How To Give Thoughtful Gifts Without Breaking The Bank

(KMDL-FM) For many people, there are fewer than four paychecks between now and Christmas Day. If you put it that way, it can be kind of scary. But the fact is, Christmas shopping need not be scary if you know the kind of gifts you're looking to buy.

woman holding apparel inside shopping building — Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

Notice I didn't say "what gift to buy"; I said the "kind of gift," and by that I mean you want a gift that is practical, useful, easy to understand, and even easier to use for someone who isn't used to using tools, gadgets, or goodies.

Romance and Caring are Not the Same Thing

This list we are proposing all have one simple concept in common. They are all products that, in a roundabout way, let the other person know that we are thinking of them.

Sure, it's easy to remember people on holidays and special days. But remembering the needs and wants of people on days that aren't special, that's where special relationships grow. It is romantic to know your dearly beloved's favorite perfume. It is more caring to realize that she never remembers to charge her phone, so a power bank would be a better gift.

What Are Some Useful Gifts That Show How Much You Care?

A red swiss army knife sitting on top of a wooden table — Photo by Maciej Karoń on Unsplash

That is what this list is all about. The kind of gifts that on first look you would never say that is the most romantic thing I have ever gotten. But upon deeper reflection and introspection, you come to realize that the gift giver not only had your best interests at heart but genuinely wanted a good outcome for you.

So, let's take a look at the list, and before you dismiss the romance, make sure you embrace the care and the concern. You'll find that warms the heart even deeper than surface-level gifts that wilt, melt, or need batteries and lubricants.

10 Unromantic Gifts That Scream " I Actually Do Care About You"

There is a difference between romance and caring. Romance is more about the whimsy and passion of a relationship; caring is just that: letting the other person know that they have worth and meaning in your life. These gifts would never score high on the "romantic scale," but their usefulness and thoughtfulness scream, I genuinely care. And I care about you during the most ordinary moments of your day. Here are 10 Unromantic Gifts that Scream "I Actually Do Care About You".

Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells