by Aster C. Lilly

Created on: December 23, 2008

Winter is the coldest of the seasons; let's embrace it with the warmest of feelings and a cheap wallet.

There are a few things to consider when buying a less than ten-dollar winter gift for a loved-one. I would love to say that all the presents I have bought for my family members over the years have been fully appreciated, however, that is usually the best outcome. To explain, here are a few examples of the immediate pros and cons of winter purchases.

Two factors that adjust this decision: UTILITY vs. NOVELTY.

Thrift-Store Sweaters

There is no other worst gift than the sweater. Why not give someone a crazy sweater from a thrift store?

If you have been to a thrift store lately, you may realize that there is quite a market for ugly sweaters.
I would not wish an ugly sweater upon my worst enemy. Sweaters that are neutral-colored, well-fitting, and non-wool will last a long time and most-likely be worn at some point.

Novelty-wise, neutral colors go with most any other fashion item. The fit means that your loved-one will wear it.

Utility-wise, sweaters help retain body-heat.

Focus on something that fits the person, and that you can see them wearing.

Thrift-store Boots

Men and women may differ on fashion choices; footwear is a perfect example of what not to purchase.
I bought my girlfriend a pair of boots recently, she thanked me profusely. The next thing I knew, the boots were placed in the back of her closet next to some cleaning supplies.
Fantastically, they were donated in two weeks.
It's possible to find cheap but wearable boots at a thrift store. These boots will probably last only one season, but their purpose is utility, not fashion.

Utility-wise, boots keep the inclement weather from your feet.

Novelty-wise, there are some incredibly ugly boots on the market it's difficult to say what look is in' for the season.

Cheap Gloves

Gloves are a good choice, so long as they are simple and warm. There is always a need for gloves.

My favorite products for gloves as a gift are Magic Fingers . These gloves are cheap (less than 3 dollars) and efficient. It's a good idea to have them around at home, just in case you lose or forget your gloves. There's nothing like having frozen hands. With Magic Fingers, at least you have something between you and the environment.
Keep in mind that these gloves are temporary at best and would not suffice for temperatures below freezing.

Utility-wise, gloves are immediately necessary in colder regions.

Fashion-wise, there's not much to argue with unless you're a hand model.

To summarize, many people will make choices based on the immediate novelty of the item rather than the usefulness of the item. Don't forget that while the thought does count, the person for whom you're purchasing the gift may never wear or use the gift. Since you're only spending ten dollars, it's not much of a loss, and it's nice to be able to give someone something enjoyable.

Perhaps this year, I'll actually wear the ugly sweaters my relatives have purchased for me.

Learn more about this author, Aster C. Lilly.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.