Gift Giving On A Budget

4 min read

Yep, the season of giving is here! 

Nope, that doesn’t mean you need to go out and spend huge amounts of money. 

So, if you’re looking to give gifts on a budget this year, we’ve got you covered. Get comfy, grab yourself a mince pie and let’s get into it… 

SECRET SANTA for any BUDGET

Organising a Secret Santa is an easy way to give gifts on a budget and make sure that while everyone gets a present, nobody’s bank balance takes a beating. To decide who’s buying for whom, you can use an online generator, or do it old-school style:

• Write everyone’s name on a piece of paper. 
• Fold up each piece of paper and pop them all in a hat.
• Everyone picks out a name. 

Next, it’s time to set a price limit for the gifts. £10 is often a good amount but do check whether that’s something everyone can afford. Then, agree to have a gift exchange where everyone brings their budget gift wrapped up and with the person’s name on. Put all the gifts in a pile before handing them out, so everyone gets to have fun guessing who their Secret Santa is!

CREATIVE AND CRAFTY GIFT IDEAS

If you’re a crafty kind of person, it might be fun to try and make some gifts on a budget this year. Here are a few budget gift ideas to inspire you:

• Pamper Sesh. Fill a mason jar (or a shoe box!) with lovely little things to help someone unwind…think facemasks, lip balm, a bath bomb, some cosy socks. Maybe even sneak some chocolate in there too! 
• Knitted Love. If you’re a keen knitter or crocheter, then put those skills to good use! With the cold weather outside, everyone needs a blanket or a scarf to keep them warm! It’s like a woollen hug every time! 
• Delicious Treats. If you’re a whizz in the kitchen (or just want to give it a go) then why not bake some batches of cookies or cupcakes (think spiced, festive flavours) and pop them in small boxes or bags to give out as gifts to family or friends.

GIVE THE GIFT OF QUALITY TIME

Christmas gifts don’t always have to be things. Sometimes, the best budget gift idea is to just spend quality time with the people you love. If you want to still give them ‘something’ you could write them a card letting them know all the reasons why you love spending time with them.

• Set up a film night. Take gifts on a budget to the next level. Blanket fort of dreams? Fairy lights? Mountains of pillows, and all the cosy blankets, throws and pyjamas you can find? You get the vibe. Ask everyone invited to bring their favourite snacks, make up some hot chocolate, stick in your favourite movie, and r-e-l-a-x.
• BFF afternoon. Check out your local listings for fun budget gift ideas. Maybe there’s a gallery or museum with some cool exhibitions, or a favourite thrift shop where you can have fun picking outfits for each other to try on. 

Creating a series of ‘Just in Case’ letters is another really cute way to create gifts on a budget.

• Write a little series of heartfelt letters that your friend (or lover! Or family members!) can open in different situations. 
• You can label your letters things like: ‘Read this when you’re feeling anxious’, ‘Read this when you’re in the mood to laugh your bum off’, or ‘Read this when you have something to celebrate’. 

That way, even if you’re not with them in person at that moment, you’ll still be there to send just the right message!

MUSICAL GIFTS: PERSONALISED PLAYLISTS

In every great festive rom-com, there’s a tear-jerker of a scene with some great music. Whether it’s a first dance between crushes, a montage moment whilst trying on clothes, or the iconic giving of a mixtape. While tapes are hard to find these days, you can still create a Spotify playlist and send it to them. What’ll the vibe be that you go for? 

• Songs that reflect your friendships 
• Songs that you both can’t resist dancing to 
• The cheesiest Christmas songs of all time 

If you want to take this ‘gifts on a budget’ idea to the next level, you could do a Secret Santa-style playlist party with a group of friends where you each make a playlist for someone else in the group. You could then have a party listening to the playlists one by one!

BUDGETING IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

If you’d like to learn more about budgeting, and how to take care of your money all through the year, then grow your money skills with this budgeting interactive article.

And if you have exciting, quirky, or interesting ideas for giving gifts on a budget, then let us know over on Insta at @ncs!

READ MORE:

10 money-saving tips
Festive food on a budget 
Make budgeting fun!