Thrifty Holidays for When You are Broke
This post is probably not something you will see very often. But I wanted to write this, because a lot of people in the USA are struggling financially. It is totally cool to have a thrifty Christmas! Giving pre-loved items to others, or giving items you bought but never used is a great way to share what you have. It is also eco-friendly and an Earth conscious way to show people you care without dropping tons of money on stuff they might not even need. I have gifted items I bought for myself that didn’t work out. Some of them still had tags, and some didn’t!
One thing that is huge in my family is “regifting”. That is when you receive a gift, don’t like it, so you give it to someone else. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. But be sure that the giver doesn’t find out! I have given my Mom many gifts, only to later see one of my sisters using the gift! And that kind of hurt a little bit. So be thoughtful with “regifting” and give and receive graciously.
Some items that are great for giving when you are broke are things like pre-loved books, art and craft supplies you bought but never got around to using for the makers in your life, candles from your collection if you have too many, handbags and fashion items you bought but then never wore, pre-loved jewelry, items like semi-precious stones from your collection, ornaments or other small decorative items.
Another idea is to just buy some jars, and fill them up with the necessary ingredients for a cookie recipe. Include the recipe with the jar. Or make some homemade granola and gift that! Christmas cookies with a card are pretty much always a welcome gift too, unless someone is on a diet.
Yet another idea is to get some small tins, and fill them with a vial of essential oil along with some small items that remind you of the recipients. You can prime the tin with gesso and paint it, or collage paper onto it.
In the past, I was especially thrifty with gifting. I’m not sure it was always appreciated, but I was working with a meager amount of money. Do small touches with the gifts, like include a bookmark with a pre-loved book, or add other little touches to the gift to make it more thoughtful.
Christmas is about sharing and caring, and when you give with love, it often doesn’t even matter what the gift is. Sometimes it is the thought that counts more than anything else!
