Article Holiday gifting on a budget: 10 low-cost and impactful presents

For many, the holidays are a time for giving, sharing and showing care, but meaningful gifts don't need to come with a hefty price tag. With a little thoughtfulness, you can give presents that leave a lasting impact without stretching your budget too far.

In this article, you'll find creative gift ideas that let you celebrate the season and spread holiday cheer with your loved ones without overspending, to help you have a more joyful, generous and financially stress-free holiday season.

How to elevate your gift-giving

From using sustainable packaging that doubles as an additional gift – like headscarves or bandanas – to creating bespoke gift boxes tailored to your loved one’s hobbies and interests, you could add a little magic to special occasions with the following tips:

• Get creative with DIY gifts
  Handmade gifts carry extra meaning, showing that you’ve put time, care and creativity into them. Whether you give someone a painting, hand-thrown pottery or a knitted sweater, DIY gifts can feel more personal and heartfelt than store-bought alternatives.
  
• Personalised presents
  Tailoring a gift to someone’s personality or interests adds a thoughtful touch. You can get gifts in their favourite colour, a hobby-related item or something with their name on it.
• Secret Santa
  For larger groups, such as family, friends or work colleagues, you can randomly assign gift recipients for Secret Santa. Secret Santa allows everyone to give something more personal on a budget.
• Support a good cause while you shop
  Don’t overlook the treasures hidden in charity shops. You can often find one-of-a-kind items such as clothing, homeware or books – often in good or even unused condition – making your gift unique and budget-friendly while supporting a good cause.

Bespoke gift ideas

With our tips in mind, here are a few budget-friendly gift ideas to get you started:

1. Make your own soap

Basic soap is a combination of fat, water, and Sodium Hydroxide. This means you can create luxurious and simple soap with some coconut oil from the supermarket. Alternatively, at-home soap-making kits come equipped with all the ingredients and instructions you need to get started for as little as £12.¹ If you need a confidence boost or guidance, consider watching online tutorials to get started.

2. DIY pottery

Plenty of at-home pottery kits can be delivered right to your door, and you can find affordable clay online or at art shops. Use the clay, tools, and paint to create pottery as a heartfelt gift for someone special. You might even invite friends or family to join in and turn it into a fun, quality time activity. A home-made pot, vase or jar, painted simply, can be an ornament that lasts a lifetime.

3. Bespoke drinks coasters

Help your loved ones keep their tables free from cup rings for years to come with personalised drinks coasters. For example, for music-lovers you can buy old vinyl records and craft drinks coasters with a story to tell.

4. Bespoke drinks coasters

Help your loved ones keep their tables free from cup rings for years to come with personalised drinks coasters. For example, for music-lovers you can buy old vinyl records and craft drinks coasters with a story to tell.

5. A charity donation in their name

Sponsoring a guide dog through training for £1 a week is just one example of a charity donation you could make in someone’s name. ³ This means you could support a good cause and show your friends and family you care about their passions.

6. Creative classes

Buy your family or friends a ticket to a one-off class such as sketching, drawing, pottery, jewellery making, creative writing, collaging or dance. Creative classes are a great way to make memories and develop new skills.

7. Personalised tote bag

For people trying to live more sustainably, you can create a personalised tote bag to carry their grocery shopping or their essentials. All you need is a plain tote, which you can find for as little as 82p⁴ and a multipack of fabric paint – under £7 – which you can use to paint a unique design.⁵

8. Customised prints

Many online stores and independent creators offer framed, printed image options with short messages or meaningful dates on them. If you have photos you love of family or friends, you can also add them to a scrapbook or photo album to create a gift that could bring laughter and stories from everyone connected.

9. A terrarium

If you’re a fan of plants, you could take some of your plant cuttings and create a terrarium for someone you love. You can find instructional videos on making a terrarium at home on YouTube.  

10. Personalised gift boxes

You can find budget-friendly one-off boxes for hobby enthusiasts online or you can create personalised gift boxes such as:       

• For gardeners – a watering can, soil, small pots and seeds
• For tea lovers – loose-leaf tea samplers, a tea infuser, and a teapot or teacup
• For puzzle enthusiasts – a compact puzzle, brain teaser, and logic puzzle books
• For pet owners – a custom pet bandana, a toy, and some treats
• For food lovers – a home baked selection of their favourite biscuits

Bring more meaning to special occasions with budget-friendly gifts

Giving gifts doesn’t have to be a financial stress. Spending time with loved ones sharing food or searching for second-hand treasures can bring even more meaning and joy to the holiday season. Remember, the perfect gift can be subtle, but making memories will last a lifetime.