Is it just me, or has life become expensive?
On a recent grocery trip, I spent over $15.00 to make a Banana Pudding for a work event. The ingredients which were instant vanilla pudding, heavy whipping cream, bananas, Nilla wafers, and Eagle Brand milk. How is it that 5 ingredients cost $15? What in the world? When prices keep climbing and our paychecks aren’t matching the pace, something eventually has to give. And ready or not, the holidays are now here!
Maybe you don’t have money to spend on presents this year. That’s okay. Let’s explore ways we can keep costs down this holiday season and our budgets tight.
Start with honesty.
If you need to scale back gift-giving, tell your friends and family. Be upfront, be honest. Even if it feels vulnerable, do it anyway. You might be surprised by the sigh of relief on the other end—chances are, they’re feeling the pinch too. Your honesty may actually be the first gift of the season.
Now, let’s focus on what we can do instead of what we cannot do.
1. Try drawing names.
Put everyone’s name in a bowl, and draw the person you’ll buy for. Set clear ground rules, like a maximum dollar amount. Make sure whoever sets the rules understands your budget and can help manage expectations.
2. Host potluck-style gatherings.
If you’re normally the holiday host, ask others to bring drinks, sides, desserts, or appetizers. It may take a bit more coordination upfront, but organizing is FREE—and the payoff is that you’re not covering the full cost of the meal.
3. Write handwritten letters.
When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? Or wrote one? In a world of texts, emails, and social media comments, a handwritten note is rare—and priceless.
Write your child a letter about how you’ve seen them grow this year. Write your mom or dad a note recalling favorite memories. A handwritten letter says, “I took time to think of you,” and time is the most personal gift we have.
4. Create art.
Do you like to doodle? Do you have pencils, markers, or paint lying around? Consider drawing something for a friend or family member. Don’t dismiss the idea—like handwritten letters, art is time made visible.
Growing up in Mississippi there was an elderly woman at the Iuka Church of Christ named Lenile Archer. Every year on my birthday, she sent me a postcard—one side a handwritten message, the other side her own artwork. Even as a child, I knew how special it was to receive one of her creations.
5. Offer gift certificates—for your time.
Not the store-bought kind. These cost nothing.
Is someone on your list a new parent? Offer babysitting so they can run errands or have a date night. Do you have a skill someone might need—car maintenance, simple home repairs, organizing, or washing cars? Create a gift certificate for a block of your time and talent. It’s practical, meaningful, and personal.
6. Give experiences.
Maybe you make a great cup of coffee, a signature dessert, or a favorite meal. Maybe there’s someone you’ve been wanting to reconnect with. Invite them over or bring your treats to them. Share conversation. Share memories. Experiences create connection, and connection is a gift.
7. Print photos.
When was the last time you printed a photo? How many sit on your phone unseen? Someone on your list would likely treasure a captured moment—whether it’s old or recent. And many dollar stores still carry affordable frames.
8. Volunteer together.
When our dollars don’t stretch the way they used to, one of the best ways to shift our mindset is to serve others. Look to local churches for families in need. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Visit a nursing home and sit with someone who may not have loved ones nearby. Serving together multiplies joy.
Money is a resource. Time is a resource. Sometimes we have more of one than the other. But blessings can be found in both.
Less money often requires more creativity—and that’s not a loss. Think outside the gift box. You might discover you don’t miss the pile of presents under the tree at all.
The time and experiences you create will last far longer than the latest gadget or trend. Our time with loved ones is limited, and many of the ideas above are rooted in time, not money.
Time is an investment.
So ask yourself:
Do I want to spend it fighting crowds? Scrolling endlessly online? Or sitting face-to-face with the people I love?
Choose your resources wisely this season. Choose connection. Choose presence. Those are the gifts that last. And, they are budget friendly!