I can hardly believe it but it is that time of the year again! This year has been one of the hardest years for many of us but that doesn’t stop the festive season from approaching at rapid speed. If anything, I think we all could use a lot of Christmas spirit right about now. For those of us who are lucky enough to get to spend Christmas with our loved ones in a few weeks’ time now is the time to start your gift shopping! If you have been financially affected by this pandemic, you are not alone. Here are 7 affordable gift ideas that won’t break the bank, but will show how much you care.
1. Framed Photos
There is nothing more important in this world than your loved ones. Show them how much you value and appreciate them being a part of your life by framing your favourite photo of you all together. You could also frame a photo of a loved one’s pet, think about how much your gran would adore a photo of her and her beloved cat, Timmy, to place next to her bed. You could also print onto a canvas, depending on the style of their home. Canvas prints are especially great for newlyweds and new parents.
2. Recipe Cards
A cook book from a well-known chef will set you back quite a few dollars, if you don’t have them to spare this year then make them your own version. You don’t need to be a fancy chef to have great recipes, call your favourite aunt for her delicious chowder recipe or your grandpa for his famous chilli recipe. Once you have collected enough recipes (remember to have a decent mix of savoury and sweet) you can print them onto pretty cards and then have those laminated for safe-keeping.
3. Heartfelt Messages
There is nothing nicer than receiving a heartfelt message from someone you love and care about. This is truer this year more than it ever has been before. Remind your friends and family how much you love them. This doesn’t have to look cheap either, get yourself some lovely creative holiday cards and get writing! Christmas isn’t the same without a line-up of festive cards adorning the fireplace mantel, especially this year where we might not be able to have the entire family over for the holidays because of social distancing.
4. Scented Candles
These precious little wax-filled wonders will never go out of style. I have SUCH an obsession with artisanal scented candles, perhaps not the food scented ones because I can’t wrap my head around the idea of my living room smelling like corn chips… but the fruity or floral ones for sure. You can get them the festively scented ones for an added holiday touch, like gingerbread or cinnamon scented candles – or whichever ones you like best. You can never have too many scented candles and they are so beneficial to have around (yes, I have ovaries and no, you may not judge me).
5. Home Décor
Home décor items are wonderful gifts and they don’t need to cost and a leg. A chic and stylish vase or a throw pillow with all of the season’s vibrant colour-ways makes the perfect gift for a loved one. Give them a memento from your home-town, or theirs, for a personal touch so that they can add to the unique décor items in their homes.
6. Winter Wear
This winter, give your loved ones the gift of warmth. A toasty pair of gloves, a fluffy scarf or a festive hat is an inexpensive way to spoil your loved ones this Christmas. Keep them warm throughout the coldest season of the year and be sure that they think of how much you loved them every time they wear your thoughtful gift.
7. Candy
A lovely jar filled with their favourite candy is a wonderful way to give your loved one and dual-purpose gift. Think M & M’s in a gorgeous glass lidded jar or a beautiful ceramic vase…really anything can be a candy container if you try hard enough. If they don’t have a sweet-tooth you could always do the same thing with savoury snacks, like cheese popcorn or beef jerky.
Whatever you decide to give as gifts this year, remember that the gift of time is more important than anything. If you can’t go home for the holidays this year, a video chat will go a long way to making it feel more like Christmas.
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