FREE Ways to Give This Christmas
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Christmas can be an extremely expensive time of year for most families. With the cost of food, gifts, decorations and lots of social occasions too it can be very easy to overspend, and even end up getting into debt. Often the best ways to show we care come with spending time and making an extra effort rather than spending lots of money. Here are my ideas for free ways to give this Christmas.
FREE Ways to Give This Christmas
It can be very easy to get carried away with all the hype in the run-up to Christmas. Everywhere we look there are adverts, shops, even television programs and Facebook ads encouraging us to spend money. While I know it would be very difficult to spend no money on Christmas, especially if you have children, there are plenty of ways you can cut back and give your time to family and friends this festive season.
Giving In The Run-Up To Christmas
Some things you could do in the run-up to Christmas that are kind and loving and in the spirit of giving but also don’t cost anything. Of course, I realise some people will already do lots of these things anyway but occasionally some of us need a little reminder to make the extra effort.
- You could help an elderly relative with any of the following tasks if you know they might struggle: Christmas gift shopping, writing Christmas cards, posting parcels, food shopping, baking, putting up decorations, cleaning, ordering gifts online.
- Include a handwritten letter or family photographs (which can be printed online from as little as 11p) with Christmas cards you send to family. In an age of modern technology, it’s really easy to forget that some elderly folks (and plenty of younger people too!) still enjoy receiving hand-written letters.
- Send an email to friends and family you don’t see often giving a summary of your year including pictures of you and yours – free and no printing required.
- Invite your neighbours in for a cup of tea and a chin wag – I’m guilty of not making more of an effort with my neighbours and only know four people on my road!
- Get children involved with making cards to give to the family – homemade cards make lovely keepsakes and are often treasured. The same goes for teachers and teaching assistants – a handmade card or letter will be far more appreciated than chocolates or a mug.
FREE Ways to Give This Christmas: Christmas Gifts
Give A Voucher for your time
Whether it’s for babysitting, house-sitting, dogsitting, helping with gardening or a promise to pop over and cook someone a meal these are all things that only cost your time but could be hugely appreciated by the recipient.
Skills Swap
People have different skills sets and whether they come from their job, a hobby or are just something they enjoy, swapping these skills could help both parties get something they need but maybe aren’t able to do for themselves.
Organize a Meal or Get Together
Being the host takes quite a bit of effort, and often it’s the same family members that end up doing it every year. Offering extra help or agreeing to take charge of some of the organizing to give other family members a break could help take the pressure off them.
Depending on your skillset you could edit together all the videos you’ve taken of your children/family in the last year and pop it on a USB for family members to watch.
Presence Not Presents
If you really can’t afford to give presents that’s okay – often children appreciate the time spent with them just as much. They are far more likely to remember running around jumping in muddy puddles and getting wet than they are whatever this year’s latest toy craze is.
Below are some free ways to give this Christmas by simply giving your time
- Children often appreciate one on one time so choose an activity you know they’ll love and set a date to do it in the new year – it could be a trip to the park, a walk in the woods, a kick about at the park or bug hunting in the back garden or a movie afternoon.
- Set up a Family Fun Jar with lots of ideas you can do together – camping out in the garden, stargazing, playing computer games together. Things that you might not normally take the time to do.
- If you need more ideas, see this post from Cass at Frugal Family which has 80 Ideas for a Bored Jar
- For teens try booking a free make-over one of the make-up counters in John Lewis.
Giving For Free In The New Year
Lots of people can feel lonely during the New Year, especially after all the festivities have died down. Organizing some free and simple activities that stretch out into those last few winter months will hopefully help keep the Christmas spirit going.
- Arrange a book swap. When you’ve read a book, swap with someone and then meet up later and discuss. Repeat. It should also help cut the number of books you by half too so is great for saving money if you’re an avid reader. Plus it’s a great way to find books you might not normally have picked out.
- Start putting together a family tree or a family hisroty. It’s a great way to stay in touch with older relatives and they’ll love telling you all about your family history. Plus, you could type it up and print it out, making a great thrifty Christmas gift for next year!
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to give something back during the Christmas period and doesn’t necessarily have to take the most obvious forms of helping out a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
This year, as I do every year, I am putting together a few bags of food for my local food bank and additionally collecting extra food from friends and family to donate as well. It’s only a small thing but something that is easy for me to do that could make a huge difference to someone’s life. You can read all about #FoodbtankAdvent in the posts below.
Food Bank Advent: UK Money Blogger Christmas Campaign
Things To Consider When Donating To Your Local Food Banks
You could donate toys as a family, asking children to choose ones to donate they no longer play with.
