Learn ten ways to have a gift for every occasion even when you don’t have money for shopping. Special occasions don’t have to break you bank, just use a little creativity, and you’ll never show up empty-handed.
There is never a lack of occasions. Nearly every month, someone has a birthday, an anniversary, a new baby, an engagement, a bar mitzvah, a new home, or a raise. There are plenty of reasons to give gifts, but the funds with which to do so aren’t always as plentiful. For young people, still starting their careers, and just those of us struggling to meet life’s usual demands, being generous at gift time isn’t as easy as we’d like. Sometimes having anything at all to give can be a struggle. Sharing your support for a friend or family member doesn’t have to drain your account, however; there are limitless ways to recognize a special day and an even more special person while spending almost nothing. Gifts that show creativity and that come from the heart are always the most memorable anyway. Below are ten gifts that anyone can afford.
1. Thanks for the Memories
One of the best ways to show you care at a minimal cost is to build a memory book. This can be as simple as a photo album or it can be something you pour hours of cutting and pasting scraps into from your years of friendship with the person. Use ticket stubs, birthday cards, fortune cookie fortunes, theater programs, and anything else you have collected. Add captions to the photographs that describe the event or the significance of the day.
Another version of the memory book can be a collection of the person’s sayings or stories. This is a great gift for a father or mother who has been giving you useful or funny advice throughout the years. The saying book can also be a collection of inside jokes between you and a best friend. These are catch phases that only the two of you understand. The best part of this gift is reading the book together or sharing it with the guests at a birthday party.
2. This Song’s for You
It has become much more common these days to have a cd burner as part of a home computer. If your personal computer does not have one of these devices, chances are that one of your friends will have one you can borrow. A handmade cd mix can make an incredibly personal gift. The cd can have a theme based on the occasion or relationship you have with the person, or it can just be a mix of songs you think they will love. People are always impressed by the amount of time and effort that goes into a gift like this.