Good Looks for Gift Giving on a Budget

(ARA) – While a particular toy or gadget often represents the one hot item of the year, there is always a consistent gift that families unwrap during the holiday season: clothing.
And with that, one consistent headache: the cost.

According to a recent national survey conducted by InsightExpress, sponsored by the Levi Strauss Signature brand, clothing is one of the top gift requests for this holiday season. Nearly 35 percent of kids ages 13 to17 will ask for new clothes, second only to CDs (37 percent), and more popular than sporting goods (13 percent) or movies (11 percent).

And, it’s not just kids confirming this trend; retailers are too. In fact, the 2003 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey from The National Retail Federation found that apparel was the most sought-after item in terms of purchase, with more than 62 percent of consumers having bought clothing or clothing accessories as gifts.

However, fulfilling the holiday wish list doesn’t come cheap. The same report shows that families spent an average of $670 in 2003 on holiday gifts -- a huge investment for many families.

The good news is that making this holiday season bright doesn’t have to mean spending your last nickel and dime. There are plenty of options for giving affordable gifts that the whole family can enjoy.

“Clothing doesn’t have to be a costly holiday gift,” says Elisabeth Hasselbeck, host of The Style Channel’s “The Look for Less.” “There are a lot of ways to put together an affordable and stylish present -- for example, start with jeans, and add complementary clothing and accessories to round out the gift list. It’s easy, as brands like the Levi Strauss Signature line, available at Wal-Mart and Target nationwide, offer a complete collection of clothing for the entire family, all priced under $25. ”

According to Hasselbeck, families can give the gift of style in a number of ways:

Jeans and more jeans: Jeans are the core of many wardrobes, and the sought after gift for the season. According to the InsightExpress survey, nearly 80 percent of respondents wear jeans three or more times per week. You can never have enough jeans! Lowrise bootcut jeans are popular for women, and the Low Loose bootcut look for guys is in.

Dressing up jeans is the way to go: Try matching those new jeans with a fitted tweed blazer for girls or button-up shirt for guys -- styles that will make parents proud and kids happy. You can get a sharp blazer or nice shirt for reasonable prices at most mass merchant retailers.

Layers are for more than warmth: The wardrobe plan these days is to layer button-up or polo shirts with long sleeve T-shirts, and collar shirts under sweaters. Look for bold colored T-shirts and collared shirts, or a mix of them, to fill out wardrobes. Add your favorite pair of jeans and achieve a comfortable and casual feel. Also, jean jackets create a great top layer when matched with khaki’s and cargo pants.

Accessorize with style: One way to stick to the budget is to go vintage. Many vintage shops -- or even grandma’s attic -- have broaches, pins, belts and other accessories that are stylish, and when combined with a pair of new jeans, they make any outfit stand out.

This holiday, it is easy for parents to pick up these designer looks at a fraction of the cost. Mass market retailers offer fashion for the entire family at a price you can afford. And any of these can be paired with thrift shop or vintage looks -- mixing and matching new pieces with old favorites is certainly the look of the year.

This season, ease the holiday headache that comes with holiday shopping by giving gifts everyone will love -- and want. With these tips in mind, shopping on a budget is not only possible, but will bring holiday cheer.