Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthdays and Anniversaries; there are so many occasions throughout the year when we give each other gifts! Giving gifts can be a lot of fun and is a great way to express how much another person means to you. However, what if you want to make a loving gesture but you can’t afford to spend a lot of money on a gift?
Remember the old cliché that “it’s the thought that counts?” Here are a few clever thoughts that will help your struggling savings account and still be able to make your friends and family feel special next holiday.
- Watch for sales and buy things when they are at their cheapest, even if it means buying some Christmas gifts several months in advance because the price is right.
- Pick up cute little items throughout the year, such as small gift packets, bubble bath, candles, and bottles of wine whenever you spot them at a great price. They will come in handy later because you will always have something on hand to give to teachers, coworkers, and others.
- Look for coupons online! You can find a lot of discounts and deals that will save you lots of money off the normal retail price. You can use discount codes when shopping online, or print them off to use in the stores as well.
- Buy used items. You can find wonderful gems on Craigslist, eBay and at auctions and car boot sales that would make great gifts.
- Bake your gifts! If you are handy in the kitchen, why not bake cakes, cookies and cupcakes to give as gifts? You can wrap them in pretty bags and even personalize them for the occasion. Your sweet treats are sure to be appreciated.
- If you have any artistic skills you can make your own gifts and save a lot of money. You could knit a scarf, make some unique jewelry, paint a picture, frame one of your photographs, or sew a unique item of clothing. The gift will be even more special because you invested your time into it and it is one of a kind.
- Instead of spending money on a gift, why not think outside the box and give the gift of your time, skills, or effort? If you have a certain skill such as playing the guitar or speaking a second language, you can give free lessons to someone who wants to learn. You can volunteer your time to landscape someone’s backyard, clean their house, wash their car or help with their renovation. This is a way for you to give them a valuable gift by spending your time but not your money.
These are just a few ways that you can give thoughtful and meaningful gifts without spending a lot of money. Happy gift giving!
Jim Dean is a money blogger who loves to save money. He also works for Ulster Bank who offer regular savings accounts.
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