The holidays are a season of spending time with loved ones, having fun, and exchanging gifts. But what presents can you offer your spouse or parents if your budget is limited? Try these 12 thoughtful ideas that are not only frugal but also fun.
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Board Game or Jigsaw Puzzle
Board games and jigsaw puzzles, which cost between $9 to $30, are great for family game nights. But did you know that solving puzzles can also improve memory and cognitive skills? For a personal touch, get a family picture and turn it into a jigsaw puzzle.
Homemade Treats
If you’d rather make your gift than buy one, consider baking homemade treats like bread and cookies for your loved ones. If you don’t consider yourself a great cook, try knitting or some woodwork.
Make a Charcuterie Plate
A wife who occasionally does this for Christmas says, “My husband and I put on a movie, and we and the kids dig into eating fancy meats and cheeses on Christmas. Sometimes, we use things we already have on hand, but it’s a nice excuse to treat yourself to some fancier foods you might not get, like prosciutto or Brie.”
Subscriptions or Memberships
Or, you can get them memberships or subscriptions. One poster recommends a lifetime national park membership for parents over 63 years for just $80. Another shares they’ve been getting their brother a yearly magazine subscription, ensuring there’s a gift in his post every month.
Digitizing and Typing Out Recipes
One of the sweetest gestures you could surprise your spouse or parents is to have their most cherished recipes digitized. One user shares, “My cousin digitized our grandma’s handwritten memoirs, and now we each have a copy. I treasure mine.”
Wendy’s Frosty Key Tags
Know someone with a sweet tooth and can’t get enough of Wendy’s? For only $3, you can get the Wendy’s Frosty key tag, and your spouse can have a free Jr. Frosty with any purchase. The freebie is valid for the whole year!
Framing Pretty Postcards
If you have unused postcards, you get a picture frame, which costs $4-$10 (depending on the size), and turn them into cute masterpieces. One poster says, “I found some pretty postcards I thought people would like and bulk bought some inexpensive frames for them. I think they ended up costing about $5 total each.”
Scrapbooks
If you’ve been collecting receipts, tickets, and other memorabilia, you can compile them together and make a personalized scrapbook.
Gifts of Service
“I really appreciate gifts of service,” writes a poster, “My son has organized my pantry a couple of times, helped me clean out the garage, and cleaned some brambles out.” You, too, could offer similar gifts of service, such as “taking over their chores for a day or giving them a foot massage.”
Hamper of Treats
You can also go frugal by getting them a hamper of whatever they like. For instance, if they love books, you could visit several thrift stores and purchase books written by their favorite author.
Make a Spotify Playlist
Another frugal gift idea is making a Spotify list for your parents or spouse. You could make a playlist based on their favorite artist, or you could compile songs that are memorable to both of you.
Give Time
When was the last time you spent time with your loved ones without constantly checking your email or smartphone? If it’s been a while, spend the entire day with your family. You’ll be pleasantly surprised that some people don’t need expensive gifts to be happy.
Source: Reddit
Featured Photo from Shutterstock
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