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31 Creative Gift Ideas for the Recession

— November 22, 2008 — Special
Economy got you down? Being tight on cash with Christmas right around the corner may put a damper on some people’s spirit, but you don’t have to let it get you down. There are plenty of incredible gift ideas that are even better than anything you could possibly buy. DIY projects, for example, result in much more meaningful gifts, and you don’t even need to be a top notch artist to make crafts that will be appreciated. Of course, for brand snobs there are also always knock-offs.

Best gift idea on the list? A stick of Secret deodorant: if you pick up the lucky winner, you might just be giving your sister a hidden diamond. And even if not, she’ll appreciate the convenience of a little hygiene gift.

This slideshow highlights some of the best gift ideas for the recession that will still leave you feeling abundant. It includes gifts that are easy on your wallet, as well as those that will help your loved ones manage their cash in the new year.
5.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
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30
Credit Crunch Email Alerts
Credit Crunch Email Alerts
ShoppingNotes.com
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29
Upgrading Gift Cards
Upgrading Gift Cards
Best Buy Cards Come With iPod Speakers
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28
Calculating Money Saved by Walking
Calculating Money Saved by Walking
The Taxi Walker Pedometer
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27
Gift Card Bonuses
Gift Card Bonuses
Target Cards Come With Free Digital Camera
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26
Credit Crunch Food Certificates
Credit Crunch Food Certificates
Mega Restaurant Discounts
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25
Credit Crunch Chocolate
Credit Crunch Chocolate
If You Can't Beat it, Eat it!
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24
Cheap High Fashion
Cheap High Fashion
The 'Truly Madly Deeply Karl' Tee
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23
$10 Fair-Trade Alcohol
$10 Fair-Trade Alcohol
Sam's Club Launches ‘Neu Direction' Wine
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22
USB Plug-In For Phones
USB Plug-In For Phones
Cheap Calls With MagicJack
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21
Cheap Tickets to Promote Albums
Cheap Tickets to Promote Albums
Metallica Surprises with $9 Concerts
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20
$1 Baby Monitors
$1 Baby Monitors
iPhone App Calls You When It Detects Noise
<
19
$1.75 Foreclosure Homes
$1.75 Foreclosure Homes
Credit Crunch Hits eBay
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18
Free Diamonds to Sell Deodorant
Free Diamonds to Sell Deodorant
Secret Flawless Promotion
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17
$100 Laptops Now Online
$100 Laptops Now Online
Amazon.com Sells Hand-Crank Laptop
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16
Faking Status With Counterfeit Cars
Faking Status With Counterfeit Cars
Knock Off Ferraris
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15
Credit Crunch Cell Phones
Credit Crunch Cell Phones
Cricket Launches MOTO VE240
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14
Credit Crunch T-shirts
Credit Crunch T-shirts
“I Can't Afford to Heart NY”
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13
Fake Diamond Ring Mugs
Fake Diamond Ring Mugs
The 2-Carat Cup
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12
2 for 1 Truck Sales
2 for 1 Truck Sales
Extreme Dodge Dealer Incentives
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11
Piggy Banks With Panache
Piggy Banks With Panache
Unique Ways to Save Money Stylishly
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10
Recycled TV Bars
Recycled TV Bars
DIY Green Liquor Storage
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9
Seasonal Jewelery DIYs
Seasonal Jewelery DIYs
Autumn Acorn Crafts
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8
Recycled Money Jewelry
Recycled Money Jewelry
OriginalBliss
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7
DIY Credit Crunch Fashion
DIY Credit Crunch Fashion
Dame Vivienne Westwood S/S 2009
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6
DIY Presents
DIY Presents
Budget-Friendly Holiday Gifts
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5
Peel and Stick Picture Frames
Peel and Stick Picture Frames
Stickr Frames
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4
Budget-Savvy Storage
Budget-Savvy Storage
Recycled Kitchen Gadgets As Decor
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3
Recycled Toy Lighting
Recycled Toy Lighting
DIY Doll Chandeliers
<
2
DIY Custom Flip-Flops
DIY Custom Flip-Flops
Switchflops
<
1
DIY Gifts for Geeks
DIY Gifts for Geeks
From Keyboard Cufflinks to Cassette Tape Belt Buckles
<