Start with a yearly budget
Add up the gifts you give every year: birthdays, the main festival or holiday, anniversaries and a few extras like weddings and baby showers. Then set a total you are comfortable with. Our gift budget planner does the sums.
Rough guide by relationship
- Partner: whatever feels right for you both; thoughtfulness matters more than price.
- Parents and children: the largest share of most budgets.
- Close friends: a moderate amount, or agree to swap experiences instead.
- Colleagues: small, and the same for everyone in a team.
- Teachers, neighbors, service providers: small tokens and a card.
Ways to spend less without looking cheap
- Agree budgets with family before the holidays.
- Draw names for a Secret Santa instead of buying for everyone.
- Give experiences or your time: a cooked meal, a day out, help with a project.
- Shop early and keep a list of ideas through the year.
