1. Buy the same gift for everyone. Sound strange? It works and saves tons of time. For example, you can buy everyone a colored scarf in their favorite color. You can even have each scarf monogrammed to further personalize it.

2. Go with gift cards. Who doesn't love a gift card to a favorite store or restaurant? You can always pair it up with a box of candy or a fun magazine if you feel you need to add a little something extra.  

3. Ask family and friends to give you a wish list. No, they won't be overly surprised...but at least they'll get what they want. If you shop with Amazon, their digital wish lists ensure your family and friends get only what they need...no guessing required on your part. And be sure to share YOUR wish list with your family and friends, so YOU don't end up with gifts you don't need or items that are just going to clutter your home.

4. Choose a theme gift for each person. Buy a gift bag for each person and fill it with whatever matches the theme you've chosen for that person. For instance, if someone you know loves Italian food, perhaps add a bag of pasta, a bottle of olive oil, and a jar of Italian seasoning. For someone who travels, perhaps a journal, a travel blanket, and a portable charger so they don't run out of power on their journey. 

5. Give experiences instead of things. If you have a friend or family member who is more of a minimalist, giving an experience versus a thing would likely be more appreciated...a dinner out, tickets to a play, a travel gift card, and so on. If you still want to give a "thing," perhaps consider something "consumable" or something that gets "used up" like, candles, soaps, food gifts, or fancy coffee.

6. Be open and honest. If your finances are hurting this year, tell family and friends that you aren't in the position to exchange this year, and leave it at that. If they get you a gift anyway, accept it graciously, but don't feel like you have to return the gesture. 

Alternately, suggest you all stay within a budget, like $25 or less. If somebody goes over that, again, accept graciously, but then move on...no guilt, no regrets.

7. Do an activity in lieu of gifts. Maybe your family and/or friends can use a weekend away. Instead of spending tons of money on many little gifts, put your money towards a fun weekend away together.

8. Just buy for the kids. Perhaps the adults can agree that they really don't need anything...and to not buy for themselves, but rather just give gifts to the kids in the family.

9. Draw a name. If you have a large family, see if you can't get everyone to agree to draw names. 

Everyone's name goes into a basket and everyone draws one name. Whoever's name you draw is the ONE person you buy a gift for...and that's it. This way, you don't have to buy for every single person in your family...which can turn into a huge expense if you have many kids, grandkids, and/or great-grandkids.

10. Make gifts yourself. Bake cookies, can preserves, make a scrapbook gift album, create a video tribute, draw a portrait of their dog...you get the idea. If you can make it, you won't have to buy it from a store.

And remember...give gifts with love. Accept gifts with love. It's not about how much they cost you...or how much the other person spent or didn't spend. The act of giving and receiving gifts should always be one of joy; not frustration.