The Extra Cost of Gift Giving

There's the gift or the gift card. And then there's all that extra expense for the card and gift wrap, gift bag, or gift card holder.

Even if you give yourself a limit on the price of a gift, how often do you stop and wonder how much more it really eats into your budget to have to buy a card and wrapping/box?

I know it looks beautiful and the presentation is important...but they suck you in and before you know it, all of those witty greeting cards and frilly, fancy gift bags have you doubling the cost of your purchase.

Have you paid attention to the cost of buying a nice card to go with the gift? It seems ridiculous, especially if you have a limited budget, to have to pay over $5 for a CARD (and much more if that card contains audio)!

And then, if you're in a rush (or lazy) and want a gift bag and tissue paper...there's another added expense, unless you go for the plainest of the plain gift bags. Wrapping paper is of course a better choice if you have the time and a smaller budget.

And then there are all the fancy gift card containers. Very cute. But at $3 or more, wouldn't it be better to just throw the gift card inside the $6 birthday card you just bought and seal the envelope?

I mean, really, you can always find a deal if you're looking, but I'm seriously thinking of ditching the cards and wrapping and just start handing out gifts in a recycled bag with a handwritten card from now on!