Unique ways to give at Christmas
Let’s be real – we’re all very aware of the increasing prices right now and everyone’s looking for ways to make the most with the money we have. With Christmas just around the corner, now is a good time to rethink how we want to celebrate with others without starting the new year off out of pocket. Here’s a few thoughts to help make the most of the season.
Swap the token present for a personalised moment
Whether it’s a gift for a colleague, neighbour or your child’s teacher, we can all feel the pressure to just buy something token for them. Instead of a gimmicky gift or something destined for the bin, consider something more personalised. You’ll be amazed how much more significant a handwritten card or handmade gift can be. If you’ve got kids, get them involved by customising the card or wrapping paper with their artwork.
Wants v needs
You might know what your friends and whānau want this year, but do you know what they need? Gift cards and vouchers can get a hard rap for not being personal, but when you know it’s going to help ease the burden and bring a little more peace to the household, isn’t that worth it? Couple this with a personal touch, and they’ll love how much thought and care you’ve put into it.
A helping hand
It’s also worth considering how this person feels valued – showing your appreciation might be best achieved through an act of service rather than a gift.
Something as simple as cleaning their car or weeding their garden can go a long way and may be more significant for them.
Swap spending money for spending time together
We know the end of the year can get busy as we try to squeeze out the last few moments before summer. Before the calendar starts filling up, consider who you want to spend time with over the Christmas season. Take time now to lock in time for a picnic, a
Christmas movie night or a beach day with them closer to Christmas. Intentionally setting time aside can be so appreciated without your wallet taking a hit.
Combine your efforts to help your community
With the need being pretty significant across so many households in Aotearoa, now could be a great time to have a chat with your team or friends about changing up your gift swap. The cost of buying something, even if small, for everyone can mount up pretty quickly, but having everyone chip in to donate to an organisation can go a long way for families in need.
One of the ways you can do this is by donating to Christmas Box at christmasbox.co.nz. For only $40 you can feed a family in need for a whole week, proving that a little help does go a long way. However you choose to celebrate, it’s a little thought now that makes for an intentionally great Christmas without having to spend a lot of money.
This article was commissioned in response to a commercial partnership. We have produced it independently, to the same standards applied to the rest of our journalism.