The holidays can be a time when money is tight for some people. There isn’t a lot of extra money to spend on holiday gifts. Holiday gift giving when money is tight can be a challenge. Does that mean that there isn’t going to be any gift giving this year? No, but it does mean that there will have to be a lot more thought put into what exactly would make the perfect gift.
It is much easier to come up with ideas that are outside the box for adults than it is for children. They need to see something in their hands, they don’t understand the concept of a handwritten service gift certificate. This is where you will need to spend the actual money that you have for Christmas gifts.
When it comes to your own children you may want to get one family gift that everyone can share. It might be a game or a piece of equipment like a trampoline or an air hockey table. A lot will depend on the age of your children. If they are small, then small gifts work. If they are teens they are old enough to understand the financial difficulties that the family is living under.
For adults, giving of yourself is a great way to go. For your sister who has small children, a plate of homemade Christmas cookies which she probably was too busy to bake herself and a handwritten gift certificate redeemable for one overnight babysitting break at your house or two three hour babysitting visits is a great idea. It is a gift that will be very much appreciated and will cost you nothing at all except your time.
Watch for sales starting early in the fall season. Go online and cut coupons so that you can take advantage of any savings that are offered. Check out the local consignment shops and thrift stores. You can sometimes find brand new items with tags still on them at very much reduced prices.
Make gift baskets. You can place a few small items in a gift basket with some inexpensive candy or small toys and make it seem as if it is a much bigger gift. If you are into making your own things, you can buy yarn on sale and crochet or knit beautiful scarves or hats which everyone needs in the winter if they live in a cooler climate. If you can sew there are many things that you can make with some inexpensive fleece or flannel. A gift that you make yourself is a gift from the heart.
If you really are strapped for cash, only worry about your own children. Don’t be afraid to talk to other family members and explain that money is tight this year and you want to gather as a family and enjoy Christmas, but you cannot afford to buy gifts. You may be surprised how happy this makes everyone because there are a lot of people who have less money this year.
The spirit of Christmas doesn’t have to be measured by the amount of money that you spend, it should be about the love and good times you share.
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