Guide to giving the perfect present

For those of you who missed out on Black Friday or just didn’t feel like braving the crowds, there are still some excellent gift deals out there if you know where to look for them.

With the recession officially declared and credit companies reducing spending limits, many people are trimming their Christmas lists or forgoing gift-giving altogether. So maybe this year you won’t be trading up for that new BlackBerry Storm with the tech-savvy touchscreen, but there are still some unique and budget-conscious gifts out there for every niche.

In post-election Washington, you’re more than likely to have a few political junkies to buy for this holiday season. Liberals will love the children’s book parody Goodnight Bush, a comical look at the Bush administration, which retails for about $12 on Amazon.com, while conservatives will get a kick out of either the strategically designed Bill Clinton corkscrew or the Hillary Clinton nutcracker, both of which will run you about $20 each.

But if politics isn’t your thing, for those ladies out there looking for a thrifty gift for their beaus, Target offers the Mr. Beer Deluxe Home Microbrewery Kit for a steal. At $30, you’re unlikely to find a brew-at-home kit for cheaper. The Mr. Beer kit makes 20 12-ounce bottles in just two weeks and includes all the needed supplies.

As for the gentlemen, for a significantly less pricey alternative to those Jimmy Choos your leading lady’s been lusting after, Vogue offers a 12-month subscription for $15 and includes a complimentary handbag, so she can keep up on all her favorite designers and score a purse too.

Some wacky gifts, which are also fantastic presents for Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchanges, can also run you very little if you know what to look for.

The jumbo universal remote is one of those gifts that is kind of strange but also make a lot of sense. Not only is it a funny gift, you’re sure to never lose the remote, and it retails at most CVS drug stores for about $10.

But for that friend who already has everything, the holiday season can be a little tricky.

If the person really doesn’t need or want a thing, put your money to good use and contribute to charity on his or her behalf. It’s a perfect gift for a civic-minded friend and you can have a lot of fun with it.

Heifer International offers livestock, which can be purchased online either at whole or shared cost. The animals, surprisingly affordable, include cows that provide milk to malnourished Third World children; and water buffalo, which can be used in planting crops and fertilization.

Gift card sales are in a decline this holiday season, but you can help bring those numbers back up and cover all your bases with BuyYourFriendADrink.com, where you can buy your friends gift vouchers for drinks at D.C. area hotspots.

The website, which operates in 17 states nationwide, is affiliated with D.C. bars like McFadden’s, Rhino Bar, and coming soon, Smith’s Point. You can add any denomination to the drink vouchers, which are delivered via text or e-mail. So, if you don’t have a lot to spend this holiday season, buy your friend a fancy martini. It will set you back about $10-$12, but the drink cards don’t expire, so your friends can use it any time.