5 Ways to Give Gifts That Matter While Saving

By Mariam Khawer

Nothing rivals the feeling of finding the perfect gift for a loved one. The more important someone is to you the more you want to find a gift which shows them how much you care about them. Contrary to popular belief you don’t have to spend oodles of money to buy the perfect present. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can come up with the most thoughtful presents without straining your savings. We believe a limited budget or a desire to refrain from overspending shouldn’t keep you from expressing your love for someone. Which is why we’ve put together a few gift ideas which are sure to tug at the heartstrings.

1. Got Talent?

Play to your strengths. Perhaps you’re someone who is gifted with words, or people have always applauded you for your artistic abilities.  If you possess these skills you already have everything you need to create a meaningful gift. Express how you feel about the recipient of the gift with poetry. You can print out your piece using a variety of fonts and formats available online and get it framed.

If you have a knack for sketching or painting you could use it to present someone with a portrait or perhaps draw something they would enjoy.

2. Channel your inner MasterChef:

You don’t have to be a culinary expert to whip up a delicious yet inexpensive meal. Cook a loved one’s favorite meal followed by dessert. Most ingredients required for this would be easily available in a common kitchen or pantry.  To add an extra touch, pay attention to the atmosphere and the aesthetics of the dinner setting. The person at the receiving end of this well thought out gift would be highly appreciative of the effort.

3. Movie Marathon:

Surprise someone by taking them out to a movie of their choice, perhaps a move they’ve been eagerly looking forward to. Or better yet, organize a movie marathon at your place combined with their favorite movie snacks. Make a playlist of all the movies they would enjoy to show how well you know them.

4. TV Subscriptions:

We’ve all enjoyed the occasional TV binge when it comes to our favourite shows. Maybe you know someone who has a beloved show they’re obsessed with. Perhaps a friend who has to settle for sharing a Netflix account with an older sibling. You can get them their own, unlimited TV subscription. Both Amazon Prime Video and Netflix offer affordable monthly subscriptions at AED 12 and AED 29 respectively and you can use them across all your digital devices.

5. A Walk to Remember:

There’s nothing more meaningful than a gift that celebrates the recipient. If you’re finding it difficult to buy something for a close friend, family member or a special someone try your hand at a little DIY. Build them a scrapbook commemorating all the milestones of their life. You can go a step further and choose from a plethora of free apps to create a video scrapbook, incorporating photos, music and personalized video messages. This sentimental present won’t cost you a dirham but will undoubtedly be greatly appreciated by the receiver.

The perfect and most thoughtful gift is the one that comes from the heart. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to buy your loved ones a present they will cherish.  You use your creative and clever ways to make your gift one of a kind, while on a budget.