Now that those invites to holiday parties and gatherings are starting to roll in, you may be wondering how you’re going to afford a gift for the host and other guests attending the get-together. Holiday gift-giving doesn’t have to put a strain on your budget. When you’re planning to celebrate with a large group, consider pitching the idea of gift exchanges that can save everyone some money without putting a damper on the holiday cheer.
Here are seven affordable alternatives to the traditional holiday gift exchange.
1. Secret Santa or Secret Snowman. This is a popular gifting event at many companies and gatherings over the holiday season — it’s also an affordable way to share the holiday spirit. Everyone participating in this event will be assigned to someone else they need to shop for. Since each partygoer only needs to buy one gift in order to participate, the cost of giving will be that much more affordable.
2. Abundance swap. Encourage everyone to tap into their minimalist side this holiday season by giving away one item they no longer want. You can either swap items with other partygoers, or set up a donation box to gift the item to charity instead. Set a price range for gifts so everyone has reasonable parameters to work with. This is a simple way to share the wealth this season without putting a dent in your holiday budget.
3. Homemade food swap. Let guests flex their cooking and baking skills this season to participate in a homemade holiday food swap. Have guests make their favorite holiday food or dessert to share with one other member of the party for an even exchange. This can be a fun and affordable way to share some holiday cheer and even try a new dish this season.
4. Recipe exchange. If everyone is too busy to bake or cook yet another dish to share at a holiday party, have them participate in a recipe exchange instead. There’s no need to spend any time in the kitchen to participate in this event because guests are just required to bring a recipe card and ingredients to make their special dish. If you are hosting this type of event, consider making suggestions on types of dishes the group may enjoy. Try themed party foods or recipes for holiday cookies and cakes to ensure the gift exchange is a memorable one.
5. Ornament exchange. Have partygoers bring a homemade or store-bought ornament to swap with another guest instead of traditional gifts this season. This can be an affordable and festive way to celebrate the season and may even end up becoming a holiday tradition. You can turn this into a Secret Santa-style exchange by having participants buy or make an ornament for someone in particular. This will encourage everyone to keep the recipient’s personal tastes in mind for a more customized gift.
6. Share an experience. Have guests pitch in to donate money toward a shared experience to make that holiday gathering that much more memorable. Whether it’s a private chef to cook a meal for the group, an at-home wine tasting experience or a local band playing at your event, set up an online donation system for guests and discourage gifts altogether. Even a $5 or $10 recommended donation per guest can be enough to cover some of the costs of the event and give everyone a chance to experience something new.
7. Themed potluck dinner. Hosting a potluck over the holidays is a simple way to get a large group together and can also help everyone save some money on gift and entertainment costs this season. Take the lead as the host to prepare a recommended menu of items so guests can pick and choose dishes that everyone can sample and enjoy. Whether it’s a Hawaiian-themed dinner or a classic Christmas feast, be creative with recipe and menu ideas so that everyone can look forward to something new. Make sure attendees are aware that no gifts will be exchanged during the event so everyone can focus on making their designated dish.
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7 Affordable Alternatives to Traditional Holiday Gift-Giving originally appeared on usnews.com
