As I get older, it seems like Christmas comes earlier and earlier. You haven’t even sneaked Halloween candy to your kids, and suddenly it’s time to buy presents and decorate the tree! And every year, I think this is the year to prepare more. More organized. I’m planning to save more money for Christmas shopping. And, spoiler alert, that’s clearly not the case every year. ::facepalm:: It’s always something. Unexpected expenses that hit right before the holidays, layoffs, bald tires, insurance increases, mortgage increases.
If you can relate to any of these, you can probably relate to the need for gift ideas that don’t cost a fortune. What’s more, you can even add a little profit to your account. Being in debt at Christmas isn’t all that fun. Thankfully, you don’t have to go into debt if you want to get a little creative.
It turns out that the people we buy gifts for on a daily basis, our family, friends, and even our children, actually prefer time and engagement over material things. Ultimately, what is most valuable to them is your presence and energy. In other words, it’s actually the thoughts that matter most.
When Christmas morning is over and you’re surrounded by scraps of wrapping paper, discarded ribbon, and other things to find in your closet, the last thing you want is the sinking feeling of knowing you technically haven’t even been paid for it yet.
Don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be you this year. Here are 20 gift ideas that don’t cost much.
1. Sit down. (No, not on the couch!) If you have someone on your guest list who needs a pet sitter, house sitter, or baby sitter, this is the perfect opportunity to bless them with a gift they’ll truly cherish. These services cost money, so not only do they save you money when you need them, but they also save you the hassle of finding someone to check on your cat, water your plants, get your mail, and babysit your toddler so you can have that much-needed date night. This is a gift that can be used in a wide range of situations. You can also write offers on cards or make it more fun and create redeemable coupons online.
2. Coupon book. Speaking of coupons, why not make a whole book? This is another gift that can be adapted to a variety of recipients. Couples can also flirt with their spouses by promising things like back massages, foot massages, or breakfast in bed (if you know them!). This will also work for your child. Why not give your kids a “get out of jail free” coupon that can give them a “free pass” if they are arrested for a sibling fight? (Bonus side note: They won’t want to use that coupon, so there won’t be any inevitable arguments.) You’re welcome. You can also give your children coupons for chores they usually do on their own, or days when they can eat whatever they want for breakfast. Enjoy!
3. Mug hugs. This gift is incredibly affordable. Head to the dollar store, find two matching mugs (or even cute mugs that don’t match!), and pour out candy, chocolate-covered spoons, or hot chocolate mix. You can opt for holiday-themed mugs featuring peppermint or candy canes, or go the coffee route by filling them with coffee K-cups and chocolate sticks instead of cocoa packs.
4. Re-gifted books. I know what you’re thinking. Why would someone want a used book? Who is this person who loves books? Then provide them with a handwritten letter explaining why you liked this novel and why they think so too, and voila! The perfect gift for the reader in your life.
5. Poetry. Not everyone can write poetry, but if you have a knack (or love rhyming), why not give it a try? You can write a poem about Christmas, about your recipient, about friendship, or any other topic your recipient would enjoy, then print it and frame or laminate it.
6. Provide services. Similar to the house-sitter or baby-sitter idea, this coupon book or handwritten promise could be suitable for a specified number of hours of various services spread over the month of January. Depending on the recipient, you can provide services such as yard work, cleaning, grocery shopping, or personal shopping. Whatever they need! This gift would be especially appreciated by a new mother who is exhausted from managing a home and children, or an elderly family member who needs help with errands but is on the list of people who don’t want to ask for help.
7. Future Dates. If money is tight now, but you know it will get better in a month, give them a future-dated debt note or coupon. This could be dinner, a movie, coffee night, lunch, or something else depending on the recipient. If you want to be sure of your reservation, list 3 official days on your calendar. That way, they’ll know you mean it and won’t feel bad about cashing in later.
8. Recipes. Everyone loves homemade recipes. I especially like the ones that I type in by hand or have cute graphics and print them out from my computer. You can go all out and create a handmade booklet, or you can share some of your favorites on notecards and decorate them with hand-drawn illustrations and stickers. Make your recipes even more personal by giving each recipe a short explanation of why you like it, why you chose it, where it came from, etc.
9. Painting. Like the idea of poetry, this is obviously limited to those with the skill (not me!). Still, if you have an artistic talent, drawing a picture of something your partner likes is a great idea that only requires time and a few materials. Think about your favorite pets, memories you have together, famous landmarks you’ve visited together, and favorite places you’d like to visit.
10. Volunteer. If a family member or friend is involved in an activity that is very important to them, offering to volunteer for that activity next year can be a meaningful gift. Feeling seen and knowing that what’s important to them is just as important to you is truly priceless. Find out and participate! The best part is that this gift will bless you too.
11. Mason jar parfait. I see these jars a lot on social media and they’re always so cute. Find a large mason jar and layer it with your favorite homemade cookie ingredients or hot chocolate cocoa, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. You can also layer different dry ingredients and seasonings to create your favorite soup. Wrap a ribbon around the lid of a mason jar and enjoy! Festive and flavorful.
12. Handwritten letter. In this digital age, something handwritten quickly increases in value because it tells the recipient that it was worth the time it took to write it. (And hand cramps! Haha!) Why not give a friend, spouse, child, or family member a handwritten letter that tells them all the reasons you love them? Gift them some comfy socks (always easy to find and affordable) or their favorite candy or homemade cookies.
13. Game night. Remember that your time is a gift? Why not plan a custom scavenger hunt for your friends or kids, or plan an evening of board and card games? You can create memories that will last a lifetime.
14. Blessing jar. I was gifted one of these jars many years ago by a dear college student at church, and it remains one of the most special things I’ve ever received. She rolled up small paper scrolls with scriptures printed on them and placed them in small jars with corks (you can use any jar, including mason jars of various sizes). You can type your scriptures and print them, or you can handwrite them if your handwriting is legible. You can also provide encouragement by including instructions on how often to take a new one out of the jar (i.e. once a month for a total of 12 times, once a week for a total of 52 times, etc.) or by writing a note that says “as needed.”
15. Painted rocks. The rocks are free (it’s illegal to take them out of state parks, so don’t!) and the paint is cheap. Why not find some smooth, easy-to-paint rocks and create fun creatures for the youngsters on your list? You can keep them on your desk as fun little paperweights, or stack them up as a game if you find the right shape. Look around, get creative, and have fun. If you want to spend some quality time together, you can also have a rock art party with your gift recipient.
16. Playlist. Nothing conveys the feeling of “thinking of you” like music. Creating an entire playlist of songs for that special someone on your list is a surefire way to show them how much they mean to you. (If you’re old enough, you probably remember doing this on mixtapes!) Hehe)
17. Create a family tree. This is especially meaningful for seniors and families on the list. Charting your family history through Internet searches (some genealogy sites are free or have limited access, while others require a monthly or annual fee) can be invaluable to anyone interested in their ancestry.
18. Re-gift ornaments. Again, re-gifting can be campy if not done correctly. But how about re-gifting an ornament that’s been in your home or family for years with a story about why it’s special to you and why you want to own it now? Or have fun creating a fictional story about the ornament, turning it into a character and sharing how it travels down memory lane and is ready for a whole new adventure?
19. Record your song. Again, there’s a “talent required” element here, but if you play an instrument or are good at singing, why not record a song for your loved one? If you have the ability, you can write new music or even record yourself playing your favorite songs on the piano or singing. Be brave and do your best!
20. Debt. I like being able to do someone a favor. Why not create a coupon or printed promise with your recipient to do X in the future? Perhaps you have an event or commitment coming up that you don’t want to attend alone. You can also commit to doing things together, make phone calls they don’t want to make, or help resolve conflicts you don’t want to tackle alone. Honestly, these are things good friends do for each other anyway, but when it’s documented as a promise, they’ll know you mean it and they’ll feel seen and loved.
Photo credit: Juliana Malta/Unsplash
