Hey Sonar: Gift ideas when you’re broke but still care

Sonar offers creative, low cost gift ideas for students trying to make the holidays work on a budget

Sonar • December 5, 2025

Sonar’s previous gift-wrapping experience left much to be desired (Jason Andre Fuentes)

Hey Sonar:

Thinking about presents for my family and friends has me crashing out. I want to give gifts with some personality, but my bank account is not cooperating. I want to treat my family and friends, but I’ve got basically no budget.

— Signed, Hold the Cheddar

Hey HtC! Your message hit my inbox while I was somewhere over Ohio, and after echolocating through the chaos a few times, here’s what I managed to piece together:

You’re broke.
You still want to give actual presents.
You don’t want them to be terrible.

Good news you can absolutely give meaningful gifts without blowing your wallet to smithereens. Let’s get into it.

For your family

Grab some nice paper and colored pens and write each family member a heartfelt letter. The letter can be describing something they do especially for you that makes you thankful for them.

It can even be something like recounting a special memory you guys shared that made you feel loved and cared for. Anything that is sincere and full of loving kindness. Parents, siblings and grandparents will eat this stuff up.

For your friends

Scroll through your camera roll and print out a few good photos of you and your friends. If you want to level it up, use an AI generator to turn photos into something fun such as Victorian steampunk pirates, 80s arcade heroes whatever fits your guys vibe. Then hit up a thrift store for cool frames.

You can also host a friends’ potluck and do a white-elephant gift exchange. Ask guests to bring either:

A gift under $5, or
Something they found while cleaning their room

It keeps things funny, low pressure and unique.

For a special someone

Bring back the “corny but cute” tradition and make a DIY coupon book. Fill it with real, thoughtful ideas and follow through with them. Think about things they dread doing, or things that make them feel loved.

Example:

“Good for one late-night Cane’s run my treat.”
“Good for one Netflix night where you pick the movie or show and I don’t veto it.”

It’s the thought that counts, not the cost!!

Bottomline, meaningful gifts don’t have to be expensive, spending time and energy thinking about another person is the real flex.

Happy Holidays,

Sonar

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About the Contributors

Sonar, Columnist

Sonar, a California Myotis, resides on campus in a bat box outside the music department. They offer advise on complex questions and flights of fancy for folks on the CSU Stan campus.

Katherine Zagone, Editor

Katherine Zagone is a returning student majoring in Theatre Arts. Katherine is excited to work for The Signal covering the arts and crime beats. Further Katherine will be launching Dear Sonar to address burning questions from Stan State students.

Jason Andre Fuentes, Illustrator and Cartoonist

Jason Andre Fuentes is a transfer student at Stanislaus State, double majoring in Creative Media and Sociology. Beginning his Junior year with Signal, he wants to specialize in computer graphics and community outreach. What interests him about news is learning about local culture and events, like Modesto’s punk scene. Jason was inspired to pursue work in Social Media after designing posters for an LGBTQ+ club at Modesto Junior College. After graduation, he plans to be a graphic designer or web developer. For fun, Jason likes to emulate retro video games, see local bands with his friends, and code his Neocities website. His latest hobby is learning to skateboard.