 It may be a distant relative who isn't known all that well, a friend
who seems to already have everything and needs nothing at all, or
the teenager whose taste and style changes with the wind.
This time of year especially, there may be people on your list
who are struggling to make ends meet and could use a little help but
would never ask for it. You may have a student away at college on your list, or a recent
graduate who is out there pounding the pavement, looking for a job.
For folks like these, a gift card from their favorite store, or
one that will give them a few extra dollars for life's basic needs,
is a very thoughtful gift.
We don't really think about it until we're in the situation, but
the fact is that seeking a job costs money. There are résumé's to
prepare and mail out, grooming needs that need to be addressed, and
usually transitional student-to-worker or professional clothing needs.
A gift card from Walmart can pay for paper, envelopes, printer
ink, grooming supplies, you name it. A gift card from Goody's can go
a long way toward purchasing proper attire for an interview.
And to top it off, once the prospect lands an interview, they
have to get there. A gas card from one of our local gas stations can
certainly help out in that instance.
Attending college is an expensive venture. Whether the student on
your list is going it on their own or getting a little help from mom
and dad, the chances are his or her money runs out before the all
the needs are met each month. Gift cards from major chain stores can
always come in handy, but there are other options as well.
For example, if your student is going to school locally, the
Lincoln College and Lincoln Christian University bookstores both
offer gifting opportunities.
College bookstores offer a wide variety of items in addition to
educational materials. It is there that students can find the
college logo products that they enjoy owning but can't always
afford, including the always desirable sweatshirts and T-shirts.
The bookstore at LCU offers a gift card, and Lincoln College has
a gift certificate available. Both can be purchased in any dollar
amount desired.
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For many families this is a tough economic time. It seems that
the cost of consumable goods is rising daily, but at the same time
wages are not. There are several families in Logan County that are
"fall through the cracks" families. They make too much money to
qualify for any kind of financial assistance, but they don't make
enough money to meet their own needs.
In the week between Christmas and New Year's, expenses for these
families rise if they have children on school break. For
single-parent families or families where both parents work away from
home, the cost of child care is going to eat away at their monthly
budget.
If they are in a situation where one parent can stay at home, the
additional expense of providing three meals a day for their child
instead of possibly only one or two can also take its toll.
As their loved one, only you can know for sure how a gift of
grocery money should be given. Sometimes, it is best to give a gift
quietly with no fanfare, and this might be one of those instances.
Both Kroger and Lincoln IGA offer gift cards that can be
purchased in any dollar increment.
Buying for teens and tweens can be a real challenge. There are so
many options out there that sometimes it is impossible to figure out
which one would be best. A lot of kids like music, they like videos
and video games, they love clothes, but it's hard to keep up with
what they have and don't have and what is in style today as opposed
to last week.
Luckily, most teens and tweens also love to shop, and being able
to do their own shopping and pay for their own merchandise with a
gift card can be a real treat for them.
When you're shopping for gift cards or gift certificates this
year, don't forget our downtown businesses. Stores around the square
such as Abe's, Beans & Such, Mary Todd's Hallmark and others offer
cards and certificates for their merchandise as well.
And the selections they offer -- from the traditional caramel
popcorn, candies, gourmet food products and flavored coffees, to
beautiful figurines, Christmas villages, ornaments, books, toys,
cards, candles and so very much more -- mean that regardless of who
receives the gift, they are certainly bound to find something
wonderful that they will truly enjoy and remember as a special gift
from you.
[By NILA
SMITH]
Previous articles in series:
Shopping locally
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