Budget-Friendly Holiday Gifts for the Little Athlete in Your Life

​Photo by Mathieu Turle on Unsplash
 
The holidays are filled with a lot of wonderful things -- family, parties, etc. -- but all these things don’t come without a price. Many of us feel our wallets lighten significantly as the December days go on. Travel expenses, gifts, winter clothes, parties, higher utility bills… it all adds up quicker than you realize! That’s why it’s so important to save money where you can.
 
If you have a child in your life who loves sports and being active, you’re lucky enough to have a plethora of gift options available that you know they’ll love. Unfortunately, sports equipment is costly. If you want to give them gifts they’ll love, use the following money-saving tips to stay within your budget.
 
Find Cashback Opportunities
 
Online shopping makes it easier than ever to find what you need. Just type in a product or description into a search engine, and you’ll have options at your fingertips in seconds. However, the benefits of online shopping don’t stop there. Websites like Rakuten give shoppers cash back on the things they spend money on anyway. Simply shop through a retailer like Dick’s Sporting Goods, and you can earn Rakuten cash back on sports equipment.
 
Give a Gift Card
 
If you’re budgeting your time as much as your money, you may not have hours to dedicate for going to the mall, finding the perfect gift, bringing it home, and wrapping it. A gift card is a perfect way to give your little buddy exactly what they want. Most gift card companies allow you to put however much you want on the card, so you can stay within even the strictest budget.
 
If you have multiple kids you’re gifting, giving gift cards ensures everyone gets the same amount so there’s no in-fighting about who got the better gift. Yet when you go the gift card route, you’re also able to make it more personal than just giving cash. For instance, while a gift card for Foot Locker may be exactly what the little athlete in your life needs, their sibling who loves to experiment in the kitchen would probably prefer one from a place like Sur la Table. You show your loved ones that you pay attention to their likes and interests while giving them the autonomy to buy what they really want -- everybody wins!
 
Gift an Experience
 
While kids love ripping open wrapping paper when presented with a gift, that joy is short-lived. If you really want to give them something valuable, gift them with an experience. Most children -- heck, most all of us -- don’t need more stuff. On the other hand, an experience gift provides opportunities for memories they can keep with them for a lifetime. The adventure introduces them to new people and concepts while improving your relationship. Furthermore, an experience gift really shows your child that you know and respect their purpose and passions.
 
Instead of giving your little athlete something material, wrap up tickets to a local minor league or collegiate ballgame. Or if they’re more the type to want to get into the game, a day of mini-golf and milkshakes will provide ample opportunities for memory making. Work with what they enjoy and your budget to find the perfect option.
 
 
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If you want to save money this holiday season, start with the gifts. Material possessions aren’t what bring children happiness, it’s the thought you put into the gifts that show them you care. Instead of breaking the bank, use coupons and cashback opportunities to save on what you buy, make budgeting easier with gift cards, or skip the mall altogether and give the gift of an experience with the little athlete you love.

This blog post was the work of Anya Willis the founder of Fit Kids. Find out more about Anya at https://fitkids.info/ 

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