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Shopping for the perfect gift is already challenging itself, but it becomes more difficult if you're on a tight budget. Nonetheless, it's worth it; after all, buying gifts for holidays or on any occasion can often feel rewarding and fulfilling. You feel this sense of satisfaction whenever you see your loved ones feeling excited about receiving and unboxing a gift from you.
However, as much as you want to buy your loved ones all the best things in the world, you need to remember to stay on budget. Otherwise, you might feel even more stressed about not having anything left in your pocket.
You might be in that kind of situation right now. Luckily, there are various ways you can take to help you become successful in your gift shopping this year without leaving you broke for the rest of the month. This article discusses some of them below.
1. Plan A Gift Budget
Just like the rest of the expenses around the house, you also need to plan a budget before you start your gift shopping spree. Having a gift budget will help you stay on track while you're jumping from one store to the next.
When creating a budget, start by writing down all the holidays or occasions coming up that will require you to shop for gifts. Then from there, decide how much you're willing to spend on every occasion.
If you're planning to buy gifts for two or more people, you can list down their names to know how often should you divide your gift budget for every occasion. Finally, you need to stick to your planned gift budget, no matter what.
2. Keep An Eye On Promotions
Stores having a sale are your greatest sources of perfect gifts. The thing is, there will always be stores that have some form of promo; you need to know how to find them. You can use I Like Sales and other similar websites to help you hunt them down.
Once you find yourself some brands and stores constantly on sale, you can visit their websites. Make sure to subscribe to stay informed every time they're lowering their prices or giving away discounts.
3. Give A Shared Gift
Perhaps the gift budget you've created is still limited. In that case, you can always opt to give a shared gift. For this option, you can ask your partner, friend, or sibling to join you in gift shopping. Then, together you can shop for a gift, and if the price's a bit high, you can divide the price between the two of you.
4. You Can Always Rely On DIY
An easy way to gift gifts while on a budget is by making your gifts. After all, many people consider handmade gifts as more valuable and sentimental compared to store-bought ones.
On top of that, when you DIY (do-it-yourself) your gifts, it gives you the freedom to customise your gift in a way that perfectly fits the recipient's favourites. If you're unsure of what and how to start, you can browse for inspirations online or try to low-key ask your gift recipient and get to know their interests and styles.
5. Check Out Consignment Shops And Thrift Stores
Before rushing to spend your gift budget, consider visiting the local consignment shops and thrift stores around your area. There are plenty of bargain but still good-quality items that can be a perfect gift for your recipients. What's more, some of these items are unique, and you might never find them anywhere else.
6. Consider Re-gifting
Re-gifting can be an option if you don't have money to spare. Re-gifting a present is okay and acceptable. However, there are certain re-gifting etiquette rules which you need to remember before considering this option. Some of these rules are:
- Only re-gift a present if it's still in its best condition or it's something you have never opened before and still wrapped in its original packaging.
- Never re-gift it to the person who gave it to you, as that's simply embarrassing.
- Avoid re-gifting within your circle of friends.
- Avoid re-gifting an item if it's customised, monogrammed, or personalised specifically for you.
You don't need to tell them that it's a re-gifted present. However, it depends on your relationship with the gift recipient. If it's your best friend, then they may not mind at all and would instead appreciate your honesty.
7. Shop Online
Shopping for gifts online can significantly help you stay on your budget. First, you won't anymore spend more money on gas or paying for transportation as you can shop in the comfort of your room. Second, it's easier to monitor your online shopping cart and see if you're about to go overboard with your budget.
Wrap Up
Regardless of your gift budget, remember to stick to it and look for ways to save some money. After all, the essence of giving gifts is not how much you can spend, but rather how that present will mean so much for the recipient. So, remember these tips, and don't be afraid to use your creativity to avoid overspending.