Gifting On A Budget
October 20, 2023
One of my friends just celebrated her 28th birthday earlier this month, and I thought what I gifted her was really thoughtful and sweet without breaking the bank. Not to toot my own horn, but I would like to think I am pretty good at gift giving, so TOOT TOOT!
I wanted to share with you some ideas that I have used in the past, and may use in the future, for gifts that are sweet and intentional, while still being on a budget.
Senses gifting – this is fun because it shows that you pay attention and know them well. Get them their favorite snack or beverage for taste, a candle that makes you think of them or an intense burner that is in the shape of their favorite animal for smell, buy them a CD of an artist that they like, or better yet, make them a playlist of songs that remind you of them for hear, get a cute picture frame and fill it with your favorite picture of the two of you or a piece of art that you created for them for see and lastly, get them a cozy blanket or a cute stuffie for touch. Again, this shows that you know them well and you pay attention to what they love, but none of these things are going to be overly expensive.
Inside joke – this is not one that I can give you a whole lot of ideas on, being that I don’t know your friendship or your inside jokes, but if there is something that makes you both laugh from a time that you spent together in the past, lean into that and theme the gift off of that. For example: if you and your friend always talk about how much you loved Twilight growing up, but now it makes you cringe a little, get them something like a “Team Edward” tee shirt or a mug with Renesmee’s face on it.
Handmade – this can sound rather intimidating to a lot of people. I grew up in a very creative and hands on home, so this is always my first choice when coming up with ideas for friends birthdays. Recently I have made a couple tote bags for friends and family’s birthdays, and I am really happy with how they have turned out, but this could also be something like a hand knit sweater in a color they feel the most confident in or their favorite cake baked from scratch.
Experience – this is a great gifting option for those friends of ours that feel the most loved when they have time set aside for them. This could be as simple as dinner and a movie, bowling, going on a hike together, a movie night in, or you could go a little bigger and sign you both up for a dance class, a pottery class, horseback riding lessons or a cooking class. There are great places all over that have classes from one session or a couple months worth of sessions. Look into local classes in your area.
My friend and I went to a wreath making workshop and we absolutely loved it
Themed – say their favorite color is green, you can pick out a bunch of green things and put them in a gift basket and it is instantly cute. Say they really love books, get them a book that you have been trying to get them to read for a while and fill it with things that go along with it. For example: the Harry Potter series – put chocolate frogs and every flavor beans and a house scarf in the basket along with the first book. Or Pride and Prejudice can be paired with chocolate and flowers and pearl clips. Another themed basket could be based on their favorite animal or their favorite flower or a hobby they have wanted to start.
Personalized – this instantly elevates anything. One year I got all my sisters in law matching wine glasses with their names on them off of Etsy and they were a huge hit. My sisters still talk about them. Etsy is a great resource for personalized things, and this can be anything from a sweatshirt with their monogram on it, to a necklace with a picture of their dog engraved on it. Everyone loves something that was made for them and only them.
All of these ideas can be used for birthdays, holidays or celebrations. I hope this makes the upcoming holiday season a little easier to get through on a budget. Good luck!
