Forget expensive items and instead concentrate on showing how much you care, with presents that have a personal touch

Splurged a load of money on Black Friday? Did it mostly go on yourself? Are you now worrying about how you can eke your cash out for the rest of the month and still afford to give thoughtful Christmas presents? Here are five quick tips for gifts with a personal touch that won’t break the bank.
Bake

Christmas is all about food, so get your chef’s hat on and start baking. Simple brownie traybakes can be cut, bagged and elegantly wrapped to elevate them to gift status. Investing in Christmas-themed cookie cutters (for as little as £5) will enable you to set up a production line for festive biscuits. The ingredients might be cheap, but recipients will appreciate the care you have put into the baking process.

Make

If you are gifted in the art of craft, there is still enough time to get sewing, knitting, drawing, painting or whittling. You’ll find plenty of inspiration - not to mention tutorials - on DIY and crafting websites.

Customise

Presents are instantly more special if you customise them. Get Christmas tree decorations and incorporate a personal photo or message, and you have a gift that can display your thoughtfulness year after year. And you still have time – just about – to put together and order a personalised calendar, a photo-book or frame with pictures of you and the giftee together. If you have pictures from a long time ago, or which the recipient is unlikely to have seen for a while, opt for these – nostalgia is always a winner.

Vouchers with a difference

If you are really struggling for cash, one thoughtful way to defer the cost is to make your own vouchers promising a future commitment of time or a shared experience. Whether you are offering a night of baby-sitting, or just the promise of taking a friend to something they really enjoy – the theatre or a night of cocktails somewhere swish – you will give yourself breathing space to save up for it. Just make sure the voucher is printed and present it in an envelope. And follow through on your promise.

Wrap beautifully

Homemade gifts live or die by their presentation – and with a bit of preparation you can make something that looks great, doesn’t cost a fortune and doesn’t damage the environment. Brown paper with string and a fabric ribbon works a treat, or alternatively you can do the same with cheap fabric. Forage some real holly to decorate the package. Add a hand-written letter alongside your gift. And there you have it: an Instagram-worthy Christmas parcel.

Source : theguardian