I love the holiday season, especially Christmas!

 

It’s one of those days that always makes me think of happy times. Everything feels a little bit more magical around Christmastime.

 

One thing that always stresses me out about holidays in general, though, is trying to find the perfect gift for the people that I care about (anyone else doing any crunch-time shopping??).

 

I don’t like to buy random items to gift, I want each and every present to mean something to the person receiving it. I also don’t want to give someone else unnecessary stuff or clutter that they just feel obligated to keep and don’t actually enjoy. On top of this, while I’d love to gift extravagantly, I have to consider my current financial reality and what I can realistically spend on each of the many friends and family members in my life.

 

If you’re still looking for something unique or special to give to your loved ones, or if you really want to participate in giving but your bank account is telling you “no shopping,” here are 10 ideas for free or inexpensive gifts that will let your people know you care.

 

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1. Handwritten Letter or Card

 

 

This is my go-to for gifts when I want to show how much I appreciate someone. We don’t often take the time in our day-to-day to let our friends and family know just how happy we are to have them in our lives.

 

Grab a pen and tell your friends/parents/kids/siblings/spouses/boyfriends/girlfriends what you love about them and what they mean to you – that’s kind of what the holidays are all about, right?

 

And, at least in my experience, people love receiving handwritten cards and letters. I’ve seen far more gratitude and enjoyment when I’ve gifted what I’ve thought, rather than what I bought.

 

Cost: Free if you send via email or if you have a piece of paper, napkin, or virtually any other surface to write on. Probably $1 at the dollar store if you want to buy a blank card to write in.

 

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 2. Poem or Other Creative Art

 

 

If you have a talent for it, why not write a poem, paint a picture, or draw a piece of art dedicated only to a specific person?

 

Even if you don’t have a knack for it, I’m sure there’s some creative venue you could use to make something unique. Worst case scenario, your craft will have comedic value!

 

Cost: Anywhere from free to about $15-$20 (if you don’t have any painting or drawing supplies).

 

 

 3. Playlist or “Mix Tape” of Songs

 

 

What if you feel like you’re not good with words, or just simply not creative at all? Let someone else say what you’re feeling or thinking for you!

 

Create a playlist, a thumb drive full of music, or even a “mix cd” of songs that make you think of the other person. It could be songs related to memories you share, or songs that describe the way you feel about them.

 

It could simply be a list of songs for them to look up on Youtube!

 

Cost: Free to the cost of a blank cd….do they still sell those?? They do, they’re as cheap as 50 cents.

 

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 4. Blown-up Framed Picture or Collage

 

 

This is another one I do often. A treasured photo that’s enlarged and framed is a very simple, and relatively inexpensive gift with significant emotional value. I’ve gifted recent photos and have also dug up old photos to scan and enlarge to frame.

 

Photo collages make great gifts as well, especially if you can include keepsakes (ticket stubs, notes, or other things you’ve saved from experiences with the gift-ee). Cut up photos and souvenirs and paste them to a piece of tagboard or into an album or book.

 

Cost: You can enlarge a photo to an 8×10 for around $3 at Target (a 24×36 is less than $20), and purchase 8×10 photo frames at the Dollar Tree, where everything is $1. You can also search thrift stores for second-hand frames at an extremely discounted price. As far as the collage goes, you can use old prints or get new photos for about 25 cents apiece.

 

 5. A Free or Cheap Experience

 

 

Drive, or walk, around and look at Christmas lights in a nearby neighborhood, have a hot chocolate at home or a local coffee shop, rent out some skates and try ice skating, build a snowman if you’re in a snowy state, or find a free or inexpensive show to attend. Make it a special experience, or start a new tradition to repeat next year!

 

With the bustle of the holidays (and pressure to give and receive material goods) we really underestimate the value experiencing something fun or new with those we love.

 

Cost: Free to no more than $20 a person depending on the experience you choose.

 

 

 6. A Board Game or Puzzle to Share

 

 

Gift something that you and your friends and family can use immediately together! Board games, puzzles, crosswords – they all present an opportunity to make memories.

 

Cost: Under $30, and really inexpensive if you buy used (at the risk of missing a piece!).

 

 

 7. Your Favorite Book

 

 

You could gift the book you love the most, a book you’ve read recently that you couldn’t put down, one you think a friend could benefit from, or one that you simply think your loved one would enjoy.

 

Cost: You can get high-quality used copies of books at local bookstores or on Amazon for a fraction of the “new” price. Except in rare cases, you should pay more than $25-$30, even if you choose to buy new.

 

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8. Basket or Box of Their Favorite Things

 

 

Put together a basket or box filled with your favorite person’s favorite snacks, candy, coffee, drinks, movies, gift cards, comfort items, things they use for their hobbies, etc. They will appreciate having these things on hand and it also shows how well you know them!

 

Cost: It will vary, but can definitely be done for well under $20.

 

 

 9. Coupon Book of Favors

 

 

Grab some paper or note cards and write out “coupons” for chores or experiences you will provide. You could offer your parents “free dishwashing after any meal” or “good for 3 loads of laundry (with folding).”

 

For your spouse or partner, you could offer “one movie date of your choie” or “one romantic candlelit dinner.”

 

The possibilities are endless, get creative!

 

Cost: Free, or less than $1 if you don’t have paper.

 

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 10. Uninterrupted, Quality Time

 

 

You saw this one coming, right?

 

How about a holiday filled with true quality time, with no screens, no phones, emails or distractions? Just you and your people, enjoying each other’s company.

 

The perfect gift.

 

Cost: Free.

 

 

Happy Holidays! 😊