Holiday Gift Guide For When You’re On A Budget

Christmas is the time for giving. But what if you’re on a budget this year? That doesn’t mean that your gifts can’t be just as special as any other year. Today, we’re going to look at how to show the special people in your life that you love them without breaking the bank.

Plan Ahead

It’s easy to blow your savings on Christmas shopping, or worse, start the new year in debt. To avoid this, you absolutely must set a Christmas budget. Decide how much you’re going to spend on gifts and then work out how much you’ll spend on each person. Remember to factor in other Christmas costs too, like the cost of food and drinks, decorations, and any charitable contributions you make.

Talk About Gifts Before Christmas

Why not have a conversation with your family and friends about gift – giving? You may not be the only one who’s dreading overspending this season. If you all agree on a price limit for gifts, everyone may feel more at ease. Or you can choose to invest in a memory instead of gifts. For example, your family or friend group can plan a party, a dinner or a game night or you can try a new experience like sip and paint, wine tasting or karaoke.

Skip the Store – Bought Cards & Wrapping Paper

Christmas cards and wrapping paper can really increase your costs. You can make your own cards, and these have the added benefit of being personalized for your loved ones. You can also consider wrapping paper alternativeslike fabric, brown paper, newspaper, or Christmas baskets. In the era of YouTube tutorials, homemade bags or wrapping paper can look even more beautiful and original than store-bought ones.

Make your Gift

Maybe you’re a great cook, you love to sew or you’re a talented artist. Most people would love to get homemade cookies for Christmas. And any gift that you’ve invested a lot of time in will be special to someone who loves you.

Buy Gift Cards

If you’re an impulse shopper, it can be easy to throw your Christmas budget to the wind, spend like crazy and deal with the fallout later. To control exactly how much you spend, why not purchase gift cards at stores that the recipients will love?

Personalize your Presents

Just because you can’t spend a lot doesn’t mean your gifts can’t be special. Choose affordable gifts that show how much you know and appreciate the people around you. For example, you can get beautiful mugs with quotes or sayings that would be perfect for your loved ones. You can also gift framed photos of special moments, candles that smell like their favourite scents orplants that they don’t yet have in their garden.

Give Practical Gifts

There are things that everyone needs. Think socks, pens, notebooks, and kitchen equipment. You can buy a fun or quirky version of these items that will match the personality of the recipient. For example, socks don’t have to be boring. They can be colourful, patterned, extra comfortable, or they can even be used to show support for a favourite football team. You’ll have the added benefit of knowing that your present will be put to good use instead of sitting in the back of a drawer.

Don’t Stress

If you can’t afford the Christmas you want this year, don’t worry! Christmas is the season of giving. But you don’t have to give expensive presents. You can give love. You can give memories. And you can give your loved ones something that lets them know how much they mean to you.