Christmas should be a time for joy but it can also put a huge dent on the bank balance.
From work Secret Santa and presents for the whole family, to all the drinks, meals and celebrations, it can certainly pull on the purse strings. This is of course exacerbated by the current economic crisis that will likely mean that for many, the festive season is going to look quite different this year.
The cost of living crisis is not conducive to the gift-giving season but spending less doesn’t always have to equal disappointment come the Christmas morning. There are still quality items that your giftee will unwrap with glee - you just have to shop smart.
No matter your budget, we have gathered sure-fire wins in the present stakes that will also be kind to your wallet at the same time. From inspiration for the new home owner, to fan-favourite chocolate goodies, via hero electronics and universally-appreciated beauty, there’s something for everyone in our edit.
Shop the best budget gifts of under £30 below.
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Urban Outfitters Green Tufted Flower Square Cushion
This pretty floral cushion will liven up any interiors, whether they’ve recently become a homeowner or are renting. The colourful design will inject colour into their space, while the plush textured feel will give their duvet days an extra level of cosiness.
Urban Outfitters also offer a range of other designs including an adorable mushroom adorned piece.
Buy now £29.00, Urban Outfitters
Neom Wellbeing for Day and Night Gift Set
You can never really go wrong with anything from Neom when it comes to gifting. The brand has some of the most beautifully scented products on the market that are all about wellness and aromatherapy.
This candle and pillow mist set is just the combination they need to transform the ambiance of their boudoir. Just a few spritzes of the scent will send them off to a deep slumber, while the candle has a refreshing aroma to wake them up come morning.
Buy now £30.00, John Lewis
Le Creuset Stoneware Mugs, 350ml, Set of 2, Meringue
Le Creuset is another label with universal appeal. Kickstart their collection or add to an existing with these mugs that come in a range of colours and can mixed or matched with other items in the range. They are made from artisans in the signature kitchenware label’s aesthetic from a durable stoneware that will ensure they stand the test of time and through elevated temperatures. They come gift boxed and ready to wrap.
Buy now £28.00, John Lewis
Toblerone I Love You milk chocolate and nougat bar 100g
Say it with chocolate with Swiss confectioner Toblerone and its world famous milk chocolate triangles. The duty free-favourite has the personal touch with very little effort required as, on top of the I Love You message, there are also options for Dads, Daughters, and 18th birthdays.
Buy now £15.00, Moonpig
Amazon Echo Dot
A more economical speaker with all the showy capabilities of its bigger brother - albeit less powerful. There’s also the Amazon Echo Spot, a small spherical speaker with a 2.5inch screen that’s ideal for taking from room to room.
Best deals on Echo Dot
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) - Compact Bluetooth Speaker with Alexa - Charcoal Fabric - was: £39.99, now: £16.99
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
Mystic Mondays Tarot Card Deck
Interest in astrology and horoscopes are at fever pitch and this gift idea may just give them the ability to see into the future. The tarot cards are beautifully illustrated with unique imagery to encourage self exploration.
Buy now £20.00, Free People
Where to Eat Pizza by Daniel Young
Consider this the ultimate guide on the Italian speciality. They can use this pizza bible to create a ‘to visit’ list of the best establishments from around the world with city maps, honest reviews and quotes from famous chefs, critics and experts. Once they’ve ticked off all the places to go, it will make a coffee table book that will provide a talking point at future dinner parties.
Buy now £13.75, Amazon
TAMAGOTCHI Original Bandai Tamagotchi Unicorn Shell with Chain
The obsession with all things 90s shows no sign of wavering and so it was only a matter of time before Tamagotchis resurfaced. The toy that defined the decade, a new generation can learn the highs (and lows) of caring for the pixel character. Remember to clean up after it has used the bathroom, check on its health and feed them - otherwise the worst could happen.
Buy now £15.51, Amazon
Morphe 18W Natural Wonder artistry palette 19.5g
Morphe is beloved among the beauty community for its professional-quality products at affordable price tags. Just look to this eyeshadow palette that has 18 shades and costs just £20. The pigmented colours are a combination of matte and shimmer and in tonal reds and nude.
Buy now £20.00, Selfridges
Bialetti Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker
Not only will this espresso maker be kind to their wallet in the long run, but it will produce better quality coffee than their daily Pret alternative. What’s more, it’s attractive too so can become a feature point in their kitchen. Add ground coffee beans, water and put on the hob. There are different sizes available for one to nine cups.
Buy now £24.00, John Lewis
Fortnum’s Dry White Port, Niepoort
Created exclusively for Fortnum & Mason by Niepoort, this fancy number blends the fuller flavours of aged port with the fresher notes of white port, delivering a drink that’s characterised by notes of honeysuckle and butterscotch. The youthful bottle looks cool for your home bar, too, best served with olives or salted almonds as an aperitif.
Buy now £14.95, Fortnum & Mason
Fresh Cleanse and Hydrate Skincare Set
If you want a failsafe gifting idea, stocking up on the basics will never go amiss. We’re talking cleansers, moisturisers and masks aka the contents of the skincare set from Fresh. The label’s hero Soy Face Cleanser is offered alongside the soothing Rose Face Mask that contains real rose petals. There’s also the Rose Deep Hydration Facial Cream for long-lasting hydration.
Buy now £24.00, Cult Beauty
Murad The Derm Report on: Brighter, More Radiant Skin
We all want radiant, glowing skin - fact. So why not make that your resolve this Christmas with another clinical skincare must-have brand? For those unfamiliar with Dr. Howard Murad’s eponymous collection, firstly - where have you been? Secondly, your festive season is about to be taken to the next level. The high-performance, high-quality products are divvied up by purpose; anti-ageing, clarigying etc.
This is the luminous boost containing the Essential-C Cleanser and Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum to minimise the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots and leave you with a healthy complexion at the same time.
Buy now £18.75, Murad
Le Labo Eau de Parfum Discovery Set, 5 x 1.5ml
Coming from someone who wears Le Labo on the daily, there’s no better gift. Full of the brand’s addictive best selling scents, the discovery set will be their official introduction to the cult favourite New York-based parfumier that will allow him to choose his favourite. Including five 5ml sprays, they’re the perfect size to slip in a pocket for a spritz throughout the day. And trust me, after he’s tried it, there’s no going back.
Buy now £25.00, Net-A-Porter
this works Winter Solstice Warming Candle
Light this one when the weather outside is torrential to feel the warmth enamating from the wicks. A treat for all the senses, it fills your space with cinnamon and cedar that has a immediate calming effect on the body and mind. The candle has been hand-poured.
Buy now £26.00, lookfantastic
Apple AirTag
Best for: Bluetooth tracking Apple addicts
While the Chipolo ONE Spot may be a fully features Bluetooth tracker aimed exactly between the eyes of iOS users, I know full well just how brand-loyal many Apple owners can be (some might even stray into the realms of the obsessive – just saying), so for them there exists no other tracker option than the AirTag.
Yes, it’s shiny and good-looking. Yes, it comes with a whole armada of accessories. Yes, it can track things locally over Bluetooth using audio and map directions (or even on screen arrows if in the house) and yes it does also open up the whole Find My community of millions and millions and millions of users to assist you in the search for your stuff, the Apple AirTag looks sharp, works exceptionally well and does all you could ever ask of a tracker… if you’re an Apple user.
Buy now £29.00, Amazon
Patch Plants
Whether they have a green finger or not, the mood-boosting benefits of plants can liven up their home with the ‘almost un-killable’ section at Patch. This selection of snake plants, peace lilies, devil’s ivy and the likes will thrive no matter the level of care and you can throw in a pot for good measure.
From £10.
Shop the best indoor plants here
Buy now £10.00, Patch
As Cooked on Tiktok
It’s not always easy to follow recipes on Tiktok with the fast-paced nature of the videos but with this cookbook, you can whip up the most shared dishes and bring them to life. With a foreward from Gordon and daughter Tilly Ramsay, it collates the likes of the #fetapasta as well as tried-and-tested delicacies from over 40 food creators.
Buy now £11.91, Amazon
Papier 2023 diary
Start the year off right with this 2023 diary gift that will encourage them to stay orangised through the new year. Papier is one of the leader’s in the space with its personalisable diaries and calendars (there’s also notebooks, stationery and more).
Buy now £30.00, Papier
Paw Patrol Big Truck Pups figure gift pack
Got a Paw Patrol stan in your household? There’s no better way for them to wake up on December 25 than to a sackful of new mates in the Big Truck Pups figure gift set. This set of eight makes a fantastic addition to Paw Patrol sets they may already own (or may be waiting for them under the Christmas tree).
Buy now £27.00, Selfridges
W Wanderlust Maps Scratch Off Maps
Globetrotters from a young age? They’ll love scratching off where they’ve been on their travels with an interactive map (which doubles up as a colourful room decoration). Featuring flags for all the countries, they’ll also learn some good general knowledge and be inspired to get exploring more! Comes with two maps – one globe map and one Europe map.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Jamie Oliver One: Simple One-Pan Wonders
The king of quality food made using simple recipes, Jamie Oliver’s newest cookbook has some handy tips and tricks that cater to everyone - whether you’re a parent who cooks for a family of four or a student going to university who’s never made beans on toast. And right now, it’s better than half price on Amazon, so get it before it’s gone.
Buy now £13.00, Amazon
