We are social creatures. Even if your social circle is five people, including the librarian and family doctor, you don’t want to appear unsocial. But does socialising need to be expensive? I am sharing some thoughtful ways to connect with people in your life. This article also offers some frugal ideas for a smaller number of people.
My Own family is a testament to the power of social connection. We’re a lively bunch, starting with a large family that only grows with the addition of spouses , grandchildren , cousins , family friends, and neighbours. Our Christmas gatherings, for instance, easily swell to 80 people over the day or weekend.

First Things To Do

Make a list of your different social circles. What you make your list on is up to you, be it a diary, notes on your phone or a PDF on a PC. Have somewhere you put the list.

Who makes the list;

• A neighbour
• Family
• Children or spouse
• A pet
• Doctor
• Teacher
• Librarian

This is people that matter to you, a pet you might want to buy a 35c treat for, if that makes you happy and wrap it for some sentiment. Not everyone on this list needs a present. Which is why I’m sharing my story, to give you ideas form what I did, including what is polite for different people you know.

Card Giving

For Christmas and New Year’s, not everyone is getting a present. A card is a thoughtful gesture, especially if hand-written. If the people you know share your faith, that’s wonderful. But if not, having a few generic cards with a respectful design, like a snowflake or a holiday tree, is a good idea. This is crucial because it shows respect for those who may feel hurt if their faith isn’t acknowledged, which is not the intention here.
When choosing a generic design, consider something that symbolizes the season, like a snowflake, ornaments, a holiday tree, or even something cute like an animal with a Christmas hat on. These designs are inclusive and respectful, making everyone feel considered and appreciated.

These wishes would be fun for folks of different faiths if you need help deciding what to write. When writing the card, put who it’s to. Write your seasonal greeting followed by a verbal “Thank You” as you give the card to a doctor or someone who gave you a service or thinks of you to a neighbour. Keep it appropriate. Then add this little line below, followed with “your name.”

Appropriate wishes for different faiths;

• Warm wishes for the holiday season.”
• “Wishing you a restful start to the new year.”
• “Hoping you have a festive holiday!

How I did it

Group 1 – Choir

I belonged to a choir for a few years, a group of 30-50 people I spent choir practice with once a week and most Sundays for mornings and evenings. We were a close-knit group and enjoyed our time together. The girl who was our choir coordinator and I had decided that the following year would be busier and a bit different for us so that it would be our last Christmas together, in the choir. We planned a choir Christmas party at one of the members’ homes to make it memorable.This party, filled with laughter, music, and shared memories, strengthened our bond and left us with a sense of nostalgia for the years we spent together.

Feeling the spirit of giving, I was inspired to share a little something. Drawing from my past experience in retail, I understood the significance of wrapping. I discovered that wrapping has changed, with brown paper, recycling, ribbons, and decorative items becoming socially acceptable. This opened up a world of creative possibilities. I stumbled upon an article that offered some ingenious low-cost gift-wrapping ideas, sparking my imagination.

For my choir gifts, I went to a dollar store and found some shiny blue little gift bags with tags on them. Now, in my opinion, a tag was as good as a card. I could write who it was to, a little “Merry Christmas” message, and who it was from: “From, Michelle 2010.”
I then made a few batches of chocolate brownies (I can bake them), let them cool, wrapped them in cellophane, and tied them with a ribbon. People received the gifts with smiles, mostly because people love food, gifts, and shiny wrapping.

The total cost was $25

Work

As the director of a sizable makeup team of about 30 people, I organized a lunch in our makeup rooms, which was essentially our work party. I distributed cards, provided some soft drinks, and set out a couple of bowls of snacks. It was a great opportunity to have some fun and express my gratitude for everyone’s hard work throughout the year.
Had work not sponsored the event, I would have organized a Christmas break-up party at a park with BBQ facilities (given that Christmas is in summer in Australia). Alternatively, in a winter area, we could have hosted it at someone’s home or in our makeup room, with each person contributing something, be it a drink, a salad, or a platter. 
Despite the warm and cheerful atmosphere, the total cost of our team event was a mere $15. This covered the cards, nibbles, and a couple of bottles of soft drinks. It was a cost-effective way to boost team morale and show appreciation for our hardworking team.

The total cost was $15

Bible study group

I went to a bible study group once a fortnight. I put together a plate of store-bought Christmas fruit pies and cookies. I gave everyone a card.

The total cost about $10

Doctor, librarian, and a teacher

A thoughtful card to say thank you is enough. I purchased a few packets of cards for about $2 a pack from a dollar store. Hand-delivery cards are the cheapest, especially if you live in Canada and the postal service is on strike.

The total cost is about $1

Neighbors

A card is usually enough unless they are pet sitting or helping regularly, when a plate of cookies or something nice, along with a thank you, would be appropriate.

The total cost is $1-5

Friends and Family

Returning to the list, it’s all about practicality. Assign a name and a budget. For instance, one year, I offered a night of babysitting for a cousin. It was a practical gift, especially for a single person like her. She did use that offer, and it was a win-win. Remember, if you make an offer, jot it down in your diary under ‘gifts.’ I also gave her a fashionable scarf that I found in a $2 bin, proving that practical gifts can also be stylish.
When buying presents keep some of the budget for wrapping. If I give a gift with a gift tag, I don’t give a card too, if on a tight budget. If you forget wrapping, it could destroy your budget.
Next to their name are their interests or an idea of what they would like. You can go thrifting if you need to but you would be surprised what your could find at IKEA, a grocery store, K-Mart or a dollar store. Be open minded.

It was some of the best presents I found due to the thought I put into it.

My goal was to go see some close friends in Tasmania, the following year, so that was my incentive. Maybe your incentive is you want to be polite but you need to not blow your budget, which would follow you into 2025. Blowing your budget is a big deal.

Total cost was the rest of the budget.

Charity Work

A friend of mine had a charity organisation that she put a lot of work into. She was inspired by my “Budget Christmas Challenge.” She was saving a house deposit and asked me what she could do for their Christmas Breakup and I said cookies. Famous last words, we baked and decorated cookies for 2 days. She paid for the ingredients. But I helped a friend, helped others, went to her Christmas Party and people had a good time.

Total cost to me was $0 and my time.

Plan

Planning is a powerful tool, quite possibly a secret weapon. Planning can take an hour two but save hundreds of dollars. Next year I’ve got some goals for my life and did mention we could do a no-spend January. Make it easy for yourself, plan, be social and save money.

People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. Quote frequently given by my Uncle

Give your season a bit of thought, check out the how you can do it and enjoy your people in your life.