If you're like me, budgeting all by your onesie can be tricky. Add in the pressure to get gifts for everybody in this economy and it can be downright overwhelming. Add that to the cost of travel. Yikes. You want to get gifts that are thoughtful and meaningful but also aren't going to put you on ramen for the foreseeable future.

Never fear, pals. Here are five tips for budget-savvy Christmas shopping.

Thrift or upcycle

Admittedly I stole this from a TikTok I saw. The creator found adorable vintage glasses and paired them with a bottle of her favorite alcohol and a cocktail recipe. If the recipient isn't a drinker, look for a cute mug and pair it with your favorite tea or beans from your favorite local coffee shop. Maybe they like beer--try a pint glass with a can or bottle of your favorite local brew. What about a cute dessert plate or platter with some homemade treats and the recipe? This is also a great place to find gag gifts if your person has a sense of humor, or if you have to find something for a white elephant exchange. Just make sure you wash whatever you get before wrapping it.

Divide and conquer

Hey, couples get to go in on presents together. How about you and a sibling or cousin? You can also divvy up the task of shopping for various folks. Much like living with a roommate, this will allow you to buy a nicer present than you would have been able to solo. This one takes an extra level of coordination, but could also be mutually beneficial.

Take advantage of big sale days

As a small business owner, I'm already thinking about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Odds are, your favorite brands and your people's favorite brands will offer deals. They might even offer an extra percentage off items that are already reduced. And, if you're on their email list and they have any marketing acumen, they'll send out an email with all the details when the sales begin and are about to end. They'll likely also be posting about them like maniacs on social media. I know I'm planning to ;)

Gift someone your expertise or a cheap/free experience

If you're like me, the gift of time and help can be more meaningful than material goods. And not just because I live in a shoebox New York City apartment. Maybe you're naturally good at organization. Offer to help a friend sort their closet or pantry. Maybe there's a local museum you think your friend would be interested in. Offer to take them. Plan a hiking day trip. Give them a coupon for a comedy show or an evening of local theater on you. You know your people, so think about what they love, what they've been meaning to check out, or an annoying task they've been putting off.

No shame in the gift card game

At the end of the day, your time also has value. Some of these ideas require a solid amount of bandwidth and creativity. If you know your friend loves a particular restaurant or coffee shop, odds are they have gift cards. This is also a great way to support local businesses and make sure your friend gets something they love. Honestly, every year I ask for gift cards to the grocery store I use all the time or my favorite restaurants and I am genuinely ecstatic to receive them. Everybody needs to eat. With inflation, layoffs, and all the uncertainty, sometimes the most practical gifts can make a bigger impact than sentimental ones.

If you're struggling financially and feeling pressure to dole out a bunch of cash for gifts, know that you're not alone. I hope you have people in your life who feel that your presence is more than enough of a gift. I hope you are able to let go of unreasonable expectations and any financial shame you might be experiencing. Money is a hard topic for a lot of people. I'm proud of you for sticking with it and reading this far.

Leave a comment and let the people know what your savvy holiday gift ideas are.