Where to Find Gifts for Christmas When You Are Broke
By Lynn Proctor
@ThankyouLord (698)
St. Petersburg, Florida
December 3, 2015 12:13pm CST
Being unable to purchase nice gifts for Christmas due to lack of money is no fun. It is embarrassing, and often very depressing.
Do you know that the nicest gifts I have ever received were home made or used? My mother was a master at buying thrift store gifts and presenting them as new. What did I know? They were often in perfect condition. She would often tell me later, but I didn't care. Thrift stores can be a gold mine for perfectly lovely gifts, and at the right price.
Homemade cakes, cookies, pickles, relish or jellies make wonderful presents. If you have a knack for these, this is perfectly acceptable and delicious. Even a casserole or baked chicken for those who can't cook for themselves is very much appreciated. For my son's birthday, I gave him a cake, some fresh pears and a large container of parsnips mashed with cooked carrots. Food always hits the mark with folks, and is not that expensive.
Look around your house. Do you have some nice or handy things that you never used? Maybe a coffee maker still in the box, or a sandwich grill that never saw the light of day. Unopened soaps, lotions or impulse jewelry sometimes sit in drawers or cupboards, ignored. These can be "free" gifts that you don't even have to shop for.
Garage sales are another great place to find items for pennies on the dollar, and again we find items still in the box, or handmade. Sometimes, you don't even need a box, or you can buy one at the dollar store.
Wrapping is a bargain at the Dollar Tree, as are boxes and gift bags. But if you are pinching pennies, go early, because by Christmas week the shelves are almost bare. I know - I went there last year a couple of days before Christmas, and it was a wasteland. I think I had to settle for birthday wrappings. Everything is a dollar at Dollar Tree, and it is another great place to find useful and cheap items or food. Buy a little basket, stuff it with tissue paper, and put in several wrapped gifts. Kids love unwrapping these, as adults do, also.
People know we are on a budget, and most people do not expect nor want us to go out and buy them some fancy thing that we cannot afford. They want us to care about them, and how you wrap and present presents is what it is about.
Anything can be a present. Even a plate of brownies. Don't discount anything that seems "too easy." And always remember that your love and caring are what are remembered, long after the present has been eaten or used.
29 people like this
34 responses
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
4 Dec 15
@JudyEv @41CombedaleRoad @countryrose @Thankyoulord
I once gave an elaborate box full of toiletries and perfume to my mother-in-law, only for her to say she gave it to me the year before. Oops
1 person likes this
@countryrose (242)
• Phoenix, Arizona
4 Dec 15
That could be pretty embarassing.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (80048)
• United States
3 Dec 15
Some of the best gifts I've ever received were homemade or handmade. All great suggestions even for those who aren't on a budget
5 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Yes, I have seen some outstanding items in thrift stores, and they would be good for anyone to buy, whether on a budget or not.
@yukimori (10143)
• United States
3 Dec 15
I find that it's better to buy Christmas wrapping paper after the holidays. The Walmart stores in our area tend to stock way too much, so it routinely gets marked down to 90% off within a couple of weeks. The rolls are a bit larger than Dollar Tree's, too.
4 people like this
@countryrose (242)
• Phoenix, Arizona
4 Dec 15
Great idea. I was just given 4 rolls of wrapping paper. Love it when that happens.
@JudyEv (326648)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Dec 15
I often buy cards or wrapping at the end of the season too. Here, Christmas stock seems to disappear as soon as Christmas is over.
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Walmart does have good after Christmas sales.
@countryrose (242)
• Phoenix, Arizona
4 Dec 15
That's a great idea. You have a head start for the upcoming year. I heard someone mention about buying birthday cards for the whole year so you won't have to rush out for cards later.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118711)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Dec 15
I do most of my Christmas shopping every year at this huge Crafts Festival put on at the University of Florida every year at the beginning of December. There are hundreds of local craft vendors, all selling homemade gifts and goodies. I love getting gifts there because they are homemade; they are unique; they are usually offered at great prices; it supports people from the local community; and the recipients of the gifts are more appreciative because it shows that more thought was put into the gift. In fact, the craft show is this weekend, so I'm getting excited about attending!
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118711)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Dec 15
@Marcyaz Thank you! I am actually excited to go to craft shows! I can spend hours there looking at everything!
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Homemade items are the best. Unique and with character.
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
3 Dec 15
I have so many nice things that I've bought over the past few years for myself. They remain unopened and unused. Think I will gift some of it this year. *be well*
4 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
I think all of us have "stuff" we could part with because we never used it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157807)
• United States
3 Dec 15
We do not do too much for presents and sometimes we collect them all year long. I have a sister in law who donates to charities, who give her gifts and she ends up giving them as gifts.
3 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Being on the lookout all year is probably the best solution to gifting. At least you can get the right gift at the best price, even if it is July.
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
4 Dec 15
I am making memory books and christmas ornaments this year--it is a lot of fun and I needed a fun alternative to the shopping grind
3 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Yes, some shopping can be so one dimensional!
@tammys85 (29952)
• Baltimore, Maryland
3 Dec 15
Those are great ideas! I have a huge collection of beads, and I gave one of my friends a bunch of beads to spell out a specific wrestler's name (I could have made it, but she's crafty and enjoyed doing so). It saved money AND she loved it! :) As far as the gifts I receive are concerned, I don't need anything expensive, and I understand people are on a budget. I appreciate everything I receive. :)
4 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Beads are really fun. You must be beside yourself in a arts and crafts festival!
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
3 Dec 15
search closets and cabinets, you might find something there, new or unopened ones that were just forgotten or things that are still salvageable but just needs cleaning, good luck
3 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
If I start searching my closets and cupboards, I will probably have the urge for a yard sale!
1 person likes this
@Druscilla034 (379)
• United States
4 Dec 15
One Christmas I was REALLY broke, so I just bought those mini- aluminum cake pans (you know, they come in 3's and they're only 1/2 the size of a regular cake)....and I gave each person/family a mini-Christmas cake that I made from scratch. I decorated them really cute with red and green sprinkles....and some had snowflakes. Nobody complained and everyone seemed happy. Total cost to cover 14 people: $20 EVERYONE likes cake. And it was better than giving them nothing. 
EVERYONE likes cake. And it was better than giving them nothing. 3 people like this
@countryrose (242)
• Phoenix, Arizona
4 Dec 15
And I imagine that they loved it. When people make you homemade gifts. It feels really special. Not only the gift but the time involved makes it a gift from the heart.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40645)
• United States
3 Dec 15
What an excellent and well written article! A lot of great ideas, thanks. It truly is the thought that counts.
3 people like this
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
4 Dec 15
You are so right. One year I gave a giant basket of veggies and fruits to my family here. We have a giant garden and I picked them tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, bell peppers, green beans, papayas, avocados, mango, and some egg plant. They loved it. I think these make the best gifts ever. I know they love to eat and they never buy a lot of fruit and veggies so this makes the perfect gift to give them.
Another great gift is this. Give them a brownie in a jar. Make the powered brownie mix and type up the instruction on how to cook it. Put this in a nice mason jar with a nice ribbon and some cloth around the lid. People love this.
Plus you can make them bath bombs so cheaply and even soap and candles. They are all gifts that are inexpensive and make a person feel so good. I like making potpourri bags for people. Just pick some nice smelling flowers and let them dry out. Sew some simple bag and tie them with ribbon. These make an excellent gift for people.
There is so much you can do when you are on a budget for the holidays. Check out some simple homemade crafts online. Look for budget crafts that don't take a lot of money.
3 people like this
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
14 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord Thank you so much. I grew up like this where my grandmother's would make us quilts or something else for Christmas. They didn't like the idea of commercial and all that Christmas was starting to stand for. They wanted to keep it a giving tradition from the heart and to give what we made to each other. I loved this and always tried to keep this tradition going.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
13 Dec 15
I'll bet everyone loves to see you coming at Christmas! Wonderful ideas.
1 person likes this
@countryrose (242)
• Phoenix, Arizona
4 Dec 15
I love the brownie on a mason jar idea.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18188)
• Orangeville, Ontario
4 Dec 15
I've already bought a few puzzles for my husband. Not sure whether I'll buy him anything else. It's my young adult daughters I only have to buy for. I got a couple of things but they are small enough to be stocking stuffers... still have to get those too. Both my girls really need money more than anything else.
For our family party my sister just suggested I buy a box of diapers and watch my two pregnant nieces fight over them. I wouldn't be surprised, actually, if there is a third niece pregnant by then. LOL!
I never need to buy gift wrap. I have more than enough. I can't get rid of them as they keep coming back home.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
13 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord
also the jar can be used for other things over and over again.
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
13 Dec 15
I think a jar of jelly is fine, and it is a gift that you can enjoy over, and over and over!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159782)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Dec 15
These are some great ideas and things to keep in mind. I think that receiving a gift of baked good is great. To think that someone takes the time to bake this for me is so nice.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
14 Dec 15
I know. It makes me want to fire up my oven, that I haven't used in years, to give out cakes and stuff for Christmas.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159782)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord ...You still could do just that if you wanted to. Eleven more days.
@LeaPea2417 (36566)
• Toccoa, Georgia
4 Dec 15
Yes, thrift stores, the salvation army and pawn shops are places where deals can be had for holiday shopping. And I agree, if there is something lying around the house never opened, it is good to give.
2 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
5 Dec 15
Pawn shops are wonderful for finding expensive items at a fraction of the cost.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
3 Dec 15
I would rather get a home made gift than something outrageous and expensive.
3 people like this
@lovebuglena (43149)
• Staten Island, New York
4 Dec 15
There are stores where you can find great gifts without spending a lot of money. Home Goods is one of them. Marshalls and TJMaxx are great too.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
13 Dec 15
I think some of the best gifts are not the most expensive. Like books. I love books.
@lovebuglena (43149)
• Staten Island, New York
13 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord I think books can make great gifts but not everyone likes to read. Plus, unless you know the type of books a person likes to read it is hard to buy books for him/her. You don't want to end up buying something that person will not want to read.
