5 More Good Gifts for Christmas and the Holidays That Don't Cost A Lot, Part 3
by Team Sammy
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we shared 14 outstanding Christmas and holiday gifts that don't cost a lot from community leaders around the world.
In Part 3, we will share five more. So, as Sammy Rabbit says, "Let's do it. Let's get to it!"
15 ) Gene Natali, Pittsburgh, PA
My tip is more holistic than tangible. This holiday season, don't lose sight of the fact that true wealth is the ability to spend time with people you love in places you enjoy and to do so with the peace of mind that comes from recognizing how important and how meaningful these two small things are. It's not the size or price of a gift. It's the thoughtfulness and the love behind it. The Holidays are not the time of year to break your budget by trying to give off an impression of wealth. Be true to yourself and your finances and sincere with your giving. A phone call to a friend or family member, a catch-up over coffee, and a small memento that turns memory into something more all go a long way. Happy Holidays to all!
Gene is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) as well as founder and CEO of Troutwood.
16) Carey Barzeski, Erie, PA
My tip is instead of everyone buying gifts for everyone, organize a gift exchange where each person draws a name and only buys a gift for that specific person. It not only reduces the number of gifts but can also make the gift-giving more meaningful.
Carey is a business education teacher at the high school level with a passion for financial literacy.
17) Bobby Clark, Savannah, GA
My gift-giving tip: The most meaningful gifts often come from the heart and show that you've put thought into the gesture. Personalization and effort can make a no-cost gift just as valuable as a purchased one. It can help avoid overspending and enable you to stick to your holiday budget without feeling deprived. For example, create a coupon book with offers for things like a free hug, a homemade meal, a day of help with chores, or any other service you can provide.
Bobby is a money coach, certified financial educator, and founder of Clark on Money!
18) Kim Toscano, Rochester, NY
My top tip is there is no greater gift than to teach children around the holidays to give to others who are less fortunate. Remember the adage "it's better to give than to receive"? A holiday tradition suggestion is to review local nonprofits serving various children's needs and make a day of fundraising or donating to the charity of choice. This can be accomplished by setting up an event, such as a car wash/ lemonade stand, or perhaps organizing a local food drive. There are also online networks, such as a GOFundMe page, that can be utilized to drive donations. Children who participate in a giving program learn the value of a gift that gives back for a lifetime. This tradition creates lasting memories that can be shared with family and friends year after year and "handed" to the next generation!
Kim is the founder of the Miss Worthy Foundation and a financial literacy and wellness advocate!
19) Ian J. Gates, Beaumont, TX
My tip: I grew up as one of six children; three of my siblings are married, and two now have kids like I do. Growing up in the same house, everyone gave everyone individual gifts. But three years ago, we realized that since there were already so many of us living in several different states (NY, VA, NV, IL, etc.) — the annual obligatory giving ritual had become both expensive and impersonal. So one of my brothers stuck his neck out and proposed we adopt the “Secret Santa” model. Now, each year, we use a website to randomly assign everyone “secret Santa” roles as gift-givers & recipients — while even taking into account who got who in prior years. This way, everyone in the extended family gets a really thoughtful gift and has the fun of trying to guess who gave it to them! Now, my wife has started doing the same for her side of the family, and we all couldn’t be happier with how its made our extended family giving both less stressful and more loving.
Ian is an Aspiring Financial Planner working toward his CFP designation. He’s also a US Army Veteran, Coast Guard spouse, and Host of the #BLUFFbooks financial literacy podcast.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Incorporating these thoughtful suggestions into your family's holiday traditions is a delightful way to celebrate the season while nurturing a sense of wise stewardship and financial responsibility!