Cheap Xmas gifts that make a big impression
If you're shopping on a budget this year (isn't everyone?) then here's how to make everyone happy without breaking the bank - these gifts are all less than £20.
Throwing money at a problem isn’t always the best solution – just ask Pete Burns’ face. It’s the same with Christmas presents. Quite often a thoughtful and personalised gift - that happens to be cheap - will trump a flashy but soulless offering.
With this in mind we’ve rounded up some of the best budget gifts out there (they’re all £20 or under) that are guaranteed to bring a smile on Christmas morning. Let’s just keep the price tag between ourselves eh?
Home-made beauty products hamper
What's the deal? Ready-made gift baskets tend to cost the earth – and then the recipient will only want half the items anyway. So how about sorting one out yourself instead? An ickle basket, a bit of ribbon, and all the smellies you can afford make for a cracking gift.
Who might want it? Mothers, wives and girlfriends will love it – just keep the anti-aging cream to a minimum...
What’s the expensive alternative it beats? A ready-made basket with generic beauty products is trumped if you sprinkle yours with some upmarket ones. Think Selfridges rather than Boots.
Sennheiser earphones
Your starter for 10: Play
What's the deal? Know someone who spends their life jacked in to an iPhone or MP3 player? If so, why not give them the gift of a better listening experience – courtesy of some flash new earphones. Top sound brand Sennheiser has loads of quality headsets for under £20.
Who might want it? Surly teenagers, slightly-less surly students or long-suffering commuters.
What’s the expensive alternative it beats? Well it doesn’t necessarily beat brands like Shure, Bowers and Wilkins, but Sennheiser themselves sell high-end pairs for hundreds of quid, so you’re going to get big kudos for picking a premium brand.
A Swiss Army knife
Your starter for 10: Swisstool
What's the deal? Reaffirm his manly credentials with this classic piece of kit. You can buy all kind of variations on Victorianox’s multi-blade these days – from personally engraved models to ones with barometers. But for our (limited) money the original is still the best.
Who might want it? Campers, climbers, techies – or guys who want to look ‘the man’ whilst opening bottles.
What’s the expensive alternative it beats? The top of the range ‘Victorinox Pioneer Damascus Steel 2010’ will set you back a lot more dosh, so again you’re tapping into a top-notch brand. Well done you.
A very cool T-shirt
Your starter for 10: Atticus clothing
What's the deal? Designer T-shirts are the favourite of the thrifty fashionista: they make a statement without busting the bank balance. One of our faves is hot brand Atticus (founded by two of Blink-182). Their classic range of iconic dead bird tees are well under budget.
Who might want it? Teenage rockers or dads going through a mid-life crisis.
What’s the expensive alternative it beats? In the fashion world pricier doesn’t necessarily mean cooler.
Pandora charms
Your starter for 10: Argento
What's the deal? Know a girl aged 15-25? Chances are one of these sparkly beauties will be on their Christmas wish list. Good news for parents/friends/boyfriends is that many models from Pandora’s ludicrously popular bracelet range fall within our £20 budget.
Who might want it? See above!
What’s the expensive alternative it beats? Other jewellery will definitely be dearer – but won’t come with the all-important Pandora logo. Big result.
Personalised mix-tape
Your starter for 10: Prezzybox
What's the deal? Thanks to iTunes, putting together this cheap-but-unique stalwart has never been easier. Pick meaningful songs, undiscovered tunes or - *wink wink* - maybe some beats for the bedroom. For a retro twist, deliver the music on this USB cunningly disguised as an old skool mixtape cassette.
Who might want it? Partners, friends in need of a musical education.
What’s the expensive alternative it beats? You could go and waste cash on the single versions of all the songs involved, but that would make you an idiot.
