It’s finals season and you’re already stressed as it is. The last thing on your mind right now is what to buy your family for the holidays, let alone how much it’s going to cost you. Well, what if we simplified the stress of holiday gift-giving, and instead used some simpler, cheaper alternatives? If that sounds like a good idea to you, then you’re in luck! Here’s seven alternative ways to give back to your friends and family this holiday season without buying them gifts.
Gift an Experience
When people mention experiences as holiday gifts, this often refers to week-long extravagant vacations or floor seats to a top artist’s concert. As much as I would love to take my mom on a week-long excursion to Cancun, that’s just not realistic for my college student budget. Experiences as gifts don’t need to be crazy or expensive; it’s more about putting thought into choosing something that would fit the person’s interests. For example, experiences can include paint and sips, fitness classes, a shopping day, a karaoke night, a museum visit, a hiking trip—the list goes on! Notice how some of these options are even free—you don’t have to spend money on someone to give them a meaningful gift.
Host a Party for Your Friends
Piggybacking off of the idea of giving an experience, parties as gifts are a great, memorable way to give a gift to a group of people. This can be a small, cozy party like a movie night or a larger, holiday-themed party. Provide some snacks and drinks, put up some decorations, throw on holiday music and you’re all set! Obviously, party-planning isn’t that simple, but using it as a way to give back to your friends this holiday season helps lessen the stress of traditional gift-giving.
Have a Book Swap
Having a book swap with books you already own is a great way to share the joy of reading and give a new life to a book you’ll probably never pick up again. Grab a book off your shelf—one of your favorites or one you’ve never read, that’s up to you! The exchange can be between you and one other person, or you can make it a group activity. If you want to do it as a group, assign each person a person (like in a Secret Santa!) they need to pick out a book for. Remember—no spending money on a new book! This is a simple, stress-free way to still give your friends or family a present that they’ll enjoy and is personal to them without having to spend any extra cash.
Make Homemade Gifts
For my crafty people, this one is calling your name! What better way to decompress during finals than making gifts for your loved ones? Some ideas include crocheting a winter scarf or hat, hand-painting a mug, or baking some Christmas cookies—the options are endless! Homemade gifts don’t have to be something cheap and thrown together; there are many well-crafted and meaningful homemade gift options.
Donate to a Charity in Someone’s Name
While this option isn’t necessarily a cheaper alternative to gift-giving, it can prove to be more meaningful than a physical gift. Find a cause that the person you’re donating on behalf of cares about. Maybe you’ll come across a charity that seems to really resonate with their identity! This is a great, thoughtful alternative to traditional gift-giving that can resonate far outside of your social circle.
Help Out Your Parents and Family Members
The holiday season is stressful for everyone, but especially for working parents or guardians who have to coordinate gifts, food, decorations—you name it! Instead of buying a last-minute gift they probably won’t use, do them a favor and take on some of the holiday prep. Clean the whole house, go grocery shopping for them, help wrap presents, cook Christmas dinner—whatever could be of use to them and help take some of that holiday stress away. Your parents and family members deserve some stress-free holiday fun, too!
White Elephant, the Classic Way
When I hear “White Elephant Gift Exchange,” I think about the 20-year-old candle my mom has never lit but still hoards for some reason, not a $30 “ugly” sweater from Target. Bring back the true meaning of White Elephant and recycle odd items from around your house—no spending money! Get together with friends and have a true White Elephant exchange—it’s always more about the laughs and memories than the gifts, anyways.
Just because it’s the “season of giving” doesn’t mean that it has to be the season of spending, too. There are so many better ways to spend your energy to show someone you appreciate them this holiday season. Most of all, focus on spending time with loved ones, not buying gifts. Happy holidays, Syracuse!
Written By Mirren Grimason ’29, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs