As the holidays get closer and closer, I know we all feel the stress of trying to get everyone in your life the perfect gift without spending all of the money you don’t have. As college students, it’s part of the brand to be broke, but I am a firm believer that sometimes the best gifts don’t cost anything at all. I also think that it’s totally possible to give someone a killer christmas gift that won’t break the bank, and all you have to do is be creative.
- A Cool Piece of Wall Art
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Recently, this has become my go-to for christmas presents. A friend of mine showed me this guy on Etsy who takes and makes prints of quotes and famous phrases on pages from dictionaries. These quotes are the perfect way to tell whoever you’re giving it to that they are special to you, because the quotes are can be totally personal. The best part? These prints average about seven bucks.
- A Handwritten Note
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This is my favorite type of gift to give someone, because they most likely haven’t received one in a very long time. The most important part about writing someone a note is that they feel seen and special and like they matter to you–which is the whole point of a good Christmas gift. My favorite thing to do is to find a funny Christmas card, something totally unique, and then I write the note on the inside.
- A Relaxation Basket
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Sometimes, life can move so quickly that we all forget to take a minute and relax. Some of my closest friends are coworkers, and we all tend to get caught up in the rush of getting the job done, and we tend to forget to take a deep breath. Getting someone a little basket with a pair of fuzzy socks, a face mask, and maybe even some wine, will give them everything they need to have a fun relaxation night.
- Something Handmade
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The final gift option that I tend to gravitate towards when I can’t come up with anything else is something handmade. These types of gifts often end up being the least expensive, and they show that you put effort into thinking about them for Christmas. One year, I made my aunt a set of coasters from cork board and mason jar lids, and she still has them on display. You can never go wrong with a thoughtful, handmade gift.
Overall, I am a firm believer that the thought behind the gift matters more than the actual gift itself. The gifts that mean the most are usually the ones that show you paid attention to what the other person cares most about. If you can’t afford the most expensive thing you see, who cares? The most memorable part about Christmas is spending it with the people you love.