Christmas On A Budget: Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas for Friends

To be honest, this year has been mostly filled with awful surprises but fear no more, Santa Clause is on damage control duty this year and so is The 21 Magazine. This year may have taken a lot from us but we’ll be damned if we let it have our Christmas, so in the spirit of the imminent festivities, here are 15 affordable holiday gift ideas for friends and family.

You better be someone’s pleasant surprise this year!

A Journal or a Diary

We all have that one friend that loves to write or doodle, you can rest assured that this gift item would be put to good use. If you want to make this simple gift more intimate, you can get a plain diary or journal and design the covers with artistic concepts you know he or she would like.

Throw in a fancy pen and voila! You’ve won over the heart of this friend of yours.

Crossword or Logic Book

I think a crossword book is surprisingly one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten, it is quite different from the usual gift items but boy does it come in handy on those sleepless nights or crowded waiting rooms, or that Lagos traffic that can test your patience.

The best part about these books are, they are much welcomed distractions and go in your bags with ease. So, keep this item in mind on your next shopping trip, you’d be surprised how much he or she would love it.

Scented Candles or Home Diffusers

A home diffuser is that gift that makes a lot of people feel sophisticated, it adds this modern ambience to your living space and let’s not forget the wonderful scent it emits. Scented candles are also thoughtful gift items that would give anyone’s place a homey feel.

Plus, no one ever went wrong with a little aromatherapy.

Baked Goods or Confectionaries

The way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, periodt!

There is no better way to show some love than a box of baked goods or confectionaries, you could go solo with this item or throw in one or two other gift items on the list. So, make taste buds hum this Christmas with this gift, I for one would absolutely love a gift that my stomach would appreciate. A box of cookies, doughnuts, chocolate or sweets, whatever tickles their sweet tooth fancy, would be much appreciated. A cute and heartfelt note stuck to the box would make it all the more delightful.

Body Essentials

Who wouldn’t like a present that would make their skin pop or make them look good?

When gifting this item, you might want to play it safe by sticking to simple body items like a face scrub, lip balm and essential oils. When it comes to skincare a lot of people are picky and particular about the products they use, but you can rest assured that a bottle of Olive, Coconut or Argan oil would win over some hearts.

Ankara or Adire

Whether you were the giver or the receiver, this gift item has come in handy for you once or twice in your life.

Giving out Ankara or Adire is somewhat a tradition, it’s just that gift that you don’t have to break a sweat over. If you are looking for a super easy and affordable item to give out this Christmas then you might want to consider this one, if you ask me, Adire would be much more appreciated than Ankara because it’s less common and is (sort of) trending right now.

Perfume or Perfume Oil

Picking out a perfume to gift someone can be quite the task, but it’s still a super gratifying one. Perfumes and perfume oil are budget friendly gift items that are bound to put a smile on anyone’s face, so get that lucky someone spritzing away in happiness by getting them this item for Christmas.

A Board Game / Party Games

Be remembered at every gathering by gifting that special someone this item.

Board games are those gifts that unite people, and honestly we all need some uniting this Christmas. Whether it’s popular board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Ludo, or the newer party games like Cards Against Humanity, How Nigerian Are You and many more, help that friend discover their inner board gamer this Christmas.

A Vintage Shirt

I think everyone needs at least one vintage shirt in their wardrobe, it’s just that addition that stands out, and you can pretty much wear it with anything. The best this gift item is, you can get it for either your male or female friend.

You can get designs ranging from flashy to cool at some stores, and they can be super affordable depending on where you get them. So pick out a rad shirt and put a huge smile on someone’s face.

Bucket Hats

This fashion accessory has been trending a whole lot this year and it wouldn’t be too bad as a gift. Bucket hats are inexpensive and stylish items that anyone would love, if you want to go the extra mile you can get this item customized to give it an intimate touch or you can get a plain one and get an embroidery design on it. You can find them anywhere.

A Raffia Bag

I absolutely love this item because it is so unique and crafty, raffia bags are inexpensive pieces and they come in so many lovely designs and colors that would leave you awestruck. You can get these almost anywhere in Lagos. Every beach lover should have this item amongst their fashion accessories, you can gift that outdoorsy friend of yours this item for Christmas.

Hidden Pocket Scrunchies

Not your usual hairpiece but this item is super handy. A hidden pocket scrunchie is a super thoughtful present to gift your girlfriends this Christmas, this hair scrunchie can take small valuables like money or your keys.

No mugger would ever suspect your scrunchie. This item provides security to your valuables, whether you’re going for a walk or an early morning workout, you would definitely want this item around. It’s super affordable and you can even make it yourself.

Jewelry

You can never go wrong with jewelry.

There are a lot of intricate pieces that look like they would cost a fortune but are surprisingly inexpensive, the trick is, you just need to have a good eye. Whether it’s a unique pendant, a brooch, an earring, a friendship bracelet or a necklace, make sure it reflects the taste of the person you’re looking to get it for. A thoughtful jewelry piece would be a wonderful memento.

Bluetooth Speakers

Who doesn’t love to throw their own mini party or concert?

Bluetooth speakers are great gifts for every music lover and since we all love music, you can basically give this item to just about anyone. You can find some in super portable sizes and you can get this item at a pretty decent price from so many online outlets or stores.