Holiday Gifts That Keep Giving (and Saving)

Tool set: A basic tool set can be a wonderful gift, especially if accompanied with a basic do-it-yourself home-repair guide. The next time something minor needs to be fixed around the house, your loved one or friend will have the means and directions on how to do it.

Garden: If you know someone who has a yard that needs some work, plant a vegetable garden or a favorite fruit tree for them. That will help reduce the costs of buying fresh fruit and vegetables. Another great gift is to landscape their yard with only native plants, which can eliminate the need (and cost) for watering.

Netflix subscription: If someone on your list ialways craves entertainment, a subscription to Netflix for a year can be a perfect gift. The recipient can watch his or her favorite movies year-round and will probably be less likely to spend money in other ways, too.

Memberships: A number of useful memberships are out there. For example, a membership to a Costco warehouse club can save a lot of money on bulk items, a membership to the AAA auto club includes roadside service and a lot of travel-related discounts, and a membership to a local gym can get the person to exercise and lead a healthier life.

Scan Gauge: If someone on your gift list loves gadgets, give something that also saves money. For example, Scan Gauge is a gadget you install in your car that gives information about gas consumption in real time, encouraging better driving habits.