With Black Friday firmly in the rearview mirror, the chance to get cheap gadgets is behind most consumers. Yet, without those inexpensive technologies, it may be difficult putting together gifts for this holiday season. After all, with prices rising, it can be hard to figure out anything that won't break the bank.

Thankfully, there are still some ways to survive without the technology the world has become accustomed to. Some things are still great even without taking advantage of available material, and there are still tasks that are done better the old-fashioned way.

Playing Board Games

Board games are a key part of many holiday events, but games have increasingly been adapted onto screens everywhere. They can be apps on phones, video games on consoles, and even professionals now play chess through computers. Yet there are advantages to putting together a board and some cards.

"Most of the app versions of the games I like aren't that great," says Reddit user Junkolm. "Plus, it's more fun to play with someone." Without glitches or trouble connecting, it can be easier to interact with people, and the best board games can go more smoothly. Besides, traditional gaming allows for house rules. Of course, digital board games won't lose pieces, which can always be a hassle.

Storing Photos

It's easy to take pictures through a phone and keep them there, and it certainly helps to ensure that people don't need to lug around gigantic photo books. But that doesn't mean that everyone likes it. "I print photos and keep them in photo albums," says Reddit user SuvenPan. "I like to keep the special moments of life as a book and go through it page by page."

Considering that a phone can glitch and delete images forever, it is also nice to be able to keep a physical backup. Should the internet ever go down, those precious memories will still be there. Additionally, hanging pictures on a wall is another great, non-tech way to enjoy happy memories.

Drawing

It can be hard enough to learn to draw, but learning to draw on a tablet or computer can be another process entirely. "I never really got the hang of digital art," says Redditor WitheredFlowers. "It's much easier and more satisfying for me to have all of the tactile input from my work."

Learning to cope with systems crashing or remembering to save just adds another layer of tedium to a difficult hobby. Physical art also gives artists the opportunity to work without worrying about their tablets dying, which can be a hassle. Yet, digital art also provides artists the chance to keep their art on a cloud. In the event water spills on their painting, it can still be safe online.

Sewing

While not everyone knows how to sew, it can be very enjoyable for those who do. Compared to sewing machines, "Hand sewing is peaceful, quiet, portable, and just overall more satisfying," says Redditor carinavet. "Plus I get better bragging rights on the finished product."

It can also be easier to sew without having to worry about pulling out a machine every time something needs to be stitched. There is nothing wrong with cultivating and perfecting skills, which is why it can be so great to learn how to sew without the help of technology. Yet it should also be noted that technology certainly makes things faster, and it can be a much more professional-looking job.

Buying Music

Today, music fans tend to run to Spotify or Apple Music before even thinking about how music used to come in the form of CDs or vinyl. Music streaming offers easier storage, faster retrieval, and making playlists is considerably easier. Yet there can still be something rewarding about holding a CD and knowing that the music cannot be taken away.

"I prefer physical media, and just convert it to digital. I hate streaming music," says Redditor jbnagis. "I don't trust the stuff I love to always be available. I like having ownership of what I listen to." Even setting aside the increased security, it is nice to support musicians without having to watch weird and creepy music videos.

Taking Notes

For students, office workers, and anyone visiting a grocery store, it can be easy to jot something down on a laptop or phone rather than pulling out a notepad and a pen. Yet, while it may be a hassle to carry pens everywhere, there are many advantages to taking physical notes.

"Writing things down on paper makes it easier to retain than if you write it down on a computer," says Reddit user Jealous_Hospital. It can also provide backups in the event that a phone dies or data is lost. Still, it is nice having notes on a computer, where things can be highlighted or removed without messy crossed-out words or worrying about a pen running out of ink.

Doing Math

Math isn't easy. Figuring out all of the equations can be difficult enough without adding in every strange symbol that calculus demands to be used. There's a reason that so many mathematicians prefer doing math with ink, rather than a mouse. "It takes forever," says Reddit user Sirupwaffel. "On paper it's just scribble scribble, calculator, answer."

While many apps and websites can help with math, few will actually recommend that students try to solve their equations through their computers. It just makes the overall process more difficult, as it can take twice the time allotted just to find the right keys. Still, computers make it a faster process when complex equations might need multiple calculations.

Writing Letters

It used to be that people could only communicate across vast areas by writing a letter and dropping it off at the post office. Now, phone calls, emails, and text messages have taken the place of letters. The only things that people receive through the mail are bills and packages. Yet there are some people who still like to seal envelopes and send them along.

"I love writing letters, it's turned into a hobby in itself. I have a quill and ink for the writing, and seal all my letters with a wax stamp," says Reddit user Eeveelover14. "Process is soothing to me, especially if I use it in place of a diary." It can also be rewarding for the recipient, who realizes just how much time and effort went into sending them a message. It should be noted, though, that emails allow for much faster communication and don't involve paying for envelopes or stamps.

Organizing Calendars

Physical calendars may be going out of fashion, but some people still love them. After all, having a physical reminder hanging on the wall is much more useful than a reminder in an app that can easily be dismissed with a swipe of the finger. It isn't as easy to ignore an ominous hanging calendar.

Of course, the best calendar apps can still be helpful. "I like looking at the entire month and being able to just “write” and not have to keyboard from my iPad or iPhone. We do use the Google calendar for family stuff so we are all on the same page for activities," says Reddit user CrossroadsTarot. Either can be useful for different purposes and still have their benefits, especially since Google Calendar allows for much more organization. It can even be found in more than one location, as it is on the cloud, so family members don't need to run to the fridge.

Gathering Food

Nowadays, technology allows consumers to have groceries delivered directly to their home. In many cases, homeowners don't even need to greet the person delivering their food. It's faster and much more efficient for working families. Still, other people go out of their way to return to their roots by gathering their own goods.

"I try to raise, grow, hunt, and forage as much as my own food as possible. It's expensive and time-consuming but the result for my mental health is priceless," says Reddit user ElJamoNator. It can be relaxing, and it is also something that helps ensure that people can feel confident in their own abilities, which can bring a huge self-esteem boost. Besides, it really encourages connecting with nature.

Next: 10 Best Tech Accessories & Gifts Under $50