I can hardly believe that the holiday season is upon us. This year has been so hard in so many ways. I always love the Christmas season but I’m looking forward to it just a little bit more this year. We need the joy of Christmas lights and tinsel. We need the opportunity to celebrate something this year. And we need the opportunity to refocus our minds to others.
What we don’t need is to go broke. This year was hard financially. A lot of people lost their jobs. Some were able to keep their jobs but with reduced hours. Some may have survived financially but are living in constant fear that this could change at any time as things progress. So how can we celebrate a holiday based on consumerism during this wild year? What do we give our family, friends, and coworkers to let them know we are thinking of them? What do we take for Dirty Santa that won’t break the bank? And most importantly; how do we support our local businesses that were likely hit the hardest this year?
I'm sharing three different gift ideas that your friends or family will love and that won't break your budget.
1. Keep it Cozy This Christmas
Rule number one of Christmas is cozy! Nothing says cozy like warm sherpa socks. Complete the package by adding a holiday blend coffee k- cup and candy cane. Walmart has Starbucks holiday K Cups in stock right now. One box is $15. One for a friend. Many for you, haha! This gift says "I’m wishing you a cozy night in under a warm blanket". It doesn’t get any better than that on a cold and dark winters night! Not a coffee drinker? Replace it with hot cocoa or a tea bag.
The sherpa socks pictured came from CherryWood Boutique. I am running a buy one give one special during the months of November and December. Each pair of socks purchased equals a pair donated to a warming center or women's shelter this winter. (Honestly not pushing you to buy. I'm just letting you know that if this is a gift a friend of yours would appreciate, then you can feel even better about giving it knowing you are helping someone in need!)
2. Treat Yo' Self
Have a friend that's been stuck at home with a screaming toddler or barking dog since March? I know just what they need. An opportunity to treat themselves! I'd send them a Christmas candle, bath bomb and lotion. Basically this gift says, "lock the bathroom door, light a candle and relax with a fizzy bath bomb in some stinging hot water until you are completely relaxed. Then, rub some lotion on and handle it!" And what woman doesn't need that message in 2020?
This candle smells delicious but it is quite big which means it also costs more. You can easily make this gift a little easier on your budget by purchasing a smaller candle or only giving either the bath bomb or the lotion instead of both.
3. Kick it Old School
Let's talk scarves. Ok. So buying a female a scarf for Christmas is not a brand new idea, but I’m sharing it with you in case you thought it was over used or too cliche. I’m a serial Hallmark Christmas movie watcher. I subject myself to hours of the same plot line solely for the snow, general holiday merriment and eventual first kiss moment. Say what you want, but one thing I have learned from this behavior is the finishing touch of a scarf. These girls travel with one medium sized suitcase to a snowy getaway for a month and are able to pack 20 chunky sweaters, 5 different pairs of boots, a winter coat for each outfit and a matching scarf and hat. They know something I don’t know about suitcases. But they also know something I didn’t know about scarves. Scarves are not only practical for winter, but they also complete your look! Even better? A scarf is bulky enough to feel like a big gift even though it’s only one item and they aren’t very expensive! I have a whole slew of scarves in stock right now. Check them out here!
(I don't know how this works so this is me saying that I don't own rights to any of these photos nor do I deserve any credit as they all belong to Hallmark so please don't think I'm trying to steal them. Just compiling in one place to prove my point, ha!)
I had a friend once who told me that Christmas isn't about practicality. Christmas is about asking for things you truly want and indulging a little bit. I think as an adult with financial responsibilities that can be hard to do. This year especially. When I am faced with a financial decision when purchasing a gift I tend to go too practical so that it feels like a justified use of money. I hope these ideas allow you to indulge someone without having to justify the expense. All of these items pictured can be purchased at CherryWood Boutique, but you don't have to support my small business. You can find these items or similar ideas when shopping at any local business.
As an added bonus I’ve also attached a printable PDF gift tag to go with each gift! Click here to download!
Happy shopping and a very merry holiday season to you and yours!
Monica
Comments