When it comes to gift-giving it can be quite stressful. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the perfect gift and more importantly gifts can cost a lot of money. Most of us will end up spending hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, on gifts alone.
If you are looking for some money saving gift ideas, then you have come to the right place. We will be discussing how you can budget whilst still providing some fantastic gifts to your friends and loved ones. It is important to note that a good gift is not determined by a hefty price tag and there are plenty of options out there that you can explore without damaging your budget.
Plan your gifts in advance
Have you ever spotted a great gift only to realise that the recipient’s birthday is months away? Well, we are here to tell that it doesn’t matter. If you see a great gift that is a total bargain, then it is well worth buying and putting away until you need it. Just remember to note down where you store it. Buying a gift in advance can be hugely beneficial for your budget. There is no such thing as buying a gift too early and you may regret not picking up the ideal gift when you see it. Gift giving can be difficult so if you find something that is perfect and a total bargain then it is a no brainer to pick it up.
Sales are always great places to find gifts. Most shops will hold sales throughout the year so keeping an eye out for them in your local area could be a great opportunity for you to store away some great gifts at a discounted rate and no one would even know you got it for half the price.
Get crafty and DIY
If you are a creative person, then there is no better gift than one that was made by your own hands. A DIY gift can be very personal, and it always shows the recipient that you have put a lot of time and effort into making them a gift. The beauty of DIY gifts is that they can be much more cost-effective than buying a gift from your local shops. Take a look at some of these DIY gifts for inspiration. You don’t have to be an artist to create a nice gift and it can even be something as simple as a photograph in a frame.
Bake something
Sometimes, there are people in our lives who are extremely difficult to buy for. You often find yourself asking: What do I get the person who has it all? In these instances, there is always going to be one gift that almost anyone is bound to love and that is food! Baking your friend or loved one’s favourite treat can be a great gift and one that is very low cost. Baking them something that you love not only shows how much thought you’ve put into the gift, but it also shows how much you care as you’ve taken time to bake it.
You don’t have to be a baking expert to make something nice and there are so many helpful resources online to get you started. All it takes is a quick search to find an array of free baking recipes that you can try your hand at. You can even present your baked goods nicely in a box and wrap a ribbon around it for a finishing touch.
Explore offers online
Being online savvy can have its benefits. There are a number of amazing voucher codes and offers online waiting to be explored. If you are buying a gift online, then it is always worth checking if there are any voucher codes out there which could save you some money.
Photo printing sites have great offers and also make for great gifts. Companies like PhotoBox offer free photo prints to its customers every month. Usually, you will pay a small free for delivery. You can use these photos to then make personalised photo albums or scrap books. These types of gifts are unique but also hugely cost-effective if you can get your hands on a good deal.
Gift an experience
A gift doesn’t always have to be an expensive physical object. In fact, a great way to save money but give a unique gift is by giving an experience to the recipient. Why not offer to take them out for a picnic in your local park? Check out this guide to the perfect picnic to help inspire you to release your inner creativity.
You can even hold a movie night in your own home too. When it comes to experiences like these you can really budget and save yourself some money. Experiences don’t have to be grand and often they are a kind gesture to let the recipient know you have gone to a lot of effort to gift them something that is totally unique.
Make money by selling old items
When it comes to needing money for gifts it can start to feel quite stressful. Especially during times like Christmas. If you have a large family the pressure to find a gift at a low price can be overwhelming. This is where local car boot sales and selling websites can really come in handy. Selling off unwanted items can give you the cash you need to buy gifts without needing to touch your bank account.
Car boot sales are a great place to sell off your unwanted items and you may be surprised just how much money you can make in a few hours. You may even stumble across a gift that you can upcycle for someone. One things for sure, you can certainly find some fantastic deals at a local car boot sale. There are also plenty of websites online where you can sell your old clothes and belongings that you no longer need. It may take up some of your time, but the results can be well worth it, and it can help you budget for any gifts you need to buy over the year.
Gift your time
Not all gifts have to cost a lot of money and most people will appreciate the gift of your time. Why not offer to babysit for a friend? Or you can even offer to make a loved one dinner. Often, we put pressure on ourselves to buy the perfect gift when more often than not our loved ones would appreciate just having us around. This article gives you some fantastic ways to give the gift of quality time and if you are looking for a gift that is cost-effective, this is the way forward.
To summarise, gift giving doesn’t have to be daunting. The important thing to remember is to have fun with it and encourage yourself to get creative to give a gift that is totally unique but one that won’t break the bank. With the help of these useful tips above and other helpful resources online you are sure to find some budget-friendly gifts that will make your loved one’s smile.
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