Winning Entries
It’s been a tough year, but a spectacular year. In August 2006 my soon to be wife and I found out we were having a new arrival, the wedding was planned, the dress was bought, the show had to go on! In October we were married, it was a spectacular event in both of our lives, and thanks to our family, we were able to share it with our friends, and our family. Then April came, and brought a beautiful baby girl with it. The most adorable little baby I’ve ever seen. She got her mother’s nose, my feet, and she stole my heart from the second I met her. With the wife not working, I struggled to make it, I put in long hours at the office, and finally took on a second job on the weekends working construction, but unfortunately the area we live and work in, everything is expensive. I’ve had to use National for a handful of loans, over this time to get through. In fact I have one right now, which brings me to my creative money saving gift idea. I took out a small payday loan, so my wife and I could buy picture frames, not just any picture frames, but unfinished ones. For Christmas, we’re going to paint them with different themes, and put pictures in them, and give them to all the grandparents and great grandparents. This frees up a lot of hard earned money so my wife and I can buy the thing for our baby, so she can have a fabulous first Christmas. The only thing that would make it a better Christmas is if we had $400 extra dollars!! Merry Christmas
Runners-Up
The best idea I've come up with for holiday gift-giving is a personalized family slideshow on DVD. The major expense was the cash to purchase a quality computer program to make the slideshow and burn it to a DVD. After that investment (which I was able to make with my payday loan from National), all I had to invest in was a package of recordable DVDs and some spare time. The program will last for years, so I can make several slideshows for all occasions, and its such a personal gift. I can scan in pics of the family from years ago, from black and white pics of grandma all the way to this year's school pics of the kids. It's like a family tree or photo album set to music (whatever style you choose). You can really personalize it and it makes a special gift. Everyone who received one was raving about it and has been asking me to make them for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
It seems like every week from November until January, your family, your boss, and your friends are looking for a donation. This can cause quite a strain on the budget that's already close to busting with the gifts purchased to not disappoint the believers in Santa. So, I find that the most positive money saving gift is to give your time to a local shelter or charity. There are so many fellow human beings in this world that have so little, and I love the feeling I get when I am able to help, if only for a little while. A warm meal, kind words, and a genuine smile do so much to keep the holiday spirit truly alive. Remember those that have nothing this year, and be thankful for every single blessing you have received. Donate your time, and teach your children the value of a day of giving.
Contest Entries
It’s been a tough year, but a spectacular year. In August 2006 my soon to be wife and I found out we were having a new arrival, the wedding was planned, the dress was bought, the show had to go on! In October we were married, it was a spectacular event in both of our lives, and thanks to our family, we were able to share it with our friends, and our family. Then April came, and brought a beautiful baby girl with it. The most adorable little baby I’ve ever seen. She got her mother’s nose, my feet, and she stole my heart from the second I met her. With the wife not working, I struggled to make it, I put in long hours at the office, and finally took on a second job on the weekends working construction, but unfortunately the area we live and work in, everything is expensive. I’ve had to use National for a handful of loans, over this time to get through. In fact I have one right now, which brings me to my creative money saving gift idea. I took out a small payday loan, so my wife and I could buy picture frames, not just any picture frames, but unfinished ones. For Christmas, we’re going to paint them with different themes, and put pictures in them, and give them to all the grandparents and great grandparents. This frees up a lot of hard earned money so my wife and I can buy the thing for our baby, so she can have a fabulous first Christmas. The only thing that would make it a better Christmas is if we had $400 extra dollars!! Merry Christmas
The best idea I've come up with for holiday gift-giving is a personalized family slideshow on DVD. The major expense was the cash to purchase a quality computer program to make the slideshow and burn it to a DVD. After that investment (which I was able to make with my payday loan from National), all I had to invest in was a package of recordable DVDs and some spare time. The program will last for years, so I can make several slideshows for all occasions, and its such a personal gift. I can scan in pics of the family from years ago, from black and white pics of grandma all the way to this year's school pics of the kids. It's like a family tree or photo album set to music (whatever style you choose). You can really personalize it and it makes a special gift. Everyone who received one was raving about it and has been asking me to make them for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
If you haven't heard about it yet, it's called re-gifting. Re-gifting is a good way to utilize unwanted or un-needed gifts that others may value. When it may be impossible, or mpolite to make a return; re-gifting is a good means of 'giving back' - (only to a different person). If you receive a gift from someone that just isn't of your taste, or style, you wrap it up, re-tag it, and give it someone on your list. This way, they are receiving brand new merchandise, that wasn't suited to YOUR taste, but may be perfect for theirs! And re-gifting can save you money! The only cost you incurr, is that of having some new wrapping paper, and tags on hand. Just be sure to never give a gift back to whom it was received from! You must NOT forget, that record keeping is of the utmost importance here!
It seems like every week from November until January, your family, your boss, and your friends are looking for a donation. This can cause quite a strain on the budget that's already close to busting with the gifts purchased to not disappoint the believers in Santa. So, I find that the most positive money saving gift is to give your time to a local shelter or charity. There are so many fellow human beings in this world that have so little, and I love the feeling I get when I am able to help, if only for a little while. A warm meal, kind words, and a genuine smile do so much to keep the holiday spirit truly alive. Remember those that have nothing this year, and be thankful for every single blessing you have received. Donate your time, and teach your children the value of a day of giving.
I would spend the $400 on trying to make this Christmas a little brighter for the 14 year old daughter of a dear friend of mine. My friend lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the young age of 48.
My friend's daughter was a friend of my daughter. We became fast friends because we shared a common bond; not only were we neighbors, but we were both single parents who adopted our daughters when they were 5 years old.
My dear friend had been my life saver may times over the past several years, lending a helping hand whenever I needed one. My daughter spent countless hours at his house with his daughter. They would even include my daughter on weekend getaways so I could have a moment or two for myself.
Now he's gone and has left behind his devasted young daughter. Christmas will be pretty bleak for her this year. If I could only make her holiday season a little brighter I would. This young girl's life is now filled with uncertainty. I would love, if for just a brief moment, to help her forget all that has happened and allow her to experience the true spirit of Christmas. I know if I could do this, my friend would be able to rest a little easier. I can only hope and pray I can show this young girl the miracle of Christmas even in sad times. Thank you.
