gift ideas  (excerpted from Present Perfect)  

See also: gifts of self

For a bit of nostalgia, give a compact disc or audiocassette of her favorite vintage radio show. Adventures in Cassettes has a huge selection of comedy, mystery, detective, science fiction, drama, and other great old-time radio programs, many for under $10. Choose from Lum & Abner, The Fred Allen Show, I Love a Mystery, The Green Hornet, Great Lone Ranger, and more. Phone: 800/328-0108. Internet: www.mediabay.com.

For your little slugger (of any age), official major league baseballs, automatic curve balls, and Pitch-Like-A-Pro balls are available from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Other gifts under $10 include tea mugs, the Baseball Legends Card Game, and Abbott & Costello's "Who's On First" audio cassette. Phone: 888/425-5633. Internet: www.baseballhalloffame.org.

A gift for man's best friend is sure to endear the giver to the recipient. After all, it has been said, "Like me, like my dog." Give Rover a raised dog bowl, leash, dog pillow, rawhide bone, or rubber toy, or give a book on training or grooming to his owner.

A couple of movie tickets to the matinee or discount theater should leave enough change from a 10-spot to throw in a few concessions for a reel treat.

Are you a cook who receives constant requests for your recipes? If you don't mind sharing them, compile your most-requested recipes and organize them in a cookbook format. Include notes about old family recipes and other interesting tidbits about the origin of favorite dishes. For just a few dollars each, you can have the books printed and bound for giving to family and friends.

Bestow the book lover with book ends, bookplates, clip-on reading lights, bookmarks, or remaindered (publishers' overstocked) books.

Indulge the chocoholic with a generous supply of a favorite candy bar, fudge sauce, or a mug and assortment of gourmet hot chocolate mixes.

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) offers lovely bound blank books of high-quality paper, memo boxes with padded lids, card sets, bookmarks, mugs, and other gift items for under $10 each. And profits go to children's programs all over the world. Phone: 800/553-1200.

Children can amuse themselves for hours with a variety of cookie cutters and Play-Doh or homemade salt dough. Pizza wheels and spatulas also come in handy when creating with dough.

Give a plastic piggy bank with several rolls of pennies. (Caution: Do not give this gift to children that are in the put-everything-in-mouth stage).

Dog bone cookie cutters and tasty dog bone recipes are available through A Child's Dream Come True. Phone: 800/359-2906. Internet: www.achildsdream.com.

A disposable camera would make a great gift for a child. The pictures he or she takes of the family vacation, championship Little League game, or class field trip will be a long-lasting reminder of your gift.

Present Perfect: Unforgettable Gifts for Every Occasion is filled with ideas for inexpensive gifts and many other creative gifts. In addition, you get tips on gifting etiquette, shopping, wrapping, special presentations, and much, much more. To order the book, click here.

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Have any inexpensive gift ideas you'd like to share?