Struggling With Holiday Costs? These Unique Gifts Deliver Joy for Christmas

(99.9 KTDY) - If you ask pretty much anyone in Louisiana today, they will tell you that thinking about affording Christmas gives them heartburn. Today's economy is no joke, and the cost of everything keeps rising.

Creative Gift Ideas You May Not Have Tried Before

It can sometimes feel impossible to figure out how to buy all the Christmas presents you think you need. If that is the case, why not try some ideas that might seem a bit crazy? Okay, so maybe these aren't crazy ideas, but perhaps they're not ones you seriously gave any thought to in the past.

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Creative Gift Ideas You May Not Have Tried Before

Sometimes you might come up with really creative ideas for Christmas presents, but you might feel some shame, fear, or nervousness that the recipients won't enjoy or get into what you want to give them. There's nothing wrong with feeling that way, but why do you want to feel that way? Christmas is about love, and if you're giving from your heart, aren't you hitting the bullseye?

We all know we will be buying plenty of Christmas presents from our local retailers, and that's great too. However, if you have friends and family who are open to the idea, you could also try something different.

Gift Giving in the Form of Trading Time, Chores, Services

You can check with those closest to you to see whether they are interested in doing something like this for Christmas. Even if they are not, there is nothing wrong with giving the gift of your time and talents.

Are you the family member who's the "cool" aunt or uncle? If you're the person in the family or among your friends whose children love when you watch them, why not offer to gift that to friends or family for a night, or a few nights?

READ MORE: WHAT EVERY LOUISIANA ADULT SHOULD HAVE ON THEIR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

Family-Friendly Gifts That Don’t Cost Money

Are you the person in the family who has the greatest lawnmower, and you love the chore? Why not offer that as a gift certificate you make up to give to friends and family?

Whatever skill or time you can give as a gift will likely be very well received. Imagine you offering a few vouchers to your overworked siblings to help with watching their kids, helping them clean up their homes, things like that, they will likely be overjoyed. Everyone knows someone who needs a night away from their children!

How Regifting Can Bring Joy and Save Money

If your circle of family and friends agrees, you could "exchange" gifts with them, but instead of going out and buying something, you could give them something you already have that you think they will enjoy.

If this is something you think you might be interested in, then share the idea with friends and family you think would be into doing something like this. I once did this with coworkers, and not only was it a blast, but each of the five of us felt like we had decluttered by happily giving something to someone that we knew would bring them joy.

You may feel nervous about approaching the issue with your loved ones, but if you think they are also worried about their budgets, you should at least bring it up for discussion.

Saving Big With Thrift and Secondhand Christmas Gifts

This idea is one that some people do at Christmas to save a little money. It's also a good way to support a charity, depending on where you shop.

Acadiana is loaded with terrific thrift and second-hand stores. You can find a way to buy gifts and help out a local charity. Chat with your family and friends, and see if this might interest them as a way to save money and help others.

Finding Hidden Treasures in Thrift Stores

As you already know, you can find some of the most amazing, wacky, and coolest gifts at a second-hand store. What's the old saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure"? Who knows what you might come across! What if you're the person who discovers a long-lost painting worth $1 million!