Cheryl's guide to frugalness...part 2

So I thought today I would focus on how to be money-saving when it comes to gift buying-as someone who is always buying little things for people (it's an obsession of mine!) I have found ways to cut costs, be creative and make gifts that little bit more personal for my loved ones. For the past few days in particular, I have been working on a lovely little gift/project for Michael (because I am such a nice girlfriend) just to express my cheesy love for him. 

Basically it involves NO COST but quite a lot of effort and time, however I think it's worth it. Using Windows Movie Maker, I have created a lovely slideshow/video using a song we mutually love, photos from our time together and some cheesy one liners about how much I care (which are all true, sorry!)..it took me about 3 hours but I plan to burn it onto a DVD and it's such a lovely personal gift I would recommend it to anyone who is low on cash like moi but wants to give something special to someone. It doesn't just have to be for a boyfriend/girlfriend, you could create a little video for parents, brothers/sisters, friends...I really like the end result to be honest and I would much rather recieve it than an unpersonal box of chocolates. Unfortunately, I cannot upload it on here (tried many a time!) but here are some screen caps from it :)

Here are some other moving-saving gifts ideas...

1. Buy something cheap and make it prettier

As gifts, I often buy relatively cheap things like candles (Primark actually do lovely smelling ones) and I make it look nicer by putting some ribbon around it. I also do things like with flowers (bought for about £3-£5 from a supermarket, remove the packagaing, cover in some tissue paper and ribbon). It looks much more attractive and you've got a great gift for hardly any money!

2. Re-use re-use re-use!

  To save money, I almost always re-use things like gift bags (I just take off the tag) and also wrapping paper. I know it may seem a bit stingy but why spend £1 on a sheet of wrapping paper when you can do it for free?

3. Consider buying gifts online

Sometimes it can be risky because you can't actually SEE the items but most of the gifts I buy people are bought online for a discounted price. I search websites like Ebay and Amazon and often get almost-new books, DVDS etc. Groupon is a nice website to buy vouchers which could be used as gifts and it's free to sign up.

4. Make hampers cheaply

I think mini hampers make a lovely gift, not just at Christmas. Buy a cheap wicker basket on Ebay, some roll of ribbon and fill it with a few items perhaps based on a theme-for example if you are buying for a cake lover, you could fill it with a recipe book, a cake tin etc. It's so lovely and personal and to save money, if you plan in advance, you could buy one little item each week to fill it up and after a few months, you have a wonderfully unique present.

5. Make a 'photo' gift

I love these and they can be made for under a fiver most of the time and when you can personalise it yourself, even better. I usually use a website called Truprint (just upload your photos on there) and using my pics, I have created things like a photo collage (only 99p), whacked it in a pretty frame and bob's your uncle...you have a pressie! You can also create photo books which you can add words too-when printed they look lovely and glossy and again, very cheap.

Anyway I think that is enough money saving for one day! I am boiling hot right now! I am planning to watch my *cough* One Direction *cough* DVD now...have a lovely evening everyone. XOXO