So many gifts to buy, so little time, and a tight budget—sound familiar? Here’s a quick tip on how I managed to send out 10 thoughtful gifts for just $40, including taxes and shipping! Talk about Gift Giving on a Budget.
Simplify and Save on Christmas Gifts
Yes, really—ten gifts for $40! In a year like 2020, when challenges were everywhere, staying connected felt more important than ever. By mid-December, I realized I had been out of touch with many dear friends for nearly nine months. Normally, we wouldn’t exchange gifts—we’re at the stage where we don’t need anything—but after so much time apart, I wanted to send a little reminder that they were in my thoughts.
So, I set out on a mission: Find a meaningful, budget-friendly way to spread holiday cheer. And I did! Read on for how you can do the same.
A little Backstory
In the fall of 2019—before social distancing was even a thing—I attended my favorite church rummage sale. This annual event is the best, and I plan for it every year. As always, I walked away with an amazing collection of books. Not novels, necessarily, but DIY books, travel guides, history books—all my favorites! And at 5 for $1.00, how could I resist?
One book in particular caught my eye: Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I immediately recognized the peach-colored cover because I had owned it years ago. Back then, I was in a hectic phase of life—two young kids, a full-time job, a household to manage. The idea of reading daily essays sounded lovely, but in reality, it never became part of my routine. At some point, I likely donated the book to make room for children’s stories and work manuals.
Fast Forward to 2020
When I saw Simple Abundance again—nearly 25 years later—I knew it was time to give it another chance. The book had been a bestseller for over two years when it was first released in 1995, and I could still recall its promise of uplifting, thought-provoking essays. This time, with more space in my life, I committed to reading it. The 2-3 minute daily reflections were exactly what I needed in the midst of such an uncertain year.
Back to 10 Gifts for a Total of $40
What better gift than something you love and have found meaningful? I wanted to share Simple Abundance with my friends and family—something to brighten their days, as it had done for me.
Excited, I rushed to Amazon… only to find the hardcover priced at $29.98. That quickly put a damper on my idea. But then, I reconsidered. I loved my well-worn, marked-up copy—maybe my friends wouldn’t mind a gently used book either.
AbeBooks to the Rescue!
With over 7 million copies sold, Simple Abundance was easy to find in the used book market. After a little searching, I discovered AbeBooks, where I could purchase each copy for an average of $3.95—including taxes and shipping!
It took some time to order each book individually and enter addresses, but compared to shopping, wrapping, and mailing, it was a huge time-saver. In the end, I sent out 10 books to friends—and 5 more to family—for a total of under $60!
A Personal Touch
This post isn’t about Simple Abundance itself—it may not be for everyone. The real takeaway? Find a book you love and share it. A well-chosen, gently used book can be just as meaningful as a brand-new one.
Since AbeBooks doesn’t offer gift-wrapping or note cards, I took an extra step to personalize the gift. I typed up a short note explaining the book’s significance to me and included it inside a DIY Ornament Card (a free printable from ActivitiesForKids.com). Then, I mailed the cards separately to let each recipient know this book was sent with friendship and love.
There are ways to personalize it further when gift giving on a budget.
To My Dear Friend,
As a way to celebrate and appreciate the New Year, I am sending you a book titled Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. This book was originally published in 1995, on the New York Times Best Seller for over two years and sold in 30 languages. I acquired my copy at a church sale in 2019 and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the thought provoking, timeless daily essays. My book is used and with it came some underlining and margin notes from the previous owner, making the read that much more interesting. I hope you will also enjoy reading your ‘previously owned’ copy of Simple Abundance in the upcoming year.
Wishing you a year of health and happiness!
So, to be fair, the total cost was closer to $67.50 when factoring in 15 stamps for the notes I sent out. And the time investment? About three hours to write the notes, address the envelopes, and put everything together.
But for a heartfelt, meaningful gift that brightened the holidays for friends and family? Totally worth it.
Until next time—Blessings of the Season to you and yours. ❤️ xo