Affordable Christmas: These Early Gift Ideas Save Money

November 01, 2022 4 min read

early Christmas gift ideas - early holiday shopping to save money

It's a known secret among savvy consumers that shopping early for the holidays saves you money. We're talking early early, as in October or November! The closer we get to the Christmas season, the more motivated people are to buy more, and this high demand from consumers also drives up retailers' prices.

This is especially true for Christmas season 2022, as retailers are still reeling from supply chain issues and labor shortages. Some experts even predict that major sales such as Black Friday won't be as big this year. We can expect limited supplies in stores' inventories, higher shipping fees, and more stress in holiday shopping.

You definitely won't be alone in opting for early Christmas shopping this year. We at Gear Den are already making our shopping lists and offering discounts for you! Read on to see our early Christmas gift ideas that can save you $$$.

Hot Tips to Save on Christmas Presents

Early gift-shopping is smart, for reasons stated above. But there's one little catch to it: you're left with plenty of time to be tempted to buy more. This cancels out the savings you've made from early shopping.

To combat this, make a list before buying! Jot down specific people you're giving to and the corresponding gifts to get for them. The more specific you are about the gift items, the better. This way, you have a concrete plan to follow and you're less likely to have second thoughts about what to buy for them.

Further, it could really help if you start wrapping these presents! This may seem silly in October or November, but once the gifts are wrapped and tagged with the recipients' names, they'll be a 'done deal' in your mind, leaving less room for changing plans.

With these said, you're ready for your Christmas shopping! Check out our affordable gift ideas below.

Affordable Christmas Gift Ideas 2022

1. An experience gift

Best for: Wife, husband, significant other

Experience gifts are those that aren't material items but trips, activities, or classes you pay for on behalf of your recipient. For your spouse, a very special yet budget-friendly experience gift would be a romantic night off or an afternoon of spa pampering. Look out for early-bird discounts at resorts or spas in your area.

 

2. Meaningful family wall art

Best for: Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa

Our parents and grandparents deserve thoughtful presents on Christmas. What could be more thoughtful than an artwork that expresses our love for them? Even better, get a customized piece that features their names or photos for the most personal message. We have lots of these at Gear Den, such as these examples below (click on images or links to shop):

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "This Is Us" With Photos Premium Canvas

Starts at $44.95

 

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "This Grandma Belongs To" Premium Canvas

Starts at $44.95

 

3. Hand-crafted leather item

Best for: Sister, brother

Whether it's a wallet, gadget case, luggage tag, or hand-made notebook, leather is a versatile and beautiful material that's also customizable. You can have these items customized at shops, or you can try your hand at crafting a leather item specially meant for your sibling's lifestyle. We found a variety of leather wallet tutorials from DIY.com.

 

4. Personalized towels

Best for: Hobby buddies

Gift-hunting for your yoga classmate, gym buddy, or supper club friend? You'll want the gift to be thoughtful but not too personal. Why not a personalized towel? It's a safe practical item, but having it custom-printed makes it much more special than off-the-rack stuff. With our towel below, you can choose a photo to print -- maybe something related to the hobby you share.

Towel pictured above: Personalized Photo Beach Towel - Add Any Image!

Starts at $39.95

 

5. Personalized blankets and throws

Best for: Relatives, friends

If you're gifting to an aunt, cousin, or friend but you don't know what they're into, a pretty home item is a foolproof idea. Sure, you can give them a store-bought figurine or tchotchke, but we say go for something with a little more effort. A set of personalized pillows and blanket will be memorable and one of a kind.

Blanket pictured above: Personalized Family Name Premium Teal Fleece Blanket

Starts at $59.95

 

Pillow pictured above: Personalized Photo Pillow "Family... Love"

Starts at $26.95 for zip cover or $29.95 for stuffed & sewn

 

6. Funny drinkware

Best for: Co-workers, teachers, mentors

Mugs, tumblers, and flasks may be common gifts, but with some humor and a witty one-liner print, your drinkware gift can bring some actual cheer. Give this present to your hardworking colleagues or mentors who love a good cup of coffee.

Mug pictured above: "Too Many Tabs Open" Mug

Starts at $14.99

 

7. Home wall art

Best for: Friends, neighbors

If you're thinking about gifting to a nice neighbor or acquaintance, a personalized decor piece for their home would be a thoughtful, friendly token. You don't have to go for an expensive full-size artwork. A mid-size wall art can look lovely on their gallery wall or console display, while still being budget-friendly.

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "This Is Us - Grateful, Thankful, Blessed" Premium Canvas

Starts at $44.95

 

8. Special interest clothing

Best for: Best friend

No material gift may be enough to express your appreciation of your best friend, but you can gift them a nice treat to unbox on Christmas! How about an article of clothing that matches their hobbies or special interests? On Gear Den, we have a great selection of shirts, leggings, and jackets with various prints -- for people who are into yoga, pop culture, nature, parenthood, and many more!

Clothing pictured above: "Nature Is My Religion" Hoodie

Starts at $38.99

 

With these affordable Christmas gift ideas, you can avoid the pain of last-minute holiday shopping -- and please your recipients, too! Start shopping today, or browse more at GearDen.com


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