| To buy or not to buy, that is the question and it is a | | | | giver's thoughtfulness. |
| question that most cannot easily answer in the current | | | | Ordering tickets to watch his favorite sports team, |
| economic downturn. Whether to buy new gifts is likely | | | | band or concert are other great gift ideas for men. Not |
| to be a dilemma in most households given that the | | | | only will they be excited to see their favorite team or |
| average income has been affected by the recession. | | | | performance, they will be impressed that you |
| This decision cannot be taken lightly as one should not | | | | remembered their favorite band or team. To top it off, |
| get into debt to ensure loved ones get the gifts of their | | | | buying two tickets to the event means you get to |
| dreams these holidays. Riding the 'silly season' on your | | | | accompany the recipient to share the experience. |
| credit card will only result in disaster with the ghost of | | | | Gift certificates. Now before you cringe because you |
| Christmas lurking around long after the festivities have | | | | feel that these are thoughtless gifts or a copout; |
| ended. If there was ever a time when you needed to | | | | consider giving a gift certificate for a restaurant or |
| slash spending, this is it! | | | | premium seating for his favorite team. If romantic |
| The first step in the quest to have an enjoyable and | | | | getaways are out of your reach, this is a great way to |
| stress free holiday is to take stock of your financial | | | | show the man in your life that you care. Even taking |
| position: What money have you got coming in and | | | | time to prepare a special home cooked dinner is a |
| going out? How much is left over? Do you have any | | | | simple but heartfelt gift that is more appreciated and |
| debts that need to be sorted urgently? Most accrue | | | | will create memories that last a lifetime. |
| interest daily and anything you put towards reducing | | | | Other cheap and thoughtful ways to enjoy this |
| interest will be good for you in the long run to reduce | | | | Christmas without the madness are: Making your own |
| your debt. What will it be? Getting the best gift for | | | | gift baskets using home cooked biscuits instead of that |
| men in your life or tackling your debt head on? The | | | | fruitcake which seems to do the rounds every year. |
| answers to these questions will help you determine | | | | Fruits are another great, affordable and healthy option. |
| your holiday budget and how much you are able to | | | | Make your own Christmas cards. This gives them a |
| spend on presents and holiday cheer. Keeping tabs on | | | | more personal touch. If it is really the thought that |
| your net worth is always an important step in getting | | | | counts, then people should not care if you have |
| financially sorted. Once you know where your money | | | | outsourced the artistic services of your children, nieces |
| is needed, you can decide what you could set aside | | | | and nephews to draw Christmas pictures on them. |
| for Christmas shopping. | | | | While this may come across as tacky in some circles, |
| The next step is to make a list. I cannot emphasis this | | | | ask your loved ones what they would like and indicate |
| enough; it allows you a chance to get a general idea | | | | to them earlier on what you can and cannot afford to |
| and divide whatever you can spend by the number of | | | | avoid disappointment. Alternatively, take note of their |
| recipients on your list. Cheap is good this Christmas | | | | hints or things that you pickup throughout the year if |
| because when you start shopping early. You get | | | | asking is not your style. |
| plenty of time to look for inexpensive thoughtful gifts | | | | Pool resources together as a family where possible |
| that match your recipients' tastes, personality and most | | | | and buy more lavish gifts that way. However, you |
| importantly, your budget. Remember to stick to your list | | | | have to be comfortable talking about your financial |
| and budget by limiting the number of gifts per person. | | | | situation. Most family members and friends would |
| Use the Internet as a shopping tool. Once you know | | | | appreciate that rather than maxing your credit cards |
| what you can afford to spend, who you are spending | | | | on their behalf. |
| it on, you need to look at where you can get the best | | | | Re-gift by re-wrapping any items that are still new or |
| Christmas gifts for men and deals in order to stretch | | | | unused and pass them on to someone who can use |
| your dollar. Shopping online is a great way to compare | | | | and appreciate them. Be thoughtful when doing this as |
| prices in the comfort of your home away from the | | | | it should not be done to tick a name off your list - the |
| shopping frenzy in the malls leading up to Christmas. | | | | recipient's interests, tastes, personality must still be |
| Traditional mundane gifts that we have all become | | | | included in your equation for the gift to be meaningful. |
| accustomed to - the scented candles that are smelly, | | | | Take stock of who you got it from first to avoid a |
| cheap cologne, tired old socks and chocolates when all | | | | potential gifting giving faux pas. If you are comfortable |
| year you have told everyone who cared to listen you | | | | telling the recipient then go for it. Many of us will do this |
| are on a diet can and should be avoided. Below are | | | | and hope that we never get caught out. What we are |
| some great gift ideas for men which can be found | | | | expected to spend and buy for Christmas is ludicrous |
| online. | | | | if you ask me, so if there is anyway of ensuring the |
| Electronic and gadget gifts for men. It is common | | | | ghost of Christmas does not come a-haunting, I will go |
| knowledge men cannot do without their gizmos. | | | | for it. |
| Whether it's tools in his shed or the remote controlled | | | | Deciding whether you can afford to buy new gifts this |
| cars, men's fascination with gadgetry is a well-known | | | | year will be difficult for most. Even if you conclude that |
| fact. Again, take action based on his interests and | | | | it is not possible this year given the decline in finances |
| hobbies you cannot go wrong. Experience gifts would | | | | worldwide, it is a good time to review our spending and |
| be appreciated more than objects. Honing in on the | | | | come up with a plan for spreading Christmas cheer |
| recipients' hobby or interests is the key. Gifts that thrill | | | | without breaking the bank. |
| him will undeniably be appreciated as they indicate the | | | | |