Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Covid Christmas gifts on a budget
Opinion: If there’s one thing that 2020 has taught us, it’s that we should not take the simple things for granted.
Want to nip up to the dairy? Sure.
Keen to go to the gym? You go for it.
Planning on a dip at a beach that isn’t your local? Everyone’s welcome.
When we consider that many people around the world are facing Christmas without family and friends because of various stages of lockdown, we here in little ol’ Aotearoa have a lot to be thankful for.
This year, aside from international travel, our festive season is going to look pretty normal.
As such, let’s focus on making the most of it with the family and friends that we love, instead of unnecessarily splashing money all over the place.
This year, I’m all about thoughtful gifts, not expensive ones.
In this age of taking photos on phones but never printing them, my dad has requested some nice photos of his grandchildren to put in his photo album.
My son is very enthusiastic about baking at the moment, so I’m thinking gingerbread humans will be in order.
My husband always wants Lego but this year I’m thinking more along the lines of a poem or heartfelt letter (NB: just in case he reads this, don’t worry babes, I’m kidding . . . or am I?).
My point is that it doesn’t cost much to put a smile on someone’s dial and make them feel special.
Keep an eye on Neighbourly for neighbours posting clippings of their indoor pot plants to give a cheap yet on-trend gift.
Are you stuck for something to buy that person who already has everything? Consider a service instead; a visit from a local cleaner or gardener could be right up their alley.
Given that six days after Christmas, we will most likley be making weight-related New Year’s resolutions, why not keep that in mind when tempted to buy a fridge-load of wine and cheese too?
Some Christmassy treats – such as mince pies and candy canes – are non-negotiables of course, but I’m preaching to
is a 100 per cent Kiwi-owned community platform that helps the neighbourhoods of Aotearoa thrive. By exchanging helpful information, goods and services in a safe and trusted way, it's never been easier to feel part of the neighbourhood. Join today at
myself here when I say that we don’t have to go overboard with the treats.
Finally, don’t let social media suck you into thinking that the more gifts you give your kids, the better Christmas will be.
My son is a Paw Patrol maniac. He thinks his stocking is going to overflow with Paw Patrol paraphernalia.
Spoiler alert: it will not be. Yes, I’m planning on getting him one or two ‘‘ultimate vehicles’’. However, he will also be getting some highly practical (and probably boring in his eyes) gifts, too.
Even at the age of four, he should learn that Christmas isn’t about all the things he can get – it’s actually about all the things he can give.