Homeowners may appreciate comforters and other warm gifts for the home this holiday season. (Photo: David Hardman/iStockphoto)
This month, the crew at Cyberhomes will be blogging about real-estate or home-related items on our holiday wish lists. Stay tuned to find out what presents we'd like to receive -- and perhaps find gift ideas for your friends and loved ones.
Bankrate.com is also thinking about home-related holiday gifts this season. The website has included two items on their list of "12 Recession-Proof Holiday Gifts" that people hard-hit by today's economy might like to find under the tree -- a professional home staging for those trying to sell their home, and the services of a professional organizer for those trying to squeeze more room out of their living spaces.
In that spirit, I thought up some more items that could help money-strapped homeowners or sellers this holiday season:
1. A gift certificate for a home cleaning service -- with weekly home cleaning/maid service costing sometimes as much as $90 a week or more, it's understandable that some homeowners might give up this luxury when the money gets tight. With some help getting those lamps and lampshades dusted, your loved ones' holidays will no doubt be brighter this year -- a clean home is also more likely to attract buyers. Or, for an even thriftier option, why not offer to do some dusting/vacuuming yourself.
2. Wrap up some warm comforters, flannel sheets or throws -- many of us will turn down our thermostats this winter to cut costs and save energy. A gift that helps loved ones stay warm and snuggly this winter will surely bring a smile to their faces.
3. A gift certificate to a handyman service -- when home values were soaring, many of us spent lots of money on home improvement projects, beautifying our homes. But now that home values are sinking, we may be less apt to get those projects done -- even putting off needed maintenance or projects that could save money in the long run -- like insulating our homes. A gift certificate to a handyman service could let your friend complete some projects or add some beauty to his or her house. Or, if you're handy, offer to help cross off some projects on your buddy's to-do list, or if he or she is good with a hammer or a drill, buy some tools to help get the job done.
4. Small appliances for the kitchen -- no doubt many on your list are eating in more frequently to cut back on spending. Why not make cooking those meals easier for them? You could purchase a programmable slow cooker for no-fuss dinners, or a coffee maker for those on your list who have forsaken their morning Starbucks. You could throw in some eco-friendly/cost-effective cloth napkins or some beautiful placements to make their meals at home a little more luxurious.
Readers: Do you have any real-estate or home-related gift items on your wish lists this year?—Lauren Baier Kim