frugal christmas gifts

Most Popular Christmas Toys 2009-Hot New Toys For Kids Christmas

Christmas 2009 is here. Are you ready? Every Christmas holiday season parents ask, “What will be the most popular hot new toys for Christmas this year?” The latest trends in new toys for Christmas correspond closely to the economy, which is why the “Recession Christmas” or frugal Christmas gifts term is often used by people looking for affordable Christmas gifts for their kids and teens.

Toy makers and manufacturers understand that people have less money to spend on Christmas this year and are making smaller versions of large more-expensive toys, with one example being the new mini version of last years big Fur Real dinosaur from the Hasbro Fur Real Friends line of toys.

A hot new trend in toys for 2009 are Eco-friendly, “Green” or recycled toys that are made out of recycled materials to help the environment. Toys made from environmentally friendly materials are called Green Toys, such as the Fuzz That Was by Mary Meyer, which are stuffed toy pets made out of old recycled water bottles.

Green Toys for Kids

An Eco-friendly green toy company in California called The Green Toy Company sells “Made in the USA” toys for kids from 100% recycled materials, including a toy recycling truck, a toy dump truck, indoor gardening kit, jump rope, sand play set, an Ecosaucer, a toy cookware and dining set, toy tool set, a toy dish set, a toy chef set, and a toy tea set – each made from recycled milk bottles.
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Posted in Children, Holidays, Reviews, Shopping, Teenagers on September 19, 2009

Tags: Tags: best christmas toys, best selling toys, cheap christmas gifts, christmas, frugal christmas gifts, green toys, hot new toys, most popular christmas toys

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Recession Christmas – 12 Frugal Christmas Present Gift Ideas

Ready or not, the Christmas season is upon us. Stores are stocking up on anything and everything related to Christmas gift-giving, while many families are trying to find ways to survive Christmas during a recession. Christmas may not seem so “Merry” for those affected by job layoffs, home foreclosures and in some cases, outright poverty. Many families are in need of life’s basic necessities, due in part to the economic downturn, and will be in need of Christmas donations from those more fortunate.

According to a survey by Ing Direct, only about half of American adults (54%) plan to spend $300.00 or more on holiday Christmas gifts this year, a 10% decrease from what Americans spent last year during the 2008 Christmas holiday season. The survey results show that only 11% plan to spend between $1 and $100 in 2009 on Xmas gifts, and 23% plan to spend $100-$299, compared to 21 percent last year.

11% of those surveyed don’t plan to spend any money at all on Christmas toys or gifts in 2009, compared to 7 percent in 2008, a 57 percent increase. 14% of parents are giving children smaller Christmas stockings this year, while others are choosing to not fill Xmas stockings at all, and some will just hang the stockings as a Christmas decoration. Older Americans (55 years old and up) show the most dramatic change, with 61% planning to spend $300 or more dollars on gifts this year, compared to 71% from last year.

41% of Americans say saving more and spending less is a top priority for the remainder of the year and beyond. According to Forbes.com, 67% of Americans say they will continue their frugal ways by saving more money and spending less even after the economy recovers. The recession creates a great opportunity to rethink priorities in life, with less focus on luxuries and frivolous spending, and greater importance being placed on real “needs” vs. “wants”.

If you are being frugal by choice or by sheer necessity, Christmas presents a financial challenge for those who are needing a less expensive, affordable Christmas holiday. Here are twelve inexpensive, frugal Christmas gift ideas that won’t break the bank.
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Posted in Children, Holidays, Men, Reviews, Shopping, Teenagers, Women on September 7, 2009

Tags: Tags: being frugal, christmas donations, christmas gifts, christmas stockings, christmas toys, frugal christmas gifts, Frugal living, recession christmas, xmas gifts

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Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Xmas 2008

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Xmas 2008 Christmas 2008 is fast approaching and if you wait until the last minute to buy Christmas gifts, like on Xmas Eve, you may be out of luck. I have a tendency to forget about buying Christmas music or downloading Christmas music until the last minute, but fortunately Amazon is offering 25 days of FREE Christmas mp3 downloads that even I can’t pass up.

In the true spirit of Christmas giving and to help you find Christmas gifts for those on your list (or gifts for the person “who has everything”), I’d like to offer up a few gift ideas for your consideration.

Candles make a great Christmas gift for candle lovers, and I can personally vouch for Mia Bella Candles as being the best candles I’ve ever had the pleasure to burn.
Gayla is running a Christmas Holiday Shopping Extravaganza that includes gift ideas for her and gifts for him, and gifts for the most difficult person to find gifts for.
Cath Lawson has some unique Christmas gift ideas for business owners to seriously consider this holiday season.
Mrs. Micah sure isn’t stumped about the best Christmas presents for the blogger in your life. That Thesis Theme is sure looking good right about now.
Christine from Weary Parent offers up some holiday gifts for tweens and teens that is sure to please the teens and tweens in your life.
The Art of Manliness gifts for men holiday gift guide is a must read if you are buying gifts for men such as a husband, father, boyfriend, etc.
If you are having a difficult time this Christmas and feeling stressed due to the economy or other reasons, Lynnae has some great low cost ideas for you.
Frugal living is living within your means, or better yet, living below your means even at Christmastime. 50 frugal Christmas gift ideas will definitely help keep your xmas spending reasonable and responsible.