Gift Guide 2023: Low Cost, No Cost

Are you tired of Gift Guides, yet?  Yesterday, I got one from my accountant.  My accountant.  And I like Rick, but I am not so hard up for suggestions that anyone will find a one-year subscription to Quicken under the tree.

But because how much we love and like people is not determined by how much we spend on their gift, I thought I would provide a few low and no cost options.

Do you know someone with children?  Offer to watch them for an afternoon or for a date night.  Use these printable Christmas coupons to make the gift a bit more festive.

If you need a gift for someone who lives locally, I recommend compound butter.  It’s easy to make, costs a few dollars per roll, and is always a welcome addition at any meal.  Modern Proper has some recipes and instructions, but the one thing you will need is wax paper.  And there’s no reason it can’t be festive.

Regifting gets a bad wrap.  (Pun unintended, but it stays.)  We all have something in our home that we received as a gift that just wasn’t the right thing for us.  It’s probably still in the box, unused, in the back of a closet somewhere.  So why not regift it?

Also, it’s easy to improve a gift you didn’t love.  For example, a few weeks ago, I regifted a vase that wasn’t my taste, but was very nice.  I bought a bouquet of flowers to go with it.  Last Christmas, I regifted a cheese grater (because I already owned one) with a block of good quality Parmesan.  Regift a candle with an electric lighter or a pack of cool matches.

Everyone likes framed photos as a gift.  Everyone. Don’t know what to get me?  If you have a photo of us together from a fun trip or a great night out (provided the photo is PG-rated), put it in a nice frame.  Sure, I have it on the Internet somewhere, but now I’ll have it in my office.  To take this gift up a notch, get a wi-fi photo frame to update photos regularly.

A friend of mine made 90s playlists for her nieces for their birthdays this year and they loved them.  90s music was having a revival, and having grown up with sleeve-books full of CDs in her trunk, she was something of an expert.  If you know someone really well, it could be a fun idea to put together a playlist for their workouts or workdays. I’m working on a list of “Not Annoying Songs Sloane Likes” to give to my husband for car rides.  You’re welcome, honey.

Christmas ornaments are always a good gift.  Plus, you can go for really pricey ones, sentimental ones, or cheap and funny ones.  There’s something for everyone.  This one is a popular gift for lawyer friends.

A friend gifts Hanukkah candles to people because, as she puts it, “then you don’t have to buy them next year.”  Plus, there are some really fun ones, like this rainbow set or this dripless blue ombre.

So what are your best low cost or no cost holiday gift ideas?

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