Presents That Won't Break the Bank
I think presents, and cards, and birthdays are SO important. Showing people that you love them is the best, but shouldn't be something that causes you financial stress. Here are some ideas for good presents for all ages, as well as how to save money by making your own cards, and presents for mates.
I love being crafty, but I get that it's not everyone's cup of tea, so if you'd rather not go the DIY route then check out the thoughtful, affordable presents and cards available to buy from the shop. I'm especially proud of my range of products for mums to gift to other mums to show how totally flipping brilliant they are when they might have forgotten it themselves.
Affordable gift ideas for under 5s to help them explore the world in a child-led, open ended way.
Affordable gift ideas for kids with open ended toys that they'll keep playing with for years.
Affordable gift ideas for teenagers that they'll love without putting you out of pocket.
Save money by making your own cards
Affordable Home Made Gifts.
Have a look through these ideas for home made gifts to show friends and family how much you care about them, without blowing your budget.
A Book a Month
This gift is so easy, so thoughtful, AND so cheap.
Next time you're passing by a charity shop, have a look at their book shelves. I was really surprised at how great the selection was while hunting for the perfect present for my sister.
It was super fun choosing 12 books for her, working out which month I'd assign them to, and writing little notes for her to enjoy over the coming year. I've given her a doorstopper for January, cos what else is she going to be doing apart from staying inside nice and cosy and reading?! Then, come August she has an easy, breezy beach read.
I wrapped each book with it's note enclosed, using tissue paper and wool, made labels using old card stock, and painted an old cardboard box to house them all.
Costs involved: 50p - £1 per book. Plus a couple of pounds for tissue paper and wool. (Although, economies of scale, they can also be used for wrapping a load of other presents).
Environmental rating: AWESOME.
Enjoyment rating: THROUGH THE ROOF.
Liklihood of asking to borrow half the books in a few months time: INCREDIBLY HIGH.
Framed Quotes
Now. Would you be shocked if I told you that I picked up some photo frames in a charity shop . . . The thing to check when buying frames 2nd hand is that they're not falling apart at the back. I've made that mistake before.
This was super easy. I took it all apart. Painted one coat of grey, then lightly brushed a coat of silver sparingly apart on the top.
I have some fancy parchment paper from projects long ago, and my darling ink stamp set, so I used those, but any paper will do. Random tip, but this would also work well with blank speckled brown envelopes if you want an artsy look. And any variation of pen/ paint/ crayon / whatever feels most authentically you.
I love how personal this can be. Chose the favourite book/ film/ song quote that will make the recipient smile.
Then, I literally topped it off with some card toppers and dried flowers from the bottom of my craft box. I would have loved to do a drawing instead, but my fine art skills are particularly woeful.
Environmental rating: EXCELLENT
Enjoyment rating: GIGGLES AND TITTERS THROUGHOUT
Smug smile when you find someone's perfect quote: PROUDLY DISPLAYED
DIY Plant Pot
I found this plant pot in a charity shop for £1. When I bought it, it was plain terracotta. So, I painted it, varnished it, and popped a plant in it that I'd picked up from Sainsbury's for £3.50
This would work so nicely with other brick-a-brac like vases.
Environmental rating: SPLENDID.
Enjoyment rating: WOULDJA JUST LOOK AT THAT BEAUTY
Stress of trying to keep the plant alive before it gets gifted: OH CRIKEY.
DIY T-shirt / Jumper
I especially love this gift if you've got a group of people who you want to go matchy-matchy with at christmas. Last year I made my sisters Muppets Christmas Carol jumpers, and I made one for myself, and it made me really happy to also give a gift to myself.
I bought a plain jumper from a charity shop for £2. Then I downloaded a copyright picture from pixabay. I put it with words using Adobe, but you can do the same with canva which is free. Then I followed the instructions on the t-shirt transfer paper. (I used the Koala brand).
Environmental rating: BRAVO
Enjoyment rating: A CHORUS OF HURRAHS
Feeling of joy when you're matchy-matchy with your mates: THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER
A Jar of Awesomeness
So, ideally for this, you're gonna find a book that the recipient loves more than anything (naturally, wer're going to hunt for that in a charity shop). I found a Harry Potter book for £1 which will end up making many, many, many jars.
So, tear up the book into little pieces, smother it with glue, and layer the pieces all over an empty glass jar/ bottle until it's covered.
Then, to cover the lid, I glued scraps of christmas fabric on. Then I whacked on some card toppers. In previous years, I've added a more personal touch by using wooden alphabet tiles. (That worked well for teacher presents).
Then, fill it with sweets/ chocolates/ whatever the recipient loves.
Environmental rating: IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE TOO GOOD?
Enjoyment rating: DELIGHTFUL
Ability to reuse the jar when the sweets are gone as a pen pot/ vase/ jar for more sweets: THIS GIFT KEEPS ON GIVING
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