Gift ideas whatever your budget: It’s the thought that counts!

Updated 12th November 2020

I’m so glad, that when the lovely Martin at PPM was taking down notes for my website design, he suggested that along with all my gluten free things that I also had a ‘lifestyle’ section too. It was great advice. As knowing what a crazy eclectic busy head I have, there will always be random things that I need to chat to you about. And this gift idea’s post is a perfect example!

I get a real thrill out of choosing meaningful and thoughtful gifts for family and friends. And love nothing thrills me more, than when I hit on the perfect thing that I feel somebody will love! You can’t beat a well thought out gift. 

So, I thought that as we countdown to Christmas, now would be a good time to share some ideas with you, in the hope it may offer that little spark of inspiration. As you hunt out that magical gift, that gets you all giddy with excitement!!

 

Simplicity

It can be as simple as a bunch of their favourite flowers. If you are not sure of what they may be, then choose a variety in their favourite colour. And if they are a single stem flower, a stem for each year you’ve known them would be so nice. Add a tag with a meaningful message and there you have it! Lovely!

A bottle of great wine will always be a hit for anybody who enjoys a glass or two! And if pennies will stretch, maybe opt for a signifiant vintage as well? Attach a tag with a message explaining why you chose that particular year. 

For somebody that loves to cook, a great cookery book, an extra special olive oil, or maybe that sauté pan they have had their eye on for ages really would be perfect. I have Nigella’s cookery book collection including both the original and the latest edition of How To Eat. Which is a fabulous book and would be appreciated by anybody who loves their food. Nigella’s books are all standard recipes, but most of them can be easily adapted to suit dietary needs. Of course dedicated diet books are brilliant too. And are such a thoughtful gift for anybody that has to follow a specific diet. 

For a bit of indulgence what about a tube of luxury hand cream? One that you know someone would love, but would only buy themselves as a real treat! My sister in law Kate is a huge fan of CLARINS hand and nail treatment and I like to indulge her with a tube whenever I can. 

Or what about a bottle of luxury bubble bath or perfume. And If it’s a stretch to get the perfume, maybe opt for the body cream instead. I used to always buy a bottle of Badedas bubble bath each Christmas for a close friends mum, as I knew she loved it! It’s a great quality bubble bath that smells so nice. It also comes in a box which you can wrap really neatly too. Which is most satisfying!  

*Chocolate is the perfect gift for somebody who loves it and It doesn’t have to cost the earth either. A simple bar, which has been beautifully gift wrapped with gorgeous tissue/wrapping paper, I’m sure would be much appreciated. Neil loves chocolate and I do normally splash out and get him a rather posh box for Christmas. Generally, handpicking out the flavours that I know are his absolute favourites! Lots of chocolates and treats are gluten free.  You just need to do your usual checks to ensure all good to go for individual dietary needs.

A magazine subscription makes a cracking gift. For the last few years I have subscribed for the steam railway magazine for my Dad and could not have picked out anything better for him. Happy days!!

Bespoke your gift by picking up a selection of bits and bobs that you know will be loved, wanted or needed. And then individually wrap and pop into a nice gift bag or box. My Niece loves doing her nails and I know she would love a bag full of nail associated things; like a nail file, cotton pads, nail varnish remover and a few bottles of polish.

Lovely PJ’s are such a perfect gift. And there are always lots of beautiful sets to choose from.

Get a multi pack of ankle socks (or maybe a single pair of walking socks if that’s their thing). Split the pack and wrap up individual pairs as single gifts. Or maybe use them as tiny stockings, filling them with little gifts. Things like nail varnish or mini toiletries, even a cute pair of pants would fit in!!

A voucher or gift card for their favourite store will always be a winner! You can even buy vouchers to be redeemed at favourite restaurants. 

For anybody that loves to read, pick out a new book by an author they love. I have a random recommendation for a couple of books written by Rita Konig which I was gifted a few years ago. They’re not novels, but instead, feel good books to flick through for great ideas; Rita’s tips for domestic bliss and Rita’s culinary trickery. 

Also, should you opt for a book as a gift, a bookmark slipped into a page that has meaning to the person who is receiving it is another idea.

Top tip:  Make a little mental note of what friends and family say they like when you are with them and jot the ideas down whilst still fresh in your mind. This certainly helps with hitting on the right thing in the future. I have a constant ‘gift list’ on my phone! 

 

Precious and sentimental 

Surprise them, and get a piece of jewellery that has sentimental value, mended, cleaned etc.

Have a special photo restored and transfer it into a frame, before wrapping it up with lots of TLC. Or maybe you can have a selection of pictures printed off to put in a multi frame or tie them in a bundle with some ribbon. Finishing off with a gift tag. 

Have something meaningful framed. Years ago, I had Neil’s running medals framed. It made him teary when he unwrapped it on Christmas Day.

 

Thoughtfulness

A beautiful keyring is lovely if somebody has just moved into a new home, passed their driving test, got a new business premises etc. 

If they are off on holiday. Foreign currency with a travel guide for the appropriate country.

Give the number of gifts for each birthday year. These only need to be small, i.e. lottery ticket, pack of favourite sweets, new biro, note pad, little bottle of fizz etc.

Something as simple as a top-quality sketching pencil and pad beautiful wrapped would be perfect for somebody that loves to sketch and doodle. Or maybe a paint palette, brush and pad for somebody that is considering taking up a spot of painting?

Fingerless gloves for somebody that gets chilly hands, but maybe needs to have their fingers exposed to complete 

A jazzy new belt!!

Hampers

I’ve received hampers in the past, but up until last year had never gifted one. On my hunt to find exactly what I was looking for, I came across ‘The British Hamper company’. And whilst they do a wonderful range of general hampers, what caught my eye, is that they have a gluten free hamper section. and the gf goodies included look amazing! *Some products contain gluten free oats. 

Handmade and Homemade

Gifts don’t have to cost a lot. Fill nice jars with sweets, biscuits or any other treats that fit in there. Even buying ready-made biscuits that can be decorated with melted chocolate would work. I picked up these gluten free ginger biscuits from Lidl (they do contain gluten free oats) and decorated them with some melted *dark chocolate, allowed them to set and popped them into this little Kiln jar and tied a ribbon around the top. 

Why not rustle up some homemade cakes? On a couple of occasions I’ve made these  gluten free carrot cake cupcakes to give to friends. They were a welcome gift. 

*Make their favourite chutney jam lemon curd. Or whip up some truffles or fudge and transfer into a gorgeous container or arrange on a beautiful china plate that would also be given as part of the gift.

Use whatever skill you have to make something thoughtful that you know would be well received. Handmade cushion covers, wash and laundry bags or a tote bag that can double up as a gift bag filled to the brim with surprises!

 

And for the little ones

Most of the time gift buying for children is so easy isn’t it. Phew!! As they will have checked out Argos and given you a delightful list of everything they wish for. But it is still lovely to make gift giving to them special.

I have in the past done a pass the parcel themed gift for my niece and nephew. And although they would have unwrapped the parcel in one go, there was a goody inside each layer as they continued to unwrap their parcel, until they got to their main present. Another idea could be a ‘lucky dip’ for them to pick out a surprise from a big box filled with shredded paper and wrapped small gifts. It would be nice idea for them to have a little dip and pick something out at different points throughout the day!

Last year I ordered a couple of The Wild Year books for gifts after hearing good things about it on the radio – it has lots of suggestions for things to do outside throughout the seasons and think it is a lovely gift to give to a child.

Another great book that I picked out last year was Cooking Step by Step: More than 50 Delicious Recipes for Young Cooks. It’s a perfect book to encourage children to venture into the kitchen to discover how to create delicious food!

 

If the skies the limit

Book a holiday. Take them to the destination of their dreams. Maybe it would be to pay a visit to somebody they love, who lives on the other side of the World?

Hire a camper van for the day and take them on a tour around their favourite county. Or a much longer trip if you have the time. And the pennies!!!

 

Give the best gift ever – your TIME!

Gifting isn’t just about giving a physical object. It can simply be to give your time freely to somebody. Spending precious moments with them, doing the things that brings them joy, really can mean so much more than anything you could possibly buy.

A few suggestions:

Cook their favourite meal.

Take them to their favourite destination, café, restaurant, pub, chip shop etc (Neil once surprised me and took me on a ‘mystery trip’ to Whitby for gluten free fish and chips).

Crack on and do that chore that they’ve been dreading doing. You really will be loved forever!

Fix up that old bike in the garage that they are itching to go for a ride on.

Mend that item of clothing they love, but can’t wear because it’s ripped or has a missing button, zip etc.

Sit down together to watch and watch their favourite film from beginning to end with all their favourite goodies to munch on!

And last but by no means least. Spend the afternoon together drinking tea and nattering – without any distractions or places to be!

 

Wrapped with love

So, once I’ve hit on the perfect gift, I then go a bit bonkers with gift wrapping. Starting with tissue paper, sprinkles, wrapping paper and ribbons to tie everything together. I just love it!! And feel this extra attention to detail can make even the smallest gift seem SO special!

I cut up old Christmas and Birthday cards and use them for tags. I never worry about the size of the tag – small and large works in different ways.

It’s nice idea to attach a Christmas decoration to a present, that can then be hung on the tree. Since my niece and nephew have been little I have sent them a new tree decoration every year. They now have a good old selection. 

You can also make what the present is wrapped in, to be a part of the gift. By wrapping it up in a beautiful tea towel, scarf, or even a handkerchief if the gift is tiny, like a pair of earrings, lipstick etc.

 

Ok, I think that’s my lot for ideas for now. I often come back to blogs and update information. So, it’s always worth having a peep every now and again at previous posts to see if I’ve added anything new.

Thanks for reading.
Liz x

 

*Check out ingredients to ensure suitable for dietary requirements.