Give the Gift of Accessories for Christmas

Yes, this one is tried and true by husbands, fiancees and boyfriends worldwide. What woman wouldn't enjoy some beautiful jewelry for Christmas? What you may not know is that those jewelry stores that air expensive ads on television throughout the season for diamond pendants and platinum rings aren't your only option, and they certainly aren't the least expensive. You can give your wife some beautiful bling this holiday season even if you don't bring in a six-figure salary.

One idea is to check out an exclusively online jewelry store. Because they don't have to pay the overhead involved in a brick-and-mortar store, you can often find much better deals at these places. Check out the gemstone bracelets at one of my favorite online jewelry retailers. You can pick up beautiful amethyst bracelets for less than $60. Or think a little outside the traditional box and look at Indian jewelry. You can find really beautiful and exotic pieces in unusual materials. With prices dipping below $25, some of these pieces make great gifts for good friends, too.

A nicely crafted wallet also makes a nice Christmas gift for almost anyone. Last year, my mom picked me up an inexpensive but uniquely designed wallet on her trip to Paris. She couldn't afford a really expensive brand wallet, but the thought she went into picking out this one of a kind gift for me means I'll treasure it. Wallets can also be very utilitarian. For your grandmother who is obsessed with grocery deal shopping, pick out a nice coupon wallet. She won't be able to get over your thoughtfulness or good sense. Kids also love wallets. It makes them feel grown up and responsible. I picked up one of these magic wallets for my young cousin this year. He'll be able to keep his pocket money in it, as well as all of the little bits and pieces of paper that he constantly has on him.

Hats can make a good gift option if you really know the person you're buying for. I would not recommend purchasing a hat for someone unless you really know their taste. Some people love them, some hate them. And there's something about hat choice that's very personal. Unless you want your present relegated to the back of the closet, you should be sure of what you're doing. Of course, a baseball cap for your friend's favorite sports team is almost always welcome, or a snug winter hat for a girl who loves accessories.

That said, the hats I have bought for people have gone over incredibly well. For instance, I knew my uncle had been craving one of these Tilley hats for his camping and fishing trips forever. When he opened my gift Christmas morning, he was so overjoyed that he gave me one of the few hugs I've gotten from him in my lifetime.

Shoes are a more expensive gift item, but a great idea nonetheless if you can afford them. Buying online will reduce the cost of your gift in most cases. My brother really wanted a pair of Ariat boots this year. So I saved up his birthday and Christmas present money to buy him a pair. I found some at a random rodeo equipment retailer online for a good price. Kids shoes also make great gifts. They run through them so quickly between growth spurts and wear and tear. Check out large, general retail stores for cute options as well as the branded boutique stores.