How to Give Special, Thoughtful Christmas Gifts without Breaking the Bank

It’s that time of year again, one that has a particularly knack for creating lean wallets. Christmas music is piping through the radio, the scent of pine is in the air, and all the storefronts are adorned with tinsel and multicolour lights. It’s all too easy to get carried away in the Christmas season and completely forget about your budget. However, with a little planning, you can give personal, thoughtful gifts that your loved ones, friends, and colleagues will love. Here are three easy ideas for fantastic holiday gifts you can give, without breaking your budget and don’t forget you can get freebies online too.

1. Shop Deals

When it comes to keeping your finances in check during the holiday season, planning is key. Make a list of possible gift ideas—and then prepare to start researching. Browse through deals online, look through catalogues, and get a feel for the kind of holiday promotions that stores typically offer around this type of year. If you plan it right, you may be able to save a lot of money on things you would have bought at retail price anyway.

2. Make something worth savouring—literally.

You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to create special home-made gifts worth giving. Consider baking an assortment of cookies and put them in a festively decorated tin, to be wrapped and placed under the tree. Make chocolate chip cookies if you like, or try more festive cookies such as peppermint meringues, gingerbread cookies or iced sugar cookies cut out in a variety of holiday-themed shapes. If your loved ones don’t like cookies, try making cakes, cupcakes, candies or muffins. If you’re ambitious, try preparing something fancier like cake pops or personal fruit pies served in mason jars . Christmas is the time of year when everyone lets loose their belts and indulges in sweets, so seize the moment.

3. Explore the vast variety of other gifts you can make yourself.

If baking isn’t your thing, there are a number of other gifts you can create yourself, for a fraction of the cost as it would to buy in the store. Try making home-made soaps or candles, the instructions for which you can find through a Google search. If you have a particular skill, use it to your advantage; if you’re a carpenter, for example, create a special, personalized gift from wood. If you make jewellery or paint, consider doing the same for your holiday gifts.

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