10 Affordable Gift Ideas for the Woman Who Already Has Everything

If you are seeking a gift idea for a difficult-to-buy-for woman who already has everything, look no further! Here are ten great, affordable ideas to solve your gift dilemma. These will go over beautifully with a woman of any age, from a young college student to a senior lady. Best of all, they are especially designed to fit a budget!

These ideas are all equally suitable for a birthday present, Christmas present, graduation gift, or any other occasion.

1. Therapeutic massage. Let her get pampered! A gift certificate for a 30-minute massage is certain to make her day (30 minutes still offers plenty of time and is more budget-friendly than a 1 hour massage). This is not something she would normally think of buying for herself. To start looking, most day spas offer therapeutic massage, but it's also worth checking out independent licensed massage therapists in your area - many do hours by appointment, making it the ideal choice for the busy woman.

2. Box of chocolates. Generic yes, but chocolates always go over well, and again not something she's likely to buy for herself. Accompany it with a thoughtful personal note so she knows you're truly thinking of her; e.g. "You're so busy helping other people, so here is something for YOU to enjoy and relax with."

3. Create a small personalized book of affirmations about her. This is a truly unique gift which you'll love to watch her receive! She'll be delighted with this and will treasure it in years to come. Use www.blurb.com and select the smallest size book, write her full name as the title, then place one sentence of affirmation on each page. (e.g. "I like your upbeat spirit", "You are fun to be around"….etc). This gift is surprisingly cheap at under $25 plus shipping for a beautiful hardcover. Short of time or not tech-savvy? Then purchase a small decorative journal and use a calligraphy pen to do the same thing.

4. Coin purse. Every woman needs a coin purse at some time, for example to slip in the jeans pocket when doing something active (who wants to carry a handbag around on a mini-golf course?) Coin purses are available online at Amazon or try handcrafted ones on Etsy.com. Some handcraft artists actually enable you to commission a made to order piece at Etsy.

Just make sure you pick a style that fits her personality. Think bright pastels or splashy citrus tones for a peppy upbeat fun type of young lady. For the classically styled woman, try black, white, neutrals or navy in solids, simple florals or other calm patterns.

5. Board game. A fun board game to add pizzazz to her group get-togethers is helpful for any woman, whether she is a young college student enjoying dorm life, a newly married lady, or a grandmother. A universally appealing recommendation is "Apples to Apples".

6. Fiction or non-fiction book selected carefully based on her real-life hobbies or interests. For example, if she enjoys cooking, consider bringing that into her leisure reading with the "Faith Fairchild" detective series fiction by Katherine Hall Page where the main character runs a catering business; the book also includes recipes to try. Or if she adores fashion, get her a coffee-table book of one the designers whose work she admires.

7. Put together a photo book for her. There is no need to document her entire life (most of which you won't have known anyway). Instead concentrate on an event or a weekend at which you were both present. Girl's night out, ski weekend, her previous year's birthday event, a family Christmas… you get the picture (literally!). Most online photo developing services offer affordable photo books with your own layout and captions; try KodakGallery, Walgreens Photo or Shutterfly to name just a few.

8. Flowers, accompanied with a very thoughtful note. Make sure she knows you're thinking of her and not just being generic. For example, write "I know you truly enjoy beautiful things and plenty of color, so here is something to brighten your day!"

9. Stationery (personalized or not) in her style and colors. Again, think bright colors and/or zany fonts for the trendy upbeat young lady; classic fonts and beautiful styling for the elegant woman. Notecards are a better choice than letter stationery unless she is known to be an avid letter-writer.

10. A homemade item. Speak from the heart with something you have personally crafted. For example, home-made cookies wrapped in cellophane and tied with a beautiful bow. She will appreciate both the item and the personal effort which you have made.

While it might at first seem intimidating for someone on a tight budget to select a gift for the woman who already has everything, it really isn't difficult at all. Remember ultimately with any present it's the thought that counts.

Women who already have everything will especially appreciate any of the gifts here because all require some form of sentiment and thought about her. Make her birthday, Christmas or other occasion one she will remember fondly when you get her any of the presents on this list!

© 2011 Giselle Maine