Genius Christmas gifts for every kind of gathering (all under $30!)
With its long days, Christmassy vibes, and endless celebratory catch-ups, the festive season is undeniably the most magical time of year (pretty sure there’s even a song that says so). However, depending on how many friends, family members, and miscellaneous others you’ve got to buy for, it can also be the most expensive.
If you’ve made a list, checked it twice, and discovered you’re in need of some budget-friendly gift ideas – we’ve got you covered. From office secret Santa all the way to emergency back-up presents, we’ve pulled together thoughtful-yet-budget-conscious options for every possible gift-giving scenario.
The office Secret Santa gift
Sourcing an office Secret Santa present can feel like the gift equivalent of doing your tax. You know it’s coming. You know it’s best to just get it done and out of the way and yet, somehow, you always end up in a crowded shop at 8pm the night before, searching for an appropriate gift within the dictated budget range, wondering if Paul the project manager is into craft stamps.
Avoid this nightmarish scenario with a) a little proactivity, and b) a simple, no-fail strategy: choose something with either universal appeal, or charming novelty factor.
If you lean towards universal appeal, you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous (and very reasonably priced) little beauty treat like Mecca’s Skin Splash Watercooler Serum Ornament (pampering…but make it festive), or Adore Beauty’s SALT BY HENDRIX bath tea bags in Coco Mojito.
Alternatively, keep things playful with Cotton On’s Portable Waterproof Speaker (a perfect seasonal pick) or the ultimate Australian novelty gift: a personalised box of Arnotts Shapes (pizza flavour, obvs).
The mates’ Christmas shindig gift
It's time for a Christmas celebration with your crew (yay!). Spoil your mates with gorgeous gifts that feel lux, but won’t break the budget. You can’t go wrong with a super-soft velvet eye mask from Kip & Co, or a soothing Sunday Rain Himalayan Massage Ball. Alternatively, go lighthearted with the Men’s Society Golf Emergency Kit or the ever-popular Cards Against Humanity (90’s Nostalgia edition, of course).
The extended family catch-up gift
Daggy Christmas tradition, beloved annual reunion, or just an opportunity to play backyard cricket with cousins you haven’t seen since last year? Love it or hate it, for many of us the extended family Christmas catch up is a big part of the Christmas calendar, and choosing wallet-friendly gifts for this occasion can be super tricky. You often have very little - or worse, outdated - information to go on. Does your aunt still like Monsteras? Is your little cousin still planning that gap year overseas? Is your uncle still weirdly obsessed with his smoker barbeque? Are they even coming?
We can’t help with the RSVP list, but we can make the gift buying a little easier. Think gifts with a unique twist, like Fluffe’s Liquid Gold Potion Floss (everyone will want to try it), or crowd-pleasers like the We the Wild Mini Plant Care Kit, Maizon Balzac’s elegant Volute candles, or a pretty-in-pink measuring cup and spoon set from Unicorn Superfoods.
The cover-all-your-bases backup gift.
Your brother shows up at Christmas lunch with his new plus one…but fails to mention that’s the plan beforehand. Or your lovely neighbour ducks over with a thoughtful little gift, which you totally should have been prepared for, but it’s December and you lost track and you have exactly zero to give them in return. We’ve all been there. That soul-sucking moment when you realise you don’t have a suitable gift on hand, and you feel about a centimetre tall.
The solution? A back up, emergency gift anyone will love, suitable for every Christmas occasion. Think tasty treats like Jimoto Foods’ Miso Hot Sauce, an eco-friendly bamboo cutlery set for one, a delicious, skin-pampering Jelly Wash, or GIGI&TOM’s Ceramic Vase in Sand (the perfect Christmas centrepiece). Christmas gift crisis averted.
