Saying that 2020 has been a challenging year is an understatement. With the world on its knees in one of the most trying times in history due to COVID-19, Christmas may seem like a lifetime away. Throw in staggering unemployment rates and the real need for a happiness boost, the idea of buying gifts may be tinted with anxiety and uncertainty.
But the holidays don’t have to be stressful, and gift-giving doesn’t have to be expensive. To ease your festive burdens, here are some tips to buying a great gift this Christmas:
Fund your shopping
With rising unemployment rates and uncertainty about the future on many people’s minds this year, the idea of spending a lot of money on gifts may be the furthest thing from your mind.
Fortunately, there are ways to make cash from your own pre-loved items by selling them online or via various resale apps. Cashing in vintage or high-end items may ease the burden of your current Christmas budget and give you the boost you need to deliver a magical time to your loved ones. Going through your wardrobe and finding some high-end items that are collecting dust, but still hold a lot of worth, is a great place to start.
Read on to see our top tips for buying a great gift:
1. Make it personal
When a gift is well thought out, unique to us and personal it can become one of the most memorable things in our lives. With so many independent vendors available at the click of a button, it’s never been more simple than scouring some of the leading marketplaces online.
Additionally, shopping small business is even more important this year. When you invest in an independent maker, you are more likely to be supporting someone else feed their family too. Materials tend to be more ethically sourced and will make the gift you choose even more unique as a result. Anything from small household items, to clothing, accessories and novelty gifts always make for great Christmas gifts.
If you do venture out to brick and mortar stores, be sure to follow local health guidelines and stay safe. Wear a mask!
2. Invest in an experience
Everyone has a different love language. For some, it is receiving gifts, physical touch or words of affirmation. For others, it is a shared experience. Giving someone an experience they can remember is often a much more valuable gift than something to unwrap.
For example, escape rooms offer an incredibly unique experience like no other. Not only do you get to play detective and solve a mystery but you get to work together as a team. You get to see first hand how your teammate or mates respond to pressure, all while having fun as you try and beat the clock.
There are also a number of virtual experiences you can share together, as many businesses have adapted their experiences to be COVID-safe.
Investing in an experience for the holidays can also be a fun way to bring people together.
3. Gift cards
Buying gifts can feel impossible for some people. This is why gift cards are always the perfect go-to when you are struggling to find the right item.
More and more stories offer gift cards, as are many local businesses and restaurants. Purchasing a gift card somewhere local can also help support and promote local entrepreneurs and businesses who have struggled to stay afloat in 2020.
You can often find digital options for gift cards, rather than a physical card, which is better for the environment and can be sent instantly.
4. Make it yourself
With so many people looking to curb excessive spending this season, the option to create your own gifts can be special way to make it personal, and show someone you care.
With numerous DIY Pinterest boards and Instagram accounts, you can find the right inspiration to craft your own gifts, and indulge in a fun activity at the same time.
Whether it is a novelty item to hang on a Christmas tree, or a hand-made accessory, making your own gifts can also be an inexpensive option this year.
5. Resale apps
With many people selling household and personal items to make some extra cash, resale apps like Offerup or even a digital space like Facebook Marketplace can become a go-to destination to find affordable and good quality items. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, as the saying goes.
No matter your budget or your ideas, with numerous sellers, you are bound to find something that suits your style and gift-giving budget. Don’t be afraid to negotiate price and ask questions about the item before purchasing.
Make the holidays extra special this year with unique and personal gifts from you to your loved ones.