You don’t need to spend a fortune when shopping for Christmas gifts

Give your loved ones gifts that matter.

With the holiday season in full swing, there’s never been a more tempting time to spend. Before you start swiping your credit card left and right, however, remember that Christmas has never been about the flashiest or the most expensive presents. It’s about showing the people who mean the most to you that you care about them. In fact, according to a recent article on CNBC.com, “online searches on Etsy and Pinterest indicate that holiday shoppers are seeking out meaningful holiday gifts, from personalized items to handmade goods.” If you’re stumped about how to do the same while still keeping your budget intact, here are a few ideas that might help:

Host a virtual get-together.
Christmas is usually the time of year when friends and family members come together, but with the current pandemic, large, physical gatherings are ill-advised. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way to keep tradition up. Our suggestion: Hold your Christmas party online. Setting up a conference call is easy enough; there are several free and affordable programs that can accommodate the guest list. Sending out electronic invites can make the event more official, and with other people’s help, you can create a program of activities to keep the session fun and exciting. After all, Tita Baby still has to sing karaoke.

Don’t buy gifts—make them.
Has the pandemic awakened an interest in baking, cooking, gardening, or arts and crafts? If so, consider putting those newfound skills to good use, and create your gifts with your own two hands. This won’t just help you stick to your budget, but also allow your loved ones to get to know you again. It’s no secret that the past year has made even the closest friends and family into strangers, and what better way to reintroduce yourself than by sharing with them how much you’ve grown

Write letters to wish them well.
Everyone’s doing their best to adapt to these tough times, and while most of the people you know seem to be doing well, a few words of encouragement or an acknowledgement of how hard they’ve been working can still go a long way. For laughs, you can even choose to send a postcard along with your message. With social distancing protocols limiting physical interaction, you and your loved ones might as well be miles apart!

Promise a better future.
While much of tomorrow remains a mystery, there are steps you can take to provide a measure of security for your loved ones—not just for this Christmas but those that come after. Setting money aside, whether in terms of investments or insurance, is one way you know you can help manage future expenses and expectations. After all, if there’s anything that the past year has taught us, it’s that having a game plan is the best way to take care of the people who are closest to you. Learn more about how you can prepare for tomorrow when you talk to an AXA financial partner. Visit axa.com.ph/appointments to set an online appointment today.