It’s all about the spirit of giving, but sometimes that results in lots of money being spent. There are Christmas gift ideas that help you spend less, be a little greener and put a smile on your loved one’s faces.
1. Use Your Skills
Making things from scratch is always a fun way to be a bit more sentimental with gifts. If you are especially good at something, such as writing, making music, doing make-up or baking, then use your talents to give your friends something special they will remember.
2. Recycling is Okay
Re-gifting doesn’t have to be such a taboo. If the gift is in stellar condition, it is something you know your friend would love and it hasn’t been used or tampered with, there is no reason why the item should go to waste.
3. Organize Your Friend a Free Beauty Makeover
Cosmetics counters offer free makeovers so take your friend there for one, remembering that women rarely have the time to do this for themselves. You might have to book in advance for some of them, but this can be great because you could even add some special extras or buy her a product to go with it.
4. Create an Online Album of Memories
People usually buy a pretty picture frame or album for their loved ones to use, but go one step further and create an album for them. Sidestep buying a physical album by making a photo album online instead – it’s much more eco-friendly! Check out My Album, a site that allows you to create photo albums and share them with friends.
5. Give Them Your Time
Do you have a friend who is always stressed out and has dogs or children? Offer to help her out for a day in the holidays where you can babysit her kids or furry friends, giving her a chance to head out and do something relaxing. Don’t underestimate how precious giving time to someone can be.
6. Cut Down on Wrapping Paper and Cards
If you can’t decrease the amount of money you spend on gifts, you can always do so when it comes to gift wrapping and cards.
- Make your own gift wrapping by using newspaper and magazine pages.
- An old calendar or colourful dish towel can also be fun gift wrapping ideas.
- Ask for your gifts to be wrapped at the store if you have bought them there.
- Use pasta bows or old jewellery as gift accents. Simply tie them to the ribbon.
- Stick fresh flowers to gifts for instant flair.
- Make gift tags from items other than paper, such as star shapes cut from old cardboard.
- Reuse old Christmas cards – simply cut out pictures from them and use them as gift tags.
- Can’t make your own gift tags? No worries! Print some pretty ones directly from this website offering free Christmas gift tags.
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