Emily is Smiling

I personally am not a big fan of shopping.  I guess I'm like a guy in that regard because I like to have in mind what I want to buy before I enter the store.  An all-day shopping trip is like a living nightmare in my book.  Because of this, I like to plan what I'm going to get my friends for Christmas outside of the store, so I'm not stuck wandering around looking through shop windows until I find something "just right." 

I also have a low budget.  I'm in high school, after all.  I like being creative and personal with my gifts, but I don't want to spend a lot of money... and I'm not great at arts and crafts. 

Do you relate to me at all?  If so, keep reading.  I'll give you some creative and inexpensive gift ideas you can give to your friends.  To see the last five gift ideas, click here. 

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Your Favorite Book
A great personal gift for a friend would be a copy of your favorite book of all times.  Write a little note on the inside cover explaining why you love the book.  You can get a paperback from Barnes and Noble, which could only cost $8 or so, which makes the gift cheap for you to buy, but special for your friend.  Obviously, this gift won't always work, if you have a friend who hates reading, for example.  On the other hand, you could purchase a great book of Christian yearly devotions, as the new year is coming.  A great devotion is Live Like a Jesus Freak, by D.C. Talk.  I definitely recommend it.  A day-by-day devotion by Voice of the Martyr's is called Extreme Devotion.  It contains a story about a martyr for every day of the year.  It's truly amazing.


Purse
If your best friend is a girl, consider purchasing her a cute purse.  Depending on the brand of purse, you could get it for as little as $5 and spend as much as you're willing on your friend.  Buy a purse that looks like something she'll use.  If she likes leather, get her leather.  If she likes shoulder straps, make sure the purse has one.  If you want to go all-out creative, fill the purse with things you know your friend will love, such as notebooks and pens, makeup, or smelly-goods from Bath and Body Works.  I love getting cute purses that are filled with things I'll use for Christmas.  It saves me a lot of money and it's a truly thoughtful and useful gift.  Check out this adorable purple flannel purse from Old Navy.  It has a very wintery feel to it.  I'm loving it, and it's only $10!  I'm also liking the cute canvas bag you can find in the picture at your left.


Bible/Bible Cover
If your friend is a Christian, a great gift to get her would be a new cover for her Bible.  I received this cover from Voice of the Martyrs last Christmas, and I love it.  It's so clever and unique.  I proudly show it off.  It makes me feel like I'm standing up for Christ.  It's only $12 and comes in three available sizes.  As a proud owner of the illegal Bible cover, I definitely recommend it as a gift.  If you've noticed that your friend's Bible seems tattered and torn from use, it may be time to get her a new Bible.  Nice Bibles are more expensive, but if this is one of your best friends you're shopping for, the sacrifice may be worth it.  I recommend the Quest Study Bible, which you can check out here.  I own it as well, and it has so many facts about the Bible and its history and theology in the margins -by asking questions that Christian really ask- that it's really helped me grow in my walk with God.  Susie Shellenberger personally recommended it to me in an email, if you'd like credibility. 


Funny T-Shirt
A gift I've found that never seems to go wrong is a t-shirt.  You can purchase a t-shirt at a decent price and even dirt cheap when you find them on sale.  There are hilarious Christian tees at Mardel or you can find some at www.c28.com.  They're awesome.  Get your friend a shirt with a deep or funny saying on it that you know he or she will love.  I always tend to buy my friends a funny t-shirt for their birthdays, but t-shirts work for Christmas too!  I own this "Guard Your Heart Like A Ninja" shirt, and I love it.  It always starts up conversations.  You can order it here for $21.99.  


Mini-Stocking
A creative Christmas gift you could give your friends is a mini-stocking that you could buy at most stores similar to Wal-Mart or Wal-Greene's.  You could also use a fuzzy sock.  Fill the stocking with little items that you find throughout the year that you think your friend might like, such as candy, carmex, little beauty supplies, little puzzles, pens and markers, candy canes, and items like that.  Be sure to include a note from you, telling your friend how much you care about them!  This gift can be as cheap as $5, but it's creative and showed your friend you worked hard to make his gift.

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I hope these last few articles have helped you get some great ideas of what to get your best friends for Christmas this year.  Have you already bought gifts for your friends?  What are you favorite and inexpensive gift ideas?

Check back in on Saturday for Christmas gift ideas for your mom and dad.