What to buy when you have to buy

AUSTIN, USA: The fun shopping is done, and the time to buy gifts for the extended family has arrived. Offers.com have a guide that aids in finding gifts for barely seen distant relatives.

Offers.com VP, Howard Schaffer, said: "People always say it's the thought that counts. That may be true, but you can still find great gifts for low prices. You might 'have' to get a gift for Aunt Sally because she always buys for your family, but there are ways to make her feel special without putting in much effort or emptying your wallet."

Tips from Offers.com consumer experts to find great gifts at great prices:

Celebrate with them locally.

Pre-wrapped presents like gift baskets and already stuffed stockings make great gifts and can be found for up to 90 percent off.

Take them to dinner at a local restaurant and use Restaurant.com certificates. Gift cards for restaurants can be found for up to 90 percent off.

Look for out-of-season items on clearance racks at big box stores. Going for name brands that emulate value are recommended.

Celebrate online, and ship their gifts.

Visit deal sites like Offers.com that specialize in finding discounts that can save 75 percent or more off retail prices.

Look for out-of-season items in the online clearance departments from sites like Kohls, Sears and Macy's. Only buy when "free shipping" is available, and look for stackable savings that allow the application of a coupon code to items that are already on sale.

Buy refurbished electronics from name brand stores that sell them through eBay.

Look for buy one get one free sales on items needed, and use the free item as a gift.

Schaffer concludes: "Don't forget, there are ways to get around buying gifts for every aunt, uncle and cousin you see maybe two times a year. You can always organize activities like Secret Santa where everyone gets one gift from a secret family member. The mystery makes it fun, and everyone will spend a lot less Christmas cash."