Four alternative Christmas presents you can give to friends and family

It's here, it's now: the Christmas countdown is on.

Christmas is the season of giving and surprising someone you love with a token of appreciation can warm your heart as much as theirs. But presents don't have to be expensive - in fact, they don't necessarily have to be objects at all.

Here are some alternative present ideas to put a smile on someone’s face this festive season.

Kind-hearted actions can go a long way

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to do something nice for somebody and doing extra bits and bobs around the house, for example, could go a long way in helping others relax at a busy time of the year.

Some people may feel lonely at Christmas, or indeed all year round, and being on the receiving end of a nice action can help someone feel supported. The Samaritans say that getting together and talking, even if it’s making somebody a cup of tea and having a chat, can go a long way. The charity Mind also shared some handy tips with BBC Bitesize. They said:

• Understand that Christmas can mean something different to other people
• Remember Christmas can be a difficult time for some people
• Let friends and family know you are thinking about them
• Remember to look after yourself too

Making something for someone

Making something for someone, whether it’s a yummy treat or even a piece of art, could be a lovely present and a great way to express your creativity. If you fancy yourself a bit of a chef, or if you want to give baking a go, then BBC Food has lots of inexpensive, simple recipes that you could make. Everyone loves treats at this time of year, so Christmas brownies or some snowman cupcakes are likely to go down well.

If you do decide to go down the baking route, make sure you have a responsible adult with you, and label the bakes with the ingredients you’ve used in case anyone eating the treats needs to avoid any foods due to allergies or other dietary requirements.

If you’re struggling to think of what you can make, then some of these ideas from Blue Peter will have you covered. You could make somebody a bath bomb to help a family member relax after a stressful day, or maybe a homemade Christmas card, which can also be eco-friendly.

Giving back (to the environment)

Keeping with the eco-friendly theme, this Christmas could be the perfect opportunity for you to give back to the environment.

Recycling and reusing can help you to have a green Christmas, but you could also give somebody some seeds, or maybe a potted plant, which could flourish into beautiful flowers or an elegant tree.

Upcycling an item that you might have found in a charity shop or turning an old piece of clothing into something new is also a great way to give back to the environment whilst being a lovely gift for someone you care about.

Annie Phillips won The Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and is very passionate about upcycling. She suggested some fun upcycling projects to try this festive season: “Why not try making a custom tote bag from old jeans, or a cozy scarf from an old jumper?"

And if you don't have the time to turn something into a piece of clothing from scratch, Annie also mentioned: "You could even sew a few patches onto an old jacket giving it a personal touch. It's all about making something meaningful and sustainable.”

If you fancy yourself a future fashion designer and want to upcycle something for someone you love, be careful when using needles and scissors and as always, make sure you have a parent or guardian with you.

What better way to round off a green inspired Christmas gift than wrapping the present in paper that is eco-friendly too. Many shops will sell paper that is recycled but you could find bits of paper around the home that you could use. Old books or newspapers can be used as an alternative to wrapping paper whilst still looking good under the tree.

Donating to charity

If you don’t do this already, Christmas could be the perfect time to donate to charities close to your heart. You could do this as part of a gift for someone you know, and let them know you did it in your Christmas wishes message.

It doesn't necessarily have to be money. Essential items like non-perishable food and sanitary products are particularly in demand at this time of year. You could donate items to organisation helping those who may be struggling and it’s always best to check with them what exactly they may need.

Or you could offer your time in the form of volunteering. Local volunteering services, emergency organisations and charity shops are just some of the places where your help may be appreciated.

If you decide to volunteer your time, do tell your parent or guardian where you are going to be and how long for. And if you do want to donate, make sure it's something you can afford.

Finally, it's worth bearing in mind these lovely things to do all year round. But Christmas is indeed a very good time to start.

This article was first published in December 2019 and updated in December 2024