If you're anything like me, buying gifts for friends automatically puts a smile on your face. Whether it be for a birthday, Christmas, or housewarming gift, I can’t contain my excitement when it comes to planning and selecting the perfect gift for my friends and family. I love watching my loved one open a gift that I spent so much time selecting just for them. The only sad part about gift shopping is the costly side of it. It’s the hardest thing to be a lover of gift giving with no money in your wallet. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience, which is why I decided to share few ways I could continue to give gifts without spending a lot, if any, money! These three cost friendly gift ideas are amazing because they are sentimental, which automatically deepens the meaning of the gift and strongly reflects the relationship between the gift giver and receiver.
1. Framed art and photos
This is one of my absolute favorite forms of gift giving that is extremely affordable and takes minutes to put together! Print out a friend or family member’s favorite poem or quote and frame it. This can also be done with a favorite photo that captures a great memory. Type up an inside joke or funny saying you and your loved one share, and frame it, this is a fun way to give a gift that your family or friends will always cherish. If you have a little more time on your hands hand painting poems, quotes, or inside jokes and sayings on a canvas is a great way to add a creative and heartfelt touch to your framed gift. Frames can be found for $10-$15 at Ikea or even cheaper at flea markets, swap meets, etc.
2. Short films
I love creating videos for friends or family showing footage of us on trips or when we are out doing things together. This allows my loved ones to keep memories and laughs for a lifetime. It allows your friends or family to look back on the great times you all have spent together. The greatest part about this gift idea is that it costs no money! Simply film on your phone or camera whenever you are out and about with friends or family, compile your best footage, and edit it all together on iMovie! It’s super simple to do and it will put a huge smile on your loved one’s faces, guaranteed.
3. Favorite things bucket
This is a super fun and cheap way to put a gift together, especially when you have little time to work with. Take a trip to Target, Walmart, or the dollar store and pick up a cute or interesting bucket that you think matches your friend or family member’s personality. Then fill it with some of their favorite go-to items. For instance, my best friend’s bucket would be filled with Hot Fries, Mint Oreos, Gold Fish and gel nail polish. My other best friend’s bucket would be filled with a variety of chocolate and her favorite drug store makeup.
