Last minute activities and gifts to enjoy Christmas on the Cheap

Wishing the best to those who celebrate Christmas. Hope these last minute gifting and activity ideas help you enjoy Christmas on the cheap. If you’re feeling crafty and need to keep kids busy, are looking for economical and practical presents or are short on time and want to make an impact, there are useful and impactful ideas on this list.

gift updated cooking supplies from your local supermarket
make a donation to a nonprofit making a difference in the Richmond area in name of your family and friends
make a book mark to be kept and cherished with your name, a doodle, a message, put a yarn tassel on top, laminate
schedule an ugly sweater zoom-o-rama with friends or family
set up a zoom Christmas carol festival with friends, family and neighbors
send the carols as an attachment, it will be kept and used annually
make a last minute visit to favorite thrift shop for cheap gifts
fill Christmas mugs with goodies: school supplies, candies, gift certificate
fill a box with favorite recipes and ingredients and instruments
gift knitting needles, yarn, basket, directions
start a granny book club-zoom granny reading “The Night Before Christmas” and copy to every grandchild
create an herb garden for the window sill
anything personalized: notebook, laundry bag, etc.
create a coupon book with tasks: take out trash, once a week for four weeks, fold and put away laundry, vacuum once a week for four weeks, carry in and put away groceries, water plants, clean out the car, set the table, do the dishes, cook dinner once a week
organize photographs into family album

start a flower garden, plant seeds
fill out the calendar with special events, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries
schedule and pay for a haircut for your loved one
organize a neighborhood point swap
wash the windows
clean the gutters
design a chore bingo card
gift a school supply kit for a student who is learning from home: pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, three hole punch, assignment book, markers, ruler as well as tech like headphones

make a food basket of special homemade goodies, scout out a basket from the local thrift shop, fill with goodies, napkins, a mug and teas
make phone calls to your old aunt, relatives and neighbors
gift a child components to make your own play dough and/or slime include cookie cutters and containers
design a book of knock -knock jokes because we all need humor
post a “wanted” post for Legos or other toys for kids in your life on Nextdoor or Freecycle
build ginger bread houses and zoom to all
craft xmas tree decorations to share with friends and relatives, they’ll keep it forever, and best of all