping Reindeer Candy Dispensers – $9.90 for set of 2

5. Burt’s Bees Lemon Cuticle Creme – $5.99

6. Tea Forte Tea Duo – $5.00

7. Fossil Compact Mirror – $25.00

8. Marc Jacobs Lola Perfume Bracelet – $42.00

9. Vera Bradley Clip Zip ID – $7.00 (on sale!)

Happy Shopping!

- Kristen

1. Leatherman Kick – $19.98 (on sale!)

2. Carabiner – $7.65

3. iPod Shuffle – $44.99 (on sale + free ship to store!)

4. FitBit Tracker – $99.95

5. Pez Marvel Heroes – $1.79 each (available at Cost Plus World Market in store)

6. Love Knot Cuff Links & Stud Set – $200.00

7. Fresh Shaving Cream – $22.00 (10% off with code HOLIDAY10 until January 1)

8. Merino Wool Socks – $13.95

9. John Varvatos Artisan Fragrance Set – $50.00 + free shipping!

Happy Shopping!

- Kristen

Ditch the traditional bottle of wine and give a host gift that they’ll really remember.  Here are some ideas to get you started and don’t miss the ideas at the end from our Facebook and Twitter followers, too!

Table

It’s always nice to have something beautiful for the table. This fall-themed table runner ($22.99) is great for autumn.

Other ideas along this theme: variety of candles, (set below on sale for $44.00) custom salt cellar or bread basket.

Kitchen

Great cooks and chefs alike appreciate new products to try. Vanilla salt ($9.25 on sale) is unique and is great for the rim of glasses for holiday cocktails.

Lemon-infused olive oil ($12.99) is also a gift cooks will appreciate, and they’ll think of you each time they use it!

Bar

Offer to bring an appetizer for Thanksgiving and accompany a yummy cheese plate with these beautiful knives ($29.95) as your gift to the host.

Give the host a break after Turkey Day. Movie tickets, spa gift card or even sending flowers a week after the holiday will all be appreciated! Our Facebook fans, Vicky and April Marie, had some great suggestions, too. Bring something for breakfast the next morning, or if you do bring wine, a set of glasses ($4.50 each – great daily deal through end of November!) or wine accessories are a good idea, too. Twitter followers vote to bring something they’ve made and cookies top the list! Have an idea yourself? Please share it here in the comments!

Happy Shopping!

- Kristen

So to gather some ideas, we turned to you and took a poll on Facebook and Twitter and got some great ideas and suggestions for what you typically give as baby gifts, and as a parent, what you’ve loved receiving best. I thought I’d share your answers here!

Most of you stick to the registry, but will add an extra something for mom or baby that’s not on the list. When giving gifts to close friends or family, many of you deviate from the registry and give something with a personal touch – either a handmade burp cloth, custom blanket, or a personalized baby block. (I received blocks from two friends, and my boys love playing with these, and I love having a reminder of how much they weighed because I forget. Ahem.)

What You Love to Give

Winnie the Pooh
Piggy Bank (with some cash!)
Feeding Chair
Boon Squirt Dispensing Spoon
Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover
What You Love to Receive:

Chocolate!HALO Sleepsack for Baby

BabyBjorn Soft BibKiddopatamus Tiny Diner PlacematNuby Sippy Cup

Gift Certificates to Favorite Restaurants (that have take out!)

Pampering for Mom – candles, treats, lotion, magazines, nail polish!Many moms told us that they LOVE it when friends go together to get a big ticket item off a registry (essentials such as Britax car seat, Maclaren stroller, or piece of furniture).

Care to add to the conversation? Add to the list in the comments – we’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for more baby fun this week!

Happy Shopping!

- Kristen

How to Create a Gift Reserve

How many times have you had to run out at the last minute to buy a gift for a Birthday, Wedding or Shower? Been there. Done that. Inevitably, I would end up spending more than my budget allowed. I’d run from store to store with kids in tow, searching for the holy grail of gifts! Did the recipient know the sacrifice of my crusade? Sadly, no. My martyrdom was not recognized.

Broke, frustrated and exhausted, I knew there had to be a better way. How could I save money and time without making myself, the kids and my husband (who else would tolerate my woeful tale) miserable in the process? My obsessive compulsive skills finally paid off. After researching to find a solution, I’m thrilled to tell you, I’ve found the key to saving money, time and frustration on my Gifts. How? Create a Gift Reserve.

What is a Gift Reserve? It’s a stockpile of items bought a rock bottom prices. It’s a very easy process once you get started. Here are some basic guidelines.

1) Make a Gift Budget. Set aside money every month. The goal is to eventually cut your Gift Giving Budget. If you buy items at rock bottom prices, you can stock up for a future gift giving opportunity AND save money.

2) Plan Ahead. Because we tend to over spend if we wait until the last minute, it’s vital to make a list of all upcoming gift giving events (Birthdays, Weddings, Showers, Anniversaries, Holidays, etc…). If you have three Weddings this summer, you can buy three gifts when you find a great deal and save money. You can also buy gifts that are age specific to your child(ren), because inevitably they’ll be asked to parties by their classmates.

3) Be an Opportunist. Watch for great deals on websites like Your Retail Helper,  Helping the Mommas and Bonus.com. Sign up for newsletters and coupons from your favorite retail stores. Use store coupons, sales, rebates and cash back websites for maximum savings. When you find a great deal, buy several.

4) Where should I keep my Gift Reserve? Anywhere you have space. Consider using a spare drawer, a box in the attic, closet or under the bed. (Just make sure little fingers can’t find it.) Also keep a list of all your gifts handy. It won’t do you any good if you don’t know what you have in your Gift Reserve.

5) Should I buy a gift off a Gift Registry? Would your friend be happier to know you put yourself in a financial disadvantage because you felt compelled to buy something expensive off their registry, rather than buying them a high quality gift at a fraction of the cost? If you’re on a tight budget and you give a generous thoughtful gift, it shouldn’t matter. Let go of the guilt.

6) Think outside the box. Buy small items at rock bottom prices and then compile them into one large Gift Basket. If you’re crafty, make your own gifts. You can also find great deals at Discount Stores or Consignment Sales. Not long ago, I bought two of my children Birthday presents from a Consignment Sale. The items were in great condition. My kids are too young to know the difference between what came out of a box and what came from a store. I saved 75% or more on their gifts and they were two of their favorites. Many times you can also get items at Consignment Stores that still have the tags on them or have never been opened.

Do you feel empowered? Relieved? There is hope. If you plan ahead and are patient, you can create a Gift Reserve to envy all others. It feels so good to pull a great gift out of my Gift Reserve knowing I saved money. The recipient will be none the wiser. Unless, of course, you get a gift from me. Then you’ll always be wondering how little I paid for it!

Thank you, Anna!

Happy Shopping (and in bulk)!

- Kristen

I can always use some inspiration for this holiday – I cannot give another tie, gift card or polo shirt this year! Here are some ideas to get your creative juices stirring for Dad!

1. You’ve Got Dad Covered – Otter Case for iPhone – $27.50

2. Cheers to Dad! – Beer of the Month Club – $34.95 (subscription options)

3. A Great Angler – Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Lite Casting Rod – $59.99

4. S’Mores & More – Fire Sense Copper Cocktail Fire Pit – $145.00

5. Step in Style – Keen Laguna Sandal – $95.00

6. Tool Time – Craftsman Rolling Tool Cabinet – $219.00

7. Dads on the Run – Nike + iPod Sport Kit with Armband – $49.99

8. Dads Love Meat! – Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker – $299.00

9. Keep Dad Entertained – Microsoft Zune HD – $249.99

We’d love to hear your ideas, too! Be sure to post a comment and share what you’re giving this year!

Happy Father’s Day!

- Kristen

Here’s the Frugalgrrl Shopping Guide – hope these ideas help you celebrate Mom on Sunday, May 9 (coming up fast!):

1. Give Her Something to Flip for: Pink Flip Camcorder – $129

2. Cooks Will Love Not Having to Stir: KitchenAid Stand Mixer – $269.99

3. How Does Her Garden Grow? Suncast Garden Cart – $69.99

4. Not Sure Which Spa She Likes? Let Her Choose: Spa Gift Card – $125

5. M Is for Mom: Initial Charm – $68

6. Stream the Shows She Likes: LG Bluray DVD Player – $120.99

7. Pamper Her: Pangea Organics (plant the packaging to grow wildflowers!) – $24

8. The Lady Loves a Bangle: Betsey Johnson ‘Flower Girl’ Bracelet – $56

9. Sweets for the Sweetest: Pretty in Pink Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries – $24.99

Would love to hear from you – what will you give this year? What are you hoping for?

What’s the best and worst gift you’ve received?

Happy Mother’s Day!

- Kristen