Small Budget Holiday Gift Guide

During the holidays it truly is the thought that counts but many consumers feel awkward if they do not give presents to family, friends and other loved ones even if they don’t have the funds to do so.

Small budgets still allow for great gifts if you are able to think outside the box. Ideally you’ll want to develop a list of who needs gifts and how much you can really afford to spend on each person whether it be $5 or $50 dedicated towards each person based on your budget.

Here are some small budget ideas for holiday gifts this year:

Utilize Your Craftiness

If you have a gift for scrapbooking, photography, knitting, or jewelry-making, put your talents to the task and spend your budget on the supplies you need to make an assortment of gifts for everyone.

Spread Your Fame

Perhaps you are known for a particular recipe that is a favorite among loved ones. Share your cooking or baking skills by spending your money on the ingredients necessary to create bigger batches of your homemade cakes or fudge. Also be sure to buy some nice packaging supplies which can be found reasonably priced at the local dollar store.  

Share Your Secrets

If you don’t want to make fresh items, you can package up the ingredients to share with others. Use mason jars to store the ingredients needed for your famous soup or homemade cookies. Use index cards to write up the recipe and decorate the jars with stickers, glitter, or ribbons.  

Offer Your Skills/Time

If you are adept at handyman work, great at whipping up dinner, or love babysitting for family members, make some coupons on the computer or by hand that details your services for free. Even if you don’t have a lot of cash to spend, the gift of time and help is likely something always appreciated by gift recipients of all ages.

Ditch the Gifts

Plenty of families are having a hard time making their ends meet so suggest to your family and friends that you start a new tradition. Rather than adults exchange gifts, let everyone buy for the kids in the family and take up a small collection from each person to use for some other purpose. Perhaps you can all donate to the local food bank or use the money to fund a fun family get together outside of the normal sit down dinner. Creating and celebrating new traditions with your family will go much further than any material object found at the mall.