Christmas present ideas that won’t break the budget!

In these times of financial hardship, many of us still feel compelled to go out and buy the most costly presents we can find. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way. There are some great Christmas present ideas that every member of the family will love, without breaking the bank.

Try and get Christmas lists together long before Christmas in order to get an idea of who wants what and how much it is going to cost. You may want to consider limiting children to one large present and a series of smaller presents as costs can spiral out of control quickly. If they have one big request such as a bike or a games console, try looking online to compare prices before purchase.

Kids will often appreciate surprisingly cheap presents such as torches or keyrings, so it is worth looking around for clever stocking fillers that don’t cost the earth but will be cherished by your child. Even little notebooks and a set of crayons can provide hours of fun and while there are some great gadgets out there, sometimes a book or a puzzle can be just as enticing for children.

Older children may want a CD or downloads of their favourite music. A great choice for teenagers would be a dock for their mp3 player that also doubles as an alarm clock for their room to get them up in the morning (just be prepared to have to tell them to turn the volume down now and again).

If money is tight, when it comes to your partner you could always buy them a few small presents as well as a book of homemade coupons that entitles them to something such as a night out while you babysit or a relaxing bath/massage. This can be a fun and cheap present that is sure to put a smile on your partner’s face.

Many supermarkets and high street shops have offers of 2 for 1 or 3 for 2 on their gifts, so it is worth taking advantage of these offers. Mugs, socks, small gadgets, chocolates and personalised gifts can make for lovely Christmas presents or stocking fillers.

Again, check online for prices on clothes, perfume, jewellery and electrical goods to compare prices – you may be surprised by the savings and with that extra cash you could buy something for all the family or simply use it to pamper yourself! There are so many great gift ideas for your family to bring a smile to their faces without causing financial hardship, so make sure you do the research before you shop. Have a very Merry Christmas! 

This is a guest post brought to you in conjunction with Sainsbury's.