One of my favorite frugal things is starting my "Christmas shopping" right on January. I just love having all the time to plan the right gift to every person! And I have 12 entire months to look out for bargains, to recycle, or even to make it! Feals great!:p I also prepare birthday gifts the same way: I start thinking about it long before it's due. and I always keep a list of ideas to offer my daughter "new"( the ones I never heard of until then...) friends on birthdays. It just keeps my creative vein alive, and saves me a lot of $$$ ;-)
Besides, people love their gifts, 'cos they see they were carefully planed, and can't even imagine how much they cost and how fun it was to make them!

Fatima