‘Tis the season to start saving for Christmas.
The holly jolly period may be full of fun, but it often leaves our bank accounts full of woe. Buying gifts for loved ones, as enjoyable as it can be, can also cause much financial stress - and we don’t want that, do we?
Buying thoughtful gifts doesn’t have to be a great expense. Sometimes, it’s just a case of looking in the right places with more palatable prices.
Brands such as Oliver Bonas, John Lewis and Graham & Green all stock pocket-friendly presents that are sure to delight. From sartorial steals to decorative homeware, there is a plethora of covetable buys to suit all ages and genders.
Our top tips for shopping on a budget:
- Consider the receiver’s personality. What can you see them wearing/displaying/reading or even giving as a gift themselves?
- Set a budget and stick to it. Present shopping should be a pleasant experience devoid of money-induced panic.
- Browse a range of websites and brands for price comparisons and lookalikes. If the high street has taught us anything, it’s the fact you can always source designer-inspired items without the eye-watering price tag.
- Shop secondhand. Secondhand shopping is in no way inferior to buying new. Vintage and charity shops stock one-off pieces from clothing to accessories that promise individual gifts with a story.
If money is tight, then you want to make sure your gifts really count. Rather than opting for a baseless novelty piece or something disposable, we’d encourage you to think more long-term. It’s the thought that counts, after all.
Without further ado, let’s get into it. Here are the best budget buys to gift your loved ones this coming Christmas.
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More Joy Tote Bag
Sometimes it is possible to find designer labels without designer price tags. Head into the new year in the most positive way with this More Joy tote from Christopher Kane’s playful collection. It’s a must-have for fashion followers.
Buy now £22.00, Flannels
Little Book of Prada
Coffee table books are universally appreciated but not the kind of thing that people usually buy for themselves - so they make excellent gifts. Up your style game and test their sartorial knowledge with the Little Book of Prada - perfect for style savants.
Buy now £11.05, Amazon
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
Available in over 20 striking shades, Carhartt’s popular knit beanie is a gift for all. Featuring a fine knit and the brand’s recognisable logo, the hat is a seasonal staple for winter.
Buy now £15.99, Carhartt
Aesop Shampoo
Suitable for all hair types, Aesop’s shampoo is saturated with natural ingredients including Frankincense and Bergamot Rind. Designed to tackle deep-rooted dirt, the lavish shampoo promises softening effects and a glimmering shine.
Buy now £13.00, Aesop
Uniqlo Round Mini Corduroy Shoulder Bag
You’ve most definitely seen Uniqlo’s viral shoulder bag when strolling down the high street, but now we raise you. The brand has treated the ubiquitous style to a corduroy rendition, giving the overwhelmingly popular accessory a retro spin. It fits everything - and we mean, everything - you need during the day, from wallets to glasses and much more.
Buy now £14.90, Uniqlo
John Lewis Flower Sprigs Glass Champagne Flute
Cheers to friends and family with John Lewis’ gorgeous champagne flutes featuring a fairytale twist. Adorned with dainty flower sprig motifs, the screen-printed glasses are ideal for a tipple or two.
Buy now £7.50, John Lewis
The North Face Simple Dome Tee
A good quality black T-shirt is a staple in every wardrobe - especially when it’s from The North Face. The street style favourite is a brand that will stand the test of time, thanks to its sports-centric designs and monochrome colourways. Made from 100 per cent cotton, this top is a throw-on option for oodles of comfort.
Buy now £29.00, END.
Graham & Green Star Ceramic Candle Holder
When in doubt, head to Graham & Green. The beautifully curated store usually teeters on the pricier end of the spectrum, but these playful star candle holders are an affordable and highly coveted gift for friends and family.
Buy now £6.50, Graham & Green
H&M Home Velvet cushion cover
Clothes shopping for others is a near-impossible task. But homewares, on the other hand, make for an easy-shop alternative with plenty to peruse. H&M Home has changed the interior game with inexpensive, preppy pieces to elevate any space.
Buy now £14.99, H&M
Weekday Hanna Wrist Warmer
Keep your mitts warm and toasty with a cosy pair of hand warmers. Available in a versatile grey tone, Weekday’s rendition will be extra handy during the cooler months that lie ahead.
Buy now £12.00, Weekday
Dunelm Teddy Bear Charcoal Long Hot Water Bottle
When we say long hot water bottles are a game changer, we really mean it. The noodle-shaped heated essential can be wrapped around the stomach, neck or back to soothe aches and pains. Tie-up options are available via Amazon for those times when you need to potter around the house hands-free.
Buy now £14.00, Dunelm
Habitat Ngami Mushroom Aluminium LED Touch Table Lamp
Inject their bedroom with colour thanks to this mushroom-style lamp. The retro piece will suit boys and girls of all ages and provide a colourful focal piece to admire.
Buy now £24.99, Argos
Accessorize All Over Geometric Print Socks
Give their underwear drawer a makeover with some preppy socks for winter. These three-for-two socks are spun in a super soft cotton blend and feature an eye-popping print for all to envy.
Buy now £5.00, Accessorize
This Works Stress Mood Manager
This Works is an absolute go-to for any anti-stress product. Simply spray this serene fragrance onto your skin to reduce tension and anxiety. Notes of ylang-ylang, neroli and patchouli, created through fMRI brain imaging technology, restore ease to an anxious state of mind.
Buy now £15.00, John Lewis
Neal’s Yard Remedies Geranium & Orange Shower Gel 200ml
Energising yet soothing, Neal’s Yard’s Geranium & Orange is a shower gel that does it all. Infused with Italian orange essential oils, it will deliver an uplifting start to every morning, and leave you feeling fresh all day.
Buy now £9.75, Neal’s Yard Remedies
Oliver Bonas Niki Net Lilac Sparkle Fabric Shopper Bag
You’ll no doubt have seen a netted shopper cross your path. A lightweight option to keep in your regular bag at all times, Oliver Bonas’ glitter-clad bag is perfect for last-minute food shops and market outings.
Buy now £9.50, Oliver Bonas
Stella Andromeda Harness the Power of the Zodiac
They say never judge a book by its cover, but these pages are so well designed it's hard not to. Treat a loved one to a personalised gift with Stella Andromeda’s Harness the Power of the Zodiac series. Questions such as what job you should be in, when you’ll come into some money and when will you find the one are all unpicked in this charming text. Learn how to harness the power of the Zodiac and tap into the flow of the universe.
Buy now £7.75, Amazon
Oliver Bonas Crocodile Green Ceramic Soap Dish
Snap up a scaly friend for your adventurous bathroom space. Oliver Bonas’ shimmering glazed croc dish showcases a jaw-dropping design for animal lovers and reptile enthusiasts.
Buy now £12.50, Oliver Bonas
Dunelm Pride and Joy Stripe Green Cushion
Many cushion designs are overwhelmingly girly, but not Dunelm’s. Neutral hues are executed via classic vertical stripes complete with smart piped edging.
Buy now £16.00, Dunelm
Glow Hub Pep Talk Cranberry 15ml
Makeup doesn’t need to cost the earth, a concept Glow Hub embraces fully. The brand's Pep Talk lip treatment is one to keep on your person at all times. Available to shop in tempting scents of sweet cranberry, tropical mango and zesty grapefruit, the product will leave your lips feeling fuller and healthier.
A must-have to brace the winter chill, the punchy product will nourish and replenish your pout thanks to the vegan formula which includes peptides and castor oil.
Buy now £8.00, Beauty Bay
