#music #free #christmas #inexpensivegifts #5ideas #cheapgifts #gifts
Christmas need not be an expensive nightmare experience. Really it should be about connecting with people and sharing the holidays with those you care about. So if you find yourself running around like a mad person, in a panic on how you will pay off your credit card next year, and generally stressing out take a deep breath and relax and continue reading.
If the budget is tight or you just want to have a less commercial christmas here are 5 ideas on inexpensive or free gifts.
1. Christmas Mix "tape"
There is a lot of free music floating around out there at the moment. Amazon in particular has a large selection and I am pretty sure they are DRM free. For example 23 this year. They also have a 25 days of Christmas deal where you get a new song every day.
When you "purchase" them they go into the Amazon cloud. The second step lets you download them to your computer. One you have them on your computer you can burn them to a CD or DVD if you have a burner. Or you send them directly to the person as Christmas gifts from the Amazon store as they have that option.
The wow factor in this gift is in how well you know the person and how you personalize their Christmas mix. You could perhaps make an album cover and/or write a commentary on each of the tracks and how it made you think of the person you are creating the mix for. You can splurge a little and buy some individual tracks that have meaning or your can go with best of the free options.
Total cost - If you gift them virtually them just your time to create the personalized aspect. If you make a CD then the cost of the writable CD and your time. If you buy any special songs to include then add in that cost.
2. Christmas Gift certificates for an experience or event
This can be the Christmas gift that gives all year round. Create several gift certificates for experiences or for help doing chores or projects that the person you are making them for would love. For example a certificate that entitles the bearer to laundry or dishes services for a week, or two, or a month The length can depend on how much you REALLY love them or hate the chores yourself. ;)
For couples massage vouchers can be a great option if you have any talent in that area and your partner enjoys receiving them. Also romantic picnics for when the weather gets hotter. Of perhaps an indoor picnic before then or special meal voucher. Date night certificates can also be clever both in allowing the other person freedom to pick their favorite activities (like the ballet <sigh>) or in pre-promising something that you know they will love. There are all sorts of other options but I'm keeping this post PG so you need to figure out those on your own!
For parents "sleep in" vouchers are a cool idea for your spouse. Vouchers for their favorite meals or foods also work. For your kids you can promise them time with you, or time away from you, in a voucher depending on their age. You can also give vouchers to children promising them time spent together on whatever activities they really love that you know you don't spend enough time with them on.
Total cost - your time and the materials you make the Christmas vouchers from.
3. Look for cheap or free options that play to your strengths
If you are a great cook make a special Christmas recipe in their honor and cook it for them. If you are a musician write them a song. An artist make them a piece of art. A writer then write them a story. If you are a comedian then put together a routine that you think will have them in hysterics. If you are a gardener then plant them some seeds or a tree or something that they will love (you may have to wait until after Christmas when the ground thaws if you live anywhere near I do in Denver!). If you are an accountant set up their system to make their taxes simple and easy every year. If you are a lawyer write them a contract promising not to sue them this year. :/ Or maybe you can take care of a piece of legal work that helps them in some way. The point is everyone has some sort of strength or talent. Your strength applied to a relevant need or want = great inexpensive Christmas gift
Total cost - your time and any incidental charges related to the application of your talent or strength
4. Photo Montage or Story Book.
In this digital world with cameras in every phone you probably have a million photos that you have taken that would contribute to some sort of message, story, or even just a shared moments experience board. Think back over the most important events or shared experiences and pull together the best photos that represent those moments. Wrap it up with a handwritten note or explanations and give it to them for Christmas.
Total cost - If you don't have hard copies of the photos then the time and cost to produce them. Although you could just make it a pdf that you mail the person or a slideshow or presentation that you show them. Your time is the main component.
5. Baking or sweet making or gift baskets.
If you Google candy making or baking you can find a lot of great recipes for cupcakes, toffee, fudge, or a variety of other decadent Christmas holiday goodies. Many of them use sugar and butter which aren't that expensive to buy and go a long way.
With a little bit of innovation you can makes some personalized treats that people will love. Cupcakes decorated in a way that tell a story of your shared experiences.
Christmas Gift baskets can be made with fruit or flowers that you can pick up inexpensively and padded out with re-gift options from your home. You can combine some of the other elements above to make a bountiful basket.
Total cost - bag of sugar or confectioners sugar, fruit costs, basket, and time to put it all together
Have a stress free lead up to your Merry Christmas everyone. Hope it is a great one for you all and that Santa brings you all the gifts that really matter, like connections, love, friendship, health, happiness, and an abundance of time to get done what you need to.
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