Make a Cheap But Luxurious Homemade Gift
Whether you live on a budget through necessity or choice, sometimes gift giving can stretch your budget to its limits. Because of the ‘money issue’, birthdays, Christmas, Easter and other holidays that incorporate gift-giving often bring extra stress with them, often detracting from enjoying the occasion!
However, spending a small amount on a gift doesn’t automatically mean you have to scrimp on thought or luxury. This article looks at budget-friendly gift ideas that won’t leave you embarrassed or feeling like a Scrooge!
It’s the Thought that Counts
Despite being a time-worn, overused old adage, it’s still important to remember that when it comes to giving a gift, it really is the thought that counts. The amount of money you spend shouldn’t be indicative of the thought put into the gift. Luxury and a small budget can be two mutually exclusive factors – you can have one without the other!Stick To Your Budget
Another important point is that if you have a budget, then stick to it. Only got £5 to spare? Then don’t worry – there are still some fabulous homemade luxurious gifts that you can make! Think you can stretch to £10? Then the homemade gift possibilities are almost endless!Some Luxurious But Cheap Gift Ideas
There are many ways to create a cheap but luxurious gift for friends and family. Obviously, the present will depend on the person – if they’re a bit of a ‘foodie’, then baking their favourite cake and presenting it in a pretty box for a touch of glamour is a quick but easy solution. Baking or cooking takes time and effort, something that is always appreciated by the recipient.But there are ways to made your homemade efforts look and taste luxurious. Presentation is key - ‘dressing up’ the food in an appealing box, dish or container will add instant charm. Likewise, using the top quality ingredients, especially when baking, will produce truly luxurious, mouth-watering results. Remember that when giving a (cheap!) luxurious gift, you don’t have to overcompensate with quantity. It’s all about the quality, the thought and the effort.
If your intended gift recipient likes toiletries, then there are also a few simple, quick and inexpensive gift ideas you can try. For instance, it’s so easy to make your own bath salts– just take a couple of cups of Epsom salts, add a cup of sea salt and blend in your favourite essential oils (try relaxing lavender oil , or rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus oil for something a bit more energising). You can pick up a decorative jar from around £2 – fill the jar with salts, add a ribbon and a hand made gift tag and you’ve got yourself a luxurious – but cheap – homemade gift.
Make Something Unique
One aspect of the idea of ‘luxury’ is in the uniqueness of a gift. If you’re crafty enough to be able to sew a simple tote bag, or create a unique t-shirt design for a friend, then be brave and go for it! It needn’t cost you the earth – homemade crafted items such as bags and purses can be put together from material salvaged from the ‘offcuts’ bin of a haberdashery department at knockdown prices. Charity shops are also a great source for fabrics if you fancy making something bespoke. You can add little extra touches such as adding your name on a little label inside the bag, or wrapping up your homemade gift in tissue paper for a little extra indulgence.
Remember, it’s not the amount of money you spend on the gift, it’s the amount of time, thought and effort that makes it a truly luxurious offering.
