Christmas Gifting on a Budget: 6 tips that may help
Christmas is a time for giving, but what do you do when you can't afford to give gifts to everyone on your list? Here are 6 tips from Jin Designs that might help you manage your Christmas budget and still show those you love that you care.
1) Keep it simple
Don’t spend what you don’t have. Have a budget and stick to it. Don’t feel guilty or obliged to buy gifts. Gift giving should be a pleasure and a joy. If it’s a burden then something has gone wrong somewhere! Don’t give to receive. Think about the people in your life who you want to give something to, because you care about them, love them or want to thank them for doing something for you or for being in your life. You don’t need to buy gifts for everyone. Give to those who matter most. If you're wondering why we give gifts, read the Surprising Psychology Behind Gift-Giving
2) Look for deals
Probably the most obvious tip of all and one you are no doubt doing! There are a lot of deals at this time of year. Keep an eye out for sales and special offers or bundled products - you can often find great gifts at a fraction of the price if you're willing to put in a bit of extra effort. Sign up for newsletters and get money off. Shop for Gift Sets and Gift Bundles. You can always split the gifts or sets and give to different people. And take advantage of free delivery options too.
3) Send a card instead
Are there people on your Christmas gift list who would be grateful to receive a handwritten card? Bet there are! When was the last time you got a card through the door? Do you remember how you felt when you did? It’s a real pleasure to receive the written word these days, particularly from a friend or loved one. Sometimes these words are more precious than a gift. So take a look at your Christmas gift list, see who you could send a card to instead. And if you bulk buy your Christmas cards you can save here too. Look out for this year's Jin Designs Christmas Cards. They're a value pack of 10 with some really great designs. Cards are a great way to say thank you, thinking of you, or just simply a “Merry Christmas”.
4) Give to charity
If you're struggling to afford gifts for your loved ones, why not consider making a donation to charity in their name? There are many worthy causes out there that would be so grateful to receive your support. You could choose a much needed animal charity, or a cause that supports children or the elderly. Whatever you choose, it's a really heart-warming gesture that is sure to be appreciated.
5) Give the gift of time
One of the best Christmas gifts you can give is your time. Offer to help with chores, spend time talking or just be there for someone. You could fix something in the diary for the New Year and commit to something to help the person you care about. This could be really valuable if you have elderly relatives or friends who live alone.6) Support a small business
If you are going to buy gifts this year, support a small business! There are hundreds of thousands of creative small businesses who care a lot more about you and the product you are buying than some of the bigger companies. How great to find something unique, and know the person who created it. That’s a real story to tell someone when you give them a gift. They will appreciate it more, knowing that you really thought about the gift you gave them. Supporting small business helps local economies, creates jobs and keeps the creative person behind it looking after you, the environment, and the things you love.
So there you have it. Just a few simple tips from Jin Designs to help you. Christmas is a time for giving but it doesn’t have to be a time of stress and debt. It can be a real joy! Happy Christmas Gifting!
