Gift-giving is one of the many ways you can show somebody you care. Whether you are celebrating an occasion (e.g. birthday, graduation) or observing a holiday (e.g. Valentines, Christmas), handing a thoughtful gift is an excellent way to brighten up your loved one’s day.
That said, gift-giving becomes more difficult with a limited budget. For example, buying women’s pajama tops online has become easier as more brands set up digital storefronts. However, even when products have become more accessible, you will also have to compute additional costs like shipping fees in addition to the cost of the gift item itself.
In an ideal world, you could spend and shop for gifts as much as you want without worry, but alas, that is not always the case. In such instances, elaborate gifts are often shoved in the farthest corner of your mind and only spring up again when celebrations and the holidays draw near. For this reason, such events often become stressful periods for the givers.
Clear those worries away because, fortunately, it is possible to give awesome gifts even with a limited budget. With a clear plan and a few creative tricks up your sleeve, you will be able to deliver gifts your receiver can wholeheartedly appreciate. To start, here is a quick guide you can use to improve your gift-giving process. For example, one gift for the whole family.
Step #1 – Change Your Mindset
The first thing you need to do is change the way you look at gift-giving. Reexamine your motivations and expectations in handing out presents. Some questions you can ask include:
- Why are you giving the gift?
- What makes a great present?
- Why do you think that is what gift-giving should be?
By asking these questions, you start looking at gift-giving in a different light. This self-reflection is crucial to accomplish because it frees you from certain expectations you or social traditions have set upon you. Because in reality, gift-giving is very simple. You are offering something you think the other person would appreciate, and the gift does not always have to be expensive. After all, you cannot measure a great gift by price tag alone.
In this step, you are preparing yourself by setting new parameters on what gift-giving is to you and your family. As such, you can let go of the pressure to shop for more items and look for ways to give great gifts without breaking the bank.
Step #2 – Follow the Three-Gift Rule
The basic premise of the three-gift rule is simple. You limit the number of presents you give to each person up to three, and these three items must correspond to the following criteria:
- Something they want (E.g. new toys, gadgets, hobby equipment)
- Something they need (E.g. new clothes, school or office supplies, tools)
- Something to read (e.g. novels, comic books, cookbooks, biographies)
The three-gift rule came about during the Christmas season when people usually do a lot of over-shopping to fill the bottoms of their Christmas trees. While it is fun to open many presents, people realized that they often buy items and knick-knacks that the children and adults never really use afterward. As such, people established the three-gift rule as a means to refocus and have givers put more thought into the presents they are handing out to other people.
It is a win-win situation. You will be saving money, and your receivers will get the items that they truly want and need in the first place. Indeed, the three-gift rule is a handy guide to keep in mind when the gift-giving seasons come in.
Step #3 – Opt for Quality Over Quantity
With the three-gift rule in mind, you now have more leeway to choose quality over quantity. Oftentimes, when working on a restricted budget, people tend to sacrifice high-quality gifts in favor of buying many affordable presents of poorer quality. While there is nothing wrong with purchasing such products, there is a higher likelihood that these items will break easily with a few uses, particularly with children’s toys.
However, since you are restricting the number of your purchases, you can now put your budget to items of better quality. Take note that the goal is better quality, not necessarily more expensive. Since these two factors often (but not always) parallel each other, however, it is safe to assume that higher-quality gifts may end up costing more.
By allocating the budget for better quality items, you help ensure that your gifts will last with your receivers for a longer time and they will be able to make the most of them.
Step #4 – Keep Your Shopping List Small
You don’t need to include everyone in your shopping list, especially when working with a limited budget. For example, you can stick with your immediate family first and skip your colleagues during the holidays. Understandably, this step could be difficult for others to accept. After all, you don’t want anybody to feel like they are missing out or forgotten. Nonetheless, depending on your budget, it may very well be a necessary step to take.
Moreover, most people will understand if you are unable to give them gifts. Everybody can sympathize with financial restrictions to some degree or another. If you are unsure how a person may feel about it, bring it up in a conversation. Make sure to time it right, such as after Christmas when people had just finished another round of intense present-shopping. Another good time is also some time before the holidays, so you can properly set their expectations.
Tips in Budget-Friendly Gift-Giving
Now that you have a clear idea of how to go about shopping for presents economically, here are a few other tricks to help you stick to your budget:
Time Your Gift-Buying
Prices rise and dip all the time, so timing is essential when shopping. It is especially the case for seasonal items, such as beachwear and winter clothes. The general rule of thumb is to buy items when they are off-season. Thus, don’t wait until the holidays before starting the search for great presents. Start early and check off your shopping list throughout the year instead.
Use the DIY Route
Handmade gifts not only often cost less but they also feel unique and special. Thus, instead of buying a gift, consider making them instead. Baked goods, resin jewelry, and body soaps are some of the many things you can make on your own. In case of a large upcoming event, take advantage of the opportunity by setting up a craft night with your family. You kill two birds with one stone: you save money on gifts, and your family also gets to bond together.
Consider Regifts
Regifts get a bad rap, but it is an easy and practical way to give gifts to others. It is especially the case when you receive valuable and worthwhile gifts that you don’t use. The important thing to remember, however, is that you should not use regifting as a way to discard things you dislike. You also need to consider what the other person would think of them and if they will be happy to use it. Additionally, don’t forget to avoid regifting in the same social circle; it will help you steer clear of any potentially awkward situations.
Parting Thoughts: Start from the Heart
You are more than capable of giving awesome gifts even on a budget. While you may be limited by current finances, see it as an opportunity to be more creative in assembling your presents. They may not be fancy, but as long as they come with a sincere heart, your gifts will surely bring about lots of smiles.
