There is a lot of holiday excitement circulating around this time of year. Much of this excitement comes from the prospect of receiving gifts. However, for some, it can be a time of stress, particularly for people who are shopping on a budget. Whether it be due to lack of funds or a certain dollar limit imposed, buying gifts for people can be difficult. Luckily, there are still many gifts that one can buy without bankrupting themselves in the process.

First, one of the best low-budget gifts you can get for someone is candy. Getting someone a small package of candy should only set you back a dollar or two. If you want to spoil the person even more, you can buy one of those big bags of candy that they sell at grocery stores. These do not cost more than five dollars. Make sure that you know if they have any specific kind of allergy before you buy it. If you buy someone candy and it turns out they cannot even eat it, then the person receiving the gift will not be too happy. While I am sure that candy would work as a gift for all ages, it would probably be appreciated more by a younger person.

Another option would be buying someone a gift card. There are plenty of options to choose from. You could get someone an Amazon or an iTunes gift card, which range anywhere from $10 to $100. If you know that they specifically like to shop or eat somewhere, buying a gift card from that specific place is a good plan, as most restaurants and stores offer them. These gift cards normally take a good amount of money off of the total price of the meal or item bought. As a result, they can be a tad more expensive. If you do not know specifically what they want, you could get them a VISA gift card that allows them to spend it on whatever they want. This  can be appreciated by everyone.

Holiday cards are a viable option for older family members. They can be purchased at most convenience stores and supermarkets for very little money. Usually, holiday cards have funny or sentimental messages written on them that can put a smile on a person’s face. What is more important than the gift itself is the message it contains, so if you write something thoughtful for the recipient, then the price of the card should not matter. In fact, if you wanted, you could decorate the card yourself. Writing a message only takes a small amount of your time and is completely free. Spending time and effort on making the card extra special will show the recipient just how much you care.

One thing not recommended would be getting some plain old cash for their gift. It is not a good idea for several reasons. If you are operating on a budget, the last thing you need to be doing is giving away your money. In addition, it shows that you did not really put any thought into your gift and it is possible that you forgot about it completely.

Another interesting idea would be to gift someone a labor coupon. This would be used primarily for your parents. For example, you could tell them that their gift is that you will mow the lawn more or wash the dishes more often. Your parents will appreciate you offering to help out around the house and it will not cost you a cent.

The holidays are a great time. You get to hang around your friends and family and you get to exchange gifts. It is okay if you do not have enough money to buy someone something expensive. What is important is that you put thought into your gift. Even if you only spend a small amount of money on something, if it is meaningful to that person, then they will appreciate it just as much as an expensive gift, and possibly even more. As the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts.”