Affordable Ideas for Gathering Together
As the holidays approach, we are all feeling the crunch of inflation and the rising cost of living. I get it! It’s stressful to consider rising expenses and wondering how we can fund things like holiday get-togethers, gifts, and the general expenses that come with celebrations. I wanted to share some ideas that can let you gather with your loved ones without breaking the bank. Stay tuned to the end of the blog for tips on gifting photos (you can even gift them to yourself…I won’t tell ;)
-Hot cocoa bar: A cocoa bar is inexpensive and perfect for a large crowd. You can make easy crock pot recipes and keep them warm easily; simply serve with a ladle and lots of mugs! This easy recipe only has 5 ingredients and can be doubled or tripled to accommodate plenty of guests. Add in some board games and a cozy fire, and you’ll have the ideal gathering on a dime!
-Have a charcuterie board celebration: Charcuterie boards can be notoriously expensive because they are filled with pricier meats and cheese, but I’ve seen such a fun twist on this idea recently. You have all your guests bring a board that they’ve themed and they can share with all the guests. Some of the ideas were: a dessert board (brownies, cookies, dessert breads), a fast food board (fries, nuggets, burgers), candy board (cotton candy, marshmallows, chocolate), fruit boards, veggie boards, asian foods, taco boards (with all the toppings!), and chips and salsa board. It is best to have guests do a sign-up so you don’t get duplicates.
-Draw names for larger gifts instead of buying for everyone: One affordable and more sustainable way to gift is by choosing names and having everyone select one larger, more expensive gift for the person that they choose. It eliminates the need to buy tons of smaller gifts that may not be used tor needed, and usually you can get something that will be truly loved and appreciated. Set a reasonable limit (like $50-$75) and have a minimalist holiday with lots of peace.
-Gift family or photos: The perfect gift does exist! Family photos or senior photos (or contributing towards one of these) is another sustainable and useful idea that will be appreciated. I am planning to offer a Black Friday special offer on gift certificates (stay tuned!) but you can purchase gift certificates anytime, year-round. If you are on a tight budget, consider asking other family members or friends to pitch in and pay for more of the upcoming shoot. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate for someone you love, all you need to do is reach out and contact us!
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