How to Give Meaningful Gifts

Holiday gift-giving can become a burden rather than a joy when it comes to people who have everything. But you don't need to give a gift that's expensive, when you can give a gift with meaning. Here are 3 tricks of the trade to giving meaningful gifts for any budget.

1. Start the Tradition

Even if you have the money this year to buy something huge, you will never be able to top it in leaner years. So, why not start traditions of giving gifts that people will love without spending all you have. If you give everyone gifts that are 'meaningful' rather than costly, you won't have people wondering why their gift was so much less than another's. Especially with families that expand each year it's hard to keep up. So don't. Give a gift that is fun without trying to keep up with the Jones's. Everyone will come to expect that your gifts will be 'special' and not necessarily in competition with anyone else. This way you can reserve more expensive gifts for your immediate family, and never go over your budget.

2.The Power of the Pen

I don't mean giving people personalized pens. What I mean is that you need to think about a sentiment you would like to tell someone before looking for a gift. Does your Brother love jokes? Is your Sister in Law sensitive to heart-felt messages? Are your nieces and nephews straight A students? Think about the personality of the people you are buying for and buy accordingly. For that brother that loves jokes, find a gag gift that he'd find hilarious. For your straight A students why not get them family games that are entertaining and educational.

It's also important to include a sentiment to your gifts. This way your gift is intentional, not cheap. Buy a granddaughter an apple or star pendant necklace. When you include a note that says "you're the apple of my eye," or "you're the #1 Star in my book" it becomes intentional, instead of strange. Likewise, if it is a joke gift, you will want to write a clever 'hint' as to what the present is in the card, so that the joke will be immediately realized. Don't keep people guessing as to why you purchased something; tell them what you were thinking. This sort of gift is sure to be a hit with anyone. It shows that you were thinking about them, not just about getting a gift.

3.Give Homemade Responsibly

If you are all about homemade gifts, these 'may' also be meaningful gifts. But you have to follow certain etiquette with this. If you know that their favorite color is green, it doesn't mean you should make them a set of green mittens when they don't like mittens. You should be sensitive to their style and likes before thinking about homemade. Just because you spent hours knitting a sweater doesn't mean your recipient will appreciate that time when the finished product is something they'd never wear.

Make sure the gift will be something they love, not just something you made for the sake of giving homemade items. Food items are thoughtful gifts if it's a recipe that you are known for. If it is simply some sugar cookies, you might want to rework your game plan. Take note during the year as to what certain people on your gift list enjoy when it comes to homemade things and give accordingly.

If you will take the time to think, you can give gifts that are meaningful, without the risk of using credit this holiday season. Start the tradition now and enjoy the holidays as they should be.