Christmas presents that won’t cost you the earth

We’re all feeling the pinch this year with the rising Cost of Living, so here are some thoughtful gift ideas for Christmas presents that are within budget.

Shop at M&S

Shop in-store or online at Marks and Spencer – they have a selection of gifts already wrapped with festive patterns all for under ten pounds! Whether it’s for a child or your partner, we’re sure you’ll find something that you’re looking for.

Personalised mugs

Check out Not Another Bunch of Flowers – you can personalise mugs for a family member, a loved one or the kids. There are also lots of high street stores that can print your favourite picture straight onto a mug for the same amount. You can also make it complete with some extras such as hot chocolate, tea or coffee.

Christmas tree DIY ornament

Why not make your own Christmas tree ornament and personalise it to who it’s for. Tie a ribbon to a Christmas tree-shaped aluminium cookie cutter. Use a hot glue gun to fill and stick on Christmas notions of your choice.

Homemade scented soy candle

In a large heavy pot, melt 10 cups of soy wax chips on medium heat – watch out as this could get really hot. Once it’s melted, add a few drops of pine-scented oil (or an oil fragrance of your choice).

Divide the mixture into two heat-proof bowls – be careful not to spill or spout. Add a few drops of green dye/food colouring and mix until you are happy with the colour.

Glue on the wick to the bottom of the jar (if you can hold it in place, you can skip the glueing) and leave the other end hanging out of the jar. You can also tie the wick to a tig and pull the tig out at the end of the process.

Start layering your mixture – you can make your layers however thin or thick you like. Just remember, you need to wait a little for each layer to cool before you pour on the next layer. A tip you speed up the cooling process is placing the jar in the fridge after pouring each layer.

Homemade Bath Bombs

Bath bombs can be expensive to purchase but inexpensive to make at home. It also becomes extra special knowing you made the gift.

You’ll need:

  • 8 ounces of baking soda
  • 4 ounces of cornstarch
  • 4 ounces of Epsom Salts
  • 4 ounces of Citric Acid for the fizz (you can find this on Amazon)
  • 2 tsp of water
  • 2 tsp of essential oil (for scent)
  • 2 tsp apricot oil for your skin (you could also add vitamin e drops to soften the skin)

Except for the Citric Acid, mix all dry ingredients in a bowl, and all wet ingredients in another bowl.

Combine both wet and dry ingredients – your mixture should resemble damp sand. Mix until your desired colour is visible. It could take a while. You can also use your hands at this point.

Using a spatula only, mix in the Citric Acid.

Once you are happy with the mix, put on some gloves and shape your bath bombs, and make sure you press your mixture hard into the shape that you want – why not use a Christmas cookie cutter to shape your Bath Bombs – this will give your gift more of a Christmas spirit. Or you can add some dried flowers to your mix.

Finally, wrap your Bath Bombs in clingfilm. Let it set for at least 24 hours before you remove your cookie cutter or other shapes you have used.