Affordable Holiday Gifts

I'm back to posting twice a day until I catch up to myself. It's so easy to post ahead! Ha.

The reason for this post is that many people I know are stressing about the cost of gift-giving during the holidays. Money is especially tight this year for most folks, and the sticker prices have risen as to be almost out of reach, too. That's why I thought I'd offer ten low-cost ideas that may appeal just as much as the pricey stuff.

Books: There is no better gift than a book in my opinion (I'm biased; I write them). If your recipient is not a dedicated reader give them a book of humor, a coffee table book with lots of neat photos, a cook book, or a blank book they can write in. If you can't afford new books, look for them at your local thrift store.

Calendar: Every year I give my guy and my favorite person a calendar I make custom-designed with my own photos of them and things we've done together over the past year. I usually get them done with a free calendar offer from Shutterfly, so I only pay shipping. If that's still too expensive you can also find brand-new calendars or planners at dollar stores.

Craft Kits: For your favorite maker who likes to try new things, you can buy an infinite number of fun craft kits for less than ten bucks. Barnes & Noble and BAM often have kits on sale. Cheaper ones may be found at dollar stores.

Day Together: Offer a day in your life as a gift. This sounds silly, I know, but when was the last time you spent an entire day with someone you love? To give them a break invite them to stay with you at your home. You can also theme the day if you like, i.e. a day at the park, the beach, cooking together, crafting together, making and having high tea, hiking, working out or something else you enjoy doing with your recipient.

Food: My neighbor and I give each other gifts of food this time of year. She bakes wonderful bread, and I make some kind of interesting dessert (don't tell her, but this year I'm gifting a wreath made of miniature cupcakes.) If you know your recipient's favorite dish, make it for them.

Fruit or Treat Basket: This was something else I did for my neighbor this year that was a big hit; she only eats organic foods so when she came home after a stressful trip I left an organic fruit basket for her in her fridge. She hadn't had time to stop for a meal so she loved it. If your recipient isn't into fruit, try candy, chips or cookies. A popcorn basket with sodas and some chips and dip would make a fun gift they could enjoy on game day.

Handmade Gifts: My favorite gifts are those my loved ones make themselves. I asked my favorite person to make a picture for me for my birthday, and got a lovely framed painting of roses. To cheer me up in October after a hard couple of weeks a friend made me a wonderful quilted witch's hat. Those are the sort of gifts that money can't buy, so if you're a maker, consider making a gift for everyone on your list.

Magazines: I love magazines, and share the ones I buy with others. I also love to find vintage magazines with neat old ads. I bet you have a stack somewhere in your house gathering dust, so why not put together a bundle as a gift? You can give a craft-themed stack, one for cooking, or even some gossip or fashion magazines. Bonus points for repurposing what usually gets thrown away, too.

Meal: Offer to be a chef for your recipient and cook a meal for them, either at your home or theirs. I do this every year for my guy's birthday in December, when I make the meal of his choice and his birthday cake. If you can't cook, take them out to eat at their favorite restaurant.

Time Capsule: This is a fun idea I spotted on other gift-making lists-- create a time capsule filled with reminders of this time in your lives, and then seal it and put a sticker on it for when you'd like your recipient to open it, i.e. this time next year.

No matter what you decide to give your recipient, there is always one thing to remember: it's the thought that counts. Be creative and thoughtful, and I'm sure your gift will be appreciated.

Image credit: Ольга from Pixabay