How to make Christmas special without buying expensive pressies?

Question

I have already seen questions from people worried that they cannot buy loads this christmas. I'm in the same boat and have come up with a few ideas; I often spend money on doing something fun e.g. a day out somewhere with friends rather than spending money on a gift, promising time for someone to help them with seomthing they want done, baking and making e.g decorating a cheap frame for a special photo for someone. I wondered what other creative and original ideas people could share with us for those who work hard and love their friends and family, but don't have enough money to go around!

Answer 1

As a photographer i always give out photos that represent how much i love them.

But mostly i buy cheap novelty items that will make them laugh, that way they remember the day more.

I find spending time with the people i love, is the biggest present i can give.
This year money is tight for me too, so I'm going to spend it with my boyfriend, sister and my dad, who i haven't spent Christmas with for years because we live so far away. I can't wait.

My dad can't even afford to replace his cooker this year, so i don't even care that i won't be having a conventional Christmas lunch.

Answer 2

I really love making people's presents- even when it's possible to buy the same kind of thing, people are always so touched by the effort and the thought that's gone into something handmade, just for them - the gift becomes something really imbued with meaning for them.

Another idea is to look at World Vision, or Oxfam, or any one of a number of charities, where you can give a gift to someone in the third world who really needs it, on behalf of your loved one - whether it's a chicken or a goat, or some tree saplings, or many other ideas.

It's less personalised, but they've a range of different prices, and it avoids the horrendous materialism that can be attached to christmas, and so is a nice idea.

Answer 3

Christmas in the most simplest form is the best. The more you think of enjoyment, good presents, food and rich wine, the true spirit of Christmas slips out through the back door. If you are a Christian of any form, Jesus Christ is the true reason for the celebration of Christmas. And where would He be if we enjoy ourselves to the maximum, give and receive expensive presents, when there are some who don't have a proper meal on any day leave alone Christmas Day!.

I think the best presents we could give ourselves is a sacrifice. Band up together you and your friends and instead of all the merry making reach out to the less fortunate and help them have a true and warm Christmas. I'll bet you as I have found out many times over you will feel the true spirit of Christmas alive within you and remaining in you as warm as the last Christmas, if you give wholeheartedly. This is the season for giving: Give and See what you will receive in return for your kind gesture!.

Answer 4

Its all about cozy cozy cozy for me, xams wouldn't be the same without me and my boyfriend all snuggled up watching the tv with a nice hot chocolate and taking walks all wrapped up.

I'm in the same position this year as i'm still finding my feet with my finances after uni. But i'd say the most important thing is spending it with friends and family, getting together and having a laugh over memories and games, On the presents side of things this year i'm really going to think hard about what my family really want.
my nephew loves playing policemen and luckily i volunteer with the police, so i'm hoping to pull a few strings to take him round the station and meet a real policeman!

It sounds silly but that could be my xmas present for him a day out with a picnic or something,

think about resources that you already have! Sometimes the best present you can give someone is sitting right in front of you!!

Good luck and merry xmas!

Answer 5

To be honest i think once you're older than about 14 you don't care much about the value of presents, just whether you can tell someone has put an effort into it. You could obv make your own cards, get some ribbons and pretty cloth and make fragrance sachets, vouchers for jobs you'll do for them, hand-knitted scarves etc. Or make a memory book, with photos and old theatre tickets from good times you've had with the friend. You seem to have quite a few nice ideas yourself, good question!

Answer 6

Sounds like you have the right idea. The gift is in the giving,not the receiving. Alot of people don't bake at home anymore...not enough time. One of the things I do is put together cookie and brownie dry ingredients, in layers, add the recipe and bake time to a mason jar (any sealed jar will do), and put a bow on it. This saves me not having to buy the wet ingredients,and I get to share a homemade recipe with friends.
Offer to drive friends who can't to appointments if it's possible for you;Donate a small amount to charity in their names.
The hardest lesson I learned so far was to say Thank you to people that offered to help me.It was so much easier to give than to receive.Happy Holidays!

Answer 7

I have a mutual understanding with some people that we do not buy each other gifts. Loads of them were so relieved.

I must admit the supermarkets are the place to go for me- they have such reasonable prices. You can buy one thing extra with your weekly shop.

I think hampers are good, made yourself- just get some cheap wicker baskets or boxes. decorate them with ribbons and bows in matching colours. I have no artistic capability at all and even i can make them look good.

Here are a few ideas.

Make up a small hamper for kids with books, sweets and novelty items. They can them rummage through them. Put them in a box like a treasure chest idea.

A lady i knew made some dressing up clothes and put them in a box- young kids love that for christmas. you can get bits and pieces from the £1 shops for these such as pirate hats and fairy wands etc and charity shops for clothes.

For young women, get candles, flannels, soap and toiletries. Stick to a colour- like cream or pink or whatever colour their bathroom is.

You can get 4 wine glasses from tescos for 88p and then add a bottle of wine to this with cheese, biscuits and crackers. Other food hampers can be made this way with luxury jams or teas. Still cheaper than the made up ones that uses cheap jam etc.

family boxes of biscuits are always welcome as a general gift - give them to a whole family, rather than buying separate gifts etc.

Again, the supermarkets are fab. Give pressies like dishes for snacks.
For blokes, a funny calendar- there a loads about for about £2-£3 pounds, with a large bar of chocolate or novelty can of lager etc.

think what the person likes and make up the hamper according to your budget. Where possible, give joint presents too.

Answer 8

People dont need expensive presents. They need a token of your love. There are often funny novelty items available fairly cheap and a smile is worth a lot.
I know someone (pensioner) who shops during January for presents to give the following Christmas. She says that there are lots of nice things in the sales that are reduced significantly which she couldn't afford normally. She also buys soaps etc and makes these up in her own baskets as gifts. Its amazing how much cheaper this is.

Answer 9

Christmas isnt about the gifts its about family togetherness and reminiscing and making new memories and traditions...
Have everyone bring a potluck item and a treat...
But you make the main course like turkey stuffing gravy and mash potatoes.
As far if there are children have each child bring something of what gender they are then play a game like draw a number then the first child whether boy or girl gets to pick out of that pile...
then once that gift is picked have them open it....
that way each child gets a gift (hopefully not theirs they brought)
As far as the grown ups go have them bring a gift 5-10 whatever limit you set then have them pick numbers one through whatever
(how many ppl there are)
then have number one go.
pick a gift
open it...
then have number two go and he can either pick a gift or take number ones
and it keeps going like that till the gifts are gone...
The last number gets either the gift or takes a gift...
Its a fun game....

Answer 10

Well it's not really about how much you spend it's just the thought that counts. I always make Christmas cards and well cards for any occasion really. Sometimes a small present can mean a lot to a person, like last year i brought my nan a new address book because she needed one and she loved it so much that she forgot about the other presents that were for her to be opened!! Mad i know but small things can make a big difference.

just remember size doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts.