$mart Holiday Shopping – Affordable Gifts
It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of holiday spending. But the holidays don’t have to be expensive. With a little planning, you can shrink your holiday spending to avoid going into debt (and feeling regret)! Here are some tips and ideas!
DIY Gifts: Thoughtful gifts don’t require a big budget or expert crafting. Giving a handmade or personalized gift is a thoughtful way to spread joy without spending a lot of money. Think of gift ideas like handmade jewelry, snack baskets, homemade pastries, customized mugs or water bottles.
Abundance Swap: Many of us have something in our home that we don’t use – a small appliance collecting dust or something that was gifted twice. Host a party where your friends and family bring a quality item, they’d be happy to swap.
The Gift of Time: The holidays are an especially busy time, and caregiving is often a steep hourly expense. Instead of buying gifts, offer cost-free babysitting or pet sitting to someone who could benefit from a date night or weekend away from home.
Opt for Experiences: Gifts aren’t the only way to connect during the holidays. Plan a group experience you can all enjoy together. Whether it’s a holiday performance, snow tubing or sledding, camping, a movie night or a budget-friendly potluck, experiences are so often what make a season memorable.
Volunteer or Donate in Someone’s Name: Is there a loved one on your gift list who is passionate about a charity? Volunteer your time or give a donation on their behalf. Whether raking leaves at a community center, walking the puppies at the Humane Society, delivering Meals on Wheels, or giving a monetary gift, volunteering or donating in someone’s name is a win-win!
Practical Gifts: Does someone on your list have everything and you can’t quite figure out what to give them? Think about giving a practical gift like a kitchen gadget or a car wash gift certificate.
This article was created in partnership with Banzai and GreenPath.