The holiday season is here! If you went shopping last Friday, Black Friday, then I’m sure you noticed the rush to spend money! Since you will, most likely, be spending, you need to spend smart. Spending smart to me means getting a high quality gift at a great price. You don’t have to empty the bank to deliver expensive gifts to family and friends. It is the thought that counts. That being said, here are some suggested gifts for this season.

Gift Certificates and Cards
What’s great about gift cards is that you only have to know where someone shops. If they frequent Target or Wal-Mart, then a store card is perfect. Gift cards you purchase directly from stores are better than cash-only cards (Visa, Mastercard, and AmEx) because of the high fees many cash cards carry. You can shop for gift cards and certificates for many stores at GiftCertificates.com.

Redeem credit card reward points
Of course, this is one of my favorites. Check your rewards points. Call your credit cards and find out how to redeem your points for goods or gift cards. You may be able to go online right now and cash in those points for gifts. Now that’s the way to save! If you’re not using a rewards card, then you should think about one that can deliver free gifts for next year. My recommended list is here.

Magazine subscriptions
Show people you know their interests. A bonus is that people will remember you every time they receive the magazine. You can get a 10% discount for featured magazines at MagsForLess.com using the code “march”

Movies
I’ve given a few months of NetFlix.com as holiday gift. They have specials all the time. Plus people can, potentially, watch dozens of movies for the cost of one DVD.

Video game swap or buy used or rent
Collect the kids' old games, or old game systems, throughout the year and trade them in for discounts on new games. And check this out, GameFly.com will rent video games the same way NetFlix.com rents movies. They mail the games to you, no late fees, no shipping fees.

Re-gift
It’s not bad to do this. Think of it as a form of recycling. :) When you decide whether or not you will be "recycling" the gift,  be sure to tag it with the name of the person who gave it to you. You don’t want to inadvertently give the gift back to them. Of course, only give these re-gifts if they are something you would have gotten for that person anyway. And, to all my family and friends reading this--I never re-gifted your stuff. ;)

Write a letter
In this day of email and electronic communication, isn’t it nice to receive a handwritten letter? A personalized handwritten letter as a gift from children will be cherished forever.

Make it yourself
Put together a fruit basket; people love (and need) food. Create a beaded necklace, a wreath, personalized stationery. Frame a photo of both of you.

Board games
Nothing brings the family together around the holiday table more than board games. They make great gifts and are very reasonably priced. Check out a list from Amazon.com.

Simple Clothing
Scarf, gloves, hats. Small winter clothes items that fit everyone. Also great for that emergency gift you may need in case of an unexpected visit. Just pull out the wrapped gloves, tag it with their name and voilà--instant gift.

Books
Always a great gift! You can order them online with no hassles--and big savings. Check Amazon.com for the great deals.