Affordable Holiday
           Gift Ideas  

When gift giving began, presents were small and hand delivered.  Most weren’t even wrapped.  Getting a gift was sentiment enough.  If money is an issue or you just want to create a holiday budget and stick to it, here are some ideas for affordable holiday gift ideas. 

Put those Christmas stockings to good use.  Stockings now are so ornate that they are hung for decoration and not for use.  Use Christmas stockings to hold your gifts.  Instead of buying lots of wrapping paper, the stocking can act as the wrapping.  Along with the gift, the recipient will also get a stocking to hang for the holidays next year. 

For the magazine reader in your life, give them a one or two year subscription to their favorite magazine.  By opting for a two-year subscription, you’ll usually save money.  The magazines will be sent directly to the recipient, but you will receive a confirmation card that you can put in an envelope and present to them on Christmas morning. 

Some people don’t know what they want for Christmas.  Kids seem to be the ones that have their gifts picked out down to the serial number.  For finicky people or those who seem to have everything, purchase gift cards.  Gift cards can be bought in any amount and most are rechargeable, meaning more money can be added to them at a later date.  No need to throw the card away when they are done.  Gift cards can be purchased for restaurants as well as retail stores.  If you know someone who wants to try the new place for dinner in town, reduce their bill a little by giving them a gift card. 

Everyone wants to be pampered – men included.  A facial for her and a massage for him that they can use any time fits into even the busiest of schedules.  These gifts are not as expensive as you might think either.  You don’t have to pay for an entire package, but instead purchase a gift certificate for individual or buy one package for a couple to share. 

The best thing about these gift cards is that you don’t have to buy wrapping paper for them.  They fit into envelopes, many of which are already decorated or come with their favorite character or scenery on them.  Gift certificates are also great stocking stuffers too.   

Another affordable gift idea is to exchange names.  If your family spends Thanksgiving together, exchanging names then gives each person ample time to purchase a gift.  The piece of paper should contain the person’s name and three items they would like to receive or interests they have.  The point isn’t to purchase all three, but to give the person who drew their name a choice. A name exchange saves money for everyone in the family.  You may still buy for children, but as far as the adults go, you will only have to purchase a gift for the person whose name you pulled. 

Forget the commercialism this year and make things easy on yourself.  Choosing affordable ways to bring Christmas cheer doesn’t lessen the joy of the season.  In fact, it gives you a chance to get more personal and creative which can make it even more fun for everyone involved.