Feel bad about not being able to reciprocate equally gift-wise

[kingsrings]

My church Bible study group friends and I had our usual holiday dinner last weekend, and gifts were given to me by the majority of the attendees. I want to reciprocate, but I feel so bad right now because mine won't be equal to what I was given. I am very broke right now, and I could only afford to give gifts to my family members. Everything else I have is needed to pay my bills! But I didn't want to not give anything at all, so I went to one of those dollar discount stores and bought a box of holiday cards. Then I went to a Christian bookstore and bought pretty, biblically-inscribed bookmarks. So each person will get a card with one or two of those bookmarks inside. But I feel very ashamed and bad because it's not at all equal gift-wise to what I was given by them. I am really afraid that they will consider me as cheap and tacky because it's so much less than what they gave me. But it's the best I can do right now. Should I apologize and explain this when I give them out?

[bopper]

Can you bake at all?  A plate of cookies or homemade breads (like banana or something) would also be a nice, relatively inexpensive present. 

I assume these are your friends and they might have an inkling of your financial situation...I know my brother and his wife are having a tough financial time this year.  I don't expect them to spend a lot of money at all really only expect something with thought but in their price range.

Maybe you could put in the card:  "I hope this book mark could be used in your bible.  Your support and the support of all our Bible Study Group means so much to me."
or something that ties it to your group.

[AndreaBeth105]

You do not have to feel bad about giving a gift of lesser price. (Not lesser value - your gifts were thoughtful and the value of them is great!)  I have several friends in tight financial situations (we're all around college-aged, young working adults).  I do not expect anything from them.  I give them gifts because I love them very much and would like to make them smile.  I do NOT give gifts because I expect them to reciprocate in-kind.

In fact, one friend (who just started her first job this past week) sent me an absolutely wonderful Christmas card this past week.  I was much more touched by her beautiful card, and by the time that she had taken to write a thoughtful note (a note that had me tearing up  , but that's not important), than I would have been by a more expensive, but less-heartfelt gift. 

[momto3daughters]

Do NOT apologize. You can only do the best you can. This year im not even doing that, as I even asked for help for my own kids this year

[fklwmn]

in NO WAY should you feel bad AT ALL. and don't apologize, and don't explain. Did you offer the gift-givers a heartfelt thank you? IMO, that is all that is required and anything else (such as your cards and bookmark) is going above and beyond. And this is my opinion trying to look at it as if I were a giver, not a receiver.

[freakyfemme]

Can you bake at all?  A plate of cookies or homemade breads (like banana or something) would also be a nice, relatively inexpensive present. 

I assume these are your friends and they might have an inkling of your financial situation...I know my brother and his wife are having a tough financial time this year.  I don't expect them to spend a lot of money at all really only expect something with thought but in their price range.

Maybe you could put in the card:  "I hope this book mark could be used in your bible.  Your support and the support of all our Bible Study Group means so much to me."
or something that ties it to your group.

Food is a good idea.  Also, I was thinking along the lines of mixed CD's.  You could either make CD's of Christian music, or tailor them to the tastes of each individual group member, and draw some nice cover art as well.  This works well, because a package of ten blank CD's is usually significantly less than ten dollars.

[JudiAU]

You do not need to apologize, explain, or feel bad about it. You bought gifts within your price range and they were graciously given.

[hobish]

You do not need to apologize, explain, or feel bad about it. You bought gifts within your price range and they were graciously given.

...my 1st on the new board ... POD.

Kingsrings, i don't know anyone who has not been through a totally broke phase or two (or five, or eight) in their life. I'm sure your friends will love your gifts that come from the heart & not just the pocket.

[cocacola35]

I think the card and bookmarks are a very thoughtful gift.  If these people are your friends, then they would be happy just to know that you have put thought into them this Christmas.  I have a lot of family members on my dad's side, so I usually end up giving a plate of cookies and candy to each of them.  I only see most of those people once a year and can't afford spend a lot on them.  They are always happy to get this from me.

[Clara Bow]

Kingsrings, for what it's worth, I would love to get a bookmark and a heartfelt note, or something homemade as a gift. I'm a giant sap and I love gifts that really reflect a person's feelings, like a nice letter or plate of homemade cookies or an ornament for my tree that someone made. I'm pretty happy just to be thought of to tell you the truth.
Your gift is fine and will be appreciated. It's not the size of the gift but the thought that counts. If we were showing our love for others through the size of the gift we give them, I'd never be able to afford something large enough for most of the people on my list!!
An idea for you. Get a box of those Christmas ball ornaments and use silver glitter puff paint to put short Bible verses on them...or affirmations, like "Jesus loves you" or "A Savior is Born".

[kingsrings]

That's a great idea, but unfortunately I'm not artistically-inclined enough to do those ornaments. Mine would come out looking like an ornament with a bunch of incoherent glue and glitter marks on them like some kindergartner's first art project, heh.

[freakyfemme]

That's a great idea, but unfortunately I'm not artistically-inclined enough to do those ornaments. Mine would come out looking like an ornament with a bunch of incoherent glue and glitter marks on them like some kindergartner's first art project, heh.

So, you could cover the balls entirely with glitter, let them dry, and then write "Jesus Loves You" (or whatever) on them with special markers after they're dry.

Edited to add:  Letter stickers would work well too.

[Lisbeth]

Oh, no, no apology or explanation is necessary.  Remember, gifts are always optional.

If all you can give is a card, then that's what you should give.

If you can make anything, those are great to include too.

Besides which, if the recipients are people you know well, they probably are already aware that your circumstances have changed.