Five Budget-Friendly Gift Giving Tips
Posted: December 10, 2021 in Savings
As people become more conscious of clutter, there are budget-friendly gifts that benefit everyone.
As prices soar and the pandemic drags on, the holiday season creates more financial stress than usual. We’ve pulled together a list of suggestions that will help you navigate the holiday season without adding to your credit card debt. Let’s look at some of the top ways to give to friends and loved ones without breaking the bank or adding new things to their abundant lives.
Give your time. Do you love to clean or gift wrap? Maybe you know how to change a car’s oil or trim shrubs. Do you know some parents that could use a free babysitter for a night out? Giving some of your time to help or improve someone’s life is a gift that lasts long beyond the initial unwrapping. The time spent washing windows or helping to clean out an old closet can create unexpected memories.
Share your talents. Are you an amateur photographer? Have you always loved gardening or painting? From helping a friend clean up their yard or change the oil in their car to sharing some starts of your indoor plants, using your skills and talents is a fantastic way to show that you care. The bonus is that you get to spend extra time doing something that you love, too. Win-Win!
Make it special. Bake bread for friends, give your grandma a manicure, or pet sit for the neighbor: the time and thought you put into helping those around you will be a meaningful switch from the tradition of spending money to show everyone that you appreciate them.
Swap don’t shop. Host a holiday gathering with friends and invite everyone to bring board games, books, craft supplies, or even puzzles. The possibilities are endless. If you are part of a group of hobbyists, chances are that you all have something that you are tired of using. Everyone enjoys changing up things up from time to time, and this is a perfect way to celebrate with others and get some extra life out of items that you have.
Pay tribute. Many of us have experienced a loss over the last few years. Invite friends and family to join you in serving an organization that honors the memory of someone they have lost. Get together to make blankets for shelter dogs or spend a morning handing out food together at a local food bank and it is a beautiful way of remembering the special person who is gone.
Be sure to include the whole family in this approach to gifting. Encourage children to think about how they can utilize their own unique talents to create special holiday memories. Not only do these ideas help minimize adding to your debt, but they also lend themselves to improving the lives of your friends and family without the stress of added clutter. Holiday parties are often busy and stressful for the hosts. When you give extra time to help your loved ones with chores and projects, you receive the bonus gift of extra time spent together.
Happy Holidays!
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