UPDATE: The contest has closed. Our $25 gift card winner was chosen at 12pm on Tuesday. Our winner is Matt Jabs over at http://www.debtfreeadventure for comment #53 – for subscribing to the site! Thanks to everyone else who entered!
Last year the nice folks at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx were nice enough to send us some $25 gift cards so that I could go and do some last minute Christmas shopping and then write about my”frugal shopping trip“. I went on my shopping trip the day before Christmas, and I got a ton of stuff for $25. I was impressed with just how much stuff you could get at their stores for such a minimal amount.
As part of the promotion we also gave away a $25 gift card to one lucky reader to go and get some last minute gifts for themselves. Who wouldn’t love getting $25 in cash to spend at Marshalls or T.J. Maxx? (one of my favorite frugal places to shop by the way)
The giveaway was so popular last year that we decided to do it again! We got in contact with the good folks at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx and they kindly said they would sponsor a giveaway again this year.
$25 Gift Card Giveaway – How To Enter
Entering the contest is extremely easy, but for those that put in a little bit more effort – there will be more chances to win! So how do you enter? Do one (or all) of the following:
- Leave a comment: Tell us your idea for a frugal christmas gift.
- Tweet the contest on twitter: Tweet this to your followers: RT @moneymatters Win a $25 gift card just by telling us your frugal Christmas gift idea. http://tinyurl.com/frugalgift. Leave a comment telling us you tweeted the link!
- Subscribe to the site: Subscribe to our RSS Feed, daily email updates and become a fan on facebook. Leave a comment telling us you did this.
That’s it. You can have up to three entries in the contest to win the gift card, just make sure that you leave us a comment for each entry to let us know. On Tuesday December 22nd at 12pm central time I’ll pick a winner of the gift card using Random.org, and post the results on the blog. Don’t forget to subscribe to either the RSS feed or email updates so you don’t miss the results!
Additional “Join The Carolers” Contest
While you entering my $25 gift card giveaway, you may want to think about entering the contest that Marshalls and T.J. Maxx is holding this Christmas season, the YouTube “Join The Carolers” contest. Prizes include 15 $100 gift cards in addition to a $5000 shopping spree. From the YouTube site:
You can sing any of the four carols for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
The best rendition from either of the original carols, “Deck Yourself Out” and “We Wish You a Better Way To Christmas Shop”, will win a $5,000 gift card from Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.
You may enter once per carol. Good luck!
I’m not sure that I’m over my stage fright enough to put my rendition of Deck The Halls out there, but if you’re a bit bolder than I am, give it a shot!
Contest details in this video!
So, what is your idea for a frugal Christmas gift? Have you subscribed to the site or retweeted our contest link? Tell us in the comments for your chance to win!
{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
Almost all our shopping is done, but two of the harder to buy for people are left on our list. Life has hit hard recently with the car overheating this morning and having to replace the fridge last week we just haven’t gotten to it. At Marshalls I could probably take care of both for under $25 which would really help the budget. For my brother I’d get some nice coffee and for my brother-in-law I’d get a shirt. A practical gift and a gift that’s not going to clutter someone’s house either. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t get much better than that.
As a newly divorced mother of three, frugal is a must this Christmas. I have an 11 year old daughter and a set of 6 year old twins. They asked me for house slippers. Sharing their time between two houses can be tough. It’s easier if they have clothing in both places so they don’t have to frequently pack overnight bags. They said, “Mom, we don’t have slippers for your house. So with that $25 gift card, I’d go get my youngins some slippers
I re-tweeted this link!
I just subscribed to the daily email updates!
I would shop for winter clothes for my 7 yr old grandson, he needs them and the mom and dad are out of work. We have helped them but funds are limited for “extras”…Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite frugal gift this year is for our family White Elephant gift. I used the Restaurant.com savings code to score $110 worth of gift certificates to local restaurants for only $14.60. I use them all the time to eat out (ok I eat out only twice a month.) They are a great gift, there is a buss around the family already for the gift.
Happy Holidays Everyone
Jeff@deliverawaydebt
Jeff´s last post ..Is Your 401K Making a Comeback
Our frugal gift is making mason jars filled with the ingredients for cookies.
I am subscribed through RSS.
My frugal idea is to bake bread for everyone. Our bread maker bakes delicious bread. Of course I haven’t actually implemented this idea yet, so maybe I should get on it.
Also, I already subscribe to your email updates (so I hope this counts for another entry).
I re-tweeted.
My kids’ favorite frugal Xmas present to receive is pairs of patterned socks. The funkier/wilder the better. I usually stock up on these throughout the year at craft stores and dollar stores. We stuff their Xmas stockings full of stockings and they’re thrilled–plus they wear them throughout the year.
Retweeted- ok. Please leave a comment folks if you retweet or subscribe because your comment number will count as your entry. thanks!
If I was doing Frugal Gifting with a TJ Maxx or Marshall’s card …. I’d get holiday cards, and make each of them a ‘gift certificate’ for one fancy home made dinner, personally cooked, for the family/individual. I’d probably specify a month to redeem each of them in, so as to not get overwhelmed at any one time by either the amount of cooking/cleaning or by having to buy all the food at once!
Choices would be Chinese (egg rolls, shu mai or hot & sour soup, 1 stir fry, fried bananas) , English (salad, Hunters Stew, veggies, cake or ice cream), Italian (antipasto, salad, fettucini alfredo with grilled chicken, italian beans, tiramiso), Middle Eastern (dolmades, greek salad, shish ka bob, saffron rice, loukamades), maybe a few other options.
Frondly, Fern
I guess my idea is not really a frugal Christmas gift per se but rather a Christmas program. This will be the first year that we started in January building our sinking fund so that when we hit this December we had all of our Christmas money ready to go in cash. We decided our budget a year ago. Honestly it’s been a huge blessing, we’re loving the idea of guilt free shopping because we’ve had a year to plan for it, hurray for the budget!
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I would use this in the after-Christmas sales to buy for a family I’m helping out that traditionally does their gift-opening on the epiphany (Jan 6). Nothing quite like endowing a $25 gift card with $40 worth of purchasing power just by waiting a week!
I’d buy some new house shoes for my grandmother – she insists on wearing hers until the sole is gone and something she could really use. Then I’d buy Christmas cards. That way I could send several people something personal, thoughtful, and meaningful. There are a lot of people that I need to say thanks to this year but I don’t have the money to buy them all gifts, even small ones.
And I retweeted this.
And have become a fan on Facebook and subscribed to the RSS feed.
ok, one comment for the retweet. (don’t forget to leave a comment for each action you’ve taken folks – otherwise you only get one entry.
another comment for subscribing and facebook!
Just subscribed to your RSS feed.
MoneyMateKate´s last post ..Printable Coupon Requests for My Robin-Hooding
…and I RT’d on Twitter (@MoneyMateKate)
I’ve retweeted this! (@SS4BC)
SS4BC´s last post ..Short Notes
I really enjoy shopping at Marshall’s all year long. I would probably use this gift card at the fragrance counter, to find something that smells very good for my almost-12 year old girl.
Thanks!
My favorite frugal gift is a regift. At Christmas time I give away “stuff”, I already have. I have been a collector of glassware and antiques most of my life. I have a table in my den and when someone comes over or the kids come over I tell them to choose anything on the table they like and take it home. Then, I tell them the story behind the gift and encourage them to do the same thing. If I receive the $25 gift certificate I would add it to my give away table. Thanks, for listening. Have a Wonderful, Safe, Happy and Frugal Christmas this year!
I just RT’d and I am subscribed to your RSS feed.
I would use this to buy a couple belts, hats and scaves that can go around as gifts to my fashion savvy friends.
Kita
ok – comment for RT.
comment and entry for RSS feed. (your comment number is your entry)
WIth the gift certificate, I’d get something for my cousins’ six kids (my one cousin has four girls, and the other has a boy and a girl). Usually I get them something small, but I just haven’t gotten them anything yet this year… With $25, I could get them all something small–even if it was lip gloss for the older girls.
My frugal gift idea would be to use a skill or hobby you already have and people know you for, and find a way to apply it. For example, a friend of mine is a graphic artist, and we usually get something graphic-related as a present. It’s always memorable and carries so much more meaning than something store-bought.
Of course, I Tweeted, and I’m subscribed in every possible way.
Wojciech Kulicki´s last post ..A Personal Finance Reading List
one comment for tweeting,
one for subscribing.
I have my shopping done for this year but I am soooo practical I would probably buy socks, underwear or pajamas for my grand kids and put them up for next Christmas. I always start shopping in January for the next year so I can take advantage of sales, clearances, etc.
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I usually stick to gift cards because I know they will be used by the person and will enjoy getting something they actually want.
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I think I would use mine to do something nice for my wife. She does a great job taking care of our children and is a wonderful wife to me!
Perhaps a new frugal outfit for her.
I’m subscribed via RSS and a Facebook Fan already! I also RT’d.
Jason´s last post ..Get Out of Debt: Common Characteristics of Those Who are Successful
one entry for RSS. Hey everyone, please remember to leave a comment for each way you’re entering. That way you’ll actually be entered 3 times instead of one.
and one entry for Tweeting the contest!
The warm blankets at TJ Maxx and Homegoods make a great last minute gift. I’d also stock up on some of the ornaments and food treats like hot cocoa and candy for small gifts for coworkers and other people that make my life easier. I still need those small gifts for the bank tellers and such.
Our frugal gift this year is home made jam from berries
picked fresh at the farm! Have lots to share with friends
and family.
If I won the card I’d gift it to my daughter who would enjoy
shopping for a treat for herself. She lost her job early
last year and has only been able to find part time
employment.
I’m a subscriber to your feed and enjoy your blog very much,
one extra entry for subscribing. Thanks!
I tweeted your message!
My Twitter name is GrlRedBalloon. Thanks!
Red´s last post ..Giving in to the Grinch: Artificial Christmas trees
Since I have been out of work for over a year, my husband and I have not been able to buy any gifts for our family for what is now our 3rd Christmas, but also not for any other occasion (birthdays,etc). I would buy something for my nieces and nephew and mom. It would give me great pleasure to be able to surprise them!
I bake and make gifts. I make toffee. I also bake eggnog bread (taste of the season). I knit scarves, hats and shawls and sweaters for others. I am unemployed at the moment and this extra time allows me to do these things as well as be on the compuer searching for a job.
My idea of a frugal gift idea is time. We only get 24 hours in a day. Sometimes I don’t spend as much time with my loved ones as they would like me to. So, I would give the gift of time. It sounds “free”, but time is money!
Also, I retweeted the link!
I’ve also been subscribed to your feed for a long while now!
Message tweeted. Signed up for updates.
Marshall’s has great stuff–I shop there all the time!
David/Yourfinances101´s last post ..A “Don’t Be A Mule” Moment—Health Insurance
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When our family receives gift cards that are unexpected or not at a store that we are big shoppers from (these would fit in that category) we use them to buy clothes or gifts for a local Boys and Girls Town. For example this year my boys won gift cards for Toys R Us, we don’t shop there so we saved them to buy Christmas gifts for the “kids who won’t get anything” as my boys put it!
A great frugal gift that I like is a home made 12 month calendar with pictures of family and places that I have hand selected, along with scripture verses, that I know the recipient would enjoy. As we had some unexpected medical expenses this December, the $25 gift card would be given to one of our children to buy something they really need.
My frugal gift idea is to shop clearance year-round. In my opinion, there is no one gift that is a “one-size fits all” so I tend to shop clearance for things I know my friends and family like. For example, I purchased $200 worth of toys from Target a few months ago for only $50. I had some of my Christmas shopping done before November even hit! Prices rise around the holidays, so shopping early is the most frugal idea of all.
Christina´s last post ..Ten Thousand Villages: Gifts From $2.25+ Free Shipping
I subscribe via RSS
Christina´s last post ..Ten Thousand Villages: Gifts From $2.25+ Free Shipping
I am subscribed, following on twitter… and I commented! I’m pretty much guaranteed to win!
Matt Jabs´s last post ..Debt Reduction vs. Retirement Savings for Bruce and You
an entry for Tweeting
An entry for subscribing!
Lets see… I am subscribed, I follow you on twitter, I tweeted your tweet and I am a fan on Facebook. Oh yeah and if I win the $25 I will use it to take my two boys shopping to buy something nice for their mommy because she deserves to be rewarded for everything she does for us.
kyle´s last post ..Christmas is December 25th – EVERY YEAR!
an entry for subscribing and fanning on facebook.
and an entry for tweeting!
1. Tell us your idea for a frugal christmas gift.
I knew I couldn’t spend $$ I didn’t have (DR said so). I am working BS2. So I looked on my CC accounts and found several had Reward Points racked up. So I cashed them all in on Gift Cards (no cost to me) and got about $400 in gift cards!! I DO NOT recommend using debt to gain Reward Points but since it was already done…
2. Tweet the contest on twitter: DONE Leave a comment telling us you tweeted the link!
3. Subscribe to the site: daily email updates DONE and become a fan on facebook. DONE Leave a comment telling us you did this.
I became a fan on facebook!
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Enter Andy Johnson!
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A frugal Christmas to me is shopping the sales all year long and saving all items in the Christmas closet. This year money was tight so the kids attended Lowe’s, Homedepot and Michael’s to make all the free crafts to wrap as gifts for family memebers!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am subscribe through RSS.
Oh gosh I’m so awful at choosing great gifts hehe Well one great grugal gift is a great book at Half Price Book Store, they always have books available and as low as a $1! And they’re not crummy books either, bestsellers and everything. I love it! I can easily go there and buy a box of books for someone without killing my budget. I’ve done it and it’s totally awesome
A frugal Christmas to me is buying things from the dollar tree for the kids to give out. Very little money and they get to feel the joy of giving.
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My frugal gift idea: Shop the sales and put the money you saved in your savings account. Also look into making some homemade gifts. One of my favorites is bath salts. Here’s how to do it: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bathbody/ss/basicbathsalts.htm
Retweet on Twitter: Done.
K.S. Katz´s last post ..creditgoddess: RT @MoneyMatters: Win a $25 gift card just by telling us your frugal Christmas gift idea. http://tinyurl.com/frugalgift
An entry for Tweeting!
I retweeted the link. Thanks
@dingwog
I would use my 25.00 gift card to have my badly needed hair done.
and wax also .
I would use the gift card for a pair of new shoes.
Feed subscribed with Bloglines and Facebook Fan – Janet Fri
Homemade cookies is one idea for frugal Christmas gift.
@tcarolinep follower tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/6751811858
Subscriber and FB fan@tcarolinep JessieKatie S.
Not sure if you got all my entries — if this entry is not necessary please delete.
Should be
RT
Comment
RSS
Thanks,
Kita
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RT entry.
RSS entry.
I would use the gift card to get my husband some clothes and a new pair of shoes for myself!
Love your blog!
We like to give ornaments to friends and extended family, but we always make them homemade. This year, our rule for ourselves is that we can’t run out and get anything to use, we have to use what we have in the house. Repurpose – reuse. We are making little snowmen out of pipe cleaner, twisty ties, paint, fuzzy balls and kids yogurt cups.
I am an RSS subscriber.
My idea of a frugal gift is buying something on sale at a discount store (TJ Maxx/Marshalls) – I usually can find really good deals, but feel kind of bad that I don’t include a gift receipt. I don’t want the recipient to know I was so thrifty on their gift!
I’m subscribed to your RSS feed!
My frugal gift tip is to shop during sales or online to get the best deals. For example, I got many gifts on Black Friday for 50% + savings!
I tweeted http://twitter.com/smash906/status/6843413172
I subscribe through a feed. Thanks.
One cool way to save money shopping at Christmas is to plan your drive to the stores in a route that will save you the most time and gas. Make a list in order of stores with a planned gift below each store and modify the list as needed during each trip.
Thanks!
Merry Christmas,
I subscribe to Bible Money Matters.
My frugal idea is to save seeds from your flower & vegetable garden. Put them in either freely sources small jars or unused envelopes that come your way as inserts in your mail. Find the Bible verse that talks about a season for everything, write or print it up and give it along with the flower seeds and a pair of garden gloves, and a disposable camera for your family or friends to document the beautiful season in a garden.Your family or friends can enjoy the power of a seed that God created. If your family or friends don’t have garden experience you can offer to help them get started on the path of gardening. You could buy flower bulbs inexpensively for flower pot growing if your family or friends live in an Apartment and just have a porch or a small balcony.
If I’m selected to win this gift card from Marshall’s/TJMaxx then I would buy some new towels and perhaps a picture frame.
Thanks for hosting the contest.
Peace on Earth and Merry Christmas,
Chris F.
Fruitcake is my idea of a frugal Christmas gift.
but would you eat it?
Just a heads up that I RT’d this biznatch…last week sometime
also, here is a heads up that i’m leaving a comment. hah!
Actually hitting up TJ Maxx & Marshalls this week…last minute shopping and all, like a true guy.
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@dianetowin on Twitter – I RTd and now leaving a comment.
Entering to win $25 g/c. That is frugal of me!!
I would use the giftcards to buy gifts for my mother and sister in law. Those two are so hard to shop for!
Also became a FAN on FB and subscribed to email newsletter!!
Entering for $25 g/c.
I retweeted this link. Love shopping at Marshalls. Great value for your money
I also wanted to say my idea for frugal gifts is homemade cookies decorated by my toddler for each person
I follow and tweeted http://twitter.com/sweetone624/status/6934385867
Thanks for the giveaway!
I retweeted the link, good luck to everyone in the contest.
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We make homemade chocolate chip cookies for frugal gifts. They taste awesome and everybody loves cookies!
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I would buy ingredients and my children and I would make food gifts!
I love making chocolate covered pretzels, cashews, and buckeyes and putting them in nice containers. I am sure I can find nice containers to put them at Marshalls for a great deal.
We also give away cookies each year. Frugal and delicious!
Tweeted the link also!
Dustin | Engaged Marriage´s last post ..Announcing “Improve Yourself! 2010?
“Frugally” I shop all year long keeping an eye on sales and clearances. Combining those with coupons I find I get the best deals and don’t notice a Christmas cash crunch anymore.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/meg1620/status/6936524040
Wow, this would be great to win! I’ve never won anything before!!
sorry, giveaway has ended.