Doesn’t it seem like the older you get, the more stressful Christmas becomes? There are gift lists and shopping budgets and the mad rush to get everything done on time. Throw a global pandemic on top of it all, and 2020 may be the most stressful season yet.

According to a recent spending survey by Credit Karma, more than half of people feel more financially stressed about Christmas than they did last year. Of the 34% who feel financially unprepared, 50% are worried about affording gifts. Fifty-nine percent of all respondents plan to alter their gift-giving practises this year.

If that includes you, you may be wondering how to show your love and gratitude without spending much money. The good news is that the best gifts often can’t be bought in a store anyway. Here’s what you can give instead.

1.  Write a letter.

In a world of text, email and DMs, the art of letter-writing is becoming lost. Yet anyone who’s received a heartfelt written note can tell you how special it made them feel.

As a particularly thoughtful gift, consider writing letters of gratitude to loved ones. Research has shown that expressing gratitude is linked to an increase in happiness for both the giver and receiver. Unfortunately, most of us do not always express our gratitude to the people in our lives, so this season is a good opportunity to do so. 

Not sure where to start? Try describing one or two specific examples of ways the person made you grateful and how they affected your life positively. 

2. Create a scrapbook.

Turning shared memories into a tangible gift can be one of the most thoughtful ideas. You can reminisce about when your children were little, relive an epic road trip or memorialise generations of family events in a scrapbook.

If you’re particularly creative, create a traditional scrapbook the old-fashioned way with physical prints and other materials. If you’d rather have your digital photos organised, use an online photo book service. 

3. Make a video.

Most of us are feeling some degree of Zoom fatigue at this point in the pandemic, so the prospect of spending another day awkwardly chatting through the family computer might not be something to look forward to. However, we’re all still in need of human connection. 

Take some of the pressure off and create a video that the recipient can view on their own time. Services such as VidDay allow you to collect videos and photos from various participants and then have them edited together. Encourage people to record heartfelt messages, list why they’re grateful for that person and tell funny stories for a memorable and touching gift.

4. Give the gift of your time.

Do you have a nifty skill you can teach? Are you a stellar tutor? Can you do supermarket runs for someone who is immunocompromised? Now, more than ever, offering your time to help someone else can be the greatest gift. 

5. Get crafty.

When it comes to gift-giving, it’s the thought that counts. But that doesn’t mean everyone wants janky macaroni art for Christmas. As long as you’re a somewhat talented crafter, consider making gifts this year.

Pam Merritt, crafts expert for Zulily, shared a few ideas:  

• Decorative baskets: If you have random baskets stored around the house, repurpose one for a gift. You can spray paint it and then fill it with a rosemary tree, which makes a great gift for a neighbour, friend or teacher, Merritt said. You can also put things like blankets or throws in it, or make it functional and include face masks.

• DIY ornaments: Merritt said a good craft kit should have everything you need for this project (though you may need to grab a pair of pliers from the toolbox). Plus, ornaments can be used in all sorts of ways, she added — yes, on a tree or wreath, but they can also look great on a wall or doorknob, or you can even make a few ornaments and put them on a bowl on a table. 

• Handmade cards: Sometimes a nice card is the best gift of all. Create unique cards using stickers, felt, homemade gift tags and even wrapping paper. “It’s a great activity to bring the family together and give a gift that shows how much you care,” Merritt said.

6. Donate to a charity in their name.

Many people are struggling this year due to the pandemic. Instead of exchanging gifts, try donating to a cause in someone else’s name instead. For a personal touch, choose a charity that matches their interests or beliefs.