So this year I’m not ordering nearly the same amount of gifts online.  Instead I’m doing more gift cards and coupons.  What coupons as gifts?  You would not want to be my friend right?

First, Costco is selling 5 – $20 gift cards to Starbucks for $79.99. Yep that’s right a 20% discount.  I bought 2 sets to give away.  I’ll be sticking it in with our Christmas Cards and mailing them off.  It’s not a large gift, but it’s the thought that counts.  I know my MIL drinks starbucks everyday (yes I know the latte factor, but she CAN afford it), so it’s a great gift!  Also I get 2% for being a Costco Executive member and 1% back from American express.  So a total of 23% off.  Not a bad deal.

Second, I am using AAA to buy discount AMC movie tickets.  A 4 pack costs $28 for unrestricted movie tickets.  I buy them typically for my DH and I to see movies occasionally.  At least once a year we love to see blockbusters on the big screen.  So my BIL loves movies, lives near to an AMC, is single, and this way he can have a few dates on us!  Again an easy gift to mail!  If you are not an AMC member, Costco sells 2 tickets for $15.99, or $8/ticket.  Don’t say I didn’t turn you onto a deal!  Realize the regular price of a movie is $11!  Ouch!

Third, I’m buying Entertainment books for people.  Right now they are discount $10, free shipping, and you can rack up reward points with places like Mypoint.com!  It’s basically a book of Buy One Get One free coupons for meals!  Granted there are lot more things than just food like travel discounts, shopping, etc, but I buy it for the food and movie tickets.  I’m getting one for myself because we often try new places based on the book.  It gives us a reason to explore instead of sticking with safe choices.  Also I know my parents and in-laws love to eat out, but they never buy their own book,though they admire ours. 

The movie discount for Regal Cinemas are the best. You can see a movie for $6 after it’s been out for 2 weeks.  Sometimes we use that, and yes I still buy the AMC for “movies” I have to see.  Though it’s been rarer, although Lord of the Rings triology we did see opening weekend. 

Finally, while not frugal I give my family gifts that they normally would not buy for themselves.  Luxury items.  Like what?  Well I give my grandmother a subscription to Star magazine, yes the tabloid, she adores the crossword puzzle and the gossip.  She wouldn’t actually buy it but since I subscribe for her she like it.  I also buy my mom Money Magazine, I hope she reads it.  So perhaps give the gift of a magazine subscription and let your love one spend their money elsewhere.

Living so far from family, I typically buy gifts online so I don’t have to deal with packaging and shipping them overseas.  Thus these are the gifts I’ll be using this Christmas.  I’ve bargain shopped online for food before, but this time I’m sticking with these new ideas.  If they are a hit, I might make it a tradition. 

What are your frugal gift ideas?