What do you get for the people who already have everything? As our parents and grandparents get older, they want for less and buying for them can become even more challenging. They don’t really need more THINGS, but they do need to know how much they are loved and appreciated.

Bargains to Bounty readers have offered up their suggestions to this dilemma – and you may find them to be useful as you’re shopping any time of year! I hope these ideas inspire your gift-giving!

PHOTOGRAPHS

A Photo Session
If you can find a time when the family is together (family reunion, birthday, vacation, holiday), try to schedule a photo shoot. We have had 2 vacations with extended family members and we make sure to plan ahead for pictures each time. Coordinating outfits and a professional photographer are optional (and remember that many local photographers will come to you). Having an updated picture of those you love is priceless.

A few years ago we took my niece and nephew for professional pics. They were teens and we knew it would be the last ones. My parents loved their gift! (Dawn)

Photo Gifts

Readers recommend Shutterfly books, calendars and gifts. I know many friends that create a new photo calendar every year and give it at Christmas, but there are so many other creative photo gifts available. Don’t forget about photo mugs, blankets, placemats, playing cards and so much more!

Some recommended photo gift sites:

• Amazon Prints – more than just photo prints, you’ll find a variety of gifts, too – and with free shipping for Amazon Prime members!
• Etsy – You’ll find many unique photo items from small businesses and independent crafters (like the family tree photo collage shown above)
• Groupon – for photo gifts on a tighter budget, check out the offers on Groupon first!
• PhotoBarn – Wooden PhotoBoards, Ornaments, Blocks, Canvas, Burlap and so much more (this is a personal favorite of mine)!
• Shutterfly – a huge variety of photo gifts, blankets, magnets, mugs, bags, pillows, place mats and almost anything else!

My mom has had all of our family photos in a bin since I can remember, never having the time to put them into albums. I nabbed the bin and am currently putting them into albums for her to open on Christmas  (Melissa)

I ordered a blanket one year with all the grandkids pics on it. She loved it. (Amanda)

My MIL uses place mats so I make her a collage place mat every year with pics of the kids. She’ll say “I had breakfast with the boys this morning” when she uses it. (Heidi)

Digital Photo Frame

There are a number of easy to use photo frames that are easy for you to update long-distance! Set it up for them – and after that, you can add new photos via email or app. They will automatically sync to the photo frame so your loved ones can always enjoy your most recent photos (and even short videos)! Check out the reviews – they’re extremely well-rated. It’s a nice gift for the whole family to buy together.

• Nixplay Smart Digital Photo Frame
• Skylight WiFi Digital Picture Frame

I can send pictures of grandkids anytime I like and no need to print or frame. They receive it instantly and how exciting of a surprise for them. (Nancy)

READER QUESTION:

ANY GOOD TIPS FOR SAVING ON AIRFARE?

READERS ANSWER:

We all know airfare can be very expensive, especially if you’re traveling with the family. Here are some of the best tips from Bargains to Bounty readers:

Clear your cookies (or cache or web history) after each online search for airfare, as sites will track your searches and raise prices accordingly. (Or search using a friend’s computer or internet at the library!)

If you keep looking at the same dates the prices go up. They figure you have intent to purchase. (Diana)

Statistically, Tuesdays are the cheapest days to buy. Aim for purchasing tickets 52-55 days before your departure.

Flights always are high at the beginning when they are first released and high closer to the date of travel (last minute flights) so usually around 55 days before you go is the time when they drop. (Sara)

You get good prices online around 1 to 3 am most nights. (Terryann)

Consider options for departure from other airports. Especially for international flights, it may be far cheaper to fly out of Toronto rather than Detroit. Other people have found better fares from Flint or Cleveland.

Buy directly from the ticket counter at the airport.

Go to the Spirit customer service counter at the airport. Tickets are super cheap there. (Brian)

We do this every time we fly because we have a large family. Just got tickets for us in March to Florida! Saved over $200 buying at the airport vs buying online! (Laura)

Buy gift cards first at a discount to save. If you use the Scrip fundraising program, you can buy gift cards with a rebate there. Consider other options like the occasional Meijer or Kroger kickback.

I always book Southwest and buy Southwest gift cards from Sam’s or Costco to save an extra 5% off. (Jaimie)

Contact a travel agent – and/or look into package deals when possible.

If you also need a hotel, check out Delta Vacations. I’ve gotten some awesome deals, and you reserve your spot with just $200 per person. You just have to pay the trip balance 30 days before departure. It has been the only way we can truly afford a family vacation each year. (Nicole)

Try these website and/or apps:

It seems there are new rewards apps appearing all the time – and quite a few have come and gone already. It’s difficult to keep up with all of them, so I’ve listed mobile apps that I know and trust.

Many of these (especially Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Coupons.com) are featured in weekly Meijer and Kroger match-ups here on Bargains to Bounty because their offers line up well with the ads. All of them allow you to stack the savings with sale prices – and some even with other coupons!

All of the apps listed below are FREE. You can use them as little or as much as you’d like, but I’d recommend finding a few you love and using them often (as you can sometimes benefit from bonuses or higher offers).

In most cases, you’ll buy items at the store, then scan in (take photos) your receipt to claim your rebate.

Checkout 51

HIGHLIGHTS: Name brand items + new offers every week. Deals are new on Thursday. Some offers restrict the use of other coupons or rebates.
WHERE to SHOP: Any store with a valid receipt
PAYOUT: $20 check mailed to your address, PayPal, etc.
Learn more about Checkout 51 and sign up.

Coupons.com App

HIGHLIGHTS: Name brand items + new offers daily. Offers are similar to those on printable coupons on coupons.com – however, fine print states that you cannot combine the cash back offers with other offers. Some offers are store specific.
WHERE to SHOP: Any store with a valid itemized receipt or linked loyalty card.
PAYOUT: NO minimum payout! You get paid after every approved receipt via PayPal.
Learn more about the Coupons.com app and sign up.

Fetch Rewards

HIGHLIGHTS: Scan receipts and earn points (25 point minimum for any grocery receipt). Kraft family food brands are rewarded additional points.
WHERE to SHOP: Any store with a valid receipt.
PAYOUT: $3 Amazon.com gift card at 3,000 points (select others); $5 gift cards as low as 5,000 points from a number of retailers and more.
Sign up for Fetch Rewards.

Flashfood

HIGHLIGHTS: The Flashfood app allows you to buy high quality, surplus grocery items up to 50% off without using coupons. The food sold is approaching its best before date by a few days to a few weeks, so it prevents food waste while saving you money.
WHERE to SHOP: Meijer (or other select stores according to area participation)
PAYOUT: No payout, just around 50% savings on fresh foods
Learn more about Flashfood and get $5 toward your next order.

Ibotta

HIGHLIGHTS: Ibotta was the first major cash back grocery app. “Any brand” offers allow you to earn a rebate on any brand milk, produce, etc. Bonuses allow you to earn more by completing multiple rebates. Earn rebates at movie theaters and retail stores as well. Offer amounts may vary by user.
WHERE to SHOP: Select stores (major chain grocery, drugstores and retail locations), select online retailers
PAYOUT: PayPal or Venmo ($20+) , select gift cards ($25+)
Learn more about Ibotta (it’s my personal favorite).

Shopkick

HIGHLIGHTS: Earn “kicks” (like points) for walking into stores and turning on the Shopkick app, scanning items in the store and more. It’s a fun way to make a little extra spending money!
WHERE to SHOP: Select stores (major chain grocery, drugstores and retail)
PAYOUT: Select digital gift cards once you’ve earned enough points.
Sign up for Shopkick. 

More Money-Saving Apps

Don’t forget about apps for the stores you shop: Meijer, Kroger, Fresh Thyme, Whole Foods, Target, Walmart – most stores have their own apps with digital coupons or rewards of some kind.

Other apps you may want to try:

• Box Tops for Education – Clipping Box Tops is a thing of the past. Support your school by scanning receipts and earning Box Tops on participating products.
• ReceiptPal – Submit receipts, including online receipts, by forwarding them to RP.
• Receipt Hog -Take pictures of your receipts from any store, restaurant or cafe. Earn Receipt Hog rewards like coins, spins at the virtual slot machine, and sweepstakes prizes.

Did I miss an app that you love? Tell us about it in the comments!