5 secrets to being generous without going broke

By Sharon Rhodes

Thoughtful gifts for friends and family are a Christmas tradition that shows loved ones you’re thinking of them this Christmas. But a long shopping list can be expensive. If you’re worried about the cost of Christmas gifts this year, these ideas will help you get gifts for everyone on your list on a budget.

Christmas is a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy good food and experience holiday traditions, but gift-giving is also a central part of the season. Gifts for family and friends are standard in many families, but your Christmas gift list may also include in-laws, co-workers, neighbors, children’s teachers, messengers and more.

Investopedia estimates that holiday retail spending, including gifts, will be at least $980 billion by 2024, setting a new record. With growing gift lists and recent inflation, the amount of money expected to be spent on Christmas presents can put pressure on your budget.

A little creative thinking can help you complete your holiday shopping list without breaking the bank. While food gifts are ideal for a DIY gift, there are a variety of other ways to give cheap gifts that are anything but cheap. From favors to tasteful reproductions, use these five tips for affordable gifts as inspiration for this year’s Christmas gifts.

Celebrate friends and family with a potluck

In the midst of the gift-giving season, it’s worth remembering that time with loved ones can be more meaningful than material gifts. Good food is also a highlight of the season. Instead of buying gifts, host a potluck instead. Everyone will enjoy spending time together. By having guests deliver the food, you will face minimal costs yourself.

Whether you’re hosting or attending a potluck this year, cheap and delicious dishes like one penne pasta bake can feed an entire party. Other dishes such as casseroles and crock pot recipes are sure to please a crowd.

Snacks are also a must at all stews. Dips with chips, crackers, bread or vegetables are often simple. For a budget snack, use up leftover hummus in the fridge to make hummus deviled eggs.

If you still want a gift exchange as part of a potluck, try a secret Santa or a white elephant. Everyone will bring a gift and leave with a gift, limiting the number of gifts people have to buy. You can add a cost limit to your gift exchange or a theme that represented items or items from a thrift store. However you choose to arrange gifts, a secret Santa or white elephant is sure to be entertaining.

DIY Christmas gifts with homemade gifts

Making your own gifts can be both cost-effective and thoughtful. The time and customization you put into a homemade gift can make it more meaningful than a store-bought gift.

Many craft hobbies can make beautiful gifts. Crochet, knitting, sewing, painting, embroidery, macrame, bookbinding – whatever you’re good at, plan a project based on your recipient’s tastes and needs. This could mean making something you know they need or using their favorite colors and textures.

Food is also a great DIY gift that anyone can give and almost everyone will enjoy receiving. The secret to food gifts is presentation. Spend some money and time on beautiful jars, ribbons, baskets or seasonal china. With a festive presentation, almost any food deserves a place under the tree.

Baked goods work well for food gifts. Spiced walnuts are easy to make in batches if you want to give jars to several people. Infused oils, spice blends, jams, vanilla extract and hot cocoa mix are all easy to prepare and have a long shelf life so your recipient can use them throughout the new year. If you want to give a more interactive gift, put together cookie kits or cocktail kits.

Give the gift of time with a gift of service

Material goods are fun to unwrap, but performing a service for someone can be even more meaningful. Especially during the busy holiday season, taking a task off someone’s plate is a great way to show your love and appreciation. Gardening, snow shoveling, house cleaning or repair work only require a little time on your part.

To put something under the tree for a service gift, write the task you plan to do on a card. You can also create or download a coupon template.

The dos and don’ts of regifting

Giving back – giving away a gift you received to someone else – is something of a fraught topic. On the one hand, it’s cost effective and better to give away something you won’t use to another person who will actually like it than to throw it away. But you should be careful to avoid faux pas when regifting.

Most importantly, remember who gave you the gift you plan to re-give. You don’t want to give the gift back to the person who gave it to you. Make sure you remove any tags or indicators that you are donating the item. It is also best to avoid giving away handmade items as they tend to be more personal.

As with all gifts, be thoughtful when re-gifting. Use representation to give a gift to someone who will love it rather than just as a cheap present or last-minute gift solution.

Plan experiences with loved ones

Spending time with friends and family can be as much of a gift as physical objects. Time together also creates lasting memories. For budget-friendly experiences, plan a hike or camping trip, buy tickets to a community theater production, take a class together, or head out for a round of laser tag or miniature golf. Choose an activity your recipient likes to do for a thoughtful gift, then wrap tickets, a brochure or a map if you need a physical gift.

Save money without sacrificing gifts this Christmas

Celebrating Christmas on a budget doesn’t have to mean cutting back on gifts. In fact, focusing on homemade gifts, service gifts, and time together can make your holiday gifts more personal. Make this year’s Christmas gifts extra memorable with affordable gift ideas, from sharing a favorite recipe to taking some time out of your busy schedule for others.

Sharon Rhodes is the creative force behind the food blog The honor system. Passionate about all things homemade, Sharon is an experienced recipe curator focused on making healthier cooking and baking accessible to everyone.

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5 secrets to being generous without going broke

Celebrate friends and family with a potluck

DIY Christmas gifts with homemade gifts

Kaneb

Celebrate friends and family with a potluck

DIY Christmas gifts with homemade gifts

Kaneb

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