Christmas is inching closer and closer every day and there might still be a person or two on your list. If you've already blown your Christmas budget, here are a few Christmas Gift ideas that cost nothing (or next to nothing) but your time.
A Mixtape
There are two options for this one, one is low-cost and the other is free. For the low-cost option, you're going to be kicking it old school by picking up a blank CD and filling it with songs. Pick songs that have significance to the person you're giving it too and your relationship with them. Maybe a song you remember listening to on a road trip or one they might not have heard but the lyrics have parallels to your relationship. For the free option, if you and the other person both have Spotify, you can create a custom playlist and they can follow that playlist right from their profile.
Teach Them Something
If you have a skill like playing an instrument, writing, or pretty much anything else you can think of, why not teach that skill to the person on your list? Did they buy a guitar with the intent to learn, but never got around to it? Teach them! If you're a photographer, teach them how to take better photos with the camera almost everyone has in their pocket (Their phone). This gift can also work the other way too. If they are passionate about something like film, sports, or fashion, show an interest and let them take teach you.
Streaming Control
If watching Netflix, Crave, or Disney+ is a nightly thing for you and someone, give them a punchcard to pick any show or movie they want to watch, no questions asked. You can also try to keep sassy comments to a minimum but that's a tough one, you're not Superman after all.
A Date Night
No, I don't mean offering yourself as a date for Christmas (that might backfire). What I do mean is to give a couple you know an opportunity to spend some alone time together. Give them a free night of babysitting or cook them dinner at their place so they can concentrate on each other. Sometimes a pooch can make it tricky to get a night out too so if you love animals, looking after a ball of fur can be fun for the gift giver as well!
Borrowed To Owned
If there is something a person on your list is always borrowing from you or has asked to borrow like a piece of clothing, video game, book, or movie, wrap that sucker up and let them have it. If it's something you would use again in the future, you can just buy another one after the holidays when the Christmas budget isn't gnawing at your bank account.
From Your Garden
This one is for the people who have their own garden filled with fruits, vegetables, flowers, or all three. Pick up a basket from the dollar store and fill it with all the fresh food from your own personal stash. If you want to take it a step further you could make something with your fruits and veggies like a jam or pickled beets and gift that.
Make Plans At A Free Event
There are tons of free events happening all over Simcoe County all the time. Concerts, shows, movie screenings, you name it. Find out a day that works for them and then make surprise plans for a free event. If you want to spend a little bit of money you also could buy dinner at a restaurant where a band is playing or take care of the uber to and from the event.
