It’s the season of giving–a time of year when we turn our attention away from ourselves for a bit and focus on those we love and care about. Although giving to those you have never met is also welcomed. And if your bank account won’t allow you to blow it out, don’t fret. We’ve got some tips for giving on the cheap. Here’s how to give rather than receive this holiday season.

1. Give your time.

Not sure how to give without money? Consider volunteering. Studies have shown that those who volunteer their time tend to be happier than those who don’t. Consider making volunteer time a permanent part of your holiday tradition. Whether it’s at a soup kitchen, animal shelter, or helping your friend paint their bathroom, whatever the task, your time can be worth its weight in gold.

2. Make a friend a personalized feast.

Having a friend over for dinner is nice but to make it extra special this holiday season, personalize the meal. Choose a menu of their favorite foods to serve up. Make a signature cocktail that you know they will love.

3. Infuse some holiday cheer.

Have you ever noticed that many of the high-end flavored liquors taste like a medicinal Jolly Rancher? For natural homemade flavor, you’ll need to make your own–and it’s a great gift. I reported on our sister site Organic Authority about how to infuse your own spirits. And it’s a great way to add holiday cheer.

4. Make your friends granola.
Package some wholesome love in a simple mason jar with a hemp string bow and gift your favorite health nut friends. This recipe for DIY granola rocks. And it’s a treat that doesn’t cause guilt (like a batch of cookies).

5. Give homemade beeswax candles.
We all love candles. They add warmth to rooms, soothe our moods, and they smell great. But candles can be pricey and seemingly extravagant. That’s why they’re the perfect gift to receive. It’s even better if you make your own, like these homemade beeswax candles.

6. Monogram a journal to add a special touch.

Buy an inexpensive journal at the book store and then jazz it up with a personalized touch. A stamp kit may be your wonder tool here. Here’s how to get started.

7. Offer to house sit a pet.

It’s the holiday season and everyone is headed out of town. People need someone they trust to take care of their pets. It’s a HUGE weight lifted for the pet owners of the world (I‘m one of them).

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Image: Official US Navy Page

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Don’t panic: your excuse for being late is, “artisan takes time, dad.”

It’s a bit late for Father’s Day shopping now, but let’s just pretend that it isn’t. If you haven’t picked out that perfect something yet, meet MAKR’s wallets, eyewear sleeves and iPhone cases (if dad is hip like that). Florida-based company MAKR is known for producing quality carry goods sourced from U.S. materials, including fallen trees whenever possible.

They run a tight design and production line taking an idea from a drawing in a sketchbook to a CAD model to a hand-made prototype, all within the same MAKR Design Studio. Prototyping might take several months, they explain, “with each revision being more structurally and aesthetically sound than the last.”

The company production ethos is as follows:

“Most MAKR designs would not be possible if MAKR did not control each and every aspect of production. Patterns are often laser-cut in-house and most small goods are still hand-sewn in the MAKR Design Studio. All other goods are made locally, which allows for the strictest manufacturing oversight. Oftentimes, complicated patterns require that MAKR develop a new manufacturing process which is frequently imparted to craftsmen by MAKR Founder and Design Director Jason Gregory. Once complete, each piece is inspected by the MAKR team before being packaged and shipped directly from the studio.”

This year, give the gift of quality and impart the love of artisan. Your pops deserves it. The products featured here range from $60-$95 on MAKR.com.

Look for Lustables at EcoSalon and submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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