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Creative Alternatives To In-Person Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping for the 2020 season will likely look a lot different than in years past, but that doesn't mean it can't be equally as exciting. While you might not be interested in pushing through crowds at the mall or gifting in-person "experiences," you can still delight your family and friends with some creative gifting. Here are five innovative holiday gifting ideas that will allow you to skip the stores, avoid shipping delays, and possibly even save a little money.

Digital subscriptions

With both FedEx and UPS reporting strained capacity1 leading into the 2020 holiday season, gifting a digital subscription can help you avoid delivery delays while still warming the hearts of your family and friends.

  • For the eternally curious on your list, you could try a year-long MasterClass2 subscription with its endless array of celebrities offering how-tos in their industries.
  • For the fitness fanatic, check out one of the many available fitness subscriptions from companies like Peloton,3 Daily Burn,4 and P.volve.5 All offer highly cost-effective -- and socially-distanced -- alternatives to the gym.
  • For those wanting to expand their language skills, online services like DuoLingo6 and Babbel7 can get a loved one going in a new language in no time.
  • For parents with young kids on your list, check out Epic! Books8 to keep kids learning while having fun with digital books, or Green Kid Crafts,9 a STEM learning box available for kids ages 2-10.

For entertainment fans, you can gift a subscription to Netflix or Disney+ to keep them up-to-date on the latest TV shows and movies.

And don't forget digital favorites like newspapers and magazines to round-out your giftgiving at a low cost. There's a digital subscription out there for almost everyone.

Subscription boxes

If you want to gift something tangible, subscription boxes could be the ideal answer. With so many monthly and quarterly boxes to choose from, it's easy to find a match for that special someone. From self-care and beauty favorites like FabFitFun10 and Birchbox11 to snacking favorites like Universal Yums12 and eco-friendly choices like GreenUp,13 the possibilities are endless.

These days, there is a subscription box for almost everything. To find your ideal box, do a web search for a hobby or passion, and add the word "subscription." You'll discover an array of price points and options to help you choose the perfect gift.

Charitable donations

For those on a budget this year, a charitable donation could make for the ideal universal gift and include everyone on your list.

There are two ways you could go about making a charitable donation in someone's name. You could make a single donation to a cause and send a notice to everyone on your list that you're making the donation instead of individual gifts this year. You can also make individual donations to charities for each person on your list that align with each person's favorite causes.

The best part about making a charitable donation as a gift is that you control the budget and still play a role in making an impact.

Savings contributions

While big plans might be on hold due to financial strains and travel limitations, you can still help a loved one get closer to their big goal with a savings contribution gift.

From vacation funds to college savings and first cars to first homes, a little cash as a gift can go a long way when you infuse it into a savings account. You'll give the gift that keeps giving because of compound interest -- and help those you love know that while dreams might be on hold, they've got an extra boost to help turn those dreams into realities when the time is right.

Investment gifts

Finally, you can help invest in a loved one's future with an investment gift this holiday season. Investment gifts don't have to cost a lot, either. There are sites that specialize in helping people gift a single share of stock like Stockpile.14 You can also gift stock directly through a brokerage account. And for those with education on the brain, consider opening a 529 plan for a loved one or contributing to an existing plan.

Thinking outside of the box opens you up to a number of gift-giving opportunities that help you stick to your budget and keep your family safe.

Important disclosure information

This content is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment advice. You are encouraged to consult with competent legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment professionals based on your specific circumstances. We do not make any warranties as to accuracy or completeness of this information, do not endorse any third-party companies, products, or services described here, and take no liability for your use of this information.

  1. Thomas Black, "FedEx, UPS prepare for challenges of a holiday season during a pandemic," Star Tribune, published October 16, 2020, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  2. Masterclass, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  3. Peloton, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  4. Daily Burn, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  5. P.volve, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  6. DuoLingo, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  7. Babbel, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  8. Epic! Books, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  9. Green Kid Crafts, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  10. FabFitFun, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  11. Birchbox, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  12. Universal Yums, accessed November 6, 2020 Back
  13. Green Up, accessed November 6, 2020. Back
  14. Stockpile, accessed November 6, 2020. Back