Christmas Gifts for the Broke, the Terrible, the thoughtful

Christmas is just around the corner. This means Christmas shopping is also just around the corner. However, the pandemic has been hard on everyone. We have lost jobs and some of us have started new jobs. But, there is a lingering question that is still on our minds...what the heck do I get people for gifts? So here it goes...

For your mom or grandmother: You can get her a nice apron. Now, do not get a Christmas apron because chances are it will become the apron that will be worn year-round, so a solid colored apron is a good choice to make. A nice vase can also work well and tie it with a bow ta-da. Or nice pair of brand new oven mitts especially if she likes to bake. When it is Christmas it also gets cold and women love scarves, so a nice scarf would be nice and it can even be Christmasy because winter means Christmas! or what you can also do is get a jar and fill it with ingredients for a soup or even cookies and then write the instructions on the card. Also, mothers and grandmothers never seem to absolutely need anything, you could create a simple Christmas card and they would appreciate it.

For your dad/grandpa: Alchocol such as Brandy or a good bottle of wine with a wine cozy or an electric wine bottle opener. You can sometimes find a really nice sweater on sale somewhere like Old navy. Chocolate is also a good gift especially if they were on sale and you know they will not be passed down to anyone else. DO NOT GET THEM SOCKS! men have way too many socks and that's all they get for Christmas. You can, however, get them a nice pair of driving gloves for winter. Also, if they are not diabetic chocolate can be a great gift too, but not pre-wrapped because the pre-wrapped gifts are all asking to be re-gifted and that can hurt a bit.

For your SO. Depends on what they are into…but time spent together can make a huge difference. It can be simple: you can make a jar of great date ideas and then from time to time draw a card, or make love coupons(no, not sex coupons…sheesh get your mind out of the gutter) but reasons why you like being with them or why you love them. You can knit them something. Home-made gifts are much more thoughtful than bought gifts or using your talents to create something unforgettable. Write a Christmas love song or write a book about your love story.

Sisters/brothers: this can be tricky…siblings can be pretty blunt and honest about your gifts and it can hurt if you get them the wrong thing. Now, if these siblings are married then you will want to give them something practical that they will use in their everyday lives. You can also straight-up ask them what would they like? Think of this as a second wedding day for them but not as expensive. Reusable napkins are a good idea because it is practical and saves the environment. Watering can be for the sister that kills every plant or maybe for the sister that can keep them alive. If you are really broke you can look up a recipe put the dry ingredients in a jar, create a cute lid, and then voila you’ve got yourself a wonderful easy gift. It’s great if your siblings have children too it helps them save time.

Nieces and nephews: now if you have a gaggle of nieces or nephews like more than six you can get them something simple. You buy candy canes and you buy little TY toys and attach the candy canes to the toys and there you go easy gifts for your tiny family members. You can also get them each a small bag of candy.

I hope that this list has helped you out in some way. Cheers! Happy shopping or creating!