3 Christmas Gift Challenge: Alternative Gift Ideas For Christmas

Let’s face it – shopping for Christmas presents can be a drag. Not only does it drain the bank account, the scrum of the high street can fill you with Christmas dread rather than Christmas spirit, and the anonymity of online shopping can feel cold and impersonal.

So, we have a Christmas challenge for you!

How about you do it differently this year and not only save yourself some cash but also give Christmas back some of the meaning that’s been lost since it became over-commercialised.

Read on for alternative gift ideas or alternative ways of giving gifts to your family and friends, ones that give a personalized touch to Christmas that will delight your recipients.

And next year, why not try and get your family and friends involved too!

Christmas Challenge: Alternative Gift Ideas

1. MAKE IT

If you feel like getting creative, consider making your own Christmas pressies this year.

Don’t worry if you’re not a whizz at knitting or baking (though if you are… great! You’re off to a good start) – you can still come up with an amazing homemade gift that isn’t too taxing to make.

Have a think about who you are making the gift for and what they like. Is your mum dotty about your kids? Make her a calendar with a different photo of the children taken over the last year for each month.

Do you have a sister who travels a lot with work? Make her playlists to listen to in the car, or record yourself reading some short stories.

Or perhaps you have a son who loves to bake? Why not make him his own book of your favourite dessert recipes from the past few years.

If you want to do something more fancy, Etsy and Pinterest are great sites to visit for ideas, and many have step-by-step instructions so even those that lack coordination can follow along!

2. DONATE IT

If your recipient has a favourite charity, considering donating to a favourite charity in his or her name instead of giving a physical gift. After all, Uncle Bill may have been hinting for that snazzy new shirt, but you know it won’t suit him anyway!

If you’re unsure of who to donate to, consider giving to the U.K. Money Blogger’s GiveOrGift Campaign. This campaign is especially good if you’re planning a secret Santa with family or friends or with colleagues at work.

Instead of donating a gift, you can choose instead to donate £5 and £10 (or more, if you wish) to the GiveOrGift campaign, who then divide your donation equally between six different charities. Click here for more information.

3. EXPERIENCE IT

Study after study has shown that us that we can’t buy happiness through acquiring material possessions, and yet we’re still all out there spending money we don’t necessarily have on more and more stuff, and this is especially true over the Christmas period.

These same studies have found that experiences are a lot fulfilling than material possessions, so consider spending your earned pounds on doing things rather than buying them.

Consider spending your hard-earned money on doing things rather than buying them. Click To Tweet

The experience doesn’t need to be dramatic. Most people would be happy with a membership to a museum or botanical garden, or a ticket to the theatre or a football game. Obviously, you can base the experience on the recipient.

Another great idea (as long as your family Christmas get-togethers are usually somewhat harmonious!) is for each adult in your family to put the money that would be spent on pressies into a pot, and then use that money to go away somewhere as a family for Christmas.

Now, THAT’S the stuff that memories are made of. Even Santa Claus will get jealous at these perfect alternative gift ideas!

Your Christmas Challenge

We challenge you to “Make it”, “Donate it” or “Experience it” this Christmas. These memorable and meaningful alternative gift ideas will change the way you see Christmas.

So, do you think you’ll be giving the Christmas Challenge a go this year? Let us know, and if you have anything to add to the challenge, we’d love to hear it!