The cost of Christmas gifts can add up quickly. In addition to friends and family, you may also feel pressure to buy gifts for teachers, co-workers, the mailman and more. But you I don’t need to be caught up in excessive holiday spending.

Nearly two-thirds (72%) of U.S. adults said they would cut back on vacation spending this season, according to a study. recent CNET investigation. Nearly a third (30%) do so by cutting back on gifts, and 7% skip them altogether.

Some years, spending money on gifts just isn’t possible, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up celebrating. If gift giving isn’t in your budget this year, we have some tips to make it work. And if you’re not sure whether you should unsubscribe, we have tips to help you decide.

Should you avoid Christmas gifts this year?

Sometimes we force ourselves to do something that doesn’t work for our finances in order to meet the expectations of others. But you don’t have to spend too much just to please the people around you. If money is tight, not giving gifts is a viable option.

“I think if you’re hesitant, it’s a sign to try not to give,” said Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino, financial coach and CNET. member of the expert review committee.

Here are some factors to consider to help you decide if skipping gifts is right for you this year.

Cost

Buying gifts for everyone you love has always been expensive, but with inflationcosts are higher than ever. There are many ways to reduce Christmas gift costsbut they may not be much help if you don’t have much saved. If you don’t have enough money to buy gifts, it might be a good idea to make it a success this year. rather than getting into debt.

Stress

Buying gifts can be stressful no matter what. The holidays should be a time of celebration and joy – don’t fill them with added stress if your budget is already tight. Consider other options if gift-giving is causing too much anxiety this year.

Waste

We often buy meaningless gifts just because we think we should. But buying cheap gifts because you have less to spend may mean the items won’t last long. This can lead to unnecessary waste. Determine whether you’re buying gifts just to get something or whether you’re making thoughtful purchases for someone you love.

How to refuse gifts this year

Part of the challenge of minimizing vacation spending is coping with other people’s expectations. Here are some ways to refuse gifts without guilt.

Navigating Unsubscribe Conversations

If you’ve decided to forgo gifts this year, here’s how to handle potentially awkward discussions.

Set Appropriate Expectations

Let your loved ones know that you won’t be giving any gifts this year. You don’t need to tell everyone you know, just the people you usually buy gifts for.

This is especially important for the children in your life. If you usually buy gifts for your nieces, nephews, friends’ children or your own little ones, plan to have several conversations about your decision. You can explain that you still want to celebrate the holidays, but in different ways this year.

“Being honest and suggesting an alternative are great ways for your loved ones to be open to other options,” said Alaina Fingal, a financial coach and member of CNET’s expert review panel.

You might be surprised by the reactions you get. “Many times I realized that maybe a lot of my loved ones didn’t want a gift,” Fingal said. “Sometimes they also don’t want the pressure of having to buy a gift, or they declutter and prefer not to receive gifts.”

How to Tactfully Explain Why You’re Jumping

Some people may want to know more about your decision. You decide how much you share – or don’t share – and why you unsubscribe.

You can say things like: “We decided we couldn’t buy the gifts we wanted for all of our loved ones within our budget this year” or “We chose experiences over gifts this year.” holiday season.” Don’t feel obligated to ask follow-up questions that you don’t want to answer.

What happens if someone gives you a gift and you don’t receive anything?

Everyone decides for themselves what gifts they give and do not give. There should be no obligation to buy someone a gift just because they gave you one. If you’ve explained to friends and family that you’re not buying gifts this year and someone buys you something anyway, thank them and allow yourself to enjoy it.

How to enjoy the holiday season without giving gifts

Skipping gift giving this year doesn’t mean you have to miss out on celebrating the season entirely. Here are some other ways to make minds bright.

• Give gifts that cost nothing: You can still give gifts if you get creative. You can offer gifts of service, like babysitting, dogsitting, or helping with house projects. You can also try your hand at creating gifts with items you already own. Another option is to write a meaningful note to a loved one.

• Create Memories: Instead of getting caught up in what you can’t do this season, think about what you can do. Choose a few holiday experiences to focus on this year. You can host a family potluck dinner or check out nearby neighborhoods with Christmas lights and take an evening stroll to take it all in. “We’ve had movie nights or karaoke nights over the holidays, which has led to some great memories that definitely last no matter what the gift,” Fingal said.

• Practice gratitude: Comparing your holiday experience with others can make it harder to redeem gifts. Instead, focus on the things you are grateful for this season. Not only will you enjoy the holidays more, but you’ll also spread more joy. “I always tell people that your presence is the best gift,” Soledad said. “Choosing to show up and be present with your loved ones, playing games and eating delicious food together…It’s such a blessing, and focusing on that is a beautiful way to honor each other during the holiday season.”

Do you still want to give gifts? Here’s how to spend less

There were years when my husband and I decided to spend less on gifts, and we tried several creative budgeting and gift-giving tactics to help us get there. For example, the first Christmas we got married, we had just spent a lot of money on our wedding, so we chose to give each other gifts. It was harder than just buying things for each other, but it ended up being more meaningful and fun for both of us.

If you still want to give gifts but your budget is tight this year, consider these options to help minimize your costs.

• Buy cheaper gifts: Let’s say you typically spend $50 per person and buy gifts for five people. If you decide to cut back to $20 per person this year, you could save $150.

• Buy the same little gift for everyone: If finding an affordable gift for everyone seems difficult, make things simple by giving everyone the same gift. You could find one thing you love in your price range, like a favorite candle, book, or box of chocolates, and gift it to everyone on your list.

• Buy for fewer people: I have six siblings, and many of them got married and had kids, so my list of gift recipients grew quickly. A few years ago we decided to do a gift exchange for adults and a gift exchange for children. Now, each adult buys for another adult and each child buys for another child. You can also decide to only buy gifts for the children or do a white elephant exchange.

• Make your gifts: Making your gifts can be a great way to keep them personal while staying on budget. But calculate sourcing costs in advance to make sure being smart will actually save you money. I’ve given knitted projects to friends and family before, and the cost of the yarn and the time it took to make it meant the gift cost a lot more than if I had just bought something.

• In-store sales: Make a list of gift ideas and keep an eye out for sales like Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday to get discounted items.

Vacations are not just about things

Whether you cut back on spending or ditch gift-giving altogether this year, it’s still possible to enjoy the holidays. Take advantage of this season to celebrate friends, family, and gratitude – and avoid the unnecessary stress of straining your finances.

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