The season of giving is here!
And if you’re like me the budget for gifts is lacking a bit this year. I am incredibly grateful for the ability to stay home with my daughter.
But being on one teacher’s income means Christmas looks a bit different this year.
I’m discovering that being on a budget doesn’t mean foregoing special and meaningful gifts.
With a little creativity and some planning ahead, you can find simple gifts that fit the budget. I’m going to share a few ideas for gifts you can give to family and friends.
The goal here is simple, low cost, and something they’ll actually love!
Gift Some Food
Since I love to cook and bake this is one of my favorites to do. And it’s perfect when you have a small group of close friends, coworkers, or neighbors that you don’t want to leave out.
You have tons of options. Many people like to make those cookie in a mason jar gifts. I personally like to choose options where the person doesn’t have to make the item.
I would recommend finding a great bread recipe and using a mini loaf pan! You get four mini loaves for a single bread recipe, making very cost effective gifts for neighbors and coworkers. You could also bake up a batch of cookies and have the kids decorate them or pack up some muffins.
We’ve even rounded up some gluten free recipes for you!
DIY a Calendar
This is one gift I plan on taking advantage of this year. Since my daughter is the first grandchild on both sides and first great-grandchild on my husband’s side she’s adored by many people. Putting together pictures of her for a calendar they can enjoy all year long is perfect!
There are a few ways to do this.
I love this DIY mini photo calendar from It’s Always Autumn. She even has a free printable so all you have to do is paste on pictures and get it bound!
If you’re creative you can always make your own using a website like Canva. Then download the file to be printed and bound at a local copy shop. Photo websites like Shutterfly and Snapfish let you create calendars as well.
Gift Your Time
One thing I love is the idea of gifting experiences that will make memories. The reality is those memories of time together will last a lot longer than any material gifts you could imagine. I recently took a friend to get pedicures as her baby shower gift and it was so much fun!
Have a friend you want to spend more time with?
Give them a small gift card for your next coffee date! That way you are using your gift to set aside time for that friend. And the best part is they won’t have to worry about paying for their coffee after the crazy holiday bills.
Or make a basket with some popcorn, wine, and a Netflix recommendation for a night in. That makes a great gift for friends or your significant other.
Use Your Talents
Over the past few years my husband’s grandmother has taught me colcha, a New Mexican embroidery stitch. It’s something I wish I had more time to do. But I usually do at least one or two pieces a year. My colcha creations have made great gifts for family members!
Find something you’re good at and use that to create a gift!
Maybe it’s something crafty like crocheting a scarf or hand lettering a favorite quote. Perhaps you have a talent for cooking and give them a certificate for a dinner at your house. If you’re good at woodworking you could DIY some really cool gifts like wooden coasters.
It might be a little more work and take a bit more time but gifts using your talents are some of the best.
Hopefully you found a few great ideas in here!
Be sure to check out these unique gift ideas for friends as well.
And give us more simple, inexpensive gift ideas in the comments below!
