This list of thoughtful, but FREE Christmas gift ideas is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the people you gift to if you use your time, resources, and creativity.
I LOVE the ten ideas listed in this post (#5 & 7 are my all time favorites), but be sure to find 20 more ideas in the two posts linked to below. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Another Ten Thoughtful but, Free Christmas Gift Ideas:
Gift Your Skills:
1. Give a Photo Session
Are you a skilled photographer? Not everyone is and professional sessions don’t always fit into people’s budgets. If you have the knack with your DSLR, a photo session would be a perfect idea for new parents, soon-to-be high school or college graduate, or a family portrait.
2. Give your Gift of Organization
Do your friends and family call you the most organized person EVER? If so, give the gift of organizing a closet (or 2), kitchen cupboards, a basement, garage, etc.
3. Give your Perennials
Are you a gardener? Do you have beautiful perennials in your garden? Design a coupon for the gift of perennials. When spring rolls around, plant the perennials for the recipient and this gift will bloom for years to come.
4. Cooking Lessons
Are you an amazing home cook? Pick a theme, such as cooking basics 101, family recipes, bread baking, or preserving /canning. Offer these cooking lessons and send the food along home with the recipient. This is a perfect gift for the newly married couple or a college graduate leaving the nest on your list.
Gifts of Creativity:
5. Create a Photo Calendar
This gift idea might be my favorite one of all. Create a photo calendar for you dear friends and family. This post offers easy instructions: Free Photo Calendar Template. I made this page below of our girl, Ruby.
6. Make a personalized music cd.
If you have a wide variety of music available to you, burn a cd with the recipients favorite songs, or maybe choose a theme: such as inspiring music, music to exercise to, love songs for your sweet heart, soothing music to study to, religious favorites.
7. Wall Art
If you have a printer and some unused frames, print some FREE wall art that I found on Pinterest. You could also use favorite pictures from the year.
Gifts of Time:
8. Hike & Picnic Outing
Plan a day hike & picnic outing. We have been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather this month by hitting the hiking trails. This is a great gift of time idea for the family member that is so hard to buy for, but would really enjoy a day with you and your family. Pack a lunch and/or yummy snacks and water bottles, and hit the trails for a day of fresh air and exercise.
9. Host a movie night
Borrow a new(er) movie from the library or find a good movie on your cable/Netflix account. Make popcorn, serve hot chocolate, and bake a favorite dessert for a fun evening.
10. Host a game night
Invite your friends or family over for a fun night of games and treats. We have played board games, card games, and our interactive video games, such as Wipe-Out and Dance Off with friends and family. Serve your favorite snacks and desserts.
You don’t need to break the budget this Christmas, instead give your time, resources and talents. What are your favorite FREE (but Thoughtful) gift ideas? Let us know in the comments.
The First 10 FREE (but Thoughtful) Gift Ideas:
10 MORE Free (but Thoughtful) Christmas Gift Ideas:
Great suggestions. Thank you for posting.
Jen recently posted…The Pinterest Game
I love giving gifts like this, but it seems that people in my family want to actually open presents. I stayed with my sister’s kids for a week when they went to Hawaii, but she wouldn’t think that was a Christmas gift. I sure would.
Opening presents is fun too, but wow, I would love the gift of kid/house sitting! Have a merry Christmas, Shonda, and thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Beautiful ideas thanks for sharing your creativity!! My family and I will be making hot cocoa and driving around seeing neighborhoods Christmas lights! Happy holidays 🙂
Photo calendars are a nice touch. It’s not just cute but also very personal. So I’d say go for it!
Thank you for sharing, I am putting together a booklet for my readers and looked on pinterest for free and frugal christmas gift ideas and came across your blog. I will be back to check out more! Thanks,
Karen From Making It As Mom
I have never commented before, but these ideas are so thoughtful. I would truly appreciate receiving any of these gifts from a friend or family member.