Creative Gift Ideas for the Holidays | That won’t break the bank
/Happy holidays everybody! Welcome to this week’s blog post where I am very excited to share with you some gift ideas for your loved ones if you haven’t found the time yet to think of any presents. Gift giving is such a fun way to show someone you care about them and to bring a bit more cheer to their lives, however this time of year can also be quite expensive as we often feel obliged to buy everyone we know something unique, special and from the heart. Well, I’m totally with you and the following list is for those of you who want to give those special people something thoughtful but also have enough dough leftover to you know, eat and pay your bills :)
The following is in no particular order and can all be adjusted price-wise depending on your budget and relationship to the receiver:
An experience. This is one of the best kinds of gifts I could think to give someone regardless of the occasion because you are giving them something that he or she can remember forever. Whether you have a lot to spend or are a bit tighter on cash this season there’s an experience out there to match. Some fun examples include: tickets to a show at your local theater, a food/ beer tour around some of the restaurants in your area, an escape room, or even an indoor skydiving adventure. With so many experiences out there to choose from, you’ll be sure to find one that suits the person you’re gifting it to.
*Pro tip: Airbnb has a whole section on the website dedicated to experiences so just type in your city’s name and behold how many options unfold :)
Plan a quick day trip outside the city. This gift is great if you live in a major city and find it hard to get some peace and quiet into your daily life. Why not take a loved one on a fully planned adventure outside of the concrete jungle for the day? If you have a car then great, just buckle up and let the adventures ensue. If not, you can utilize things like the train, bus or even car sharing apps to get you to your desired destination. You can plan some scenic stops, have a nice lunch somewhere and spend the evening at a show, concert or dance club- the possibilities are endless. This idea is not only thoughtful, as you’ll be planning each step, but also a creative way to spend some quality time with those you care about.
If your friend/ loved one is cook then why not make a custom package that every home cook would appreciate. As someone who thoroughly enjoys experimenting in her own kitchen, I think that this would make for a fabulous present. It could be anything from aromatic oils, a spatula, a nice bottle of wine, cheese, or an engraved spoon. You’re free to style and fill the package with whatever you think he/she will enjoy and make good use out of. Another nice thing about this tip is it can also be adjusted according to your budget :)
If you’re looking for some more inspiration, my ecookbook is an example of a gift that keeps on giving. You’ll give the recipient 25 new recipes to test out and hopefully you’ll be the beneficiary of the delicious byproducts :)
Buy him/her a subscription or class package to their favorite activity. If your friend/ family member is particularly sporty then this is ideal. Why not get a head start on the new year resolutions and new fitness goals by giving him/ her an easy way to stay active and motivated. Some of my favorite online subscriptions include: AloMoves and moving.co though you can also buy class packages to a yoga studio, kickboxing gym, or dance lessons. For a sports enthusiast, I can’t imagine something much better than a few paid classes to the activity he/she loves.
Give the gift of literature. If your friend is more of a bookworm then one idea is to gift them a book that you’ve read that you enjoyed and think they might too. This is something I have been doing with my parents for a few years now and I love it. It’s a chance to read books that you might not have otherwise chosen and it gives you an insight into the types of things that interest your loved one. A win-win :)
If you’re really strapped for cash then something like secret Santa is always a good idea. Tell your group of friends that you’ll each buy one gift that can be given to anyone in the group. To step it up a notch I’d suggest inviting everyone over for a home cooked meal and exchanging the presents after you’ve finished eating. It’s just another simple gesture of holiday generosity.
These are just some of the creative ways I like to show those around me how much they mean to me as I am a huge advocate for gifting experiences rather than material things. What are some of your favorite gift ideas? What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? If you feel comfortable sharing I’d love to know down below :)
Thank you all for stopping by this week and I’m sending you lots of holiday cheer! See you here next Tuesday for a new blog!
Xoxo,
Alexandra