Today’s piece is written by my sister-in-law and editor, Ariel Gardner. You may recall her from the article How Saying “No” to Money Is Saving Me Money. This is a subject we care deeply about, so I was glad when she offered to write about it. Enjoy her thoughts below!
I love the holiday season—spending extra time with friends and family, getting cozy under a blanket to watch a movie, and, of course, the food. Yet every year I feel overwhelmed by the pressure to give gifts.
I truly enjoy selecting gifts for people I care about, and I appreciate the thought put into the gifts I receive. Still, I find myself wondering if there might be a different approach to holiday giving. This feeling isn’t new; each year it pushes me to reconsider how I spend during the holidays and how I can give back in more meaningful ways.
A recent NerdWallet/Harris poll found that the average family with children spends nearly $600 on holiday gifts. If your household resembles mine, some of that ends up unused or tucked away—like the unopened fondue set I still have from five years ago. I suspect I’m not alone.
Reflecting on what matters about the holidays, I keep returning to gratitude—looking back on the year and appreciating what we have. We often express that gratitude with gifts, and while I love giving and receiving presents, this year I want to focus on making gift-giving more intentional. I want to spend more time with loved ones and find ways to give back to those in need.
If holiday spending leaves you frustrated and you’d like alternative ways to celebrate while still giving thoughtfully, here are eight practical ideas to change your holiday spending and give back this season.
1 – Adopt a family for the holidays
Many schools, churches, and community organizations share anonymous lists of local families who need help during the holidays, often listing ages and clothing sizes. Adopting a family is a concrete way to support neighbors in need. You’ll often find these families need essentials—clothing, winter coats, shoes—more than novelty items.
To find families in need, contact local schools, check community postings, or reach out to organizations like the United Way. If you have children, adopting a family is also a valuable way to model generosity and build empathy.
2 – Give a handmade gift
If you think, “I’m not crafty,” remember that handmade doesn’t have to mean elaborate. Sites like Pinterest offer countless simple project ideas. Handmade gifts can be as quick as a jar with dry baking mix and instructions, a framed family photo, or a child’s painting or story.
Even if you’re a knitter like me, simple homemade items show thought and time. Involving kids in creating gifts teaches them to contribute and shows the recipient that the present came from the heart rather than a store shelf.
3 – Go on a holiday outing
For us, holiday outings have become a favorite tradition. When setting our holiday budget, we dedicate part of it to experiences. Family outings might include driving through holiday light displays, taking a cooking class together, going to the movies, or grabbing ice cream. For friends, consider a special dinner, a painting class, or an afternoon climbing at a local gym.
Gifting time and shared memories can be more meaningful than adding another item to someone’s home.
4 – Donate to a charity
Giving to charity as a gift can be deeply meaningful, and it’s important to choose organizations that align with the values of the person you’re honoring. Two organizations I appreciate are Heifer International and Kiva.
Heifer focuses on sustainable solutions to poverty—providing livestock or agricultural support that families can use to generate food and income. Many gifts through Heifer represent a “hand up,” such as a share in an animal that can provide milk, eggs, wool, or ongoing income.
Kiva operates as a crowdfunded microloan platform, allowing lenders to support entrepreneurs and families worldwide with small loans that are often repaid. You can search Kiva’s loan listings to find projects that match the interests of the person you want to honor, and lenders are encouraged to reinvest repayments to keep helping others.
5 – Volunteer as giving back for the holidays
Time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Volunteering during the holidays—whether at a food pantry, animal shelter, nursing home, or community kitchen—offers meaningful service and connects you with others in need. If you’re not already volunteering, the holiday season is a great time to start, and inviting family or friends to join turns service into shared memories.
6 – Rule of 4 for kids
One practical rule we use for our children is the “Rule of Four”: buy something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This method keeps long wish lists manageable and helps prevent overspending, while ensuring gifts are useful and balanced.
7 – Host a gift exchange
Gift exchanges reduce the number of individual presents needed, making holiday shopping simpler and more thoughtful. Drawing names and setting a price limit lets you focus on selecting a single meaningful gift. With fewer people to buy for, you can spend time finding something special rather than picking up another impulse item.
8 – Shop small and local
Supporting small, local businesses helps strengthen your community. Small Business Saturday began as a national initiative to encourage shopping at brick-and-mortar stores, but you don’t need a special day to shop local. Even when small shops can’t match big-box or online prices exactly, the extra you spend helps local owners, employees, and the local economy.
In many states, small businesses employ a large share of workers and represent the vast majority of businesses. By choosing local shops, you invest in your community’s future—helping create jobs and supporting neighbors.
Are you frustrated with holiday spending? If so, how are you giving back during the holidays?