Regardless of the occasion or the person’s age, one of the most crucial parts of planning a Gift is coming up with a budget.

No matter how much you love your friends and family members, everyone has their own price range. When it comes to gift-giving, there are certain guidelines you should follow to make sure you don’t go over budget. Because, let’s face it—if you’re not careful, you could end up spending more than you’d intended on a gift. But, if you follow these tips (plus a little bit of time and effort) you can be sure to find the Perfect Gift.

Budget so you have more to spend

The first step to finding the perfect gift on a budget is to determine how much you can spend. If you’re like most people, you probably have a budget in mind for your gift shopping. It’s important to consider this from the very beginning as it can be easy to get carried away when you see something you really like. Remember, you have to stick to your budget. Also, don’t forget that there are taxes, gift wrapping and maybe shipping to be included.

Buy from a store you trust

When you’re on a tight budget, you want to keep your options wide open. That’s why you should always try to buy from a trusted store. You want to make sure you buy from a store that has been in business for a long time, this way you know you will have some confidence that they will be there for you when and if needed. Buying from a dedicated gift shop is a good idea as they specialize in gifting and have usually have gift wrapping and delivery services available.

Find a unique and special item that’s not too expensive

Let’s face it—we all want to find the perfect gift that won’t break the bank. And, while you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a great gift, you do have to try to stay within your budget.

You don’t have to go with the cheapest option if you’re looking for a special and unique gift that’s not too expensive. Always try to buy the best quality item you can afford, as they last longer and are usually more useful. A good idea is to find a few low-priced items and make up a gift bundle. If the gift is not for a close friend or relative, and you have time, you could go to a dollar store to find some inexpensive items and packaging and make up a gift yourself.

Buy an item your friends and family would actually use and appreciate

Remember those gift exchange traditions you and your friends used to have in middle school? You know, the ones where you exchanged gifts and then tried to guess what the others got? Well, guess what? Those traditions are still around today! And, while it may seem like a good idea to open all of your gifts at once, you’ll likely end up spending more money than you intended. So, one of the best gift-giving rules of thumb is to make a list of the things your friends and family would actually use and appreciate.

Instead of picking up a box of chocolates just because they’re on sale, pick out something your friends or family members would actually use. And, when you’re gift-buying for your loved ones, always make sure to consider their lifestyles, interests, and needs.

Make a list of things your friends and family would like

When you’re looking for the perfect gift, it helps to think of things your friends and family members use and love. Have a little book or notepad dedicated to gifts, and have a page for every one of your friends and relatives. When you meet or talk to them you will more than likely hear them say “I wish I had one of those”, “I really need one of those” or “I can’t find”. Just jot it down in your book and at the end of the year, your Holiday gift shopping will be a breeze, and you can give them the things they’d actually appreciate and need.

For example, if you know your friend loves to listen to music while they work out, you could always grab them an armband so they can take their tunes with them on their runs or walks. Alternatively, if your friend loves to relax with a good book and a hot cup of tea, you could always get them a new tea infuser.

It will also help your budgeting, as you will always spend a lot more when you’re in a hurry and stressed.

Bottom line

It’s important to remember that finding the perfect gift doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality. Instead, look for unique and special items that are still within your budget.

The post Tips for Finding the Perfect Gift for Any Occasion on a Budget appeared first on What A Jewel.