Alternatives to Buying Traditional Holiday Gifts
Gifts are fun to give and fun to receive around the holidays, but it shouldn’t be the reason you’re feeling financial stress. Keep reading for alternative gift options that cost little to no money.
Baked Goods
Nothing says you love someone like giving them freshly baked homemade cookies! Spend some time making your loved one’s favorite treat and watch as their eyes light up when they receive it. This alternative gift option is extremely affordable and yet will be just as special as something storebought.
Spending Quality Time Together
Create a coupon on Canva or another editing software and let your loved one cash in on a Girls Night, Movie Night, day in the city, and more! Spending quality time together and making memories can be completely free — but it’s priceless.
Frame a Picture
You don’t even have to frame a picture of the both of you. You can frame it of them with their spouse, their child or grandchild, a pet, their favorite vacation spot, a quote, etc. With social media, pictures are rarely printed. Change that with a nice picture in a frame this year!
Write a Letter
Who doesn’t love receiving snail mail nowadays? This is especially true if you’re unable to visit with the people you care about for the holidays. No need to send a gift — send a letter instead! If sending to a grandparent, have all of the grandkids sign and/or draw a picture.
DIY Gifts
Hot Chocolate in a jar: Add cocoa powder and marshmallows to a jar and print a hot chocolate recipe (like this one) and attach it to the jar.
DIY Ornaments: Create an ornament with paint or other decorations.
Peppermint Bark: This goes along with the baked goods, but who doesn’t love peppermint bark in a gift bag?
Fabric-covered wooden spoons: Look up a tutorial on Google or Youtube - you’d be surprised at the beautiful spoons you can create.
Homemade soap or candles: Being able to control the scent and design of the soap and/or candles along with the packaging/jars that they are stored in is such a special gift. Make sure to carve out enough time so you’re not scrambling to do this the night before just in case you need to try multiple times to get it right.
Handmade photo frame: Create a photo frame on a wooden plank, with broken up sticks, cardboard and decorations, etc.
Stenciled artwork: Look up stencils on Etsy or your local craft store and stencil on a canvas with paint, pencil, or markers.
Macrame Wall Hang: These are all the hype right now, and for good reason. They are stunning on blank walls, behind plants, and by other artwork. This will take patience and learning what designs you like, but the end result will be worth it!
You may also be interested in:
The start of a new year often brings a surge of motivation and the best of intentions to make positive changes in our lives. If you're determined to stick to your goals and not give up at the first sign of struggle, here are some tips to help you stay on track.