It’s always a thrill to see a family member unwrapping a present you bought for them during the holidays—seeing a smile spread across their face and feeling the satisfaction that you’ve given a gift they’ll truly enjoy.
However, you should expect the holidays to look different this year. With the pandemic, holiday gatherings will be smaller due to less travel, and shopping will be done much earlier and online.
This year, 48% of Americans do not plan on shopping on Black Friday, while almost 60% plan on shopping even earlier than usual to beat shipping delays and low inventory. Additionally, 38% say they’ll spend the same amount as last year, while 27% anticipate spending less.
Fortunately, in these uncertain times, it’s still possible to give meaningful gifts and save money at the same time. These smart strategies for holiday budgeting can help you do it.
Use Points
Have a credit card that offers points or airline miles you’ve been saving? Look into ways to use them for a gift for a loved one, or even apply them to a future family trip.
Consider a Store Card
If you’re planning to shop for multiple family members at one store, it might be a good time to sign up for a store credit card. You’ll typically get a discount of 10% or more on your first purchase with a store account, adding to your holiday savings. Some retailers offer no interest on big-ticket items for several months to a year or more.
Encourage Savings
Gifts that help people save money—to pay for things that really matter to them—can be a truly memorable gesture. Open a savings account or a college fund for a young person, or a CD for an adult. To actually open the account, you may need certain information you don’t have—like a Social Security number or proof of residency—so create a fun card to announce that you’d like to set up the account and contribute funds.
Contribute to Charity
Giving money to a charitable organization in the name of the recipient—perhaps to a cause that they feel strongly about—is a way to do some good while fulfilling your gift-giving obligations. It doesn’t matter how much you give: It’s more about the statement it makes. And it may even make the recipient aware of a new cause—one that they’ll go on to support themselves.
Write Letters
Some people send Christmas newsletters, but when is the last time you wrote a personal letter to one family member? With so many families spending the holidays apart this year, this is a great way to stay connected. Write about a specific memory of an especially happy time with that person, or share some personal history from your childhood. Either way, the process lends a personal touch that’s sure to be appreciated. Want to personalize your gift even more? Make the paper yourself and write the note by hand.
Rich Beattie is a former executive digital editor of Travel + Leisure, and has written for outlets such as The New York Times, Popular Science, New York Magazine and Ski.
Read next: How to Spend Wisely on Holiday Decor.
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