Holidays On a Budget
By: Harley Lynn
Everyone knows that the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. What most of us also know is that it is the most expensive time of the year as well.
As Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and several other gift-giving holidays roll around, you may begin to stress about how you will buy all of your friends a gift without completely killing your bank account — keep in mind, you still have to eat. Here are some awesome and cheap gift ideas for the people in your life. Remember, homemade gifts are more sentimental!!!
Family members can either be the easiest or the hardest group to buy for; there is no in between.
For your mom or grandma, think about making her your own cookbook with your favorite recipes in it. If she is into home decor, buy her a scented candle and paint her a picture for her to hang.
If your dad or granddad is into sports, think about buying a cheaper jersey or some sort of equipment like a football or a tennis racket. You may also want to get him something involving tools if he is into that. Target has an awesome toolset, Tool Set Apollo 39pc Pink, for only $14.99. Or buy him some video games or a cool new hat. But when in doubt, just get him some socks. Dads always need new socks.
Your siblings, on the other hand, may be a little more difficult. Find some cheap baby toys at Walmart for younger siblings. Make a coupon for older siblings that they can use for you to do things for them, such as cleaning their room, doing the dishes for them and, my personal favorite, leaving them alone!
For your best friends, it is usually easy: just buy them the cute purse you guys have been swooning over, but if that is too expensive, lotions, perfumes and makeup are always great options. Bath & Body Works always does a sale near the holidays when they sell their lotions for only $5!
If the high-end makeup is too expensive for you, as it is me, get drugstore makeup, and you can have a night where you test to see if they are dupes for the high-end brands. Socks are always awesome, especially soft and fuzzy ones with weird designs. You can play a game to see who can buy each other the absolute weirdest socks.
For guy best friends, this can be a lot more difficult, if you do not want to seem like a couple but still want to get them something. Buy them some socks or a cool T-shirt. Make up a scavenger hunt or a game for them to play. Buy candy and make them food. Everybody loves food. Boys who like video games can be easily pleased with a cheap old game that you found interesting. Play it with them and unlock all of the cool tricks.
Significant others can be tricky, but here is the most important thing: IF THEY LOVE YOU AND REALLY LIKE YOU, IT WILL NOT MATTER WHAT YOU GET THEM. This goes for anybody.
For a girlfriend, you can write her a love letter, do the “100 Reasons I Love You” in a mason jar or other cheesy ideas like that. When in doubt, check Pinterest. Your girl will almost always enjoy food too — lots of it, especially chocolate. Get her favorite candy and a nice big blanket. Spend a quiet evening with her. Spending time with someone can be a present as well.
As a girl, I can say that buying for your boyfriend can be quite difficult. I always worry that they will not like it, but something almost all couples love would be a day spent watching holiday movies and snuggling. Specifically for him though, you can buy him a cheaper cologne that you like the smell of, a shirt you would like to see on him, some sports magazine, a video game, socks or anything really. Although girlfriends often fret about what to get their boyfriends, your man will accept almost anything as well.
(P.S. Guys like the cheesy Pinterest things too, trust me.)
Any close friend, family member, significant other or acquaintance that you are anticipating buying a present for will love it no matter what. If they truly care about you, the price of the present will not matter.
