FRUGILLIONAIRE

Given the recession, I expect we’ll see a significant uptick in re-gifting this holiday season.

In my opinion, it’s a perfectly acceptable way to fulfill your gift obligations. And despite the flack it receives, re-gifting is perfectly in line with some of today’s popular lifestyle trends:

* It’s frugal: it saves you from having to purchase a gift

* It’s minimalist: it clears clutter from your house

* It’s green: it’s a particularly festive form of recycling

Therefore, I think re-gifting is poised to make significant inroads in popularity and acceptability.

Thinking of jumping on the bandwagon? Just follow a few simple rules, and you’ll be passing on your presents like a pro:

1. Make sure the item is appropriate to the recipient. Ideally, it should be similar to what you would have bought them in a store.

2. Re-gift outside the social circle (and preferably region) of the original giver.

3. Don’t re-gift something you’ve already used.

Above all, use common sense and always err on the side of caution. Offending someone (or embarrassing yourself) is never worth saving a few bucks. If something’s too risky to re-gift, don’t do it—sell it on eBay, and use the proceeds to buy something new!

There’s one gift that’s more valuable than anything bought in a store; more appreciated by its recipient than anything wrapped in pretty paper; and sure to be remembered for years to come. The best part: giving it won’t cost you a thing.

What is this fabulous gift? Your time!

This holiday, offer your “presence”—instead of presents—to friends and family. Make it formal by giving the recipient a handmade certificate for your “services.”

Here’s a few ways to wow those on your gift list (without spending a dime):

1. Offer a free night of babysitting for a friend’s kids

2. Offer to help an elderly relative with household chores or repairs

3. Offer to spend an afternoon chatting, having coffee, or walking through the park with someone special

4. Offer to teach someone something you know—like how to cook, do yoga, or speak a foreign language

5. Offer your expertise to help someone with a task, be it fixing their computer, doing their taxes, or hemming a garment

All too often, store bought gifts mean credit card bills for you, and unwanted clutter for the recipient.

A gift of your time, on the other hand, costs you absolutely nothing—but to the giftee, it’s priceless!

Family photographs make beautiful, budget-friendly gifts that’ll be treasured by their recipients.

Browse through your digital images to find special snapshots appropriate for the giftee. (It helps if you’ve been toting your camera to family functions and gatherings!) Perhaps, for example, you have a darling image of your two-year-old niece; printed and framed, it makes the perfect gift for her mother!

For adults, dig up some nostalgic photos from their childhood. If necessary, reach out to relatives with old family photos, and offer to scan them into digital format. It’s a great way to preserve family history, while building a wonderful database of images.

Once you’ve selected your images, print and arrange them into gift-friendly format. Single photos are best presented in frames, while multiples work well in small books or albums. Alternatively, burn a slide show of images onto a DVD that recipients can view on their computers or televisions.

Gift baskets are a luxurious holiday treat—and you can make your own, at little cost, with items from the grocery store!

Purchase a plain, inexpensive basket from the craft store to hold the items. Then simply choose a theme, and gather the necessary foodstuffs or ingredients. Arrange them artfully in the basket, and cover with cellophane; top it off with a decorative ribbon in seasonal colors.

Here are some popular gift basket themes:

1. Gourmet pasta dinner. Include colorful Italian pasta, a nice bottle of extra virgin olive oil, a package of sundried tomatoes, breadsticks, sauce, and seasonings

2. Pancake breakfast. Include gourmet pancake mix, maple syrup, preserves, and coffee beans

3. Chocolate lover’s dream. Include various bars of chocolate, and chocolate-dipped items (like pretzels, espresso beans, and dried fruit)

4. Snack attack. Fill with the recipient’s favorite snacks, like nuts, chips, crackers, pretzels, and trail mix

5. High tea. Fill with a selection of gourmet teas, crackers, scones, and preserves

Get creative, and tailor the contents to the recipient’s particular tastes and interests. They’re sure to love such a thoughtful (and delicious) gift!