The holidays can be an overwhelming time of year, particularly when striving to give perfectly thoughtful and valuable gifts to loved ones. Despite the magical chill in the air and season of joyful generosity, finding meaningful and reasonably priced presents can be a true labor of love!
Whether you’re looking for unique, sentimental or memorable gifts, finding affordable options can feel like a major constraint in a process that stems from love and benevolence. Here are some truly budget friendly gift ideas for friends and family this holiday season that range from amusingly quirky to authentically touching.
Support Small Businesses
There are so many small businesses available just at the tips of your fingers- literally! Online platforms like Etsy, and even Instagram pop-ups provide endless options to find heartfelt and handmade gifts. Etsy, for one, is an online web platform that hosts more than 7 million crafty creators, those who specialize in niche art forms and producing personalized items. Etsy’s $25 and under section is the perfect place to browse for affordable options this season, which provides further subcategories such as “personalized gifts”, “artist gifts”, “leather gifts”, “holiday sweaters” and more. Some stand outs on Etsy include Minimalist Watercolor Sketch of Your Home by PerfettaCreations for that homesick friend, Personalized Hand Embroidered Felt Backing Corner Bookmark by Everyble for your favorite bookworm and Custom Night Light by Krafoon to appease your roommate that’s terrified of the dark. Try Watercolor Pet Portrait by ThePlutonArt or Custom Embroidered Pet Hat for a beloved pet parent. These are only a few of the endless thoughtfully hand-crafted pieces available on Etsy. New York City within itself is also brimming with small businesses, stroll around the Holiday Market at Bryant Park or Union Square, or even check out @newyorklocals on Instagram to see an array of small business owners showcasing their artistry!
Handmade Art from the Heart
Sticking with the theme of sentimentality within custom gifts, there is certainly nothing more meaningful and distinctive than taking the time to create something handmade yourself! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or not, cultivating your skills to draw, paint, sculpt, photograph, write (etc.!) something from your heart will leave your gift recipient touched. There are so many affordable and creative ways to go about DIYing a gift. From “paint by numbers” that start at only $7.99 at Michaels, to pottery studios such as Color Me Mine that start at around $30.00 with all supplies and ceramics inclusive. Both offer freedom to personalize your gift and cater it to your friend or family member. Got a coffee addict grandmother that loves cats? Paint and glaze her a ceramic coffee mug with kittens! Or maybe a friend who adores traveling? Paint by numbers a scenic landscape of Greece or Italy! Taking the time to create something with your own two hands offers the opportunity to give gifts more invaluable than anything material money could ever purchase.
Thrift/Consignment Stores Knick-Knacks
Thrift and consignment stores are undoubtedly the places to find hidden gems and knick-knacks when on a time crunch. Equipped with home décor, books, vinyl records and CDs, collectables, sports gear, jewelry and of course clothes, these stores have a little something for even the most difficult to shop for. This is another way to shop conscientiously and eco-friendly this holiday season, all whilst keeping an eye on that budget book! Tie a festive bow around some recycled classic novels or pick out a comical holiday sweater for a friend, New York City is crawling with thrift and consignment stores that await you.
Foodies!
Food is an uncomplicated but sure to be adored option for gift givers around the holidays. This idea is another perfect one for adding an extra personalized flare and expressing love through dedicating your time. Whipping up some festive baked goods and placing them in a cheerful tin would be a delicious and thoughtful display, amazing for your sweet-toothed friends and family. Taking the time to make some homemade flavored syrups or jams is another fantastic and easy alternative; even decorating a nice glass jar filled with honey would be charming!
Stemming from Flowers and Plants
This is an immaculate idea for someone dear that could use some green in their living space! Getting a succulent for a dorm inhabitant or a beautiful bouquet for your mother can be affordable, but also unique and sweet. For your plant or gardening obsessed friends and family, try a small Pothos plant or Snake plant, Philodendron for a beautiful ivy look, or an Aloe Vera plant for those who sunburn too easily! Even vegetable plant seeds or a little basil plant can be wonderfully authentic.
Experiences & Acts of Service
Offering your time and attentiveness is an ongoing theme that is impossibly memorable and truly priceless. Offer up something you love to do or have immense expertise in to make this idea inventive and successful! Cooking a quaint, or perhaps more elaborate, meal can be lovely for a significant other or a friend, write them an endearing letter explaining your delectable proposal! Other sentimental suggestions for gifting an experience could be a picnic in the park, a self-care day, cleaning a car or room, an “I say yes to everything!” day- the potential is limitless! Treating a loved one to a small get-away, concert, activity like ice-skating or a cooking class, museum/art gallery tickets can be a slightly more expensive, but noteworthy way to show that you know this loved one inside and out.
The holidays capture the spirit of generosity, creativity and generosity- the gift ideas present all three and just about everything in between. Happy gift giving!
