So. 15 days till Christmas! If you’re an organised person you’ve bought and wrapped all your pressies already. They’re nestled under your tree in pretty handprinted wrapping paper (that you made yourself) and now you’re busy baking cakes and making sure that your alphabetically organised larder is fully stocked for all the unexpected guests that stop by your house over Christmas. I’m basically thinking your house is a lot like an M&S advert, though unless you’re very lucky I’m guessing Take That won’t be there.

If you’re me, of course, you’ve bought, well, nothing. Actually I lie. I bought 2 bottles of vintage Cava because it was half off, but I don’t expect them to make it to Christmas Day to be honest.

I figure if I’m this disorganised there are probably other people just the same, sat there, free of ideas waiting for inspiration to strike.

I love to put together little gift boxes for people, I think that’s what turns something a bit blah into a memorable gift. Something a bit special without the “special” price tag.

So if you’re shopping on a budget here’s a couple of ideas to get your imagination ticking over! Everything can be ordered online, or you can put together something similar from local shops, depending on how last minute you’ve left it!

Under £10 – Bathtime Glamour

If you’ve got under £10 to get a gift it doesn’t mean you can’t buy someone a little bit of glamour and pampering.

I looove Lush, the smell’s a bit intense for some people, but I think their bubble bars make the bath water feel like bathing in a cloud! Get this Christmas special Marzibain bubble bar for £2.45.

Add these Grehom Floating Frangipani scented handmade purple candles which are just £3 from Amazon.

Pop them in a pretty gift box with this funky Rainbow Shower Cap (£3.95) and you have a great bit of bath time glamour for under £10.

£10-£20 – A cosy night in

Got a little bit more money to spend? Most people spend around £20 on family members and for this kind of budget you can get something that looks quite special if you hunt around a bit for bargains.

A bottle of decent Cava can be bought in Sainsburys, Tesco or Co Op at the moment for just £4.99. Add 2 of these sexy champagne flutes reduced to just £1.95 each from House of Fraser and a good old fashioned DVD like An Affair To Remember [1957] that can be picked up for as little as £5.

Chuck  in some Snowball Munchkins for nibbles, £4.75 from Hotel Chocolat, and you’ve got a perfect gift for a perfect night in.

£20 to £50 – Regular chill out time

I always think magazine subscriptions can be a bit of a non gift. I mean, technically they’re the gift that keeps on giving, but there’s no real “oooh” opening excitement on Christmas Day. But if you’ve got a bit more to spend, say between £20 to £50 I think they can make a great centrepiece for a themed gift.

Add a 12 month subscription to a fashion mag like Marie Claire to either of the above gifts. Alternatively go for the snuggly option and add the subscription to a gift box containing a pair of Slippers
and a funky mug and a note instructing the recipient to spend at least an hour a month relaxing with a cup of tea and a magazine.

Of course, if you’ve really left it last minute e-vouchers are a great way of giving to someone you won’t see face to face before Christmas.

Many independent retailers do their own gift vouchers, so it’s worth looking for something a bit special that won’t make you feel quite so much like you’ve wussed out on the imaginative gift buying!

Retro Chick does vouchers for between £5-£500. Here’s a few of my other recommendations….

Agent Provocateur a glamorous gift. Smelly candles, erotic literature and sexy undies, let them choose their own

IWOOT Gadgets, gizmo’s and unusual gifts. Sometimes browsing this site is more fun than actually buying anything, so a gift voucher is a great idea.

Open University An unusual gift idea, and you probably want to be sure it’s something they’re interested in pursuing before you purchase, but I think it’s a great idea.