Gift Budgeting

If you could do with a few penny-pinching tips for your gift-buying expedition this Christmas try a few of these - but be warned, you'll never look at gift-buying in the same way again

Go with a theme

Try using a theme for buying gifts, especially if you have lots of names on your list. Themed gifts save you time and money, especially if your choice includes items promoted under the ‘buy one get one free', bulk or wholesale offers. Good themes should cover options for both men and women, and the kids. Some ideas include books, jewellery, jumpers, underwear and gadgets. If you narrow down the theme category, say to books, even better - then you can simply visit one section of the bookshop to choose from subject areas like cookery, biographies, fiction or inspirational...

Save money by buying your children one gift each this Christmas. If they don't like the idea let them know that this allows to you spend just that little extra on their special gift!

Choose a gift basket theme such as travel, cooking or computers and design a unique gift with lots of little bits and pieces that won't cost a fortune but will look really impressive together.

Recycling gifts 

Don't give your unwanted gifts to charity (or throw them or away or leave them collecting dust in the bottom of a cupboard)! Recycle them by giving them away as gifts. But keep a note of who the gift came from originally for obvious reasons...

Promise of a gift

Promissory gifts are an old and honoured tradition in many families. You simply symbolise the promise by wrapping up something that represents it: wooden spoon and recipe for a promise to bake a cake, spanner and nuts for a promise to fix something and so forth.

Last minute gifts

Kids can help create last minute gifts they will be proud of by making vouchers that can be exchanged for work projects. Ideas include a promise to set the table for a month, taking out the rubbish, helping with dinner, shovelling the leaves, walking the dog, visiting grandma...

Do you find buying gifts for teens a headache? Nothing will make a teen happier than to take them on the gift-shopping trip in person. It's a lot less stressful and a great way to spend time together - but do set a spending limit.

Like to start your gift-buying early?

Stockpiling gifts all year round is a great way to avoid feeling the pinch. That way you can take advantage of bargains and sales all year round. Buy a plastic container to store them in.

Image consultant Susan Fignar suggests choosing ‘seasonless' fabrics such as wool crepe, rayon and rayon blends, microfibres (like washable suede) and silk. These can be worn and found during any season.