5 ideas for Christmas gifts ideas that show how much you care and are free
The end of the year is financially tough for most people, but you no doubt have a loooong list of people you want to give presents. Here are five priceless (and free) gifts they’ll appreciate
Tis the season, and all that, but Christmas can be an expensive time of year if you're a student, or only recently started working. If you’re low on funds but still want to give your loved ones something to show them you care, here are five fantastic free gifts that are sure to put a smile on their face.
Christmas time capsule
Time capsules are usually filled with present-day items, such as photos, newspapers, and letters, then buried, with instructions on when they should be opened years later. You can make a sort of inverse Christmas time capsule for a friend, tracking the history of your friendship, rather than commemorating the present.
Decorate an empty cookie jar, shoebox, or a chocolate tin with paint, stickers or wrapping paper, then fill it with items that are special to you and your friend: ticket stubs to a gig you attended, photos from their birthday dinner, beer mats from their favourite bar, the recipe for their favourite meal (with the dry ingredients if you have a little cash to spare) ... You can even hide the capsule near your favourite hangout and plan a Christmas scavenger hunt for your friend to go on.
Chore coupons
Do your parents or siblings have a household chore that they hate doing? If so, a home-made chore coupon will make the perfect gift for them. You can offer to take over some of the unpleasant chores on their to-do list (think weekly grocery shopping, washing dishes, and scrubbing toilets, etc).
The gift of time
When was the last time you dedicated a whole day to your favourite person? This year, try doing something different: cancel all your plans and spend some quality time with them. You can go on a hike together, spend a day at the zoo, or visit a museum. Sit down and really talk, and make new memories.
