We’re all worrying about money at the moment. Well, a lot of us worry about it all the time. How can you treat loved ones and other friends who you perhaps want to celebrate their birthday with? Maybe you just want to give them a little some just lockdown but can’t justify the cost when you need to put food on the table? Have you considered giving gifts of time? (Some of these won’t work during lockdown.)
Create A Gift
Use the talents you have to create a gift for a loved one. Whether you’re a keen crafter, photographer or handy with a set of knitting needles, you could use your talent and some time to gift them a truly unique gift.
Wash A Car
Many people have vehicle but not much time to wash them. Why not offer to wash a friends car or van? You don’t have to get near them and can easily keep to social distancing advice. A clean and polished car might just put a smile on their face!
Clean Their Kitchen
Maybe you know someone who has just had a baby? Obviously this one won’t work during lockdown but instead of a gift, why not offer to clean their kitchen for them and make them a meal? Pop the washing on, get it dry and fold it up for them too. They likely have enough new baby toys but some physical help whilst they feed baby might be just what they could do with.
Offer To Babysit
Give some parenting friends a night off by offering to babysit for free. So often the thought of shelling out for a babysitter as well as the evenings entertainment can put some folk off. Taking that babysitting cost off them and freeing them up for some food in a restaurant or a movie in the cinema will refresh them with important time off.
DIY & Gardening
Helping a loved one or neighbour with their gardening is a great thing to do. You could also help them complete a project they’ve been unable to finish or perhaps decorate a room for them. Giving gifts of time in this manner helps other people out, gives them a beautiful area to enjoy and doesn’t cost you a penny!
Take A Class Together
Learn a new skill, enjoy a new experience or enjoy something you’ve never done before, together. From Yoga classes to sushi making courses, learn together and laugh together. You’ll make found memories that you can look back on in years to come!
A Coupon Book
A creative way of giving gifts of time is to give them a voucher or a coupon book for designated slices of time. They can use them for whatever they want. A 15 minute massage or an hour of you washing the windows. Maybe you include one that gives them an entire weekend. They can decide how to use it. Maybe they’ll have you looking after the kids so they can go to The Lake District for a break, maybe they’ll even take you with them!
Giving gifts of time usually costs no money at all and can be some of the best presents ever given and received!
