No-Cost Gifts for the Holidays That People Will Love to Receive

If there’s one thing many of us are experiencing these days, is a shortage of cash. Apart from it being a challenging time of year normally, with the vast amount of layoffs, furloughs, and overall pandemic problems, families across the country are feeling the strain; particularly during the holidays. Because of this, many are choosing to say goodbye to the commercialism of years past and bring a new vibe to the holidays this year. One way to do that is to skip the mall and the expensive gifts and opt for no-cost gifts for the holidays. Here are some ideas you may wish to incorporate into your gift-giving this year. 

No-Cost Gifts for the Holidays

Offer your service as a gift

If you provide a service, consider offering that service to your loved ones. For example, if you’re a personal chef, consider making meals for family members or even meal kits. And who wouldn’t love their personalized photoshoot? If you’re a photographer, this is a great way to connect with a friend or family member, and you’re providing a service that they otherwise, may not have considered splurging on. 

Provide a coupon for your service

Along the same lines, use your Cricut or just some craft supplies you have on hand and put together a series of coupons offering your service for free. This works well for anyone; we all have something we’re great at! This could be website-building services, make-up artistry, hair braiding, closet organization, or auto detailing; the possibilities are endless.

Each one, teach one

Even better, if you have a specialized skill, consider offering lessons as your holiday gift. There’s a resurgence of “old-fashioned” skills lately, so if you’re an expert with a sewing machine, know how to make candles, love canning your foods, know Tae Kwon Do, or are a top-notch baker, consider offering up lessons in your particular niche. 

New baby in the family

If you’re an auntie or grandmother and a family member has brought a baby into the world, consider giving the precious gift of your voice. Reverb is a free website that allows you to record and share your audio. Read a favorite storybook or bedtime story into the application and you’re provided a link that allows the family or child to listen to your story any time they wish. 

Share a special item

We all have that one item in our home that family members mention every time they see it. It could be a treasured photo of a grandparent, long passed or a special collectible item you’re holding onto but don’t have a use for.  If you’re willing to give up the item, it could be a memorable gift. Or if it’s a photo, consider making copies and giving those. These special no-cost gifts for the holidays will be treasured for generations to come. 

Create a playlist

Remember the old days of giving mix-tapes to our favorite people? Receiving one was something that truly made you feel special; especially when someone you cared about gave it to you. Consider all the songs you love, or songs that remind you of that special someone, and create a special playlist just for them. 

Get crafty and finally use those supplies

If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of people who found or took up a new hobby during lockdown, you likely have many supplies sitting at home unused. Perhaps you bought needlepoint or embroidery supplies or other unique crafting items. If they’re just sitting there, now is the time to dust them off and get to work; you still have time to create something special to give just in time for the holidays! 

Research free activities to do together

Finally, the gift of time together is unparalleled and there are probably countless things to do for free in your town. Now is the time to start hiking at the state parks or visiting those small museums that you’ve had on your ‘someday’ list. Spending time together doesn’t have to cost a fortune, there’s so much to do for free if you just take the time to look for these opportunities.