How much should you spend on a Christmas gift for a distant family member?
My family is relatively close knit and I’ve always sent presents to cousins, aunts, uncles etc. This year money is super tight and I was wondering what the avg is? Especially for gift cards and such, I typically send at least 20$. Is 10$ too little?
Answers ( 1 )
When you can't spend money, spend time.
When money is tight for me, I skip the gift card rack and head straight for the craft aisle. Cookies, spice blends, arts and crafts, knotted blankets, bath bombs, or even a scrapbook of favorite recipes make great gifts -- and cheap! One of my friends gives handmade greeting cards as gifts every year. This is by far my favorite present because not only did she share her skills, but I can then share it with even more people! It's a win-win-win.
Here are a ton of awesome handmade gifts to try: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/homemade-gift-ideas-1251561
You could also treat them to an experience. Movie tickets and passes to national parks or museums are loved by all. If you really don't want to spend any money, you could think back to those elementary school "coupons" for chores, days out, or other gifts of time. If I had a niece or nephew who owed me a gutter cleaning or an afternoon of babysitting, you'd better believe I'd cash in! That's immensely valuable.
If your family is close-knit, they probably know about and understand your financial situation. Nobody would want you to put yourself in a financial pinch, so when the money's tight, it's time to get creative!