Christmas gift ideas when you are on a budget?

Question

What are some good gifts to give when you are tight on cash? I need presents for my parents, the in-laws and a few close friends. I find Christmas to be increasingly stressful each year.

Answer 1

This is one of the big issues I have with Christmas- every year my family gets just a tad bigger and we always feel the need to outdo last years gift. 9 times out of 10 we wind up giving worthless junk that is neat when you open it but winds up collecting dust or in the garage sale pile in a year or two.
I have gotten to the place that I only buy gifts for the kids- I try to spend $15 or less and focus on giving them something that relates ot their interest, hobby or something they can enjoy with friends and family.
I don't really do gifts for the adults anymore because it gets overwhelming.
Decide what you want Christmas to be about for you- do oyu want it to be a stressful financial strain or do oyu want it to be a time to look forward to- to spend with friends and family and let them know how much they mean to you?
If oyu live close to your family- do a nice dinner, offer them rather than a gift in a wrapped package- a time that oyu can spend together doing something unique or an act of service for them. If you live far- make a creative video of something interesting where you live and you just talking about your year- do a video diary over the year and send it to them at Christmas to "catch up" you can also do a photo montage on CD- there are many great programs for that. Otherwise, Christmas is only as stressful as you make it.
It took me a while but I have come to terms with and have gotten very comfortable with- I don't have to buy gifts for everyone and it is OKAY :)

Answer 2

Those cookie/brownie/cake mixes in a Mason jar are still popular. Just decorate the top, and put a ribbon around it with the instructions on what to add and how to make it.

I once got a clear lucite jar filled with tricolor pasta and 3 wooden spoons from a friend in college. I ate the pasta, but I still have the jar and spoons...very useful.yes some good gifts to give when you are tight on cash? I need presents for my parents, the in-laws and a few close friends. I find Christmas to be increasingly stressful each year.

Answer 3

Those cookie/brownie/cake mixes in a Mason jar are still popular. Just decorate the top, and put a ribbon around it with the instructions on what to add and how to make it.

I once got a clear lucite jar filled with tricolor pasta and 3 wooden spoons from a friend in college. I ate the pasta, but I still have the jar and spoons...very useful!

Answer 4

If you are low on money buy have some time, make some baked goods and give them out as gifts. Cookies, brownies, candies, and fudge can be pretty easy to make and if you know what types people like you can make those specific types of goodies.

Good luck with Christmas this year. :)

Answer 5

Boxes of Chocolate always works for me, at around £2 - £3 or less per box....... though I usually get them at a discount by buying them from the Cash&Carry Wholesale warehouse while my Dad's getting supplies for his grocery store there :D

If there's anything like that near you, you may possibly be able to get in on a day pass, and buy the chocolates by the case load, instead of individually at full retail mark-up.

Answer 6

Last year a cool gift i got for my father was a star named after him. It was really cool he got a certificate and a guide on how to find the star. Plus it was affordable which was great because I was low on cash. He really enjoyed it! The website that i got it from was www.mystarname.com it's a great gift for anyone.

Answer 7

chocolates or cookies or wine