Guest post by Regina:

When going to “sales” by myself or on a shopping trip with friends, it feels so good to have a needs list—that is, a list of things I’ll be needing in the coming months:

1. for myself and my life style, and
2. as gifts for family and friends.

It is easy to create a beautiful centerpiece for your Christmas table. Keep it simple and inexpensive by either using what you already have or find what you need at your local thrift store.

During my search for donation gifts, I found this website for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can purchase Christmas tree ornaments to cover your tree with patient art inspired 100mm embellished ornaments. Each includes a St. Jude logo charm which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their online gift catalog offers many other gifts for Christmas as well gifts for any occasion. 100% of profits, after all related expenses, benefits St. Jude. There are gifts for everyone at very reasonable prices all for an excellent cause.

This is my first Christmas as a Gluten Free individual. For those of you that don’t know what being gluten-free really means, it means no wheat, no flour, and many other grains are out of the question. It’s not easy, let me tell you, especially around the holidays. The parties, the snacks at work, and the Christmas cookies all get adoring glances but no nibbles. Not only is it hard on me, it’s hard for my friends who try to figure out food that I can eat.

We all struggle with gift ideas during the holidays, and with our economy being what it is, our struggle is further complicated.   How do we give a thoughtful gift on a budget?