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We had a super minimal Christmas last year. We bought 3 things for the kids 1yo and 3yo, an individual toy and one to share. Hubby and I didn't get anything for each other. It was by far the best Christmas. The kids were so happy and entertained with their toy and we had the best time as a family.

My mom gifts banana breads! Inexpensive to make, and everyone loves a good banana bread. I always wondered why that was her go to gift till I was older and realized it was something that was cheap and thoughtful.

Honestly Homemade foods as gifts are always remembered, especially if someone does the same food item each year. It truly is what Christmas should be about.

People ask for them now and get so excited for them. I've tried to make her recipe and it's never the same, it's truly the Tracie touch lol.
I think that nothing beats anything home made. I went to dollar tree and bought a bunch of cute Christmas tins then baked cookies for everyone I knew would appreciate it. Cards with kind words also go a long way.

Our friends don't buy us gifts, we usually get together for a potluck type of party to spend time with each other around the holidays. One of our friends last year decided to make batches of cookies to drop off to everyone and that was lovely! I don't buy presents for my family even, I've made them jam or homemade vanilla before and they love that.

I have a friend who gives "time" coupons to his loved ones. The receiver gets to pick a day and he spends the whole day with just them doing whatever they want. His family loves it especially his granddaughters. I think it is brilliant. Many people really value the time spent with someone way more than receiving a material item.

My family eliminated gift giving at Christmas (except for the little ones). The first year was kind of weird and awkward, but after that everyone LOVED it, no going back. No forced reactions to getting unwanted gifts, no last minute shopping, wrapping, etc. Giving your family a gift-free Christmas will be the best gift ever.

I think it would be a stress relief for everyone if they do the same and it makes Christmas so easy and enjoyable.

I think most people have what they need already and that can be easily purchased. At least in the US. But, for example, homemade cookies, would make an excellent gift.

Lets say...We have a high tea and invite everyone to come at different times. We exchange Christmas / New Years cards. I provided the tea and tea sandwiches. But everyone else brings something, cookies, candies, bananas bread… It’s better than a present, spending some personal time with loved ones and friends.

 This is brilliant ! Totally stealing this idea for when my folks get a little older - and would way rather see their friends for a visit, than be gifted another "thing" that they really don't need.

I really think gifts are over rated. I ask everyone to please not buy me anything as I am trying to Declutter! Why don’t you bake cookies or cakes for your loved ones. That is such a nice gesture and comes from the heart. And I agree that family and true friends will understand.

Baking costs money. Not everyone can afford that, sadly.
My grandmother made my favorite sugar cookies every year. Always my favorite gift.

This is what my sister's daughter does for her friends. She wants to try to eliminate waste and helps the planet.
She decorates them with icing.
They were a hit last year.
She even gave them to her teachers and had so much making them with another friend.
 She learned that even the simple things are appreciated.

Caramel popcorn is super cheap to make and everyone loves it . Put it in $ store cello bags .
Also a bit of cinnamon added to the caramel is delicious and makes it more interesting and Christmassy (smelling like Christmas, looking like Christmas and so on).

I wish I had been more honest about this and spent time enjoying the season instead of making money to buy useless gifts.
Do what you can. Spend time with people.
Bake a plate of cookies.
A few pieces of fruit.
Babysitter for young or old people.
Go ahead and give rides.
Make your home a refuge. Play.
Give the gift of attention and love.

My family stopped buying everyone gifts and started a name drawing 5 years ago! Max is $50 a gift! Brought lots of joy back to the Christmas time as we aren’t stressed about money anymore! Plus, I truly enjoy getting one person a great gift for them rather than 10 people really crappy gifts. So that part is more fun as well! `

I think we are all in this boat. And it is a good boat. The holidays have become too commercial. A few years ago we just told everyone we couldn’t do it anymore. We have a few potluck meals with friends and family. We do a very limited budget for the kids.

Dollar Tree has amazing products now. This year I have bought little bits all year long and upgraded and personalized them for gifts. I get ideas from Dollar Tree You Tube channels and Pins rest. Last year I made homemade cards for everyone one from supplies I had accumulated. It went over very well. Even just a personalized letter can be a cherished gift.

Bake a big batch of cookies. ( Don't knock yourself out. Simple tasty treats ) Collect cute giveaways to present them in. Estate sales or dollar tree. Enclose recipe. A thoughtful and much appreciated gift

I think most folks will be relieved and agreeable to no gift exchange. If you want to do something find a easy cookie or candy recipe and divide it into multiple servings and give it with a nice handwritten note. Or just a simple handwritten note of appreciation for their friendship. That would mean more to me than anything that could be brought.

I use to buy bottles of beer for the mechanics, who regularly done the repairs on my car for years, but 1 year, short of money, my girlfriend made sausage rolls and a lemon tart for them, best gift I ever gave them! They look forward to that every year now!

I am in the same boat. I am trying to get some things together to do stockings- using free coupons from bath and body works, different free items at the grocery store. I also bought some ornaments at the end of the year and am doing what the above post says- I am writing heart felt notes to my children and family members with the them.

Christmas happens every 25th of December. There is always next year. Last year we made dinner for both parents as a gift and just got the 2 a gift card for 25. Nieces and nephew got their favorite box of cereal at discount prices. I always shop when they go down and stock up.

At my family, my mother knows that one of her adult children is strapped for cash right now - and I'm getting ready for their first child. We decided on an old fashion Christmas this year. We are gathering to cook and spend the day together. Making a breakfast casserole that morning, some Grinch punch later in the day - pajamas optional!  We are all bringing one gift, $25 limit and playing a game to see who gets what. I will buy them all the traditional pair of slippers for the year and that’s it. The whole consumerism feel of Christmas any more has really left me with a dislike for all the hustle and bustle, the spending, the STRESS! I’m ready for the slow down. I hope you have a lovely holiday!

If they are true friends they will understand. I have scaled back and focus on food family and adult beverages!!!! We all pitch in and eat at my condo as I have the most room. Little kids in the family love it as we have real silverware, nice plates and even cloth napkins. Makes it very special.

You could spend time with people—make cookies or crafts, hike, play games, etc instead of gifts. People would likely like this better anyway. I’d tell them sooner than later.

I appreciate being thought of. If it's a homemade card or heck even nail polish from the dollar store I'd be ecstatic that someone thought of me at the holidays. I rarely get anything from anyone.

Spending time with someone I love is the greatest gift!! Go for a walk, bake cookies, watch a DVD together.

Listen, Christmas isn't about gifts.
I have 3 teens and haven't done gifts in years. 
Commercialism at its finest. I always rent a house and we take our kids and snow clothes and relax. Try to plan a few free things.
I once took a hike all alone on Christmas day and loved it. Pack a picnic, get some Christmas movies with treats, make a scavenger hunt with their favorite candy for the movie. If you absolutely have to wrap something, then dollar tree, or thrift on big sale days

I’ve been there for a few years when had to stop working due to injury disability. Single and 1/4 the income doesn’t leave anything beyond living expenses. My family is awesome and has loved my homemade gifts and this year daughters asked that we all do homemade since they’re also on budgets with new babies and loss of work due to Covid.
So proud I raised them to value our time together, not gifts.

One year I took tea cups and saucers, stuck the cup to the saucer with florist putty. I filled the cups with candy, wrapped it all with colored saran and put pretty bows on them. I made 12 of these. 1 for each of my coworkers. They said they loved them!