Now that the festive season is over for another year, I’ve been looking back on the presents that I bought for some of my close friends and wondering how I could improve for their birthdays across 2017. Seen as we’re in the sales period, it seems like the perfect time to pick up some bargains and keep hold of them until that perfect occasion comes around, but what should you buy for your best friends? Here are my top ideas…
Sleepover kit
I think this is the perfect idea for someone that’s either had some bad news or who is really under the weather and needs some cheering up. Surprise them with your other friends by popping around and hosting an old-fashioned girl’s night in, but with some key essentials. Have a food hamper with all their favourite snacks, wine, DVDs and other treats to give them that boost they’re in need of. You could even pick up onesies for everyone in the girl gang. If you’d like to some more fun “survival kit” style ideas, click here.
Spa weekend
If you have a best friend that’s a workaholic or who has been seriously stressed out of late, what better gift to give than one of relaxation? Whether it’s a birthday or Christmas present, this is a great excuse for them to chill out and enjoy some pampering, so surprise them with a spa weekend voucher. You can get some incredible deals on sites like Groupon, Wowcher and Lastminute, so keep your eyes peeled for a good deal in the run up to their special day.
Photo gifts
I love making photo gifts for my friends, and with the right equipment these days, you can make them look seriously professional. Pick up some photo card paper and print out all your favourite snaps throughout your friendship, before sticking them all in a scrapbook or album. You could pick up some stunning designs from companies like Paperchase, or create your own, around a theme your friend will love. I would recommend buying your ink and other supplies for this from a company like Cartridge People though, as you’ll get a better rate.
Novelty gifts
The novelty gifts market these days is huge, so whether it’s a t-shirt with their favourite movie quote, a best friend Q&A book, or a boyfriend pillow, there’s plenty on the market that you can tailor to their hobbies and interests. If you check out a site like Prezzybox, they specialise in novelty gifts, with everything from gin and tonic bath gel to an indoor allotment. If you’d rather get them something more unusual than a photo album, but still want to stick with the image idea, how about putting their face on a novelty mug?
Did this post give you some inspiration for your next gift-buying trip? Let me know in the comments what kind of unique gifts you’ve come up with for your closest friends…
