If the idea of shopping for gifts on a tight budget is already stressing you out, consider some nontraditional shopping destinations. If you’re thoughtful, you can find great gifts, at great price points, almost anywhere. So while most major retailers are filling their shelves with popular and pricey gift options, you can find something unique — and even luxurious — by searching elsewhere. Plus, you’ll skip the lines at the department stores and the mall while staying well within your budget. Here are seven places to find frugal and unique gifts.
[See: 11 Expenses Destroying Your Budget.]
1. Art supply stores. You don’t have to be too crafty to find some great gift ideas at the local arts and crafts store. Many chains, such as Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores, have an assortment of ready-made gifts, including hand-decorated wreaths, gift boxes and floral arrangements. You’ll also find a variety of stocking stuffers for a few dollars that can help you put together a custom gift on a budget.
2. Discount stores. You’ll find a variety of gift-worthy items at chain discounters, such as Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Ross and Burlington Coat Factory. Gourmet snacks, candles, home decor and collectibles are a few of the things to shop for at these big discounters. You can also put together your own gift bag of bar soaps, bath salts and other bath and spa items without paying a premium price. Don’t forget to shop the markdown and clearance sections where you can knock off a few more dollars from the final price.
[See: 8 Big Budgeting Blunders — and How to Fix Them.]
3. eBay. Get lost on eBay for a few hours to seek out some frugal and unique gifts this year. In addition to performing a basic search and monitoring prices, you can shop eBay deals for deep discounts on some of the season’s most sought-after items. Designer watches, handbags, fine jewelry and beauty items are a few categories to explore. You can also find a variety of handmade items and collectibles from independent sellers and filter down by price.
4. Fancy. Check out an assortment of gift ideas and offbeat products with Fancy, a global community for discovering and buying unique items from thousands of stores and sellers. You can collect and share your latest finds using the social features or just browse the entire collection at your leisure. The app (and website) lets you filter results by different types of gifts and provides editors’ picks and trending items for the day. If you have some time to browse and explore, you’ll find items, such as a “handbag poncho” to protect your handbag from the rain for $20 and an “egg cup pillow” that holds a boiled egg in place for $27.
[See: 10 Frugal Ways to Save This Fall.]
5. Groupon. The social coupon site now includes an online shop called Groupon Goods, filled with all sorts of gift ideas. From duvet sets to dog toys, you’re sure to find something here for those hard-to-shop-for on your holiday list. Groupon Goods also has a clearance section where you can pick up everything from Nintendo Costume Hoodies ($12.97) to a refurbished Jawbone Classic UP2 Activity Tracker ($39.99). Take advantage of free shipping offers throughout the holiday season to save even more.
6. Etsy. If you have some time to shop for a truly one-of-a-kind gift, head over to Etsy for handmade gifts from a community of amateur and experienced artisans, crafting enthusiasts and fine artists. The marketplace features thousands of handmade items, including paintings, candle holders, soaps, note cards and everything in between. You can shop categories, including “vintage” and “jewelry,” and filter down by price, so you stay within budget. Some items are customizable, so plan ahead if you’re thinking about having an Etsy seller create a custom item for the recipient.
7. Warehouse clubs. You don’t always have to buy in bulk when shopping the warehouse club, and you may be pleasantly surprised to find some unique gifts for friends and loved ones on your next pantry refill trip. Warehouse clubs, such as Sam’s Club and Costco, stock up on gift baskets of all sizes, artwork, candle sets, holiday-themed snacks and other giftable items during the holiday season. Even though you’re on a budget, you can gift a few luxury items to friends and loved ones, and even find some useful items, such as home organizing supplies or restaurant gift cards, at a discount. Be sure to shop online for a larger selection and free shipping offers, too.
More from U.S. News
9 Ways to Save When Holiday Shopping With Credit Cards
10 Creative Ways to Cut Costs This Winter
7 Best Places to Find Frugal and Unique Gifts originally appeared on usnews.com
