4 Ways How to Build a Themed Gift on a Budget

Are you ready to learn the 4 ways how to build a themed gift on a budget? I’m going to share with you how I create my awesome themed gifts! I’ve also included theme examples and shopping tips.

You’ll have so much fun creating your own themed gifts once you learn how to incorporate the 4 ways I use to make my own.

• WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS ARTICLE:
• 4 ways to build a gift theme
• gift theme examples and ideas
• insider shopping tips for gift themes

4 WAYS HOW TO BUILD A THEMED GIFT ON A BUDGET

1. PLAN AHEAD TO STAY ON BUDGET

I always shop well in advance for my themed gifts so I can be selective and buy gift items at the lowest price possible. Planning ahead allows you time to find unique items, too. Shopping over many months for a themed gift has always worked out well for me and kept me within my budget.

INSIDER TIP 1 – SALE CYCLES AND HYPES

Pay attention to each store’s promotional sales or clearance cycles to get the best deals throughout the year. You can do this by signing up for store emails and catalogs to track when and how often they run sales, coupons, and free shipping.

Don’t fall for the “lowest prices of the season” announcement sales. It’s just a marketing tool to get you in the store, and the sales may not be the best time to purchase. You still need to keep track of the item(s) you want to buy. Eventually, you’ll catch the cheapest time to shop those stores or catalogs for bargains.

INSIDER TIP 3 – FREE SHIPPING

Free shipping is not really “free.” Yep, it’s not free. Stores and catalogs take into account those costs by raising prices and spreading those costs over some or all of their products. You’re paying for it one way or another, so wait for free shipping.

2. HOLIDAY AND SEASONAL SALES CAN FIT REGULAR THEMES

Planning ahead and taking my time allows me to be on the lookout for items that may be from different holidays or seasons that will still fit my theme idea.

For example, I once built a “polka dot” themed gift that I was able to shop throughout all holidays and seasons, finding polka dot items. I’ve even done a “happy everything” theme where I’ve purchased one or two items from each holiday. Also, for a “starfish“ theme, I found a unique starfish ornament during Christmas.

INSIDER TIP – THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Gifts don’t always have to given in the usual way, for example, I once gave a gift in the summer and made it a “Christmas in July” themed gift. Mix up your seasons and holidays. It’s fun!

3. ADD ONE FEATURED GIFT ITEM

I like to include a featured item if it fits my set budget. A featured item can be one of the following:

• higher priced item found for an excellent deal

• larger size item to add to the gift theme

• handmade item to add a personal touch

EXAMPLES OF FEATURED GIFT ITEMS:

I hand painted stripes and chili peppers on a chip wood basket for a “Cinco de Mayo” gift basket that I put together many years ago. Painting the inexpensive basket added a nice personal touch.

ANOTHER FEATURED GIFT EXAMPLE:

An example for when I used a higher priced item as my featured item, was a large beach bag from Burke’s Outlet for only $14.99. I filled the bag with all my anchor nautical themed gifts.

4. MAKE THE GIFT PRESENTATION MEMORABLE

Don’t forget to look for your wrapping, packaging, and gift toppers for your gift presentation during your shopping excursions. Presentation can make your themed gift. Get creative!

PRESENTATION EXAMPLE 1 :

I’ll use my Cinco de Mayo example again. A combination of the hand painted basket and all the coordinating gift items make a bold color statement. Don’t you just love my bow I made using crepe paper?

PRESENTATION EXAMPLE 2:

I put together a “kitchen utensil” themed gift a few years back. Using a utensil foam stamp and craft paint to stamp my wrapping paper was unique for the presentation. I attached utensils with curly ribbons to the box and mixing bowl “basket.” I think the presentation turned out fun and creative!

5 THEMED GIFT EXAMPLES I’VE CREATED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

1. COKE WITH RED & BLUE GINGHAM

I bought items, such as, a discounted Coke cookbook, Dollar General Coke glassware and Coke melamine plates, blue gingham placemats, Coke soda, etc. etc.

2. COFFEE

I found 2 large decorative boxes that had a coffee cup print and I used them as the gift boxes. I purchased items like, coffee mugs, kitchen towels, coffee wall decor, etc. etc.

3. SANTA BELT

This theme took more than one year. I found items, such as, a scrapbooking photo album covered in furry Santa outfit with belt (hard to describe but it was my “feature” item), paper plates and napkins, Christmas cards, bedroom slippers, home decor items, etc., all had a Santa belt only.

4. CHERRY AND GINGHAM gift basket idea.

5. STARFISH themed gift idea.

I hope you learned some new tips and got a lot of ideas to help you create your own themed gift. Have you ever put together a themed gift?

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE:

BEST STORES TO BUDGET SHOP FOR THEMED GIFTS

HOT CHOCOLATE BASKET AND MUG IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS