Chic Gifts on the Cheap

"GMA's" Becky Worley gives you gift ideas that are chic and cheap.

ByABC News via logo
December 16, 2008, 6:05 PM

Dec. 17, 2008 — -- With only a week until Christmas, shoppers are hunting for the final gifts on their lists, but difficult economic times mean many are looking for more inexpensive ways to fulfill their holiday wishes.

"Good Morning America" technology contributor Becky Worley scoured the Web for cheap, chic gifts and offers up her tips on the best inexpensive presents.

Buying gifts on a tight budget is hard, but you can keep it simple and inexpensive and still wind up with gifts that everyone loves. And my basic maxim, no matter what the gift is: give the basics and give from the heart.

When it comes to tech gifts, try to accessorize what you already have. If Dad already has the iPhone, give an iPhone battery extender like a Mophie Juice Pack, or an iPhone headset/headphones combo, like a V-Moda. And who doesn't need more juice for their iPod? Brookstone has a great iPod charger for less than $30. And all of these are online.

If you are going to buy one big tech gift this year, I would suggest you buy the Flip HD camcorder. As a new mom, I love it. It's great for recording memories and easily transferring them to DVD or the Web. It costs $206, but can create memories for years. And most HD camcorders cost around $750, so it's a good deal. Again, that deal is a few clicks away online.

Most people think jewelry and hear cha-ching! But there's lots of inexpensive jewelry out there. EBay alone is loaded with jewelry put up for sale by folks cleaning out their closets and looking for a little extra money.

Retailers are also having sales, offering anywhere from 10 to 30 percent off, and many of them are putting their inventories online at the same discount.

Go retro. To keep things simple and keep the gifts within your budget, go for books or give the gift of creativity. Books first there are two great collections, one for little kids and one for the older kids, that are real crowd pleasers.

For little kids, there is the toddler's Picture Book Treasury. It includes wonderful classic stories, like the Three Little Bears and Humpty Dumpty, that all kids love. It's just $19 online at Amazon.com. And the older kids will go crazy for the "Twilight" Series Book Box, which is 50 percent off at Amazon, and costs around $45.