1. Sending flowers can be expensive at a minimum of $30.00 if you are lucky enough to find some florists who have specials. Here's an idea as an alternative to sending live flowers. There are beautiful silk rose topiaries and fabric topiaries that can be purchased at a very reasonable price without giving up the beauty and quality of rose topiary flowers. The shipping costs, only $6 or $7 dollars for a topiary. This means you could send flowers as gifts to someone in the hospital, someone having a birthday, or just because for $20.00 or less.
2. Gifts can be expensive but picture frames can be purchased for almost any price. Old antique look frames can be found at thrift shops and even yard sales. Dollar stores have the clear plastic stand up frames for 4x6 snapshots. Spend a little more and give a digital photo frame or a digital photo key chain.
To make the frame really special find old pictures of the family or the person (pet) to whom you are giving gifts. Many families have their pictures professionally taken to give for Christmas gifts. Step back and think about these pictures. First, usually only parents or grandparents really appreciate these expensive photos. Second, many times the high cost of the photos prevents the givers from choosing special frames. Why not take some creative photos and include the person who will be receiving the unique photo. This technique tends to personalize the gift for the recipient. I have experienced the best gift giving was some framed pictures of my mother and her sisters when they were young children. Everyone enjoyed the professional photos that were 30 or 40 years old. This way everyone in the family has a copy of the old photos in a special frame.
3. Many people like antiques but they can be very expensive gifts. Here is an alternative; there are many antique look gifts that fit in well with other antiques used to decorate the home. The classic mantel clock is a popular antique. A friend bought one for about $80 dollars plus mailed the clock via the postal service for about $10.00 10 years ago. He spent $90.00 to get her an antique that didn't even work very long.
Today, a simulated antique clock can be purchased and shipped for half the price paid 10 years ago and the mantel clock will still have good wood quality. It will also work!
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