Amidst an incredibly tough economic climate, where living costs continue to rise, overspending on Christmas gifts and festive season celebrations is still a reality.
Take a look at our top 2022 Christmas gift ideas on a budget that focus on the people, not the price tag and will still leave gift recipients filled with gratitude.
Plan
We get it, we’re like a broken record, but planning is a proven method to ensure you control your spending. List the family members, friends and colleagues you intend to buy for and allocate each a budget. Be mindful that December is like any other month, and bills will still need to be paid, so make sure that when you’re planning your festive budget, it’s with the money you’ve saved, to avoid suffering from a post-holiday hangover.
Be vigilant. If you have yet to speak to Aunty Sally or Uncle Bob in the year since you last bought them a Christmas gift, now is the time to drop them from the family Christmas gift list and perhaps just send them a Christmas card instead! We are losing the art of sending out Christmas cards, but taking the time to send a small personal message can be just as appreciated as any gift. And Australia Post will deliver it for 60 cents instead of the usual dollar or more! A win for all!
Secret Santa for the win
Secret Santa is a brilliant way to keep within budget. There are two ways to play this game.
- Work out who will be around for Christmas eve or Christmas Day. Write their names on small pieces of paper and throw them into a hat or bowl. Write down the names of the same people on a piece of paper, draw one name from the hat at a time, and allocate someone to buy for each person.
- Request that anyone coming for Christmas brings a gift within a specific budget. The gift should be gender and age neutral. Sit together and nominate someone to start. That person opens the first gift. The next person can choose to ‘steal’ that gift or open a new one. Once all the gifts are open, do one more round where everyone can either ‘steal’ or ‘stay’. You will be guaranteed a good laugh.
Remember to keep the budget the same for everyone.
Experiences
Experiences are the gifts that keep giving.
Why not do something different and participate in an experience instead of purchasing a gift?
See what local productions are showing or will be showing in the new year, as often group purchases come with a discount offer. If shows are not for you, book a city bus or walking tour or look for something unusual like a tour of the best local coffee shops or cultural sites.
If you’re the event or party planner type, why not explore and plan your own experience? Pack individual snack boxes and plan a day out together. The effort to plan and put together an experience like this far outweighs yet another gift-wrapped [fill in the blank]!
Give the gift of financial freedom
Have you ever considered giving someone a managed fund or a session with a financial planner? Both have the power to transform lives, and they’re not as expensive as you think.
Gifts of financial freedom could include managed funds, a savings account or your niece or nephew’s monthly extra mural fees. You can even personalise financial gifts, so if your intended recipient is a technology lover, consider shares in a tech company. If they’re hoping to buy a car, help them save with a high yield savings account.
Over time, maybe at the next birthday and future Christmases, you can contribute a little more money on their behalf, keep the fund growing and encourage other family members and friends to do the same.
The gift of financial freedom will provide recipients with financial security in a world that’s currently, and for the foreseeable future, in a state of flux.
DIY gift ideas
A DIY Christmas gift is a unique way to personalise your giving this year. The thought and effort that go into DIY gifts never go unnoticed.
Think about the hobbies, homes and lifestyles of the people you’re planning on making a gift for. What type of activities do they enjoy doing? Are there any tasks they’ve wanted to undertake yet haven’t had the time or resources to complete them?
Here are some ideas for DIY Christmas gifts:
1. Family photos
a. Plan a day out where you take your camera or mobile phone.
b. If you’re using a phone, make sure your mobile phone camera is set to high-quality photos.
c. Remember to consider the time of day and where the sun is. Natural light is key.
d. Load your pics in high-res to a drive or iCloud.
e. Pop down to your local store or use an online photo program to create and print the photos.
2. Hobby jar
a. Use an upcycled tin or jar (there are loads of ways to personalise and get creative here) and fill it with goodies for that crafting, cooking or sewing friend or family member.
b. Look for an upcoming workshop or online event to include in the hobby jar.
3. Creative crafting
a. These gift ideas will require time but creating handmade crafts are great DIY gift ideas.
b. Handmade breadboards, placemats, quilted table runners or hand-painted tablecloths will almost certainly guarantee a grateful smile.
4. Fancy fare
a. Fill a jar or box with handmade cookies or petit fours for the baking boffs.
b. If you’re creating a jar for the savoury type, print out and pre-measure ingredients for their favourite savoury snack.
The most precious gift someone can give is the gift of time. Call us cliched, but Christmas is a time for giving, so use your imagination and find ways to give this season that won’t put you out of pocket.
To discuss your 2023 budget with one of our financial planners, contact us to make an appointment.
Read more financial advice blogs.