Turn a Little Money Into a Lot of Fun

When the going gets tough, get playful. I guess that sort of turns a cliche on its head, doesn’t it? Face it, we’re in a recession, and that’s no fun for anyone. However, people still have birthdays; the year is still filled with those never-ending greeting card holidays, so how can you just ignore the best rituals in life?

When it comes to gift giving, maybe it’s is time to change some of our approaches to what constitutes a good gift. It’s always been true, but now we have an additional incentive to remember that it truly isn’t about how much a gift costs. Giving a friend or loved one a token says that you remember them and care about them. That’s all our message of a gift means, or that is all that it needs to say.

So here is a tip for giving the frugal way: think jewelry. I know that seems a bit contradictory, however I suggest Italian charm jewelry, and that definitely is frugal giving. Let me explain.

If you have a friend who has a stainless steel Italian charm bracelet, you can add a whimsical Italian charm to her collection for well under five dollars. You might even have enough left over for a cute gift bag from the local store.

If she doesn’t have any such jewelry, you can buy her an entire Italian charm starter bracelet for well under ten dollars. That’s about the same as two cups of the house blend Java at your local coffee shop. Furthermore, that will give you an opportunity to build her collection for years to come.

What if your loved one is a guy? Try an Italian charm keychain. The starter keychain is around five to seven dollars, kick in another funny charm for an extra few dollars, and your shopping is finished. In later years, as your economic life returns to normal, you can splurge for a sports related charm licenses by NASCAR, the NBA or even his favorite college team.

So you don’t have to give up fun when things get tough. In fact, this is just the thing to bring fun, rather than high price tags, back into the spirit of giving.

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Beginning the New School Year with Italian Charms

The mornings are clear and cool now. Leaves on many of the trees are starting to turn bright shades of orange, yellow and red. The air is cooler. Squirrels are starting to gather their stash of seeds and nuts. These are the changes we notice when Fall is near. Another indication of Fall: the start of a new school year. Parents anticipate this event each year, anxious for their children to return to structured routine; hoping educational stimuli will challenge their children’s minds; wishing peer experiences will go smoothly.

Anticipation of the new school year weighs ominously at our house. You see, my children will be going to a new school this year. They are not just starting at any new school, but the neighboring RIVAL school. They are apprehensive about many things in this change, particularly being accepted and making new friends. I have given them each a present to let them realize that I am thinking about their transition; that they are special and unique; that I understand their feelings.

The gifts I have chosen for my children consist of Italian charms. These are simple, easy-to-assemble items that can be put together in such a way to make a very expressive fashion statement. The selection of choices of Italian charms can meet differing and discerning tastes, highlighting interests, hobbies, and collectibles. Italian charms range from sports to musical instruments; from Disney to Elvis; from animals to universal signs.

I have given my son an Italian charm keychain in which to carry his locker and house keys. It fits neatly into his pocket, yet is large enough so as not to be misplaced. The Italian charms I have chosen for this keychain are charms to highlight his interest in college and professional football and eliminate the pressures of “changing teams” in his high school years. My son is an avid Green Bay Packers fan, so he would greatly appreciate that Italian charm. He has aspirations of attending college at the University of Michigan, so the blue and gold “M” Italian charm would also please him. Since football is his favorite sport, the Italian charms of the football, the lasered “I (heart) Football”, and football helmet are added. The selections of these Italian charms make a personal statement for him. He can add additional Italian charms as he pleases. With this Italian Charm Keychain, each time he uses it, he can be reminded that this stage in his life is temporary and he can concentrate on his favorite pastime, instead.

I have chosen an Italian charm bracelet for my daughter. She can wear it with all of her wardrobe choices. She can look at it and be reminded of more secure times. The Italian charms I have selected for her are of the Hello Kitty theme. Hello Kitty with the tennis racket; Hello Kitty driving the car; Hello Kitty in ballerina slippers. What a fun, whimsical choice to act as the conversation-starter she needs. Imagine her delight at other girls noticing this Italian charm bracelet and showing interest in it.

Italian charms proclaim a unique statement no matter whether worn in a bracelet or attached to a keychain. They are personalized to one’s interests and taste preferences. In my children’s situation, they are quite the ice-breaker for meeting new friends and becoming an accepted new member of the teen classmates.

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