Christmas. Oh yes, Christmas! Literally around the corner and no one can hide from it! There’s different types of shoppers. Those that buy throughout the year. Some people start a few months before Christmas and are all done well before December, and some people leave it last minute. But what happens if you want to buy for Christmas but not too sure where or how to start? Here’s how I put together pampering gifts on a low budget with very little time or energy:
Think of that person
I’ve seen people buy presents for Christmas. Some people pick up anything and everything, some really are intentional about the recipient. I try to be intentional because I want whoever gets the gift to enjoy it and I don’t want to waste money buying rubbish. Being intentional doesn’t have to be a hassle or expensive. You might have a friend who is obsessed with baths. A sister who self tans regularly. A gran who is house proud and always has each room smelling nice. Maybe a teenage son who is paying more attention to their skin but needs a helping hand with products. Use a starting point and go from there if you are totally lost on what to buy.
Checking products & prices online
Having a rough idea of what’s available product and price wise always helps. Checking online for products, prices and availability is a must! If you already have ideas in your mind of what you’re buying or if you have zero ideas at all, a quick google search always helps.
Ease of shopping and location
If I’m going into physical shops, I don’t want to be pacing up and down the high street going into hundreds of stores. Firstly, I will try and pick up items from places I already go in e.g supermarkets, stores near where I live or work. Saves time and stress levels. If I do have to go further a field, I will make sure I can get other tasks done or visit multiple stores/shops in that area. Batch your tasks and places to visit.
Theming
I love the scent of vanilla. So a perfect theme for me would be anything vanilla scented. Body mist, body lotion, reed diffuser. Anything vanilla (as long as its a decent quality), I’m all for! Sensitive skin on the body? Fragrance and colour free bath, shower and body products containing oatmeal. Make-up crazy? A nice mirror with some make-up items. Again, it’s all about connection. Easier if you know at least a few things about the person but not impossible if you don’t/
Use buy one get one free’s
If you’re buying for multiple people and you know of at least two who have similar tastes, grab products that are on a buy one get one free. That why you’ve ticked off the list multiple people via one transaction.
Nice packaging
You can go into so many stores now that sell cheap wrapping paper, gift boxes and bags but still be very good quality. Go with a colour, or contrasting colours, use tissue paper and bows…so many things can be done to make something look pretty and more expensive than what it actually is. Attention to detail really shows thought behind the gift.
Examples
These are my own examples of what I’m buying or bought for:
Son. Likes fresh, clean and powdery shower products but also sweet, foodie type scents in these products and fragrance. So I’m putting together a gift bag/box containing Dove soaps, Soft & Gentle deodorant and Vaseline Cocoa Butter gift set.
Teacher. I don’t know her well but I know she has a sweet tooth and is in a highly stressed job. Anything bought will hopefully pamper and treat this teacher. Besides chocolates and biscuits, foot sock masks, face mask, fruit scented shower foam (who doesn’t like fruity scents?) and body lotion.
Teenage girl. This could be for my daughter or one of her friends. Hair clips and accessories, most teens like these. Face masks that are gentle and designed for sensitive skin e.g Simple, so not irritating. Body mist, they all love fragrance. And to top it off a compact mirror.
Keep on top of your purchases
Without keeping an eye on your purchases you can over buy, under buy, spend too much or miss people out. I use two methods. One is an app called Gift List, where you can list gifts bought, how much for, for who and also take a picture of it. And I use good old pen and paper by using a section in my diary. So having some form of inventory or what’s bought, and what needs to be bought, means your eyes can see the whole Christmas gifting in one simple list.
So there’s a few simple tips to create intentional Christmas gifting on a budget. Nothing flash or complicated, just simple ideas to keep your wallet or purse from exploding!
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