Question of the Week
Each week we select a personal finance question that's top of mind for consumers.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Updated
Written by
Senior Writer/Spokesperson 
Edited by
Managing Editor 
How can I give better gifts for less money?
Giving gifts without going over budget is a big challenge — especially during the holiday season. But there are simple strategies that can help.
Start by making a plan. Write down all of your gift recipients and the budget for each one to get a ballpark spending limit. From there, you can brainstorm gift ideas.
AI platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini or Claude can help generate gift ideas on a budget. Enter a prompt like, “Can you share some gift ideas for a teenage boy that cost $25 or less?” to generate on-budget suggestions. Follow up by asking for specific links to products.
After you have your shopping list, track prices using browser extensions like PayPal Honey and the Camelizer. Then, when discounts hit, you’ll be able to snag the deals.
Inserting some of your own creativity into the giftgiving process can also make it easier to spend less. Do you like to grow flowers? Try drying them to make bouquets. Can you cook or bake? Offer someone a tasty homemade treat.
Sometimes, personal gifts cost less, but mean more. Creating a photo collage, writing a song with meaningful lyrics or buying an accessory that reflects someone’s hobby can all be relatively inexpensive — yet impactful — gifts.
The key is to plan ahead to avoid feeling rushed. Buying last-minute often leads to impulse purchases and overspending. Try to start soon and take your time.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
