With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what gifts you’ll give the people on your list. Whether you need men’s gifts for your dad, brother or significant other, or a gift for the lovely women in your life, it’s time to start thinking about what to buy. After all, retail stores have already had out Christmas decorations for a few weeks now, and Black Friday shopping ads have already been pre-released online.
I always have a hard time sticking to a gift-giving budget around the holidays because I love showering my friends and family with gifts. But this year I’m going to do my best to give inexpensive, but still meaningful, gifts that they’ll love.
If you need to cut down on your gift-giving budget, perhaps you can try giving some of these unique Christmas gifts that seem expensive but aren’t.
Designer Goods from an Outlet
If someone in your life is into designer everything, try shopping for goods at a big discount at an outlet store or online. Several websites and online stores carry designer knick knacks, home goods, and things for the fashionista too, at great prices. Some of my favorites are Kohl’s, Ebay, ThredUp, and of course, Amazon.
Refurbished Electronics
In many cases, refurbished electronics work just as well as new electronics. If someone on your list is in need of a camera, an “i-something,” or some other piece of high-end technology, search for a refurbished piece before buying new. This can save you a ton of money and some companies have great guarantees on their refurbished products to make sure they’ll work for you. Plus, many of them look like new when you get them home.
Get Crafty
Some DIY gifts can be quite inexpensive and still look pretty fancy. I’ve seen some great ideas for how to make monogrammed mugs for your friends and family that look like they came from a high-end kitchen store. You could also make things like poufs (bean bags) for their living room, or fancy paper mache bowls for displaying items. Just make sure you don’t end up with something that looks like a kindergartener made it out of paper mache.
Go for Sentimentality
If you are close to the people on your list, perhaps you can go for sentimentality in your gifts instead of an expensive price tag. Many close friends and family members will be much happier with a sentimental gift that means a lot to them than something else more expensive you could have purchased for them. Giving a sentimental gift means you know them well and thought of them often in the search for the perfect gift.
If you’re on a tight budget this year, will you be giving any secretly cheap gifts?
I like the idea of getting an early start on Christmas shopping, but my only issue is making sure that what you buy is something that you know the person will want and that won’t be a duplicate gift. Many times return policies and such would put you outside the allowed time if you buy today, so that’s my only major hesitation. But if you’re 100% confident that’s not an issue, then by all means proceed, as these are excellent ideas!
That has been an issue with my tendency to buy gifts early in the past. It was frustrating when my mom bought herself something I had already gotten with the intention of giving to her for Christmas.