It’s that time of year again when the trick-or-treaters have long gone and the rotting pumpkins on outside steps have over-ripened their welcome. It seems November is always a month moving in warp speed before the mad rush of Christmas time.
I come from a large family. I’m one of 5 kids, and two of my sisters have spouses and kids. Needless to say, my budgetary restrictions call for me to start shopping about 6 months in advance, but I usually settle for a month or two buffer. Finding that right gift for each person can be difficult to say the least.
In my limited spare time, I try to look for items that are unique, but also that the person receiving the gift will USE. I’m in the camp that socks, toilet paper and rent money would be of utmost usefulness – however, they’re not flashy or indulgent in the least, making for a very dull give giving experience. Therefore, I compiled a list of gifts I’ve found that are both practical AND beautiful gift ideas that are under $50.
Slippers!
I actually bought slippers for one of my sisters two years ago. Granted, she lived in a colder climate at the time, but she used them until they fell apart. Buying shoe apparel seems like a swanky, expensive gift on the surface, but it’s actually really well priced. Most notably, you can get a LOT of use out of these. My sister told me how much she actually loved wearing them and wished she could take them out to dinners and events because they were so comfortable. The ones I got actually had memory foam soles, which seemed even more luxe. It was definitely a hit with my sibling, but not a big hit to my wallet.
Books!
I know this is sort of a cop out to say something as arbitrary as books, but I think it has some standing in the potential gift lineup. Let me explain. Books are so vast in knowledge and content that you can find a book for just about anyone. A great example, I got a collectable Star Wars art book for an ex that he loved because 1. He loves Star Wars, and 2. He’s an aspiring storyboard artist. It was perfect for him, and I knew it would be something he would cherish and keep forever. This year, I’m getting my dad a book about making homemade tortillas. He loves cooking and making homemade bread. My sister got my dad a tortilla press, and my dad isn’t very tech savvy, so having a printed book showing him how to create a homemade tortilla is PERFECT for what he needs. They also offer kindle downloads instead of physical books, but I’m a sucker for the classics.
Streaming Devices
Chances are that your loved one has a Chromecast, Roku, or Fire Stick. If they don’t – you’re in luck. Streaming devices are fairly cheap, and they’re SO much easier to use than the complicated universal remotes of the early 2000’s. If you’re looking to “dress up” the gift a bit, it’s great to throw in a subscription for any length of time for Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, etc. Entertainment has shifted to in-home instant play, and with streaming companies crawling out of the woodwork, there’s no short supply to choose from. Just be careful, they add up! I got a roku one year, and a few years later got my Chromecast that I still use every day – to this day. Slam dunk.
Board Games
No, really! It seems like a tired and old timey idea to get a board game….I mean it’s in the name BORED game (as my dad likes to say). One thing that I’ve learned in my family is that as you get older, there are no more “toys” to play with on Christmas day. Usually it’s spent helping the younger kids put together the sports gear, or the remote control car racetrack….but when you’re an adult, the fun sort of stops right after you open the gift. Board games are a great way to get the family laughing together on the day. We made this a tradition every year to play on Christmas day. Needless to say, we have quite the collection. Some games are super pricey, but you can get a decent one for a family for about $50.
Experiences
This is the best gift to give and in my opinion, the best to receive. A gift of a good time can go a long way, especially if there are memories tied to the event in a positive way. The tough part is finding tickets, vouchers, or gift certificates that are within reason. I’ve discovered a couple of ways around this with splitting costs with other family members and the like, but on your own, there are ways too. For people with kids, tickets to the zoo or aquarium are great ways to spend Saturdays, long after the holidays have worn off. You can also give restaurant cards for a great way for busy couples or families to get out of the house, especially in the tight months following Christmas. I even found a ticket to take my special someone to a concert (it was $39 each!).
Keep looking and you’ll find that one thing that strikes you, just make sure you’re not waiting too long before all the good options are gone! Do you have any great money-saving go to gifts that you’d like to share? Please! I need them! Comment below and help a sister out.
