The gift of giving - on a shoestring

Imagine the scenario: it’s almost the end of term, and for once you’ve just enough money to see you through. But before you can even congratulate yourself on successful budgeting, you remember this is the month that always surprises you: the month of birthdays. The last of your cash will be going on presents. It’s a situation we’ve all been in but luckily, with a little thought and effort, it’s possible to give low-cost gifts that will be worth the world to those who receive them.

Do it yourself

Homemade gifts are priceless - they are not only the cheapest option but also may be treasured for years. You didn’t just stuff a fiver in their card and tell them to go get themselves something nice: you slaved over it for hours to make it special.

It can also be more fun than you think to indulge your inner Blue Peter presenter. All you need is the material to make them with. Second-hand stores are great places for finding unusual bits and bobs that can be put together creatively with a bit of imagination. For a variety of art and craft material sold cheaply in bulk, browse eBay.

Ideas to inspire you:

• A collage/scrapbook of pictures and mementos of your friendship/relationship (makes a great personal keepsake and can be framed).
• Homemade artwork and crafts (paintings, pottery, jewellery, clay ornaments, a dream catcher or embroidered items like cushion covers).
• Handmade cards (countless objects can be used to make a card - a small fallen leaf, a dried flower, a few twigs, buttons, ribbons, glitter, stickers, a few photos of memorable places/nights out).
• Write a poem.

Gourmet gifts

A self-made hamper of their favourite food will always go down well. Get a basket or a bag and fill it with all sorts of treats, perhaps including a cookbook or a much-loved recipe. Or bake them a cake and decorate it with a message using an icing pen. You could make gingerbread men, pancakes, cup cakes, cookies, chocolate éclairs; anything they find scrumptious. Great recipes covering a range of delicacies can be found in Mrs Claus’ Cookbook

And if you really want to spoil someone, make a slap up meal. Invite them round for dinner and serve their favourite dish. To get cheap grub and ingredients, go to supermarkets in the evening when the good old 'reduced to clear' stickers come out. Usually food is only discounted because it has to be consumed within 24 hours but it can often be frozen and used at a later date.

Take something old, make something new

Thinking creatively doesn’t have to mean making something out of nothing. Use things you have but don’t need. Could you sell something and use the money to buy a gift for someone? Think about any unwanted Christmas presents you have taking up space at the back of your cupboard. We've all been given presents that we really didn't want yet we’d feel too guilty to throw out. It’s likely that any redundant gift you have stowed away remains in pristine condition in its original packaging (with the price tag still on). So instead of letting it go to waste, think of who you know might be happy to receive it as a gift. (Friendly warning: if there’s a chance the buyer or recipient of the unwanted gift will find out you've recycled it, it might be best not to pass it on.)