Gift giving
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Switch to double-edge (DE) razors for shaving.
The blades are cheap and provide a better shave.
one person who lived it
Hire a cleaning service.
As vision declines, people may stop seeing what needs cleaning.
- Based on experience with a stepdad whose home got filthy without help.
one person who lived it
Set a spending limit and organize a Secret Santa or White Elephant exchange with extended family to reduce the number of gifts you need to buy.
It reduces pressure when everyone is feeling financial strain.
4 people, independently
Start shopping for gifts early in the year by adding small amounts to grocery trips or spending a fixed amount monthly.
It is cheaper and easier than buying everything at once in December.
2 people, independently
Use heated blankets or mattress pads.
They cut heating bills and help people who struggle with cold.
one person who lived it
items, buy, gift, people29
Buy experiences like trampoline park or amusement park gift cards instead of physical things.
Ask for a vacuum sealer as a gift.
Food lasts longer and there is less waste.
one person who lived it
Request durable kitchen tools like cast iron skillets, chef's knives, or slow cookers.
Cooking at home saves money in the long run compared to eating out, and these items last forever.
one person who lived it
Buy wooden coasters from TJ Maxx or Homesense.
They look expensive.
one person who lived it
Cut down your own Christmas tree.
It creates treasured memories and is a tradition that costs nothing.
one person who lived it
25 more on this
Make bacon pecan brittle with chocolate drizzle, which is not hard to make and goes over well.
It goes over pretty well.
one person who lived it
Buy used items like road bikes or winter tires on marketplaces.
It offers significant savings for items that may have been seldom used.
one person who lived it
Print and frame a photo of the recipient with you, themselves, their partner, or their pet as a gift.
People rarely do this for themselves, and framing is inexpensive.
one person who lived it
Buy experiences like trampoline park or amusement park gift cards instead of physical things.
It allows for family time and enjoyment.
2 people, independently
Give a Gerber Shard multi-tool as a functional gift.
Recipients have thanked the giver repeatedly for it.
one person who lived it
Make homemade soaps or other spa toiletries.
Homemade soaps can be of good quality.
- One person's experience; plans to expand into other toiletries are future intentions.
one person who lived it
Buy a Bluetooth speaker or portable charger.
Quality options are available at low cost.
one person who lived it
Gift a soft electric blanket and a good reading light.
Both help with utility costs.
one person who lived it
Package homemade salsa with red and green ingredients in a mason jar tied with a ribbon to create a festive gift.
The colors look Christmas-like.
one person who lived it
Wrap thrifted items in nice gift boxes or baskets to make them appear new and special.
Recipients may not realize the items were thrifted and will perceive them as new.
one person who lived it
Avoid payment plans like Klarna or Afterpay for holiday gifts.
It is a terrible idea for budgeting.
one person who lived it
Give bulk household essentials like detergent, trash bags, and toilet paper as gifts.
These are boring but necessary items that add up and are known to be used.
2 people, independently
Create DIY kits, such as craft, spa, sensory, or construction sets, using cheaper or found items instead of buying premade ones.
Making a kit yourself is way cheaper than buying a premade one.
one person who lived it
Give homemade consumable treats like cookies, jams, baked goods, beef jerky, or candied nuts instead of gift cards.
Consumable treats are always a popular gift; some people have no need for gift cards.
one person who lived it
Buy canned goods when they are on super sale and use coupons to lower the price further.
one person who lived it
If family members dislike shopping, buy them practical items they need but avoid purchasing, such as socks, lunch totes, insulated mugs, sweats, wool socks, hats, or gloves.
They may destroy items like socks and appreciate receiving replacements without having to shop for them.
one person who lived it
Give used or regifted books.
They are relatively cheap and can be thoughtful and personal.
one person who lived it
Consider buying a single kitchen gadget for a family unit rather than individual gifts for each member.
It may cost more than a single person's gift but less than buying individually for everyone.
one person who lived it
Make dipped chocolates at home by melting chocolate in the microwave and dipping pretzels or dried fruit.
It is absurdly easy to make and eliminates the need to buy them.
one person who lived it
Bulk out stockings with practical items the recipient needs anyway, such as toothbrushes, deodorant, or socks.
These are items you would budget for regardless.
one person who lived it
Do not personalize or monogram expensive goods like bags, electronics, or cars.
Initials or personal inscriptions dramatically reduce resale value and make people less likely to buy or sell the item.
one person who lived it
Buy large scented candles from Burlington Coat Factory.
They are usually very discounted.
one person who lived it
Compile a recipe binder containing handwritten family favorite recipes.
Such gifts can be treasured for decades.
one person who lived it
Ask appliance stores for free cardboard boxes from large appliances to let children build and decorate playhouses.
one person who lived it
Overpurchase common household items and wrap them individually for close friends.
one person who lived it
white, pressure, person, everyone13
Gift memberships to warehouse clubs or prepay streaming services.
Express love and happiness to your parents.
Being told they are loved and their child is happy is described as the best feeling.
one person who lived it
Gift memberships to warehouse clubs or prepay streaming services.
They provide fun or entertainment.
- Only useful if the recipient does not already have a membership or finds them useful.
2 people, independently
Hide stuffed animals around the house on Christmas morning as if they were being naughty.
It distracts from being present-hungry first thing in the morning.
one person who lived it
Gift wrap simple fruits like apples or oranges to create a low-cost surprise for young children.
Unwrapping the fruit is exciting for young kids.
one person who lived it
9 more on this
Use advent calendars where each day includes a clue leading to a final reveal on Christmas Eve.
People still talk about this experience years later.
one person who lived it
Create a 'pull-string' gift finale by placing gifts for each person in an open-top box with strings dangling at least 12 inches outside; have everyone pull their string to retrieve their gift as the final tradition.
It signals clearly that the gifting portion of the event is finished.
one person who lived it
Opt out of adult gift exchanges to reduce pressure.
It feels lighter and nobody cares because you are adults.
one person who lived it
Ask each person to contribute one small item for every stocking in the group.
With multiple contributors, the stockings fill up quickly.
one person who lived it
Host a White Elephant gift exchange to remove pressure and focus on laughter and dinner.
Pressure is off everyone and it creates a relaxing perfect night.
one person who lived it
Give thrifted holiday plates covered with homemade cookies as a gift.
Recipients can keep the plate and appreciate the gesture.
one person who lived it
Give stacks of pastel-colored or striped printer paper (such as green and white striped paper with holes) to kids.
One person reported this was their favorite surprise and felt like playing with mythical material.
one person who lived it
Bake cookies and distribute them in cheap Tupperware containers.
People love cookies, and it provides a fun holiday activity.
one person who lived it
Mass-produce cookies or brownies to give as gifts.
Everybody likes chocolate.
one person who lived it