Christmas gift ideas that won’t cost you much

It is gift giving season again! Christmas may be the one holiday I’ve always loved since childhood, more so than my birthday even! The carols, the sense of family, the cosiness… To be honest, I can’t pin point one specific thing that makes Christmas special. Now that I have a family of my own, I fully intend on making that experience just as, if not more, exciting for my little Spawn!

As a Christian, I would be absolutely fine if we went through Christmas without any gifts because that’s just how we did it when my mom was around. I’m not sure what her reason was for it as we weren’t financially unstable… I assume it has something to do with keeping the true meaning of Christmas alive. Her intention has always been for us to grow up knowing that Christmas wasn’t about romantic love and presents like the Hallmark movies made it out to be. Actually, it is about so much more! With that in mind, if you’re looking for a way to make your Christmas special this year without making it a time when malls and shopping centres increase their turnover, look no further. Here are some ideas for you.

Gift some handwritten letters to your loved ones

One really important thing that has become a tradition for Christmas lovers across the globe is the appreciation of family. When most of us think of Christmas, home the smell of cookies, delicious food and much more come to mind. Why not ramp up the mood by sharing handwritten letters with your family? To take it a step further, you could do a secret Santa of pretty decorated letters that you read out loud as you let the delicious dinner digest! If you’re writing for your coworkers or your boss, you can always look online for the right wording.

Gift some love by feeding the needy

Growing up, my mother was a true believer of doing good for those around us. What this meant was that Christmas Eve was spent at home (mostly watching TBN and singing praises). We’d wake up very early on the 25th to prepare bags of sandwiches that we handed out to the homeless. In all my years alive, the only memories of Christmas that have stuck are of the times we did that. It’s sad to say that those sloppy sandwiches were probably the only meals the homeless people would eat that day. In fact, the look on their faces, the tears… that was what Christmas was about. If you have the means to do so, why not buy more than what you plan on eating and share your Christmas meal with the needy?

Gift some comfort by caring for the homeless

Carrying on the spirit of giving, think back to a time when you were growing up and didn’t have something that you really wanted. How would you have felt if a random stranger suddenly gifted that to you? With that in mind, remember that the homeless are humans too and they also appreciate gifts and surprises. It is unfortunate that they do not have the means to get even the most simple of things. The idea of paying it forward is such a beautiful one, but is limited to us – the fortunate. Maybe it is time we started sharing a bit of what we have with those who have nothing, expecting nothing in return? Personally, I think food, blankets, clothes and toiletries are the best gifts to hand out, but feel free to be as creative as you like!

Gift your time by volunteering

I know most of you reading this would not want to spend your Christmas Day volunteering because… well it’s Christmas! I get that, trust me, I do. December is a long month, though, so even a few hours of your day can make a difference. Why not help out at a soup kitchen or non-profit organisations to make this season special for those who don’t have much ? Of course, there is a pandemic still happening, so make sure to stay safe and protect your health.

Gift appreciation for the healthcare workers

Again on the ‘loving’ train, we have to admit that the heroes of this year have been the healthcare workers. If we are truly honest, these people have and continue to risk their lives to ensure our wellbeing. COVID-19 is not a joke, despite what anyone may say because we never know how one’s immune system will be compromised from the exposure. After hearing how many healthcare workers died fighting the battle, I’m sure we can all agree that these times are scary. Those who still stuck around after losing their colleagues were absolutely brave and selfless. Many of them had to isolate from their families as well to avoid putting them at risk. With people marching around – maskless- I can only imagine how the healthcare workers must feel.

If you appreciate the sacrifice that they have made, why not join efforts with some friends or family to give a handful of nurses and doctors a simple gift this year? Even a homemade cake is enough to show someone your appreciation and warm someone’s heart.

Whatever you choose to do this Christmas, I wish you lot’s of love and happiness from my family to yours!

What are some other things you would suggest for a not-so-expensive Christmas gift?