10 holiday gift ideas: last-minute & cheap
Written by Green Team’s Co-Presidents, Audrey Chang and Margaret Capetz
A great gift if you have silly photos of someone! Custom memes can gently poke fun at their tendencies, likes and dislikes, or personality. See the example on the right, haha.
Here's a link to blank templates to download and customize.
You can include:
Songs that describe them (e.g. happiness by Taylor Swift for Margaret because she's bittersweet)
Songs you think they’d like
Songs that describe your relationship with them
Songs that you two have enjoyed together (soundtrack of your relationship!)
Alternatively, write a message using song titles! Songs for Greenies: "Don't Go Near the Water" by the Beach Boys
Customize the cover with the person's favorite song lyrics, poetry stanzas, or quotes! Tying together 3+ notebooks makes for a sweet gift bundle. Plus, you can use colored card stock, recycled cereal boxes, or leftover paper and ribbons to make this gift! Tutorial here.
A great way to bond over each other’s favorite books. Any Greenie would love to receive Beth Terry’s “Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too,” if you have it!
Buy (or thrift) a frame to decorate! Wooden frames from Michael's are $1-6. Note: Michael's is crowded during this time of year! Stay safe.
Art to frame:
Blackout poetry using recycled texts
Custom sayings, inside jokes, or quotes
Hand drawn art — I find that line art and lettering can be a quick and thoughtful, especially if the drawing is personalized!
Do not be too daunted by crocheting or knitting! :) With a little time and effort, they're easy to learn and can make for kind gifts.
Consider making:
A zero-waste market bag for the conscious shopper on the go!
A snowflake ornament for the festive child within them!
A cardigan for the perpetually cold family member!
There's a crocheted/knitted gift for anyone!
Cookie-in-a-jar - Cranberry oatmeal cookie recipe
Mug-cake-in-a-jar - Chocolate mug cake recipe
Brownie-in-a-jar - Brownie recipe
Muffin-in-a-jar - Blueberry muffin recipe
Hot-cocoa-in-a-jar - Recipe
If possible, try to make these recipes vegan ;)
Decorate a mug and fill it with goodies, memories, candies, etc.! Consider:
Nail polish marbling (if you’re up for the challenge!)
If you're at a loss for what to write, include an eco-conscious quote like this Ernest Hemingway one!
This is a catch-all category for your talents and skills! If you know how to:
Play an instrument - record a song unique to the person!
Write poetry - record some spoken word!
Give top-notch pep talks - record one for your pal!
[insert your talent here!]
That way, if they're ever feeling down or needing a personal ASMR recording, they can listen to your gift to brighten their day.
Another fun twist: make a folder of situational pep-talks labeled "What would [your name] say?" in which you provide life advice and tips in their times of need.