It’s easy to spend a small fortune giving gifts over the upcoming holidays even if you find great deals on sale. Last week, I challenged our readers to share their best low-cost gift giving ideas:
- Bake and Freeze. My mom always made biscuits at least 2-3 times per week. Several years ago she made the comment that she wasn’t able to make them anymore. The biscuit board was too heavy. It took more effort and stamina than she had. It made my heart sad to hear it. For the last several Christmases, I have made homemade biscuits for her to keep in her freezer. She was able to take out and enjoy however many she needed. I did the same with cornbread. This was a gift, from the heart, that she always enjoyed. Sometimes gifts aren’t about the money spent; but about meeting the needs of others and giving from the heart. Donna B.
- Personal Gift Card. Make up an original and clever gift card that offer 1-2 hours of personal service. Use your imagination for the services you’d offer but here are some to get you started: Cut the grass; rake leaves; buy groceries (labor not cash); drive car pool for a week; walk the dog for a week; wash dishes for a week (family gift); do laundry for a week (family gift); wash car.
- Use Travel Points. If you travel a lot, the hotel chain you use will give you points, which can be redeemed for several items — INCLUDING gift cards. You are likely being reimbursed on your expense account for the rooms anyway, so your cost is ZERO. Redeem points for gift cards. A stack of $50 gift cards will allow you to complete your “shopping” from your computer, let everyone on your list shop for something they REALLY want so they can buy games or a csgo boost for those games, and you are now the “favorite uncle.” Perry G.
- DIY Picture Frames. If you are a crafty individual there are plenty of tutorials on how to make picture frames. That is usually a go to of mine. That way it is homemade. You can’t beat something built with you in mind!
BOGO Grocery Shop. Treat co-workers, teacher, etc. with doughnuts or bagels for a breakfast treat when your local grocery store has a buy one get one free (BOGO) deal going on. Kelly D.
- Gift Family Heirlooms. People in my family have always given special heirlooms on Christmas. My grandmother gives each of the girls in the family a piece of plantwear jewelry she already has. It makes her happy to see us enjoy something that meant a lot to her. My mother has copied cherished family photos and given them as gifts to us, so that we can have those memories in our own home. (An example is a picture of my grandparents at age 17 and 18, a few months after they were married). Callie J.
- Personal Services (revisited). Offer to babysit so the parents can enjoy a night out without worrying about their children. Wash their car…this is a job most people do not enjoy doing! Run errands for people who are short on time. Ramona B.
- Give Time with Friends. Instead of buying gifts, spend time together with friends or family volunteering for a charity. There are plenty of opportunities and giving back will help you appreciate what the holiday season is really about. Maggie E.
- Make your own ornaments: Crafting stores usually have plain, clear glass or plastic ornaments which are fairly inexpensive. You can paint or even “stuff” the ornament ball with old pictures, a quote, glitter, or something specific to the person you are gifting to and create a one of a kind ornament for them. Andrea M.
Great ideas, all! If you have a group of money-saving-oriented friends that typically exchange gifts, consider declaring this season a ‘re-gift’ season. Agree to gift something of a certain estimated value that you own as a re-gift. Be careful it’s not something they gave you!