There are many occasions where giving somebody a gift is appropriate, and while it can be a great experience watching someone open their gift with glee, it can also set you back when it comes to your finances. This is particularly stressful if you have a large group of friends or a big family, and have to buy a lot of presents for people throughout the year. Whether it be celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, festive periods, graduations, etc., all of these things add up over time and can eat away into your budget. If you’re currently trying to manage your spending, but there is a special occasion on the horizon for someone you love, below are a few ideas on how you can still give them an amazing gift without going broke.
Save in Advance
If you know that there is an occasion coming up where you will be expected or want to buy someone a gift, it’s a good idea to start saving for it in advance. It’s wise to set yourself a realistic budget on how much you can spend on this gift, but if you have your eye on something a bit expensive, putting a bit of money aside each week or month in the run-up to this event will help you manage your money better. You could explore options to pay for these things with store credit and make monthly repayments if you prefer, but saving before the special occasion might help you avoid getting into debt.
Search for Discounts
This is a great way to save money on anything you need to buy. There is always a sale going on somewhere, and there are even websites that share all sorts of discount codes and vouchers for a variety of brands, and even for things like going on vacation or meals out. If you are working with a tight budget but want to impress the person you’re getting a gift for, look for discounts to help you get the perfect gift. For example, if the person that you’re buying for loves fine wines, you could get them one of these wine gift baskets, which look incredible, but they won’t cost you a small fortune. The same is true if they love designer brands or perhaps are interested in the latest tech gadget that everyone is talking about.
Make the Gift Yourself
No matter what kind of gift you receive, it’s always better when it feels like it has a personal touch. For example, when someone gets you the first edition of your favorite book, a gorgeous print of a painting you admire, or even some new tools if your passion is DIY. While these gifts are always touching, there is something special when someone presents you with something they have made themselves. The thought and time that they have put into creating the wonderful gift mean so much and are always appreciated and treasured for years to come. If you have a talent for arts and crafts, baking, or even writing, perhaps you could make the gift yourself. A beautiful sketch, a scrapbook with some of your favorite memories with this person, or a personalized short story are all examples of lovely homemade gifts that will show them how much you care and how well you know them.
Cook a Delicious Meal
It’s also important to remember that a gift doesn’t have to be wrapped in a box; it can also be a lovely gesture. A good way to celebrate with someone and treat them doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg; you could just put in the effort by inviting them over for a home-cooked meal. Whether it’s preparing their favorite dish or serving up a three-course dinner of something special that you wouldn’t usually cook for a normal weeknight meal, this can be an excellent way to celebrate and show them that you care. This is a great idea if the person you’re celebrating with loves food and if you happen to be a good cook. You can set the table nicely with fancy dinnerware and candles and even include a centerpiece to make it feel special. You can put on some ambient background music and perhaps even think of some ideas for after-dinner entertainment such as a board game or another activity that you both enjoy.
Host a Party at Your House
If you want to do something similar to the above but perhaps have a less intimate celebration, you could always through them a surprise party at your home. Invite guests and tell them to keep it quiet, and request that they bring something with them so that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on food and beverages yourself. You can decorate your home to best reflect the occasion, and again get people involved in games like a quiz or something else that requires people to work in teams to get everyone into the party spirit and perhaps serve as ice-breakers if there are guests there who aren’t already acquainted. Either ask someone to bring the guest of honor to your house or tell them to come after everyone else has arrived so that they are surprised when they get there. They will be touched at the thought and effort you have put in to celebrate them and getting all of their nearest and dearest to your house to join in the festivities.
Last-Minute Deals on Vacations
As mentioned previously, you can also get discounts on mini-breaks by searching for last-minute deals. This might be a better idea for those who have a slightly bigger budget but still need to make some savings. A lot of people like to go away for things like their birthdays or other celebratory occasions because it’s exciting to visit somewhere new and makes the event feel more special. If you want to treat your loved one to a weekend getaway because you think that they deserve it, search for last-minute deals on hotels and flights, as often these are discounted prices and are perfect for mini-breaks. If there is a particular city or other destination that the person that you’re treating has expressed interest in, see if you can afford to take them there for a few days.
Go Out for the Day Somewhere Free
Another gesture that you can make in place of a physical gift is by taking them out somewhere for the day. There are so many places that you can visit that are either free or have low entrance fees, such as art galleries, museums, hiking trails, parks, or other historical sites that they might be interested in. If you choose to go somewhere like a park or nature trail, you can pack up a picnic to take with you if the weather is nice. Again, preparing some delicious homecooked treats to eat would be ideal, and perhaps even a bottle of champagne or other sparkling wine to mark the special occasion. Bring some balloons that you can put up to make your picnic feel more festive and portable speakers if you have them to play their favorite songs. If you do decide to visit somewhere like a gallery or a museum, you could enjoy a slice of cake and a coffee at the café which most of these places have on-site, and perhaps even let them choose something from the gift shop that you can get for them to remember the day you had together.
Team Up with Other People
If the person you’re buying for has stated something specific that they would like as a gift, but it’s out of your price range, consider teaming up with other friends or relatives who might be working with a tight budget as well. You can chip in to get the gift that has been requested, and this way, the person gets what they have asked for, but no one has to break the bank to make that happen. Even if you all band together to put money in to pay for an experience day or a weekend away for that person without their request, it’s still a great way to give them an amazing gift while sticking to your budget.
There can be a lot of pressure when it comes to gift buying, not just to make sure that you get them something that they will love but also to be able to afford to make the purchase. This is why when you’re on a budget, it’s a good idea to get creative when it comes to gift buying, or at least making the most of discounts where you can. It’s also important to remember that a gift doesn’t have to be a physical thing and that touching gestures will also be greatly appreciated and sometimes even better than a traditional gift. They are opportunities to make great memories and to add a personal touch that material things don’t always have. If you have an occasion coming up that requires you to give a gift, consider the suggestions above and see if they might be better suited to your budget as well as being something that person will love.