One in four people this year are thought to be opting for a Secret Santa arrangement in order to keep the cost of Christmas under control. The way it works is simple – each person in the group is given the name of another to buy for. Each participant receives one gift, and each participant gives one gift.
Of course, while simple in theory, there are possible complications. The introduction of a budget is one such spanner in the works. A cap on spending, particularly a low one, can make finding the perfect gift more difficult, but then, creative thinking is all part of the fun of Secret Santa.
In order to make your Secret Santa budget stretch as far as it can, take a look at the promo codes and offers at Moneysaver.ie. This amazing moneysaving tool has details of deals at amazing high-street and internet retailers, and will provide a welcome helping hand when it comes to finding a great gift for less.
Another possible problem is the randomness of the Secret Santa match up. It stands to reason that everyone finds some people easier to buy for than others, and getting stuck with your nightmare recipient can quickly turn a pleasure into a chore.
Here’s a handy Secret Santa gift guide, with ideas for everyone from Great Aunt Gladys the brother who has everything, so you can get it right no matter who’s on your hit list this year:
Mum
If you’ve pulled mum out of the hat then you may initially feel pleased that you’ll have the opportunity to thank her properly for all that she does for you throughout the year. However, with this can come a feeling of pressure to get her something that she’ll really love – particularly if you’re having to work to a budget.
The trick with Mums is to get them something that they’d love to indulge in themselves but their natural selflessness won’t allow it. For example, if she usually buys herself a big bottle of cheap bubble bath from the supermarket then why not treat her to some luxury items for the bathroom?
Lush do amazing gift sets, particularly at Christmas time, and Boots always have a wide range of pampering packages to choose from. Alternatively, why not make it a touch more personal and put together a pamper hamper for mum yourself? Bubbles, chocolates, candles, wine and a magazine or book will guarantee her a blissful Christmas night bath to unwind in after a busy day.
Dad
Dads can be tricky as they often won’t verbalise it if there is something that they would like. The key with dad is to stick with what you know he likes. If he has a particular hobby then a new piece of kit is sure to go down well, or if he’s into a particular sport then match day tickets will give him some precious time out of the house.
For a keen gardener however, the only place to head is B & Q, and voucher codes for this retailer can found at Moneysaver.ie. Simply search B & Q, or look in the home and garden category, for relevant dad-worthy deals.
Brother
If you have a gadget mad brother then you may want to indulge his love of boy’s toys without blowing the budget. Great places to look for cut price gadgets include Zavvi, Amazon and Play.
Alternatively, save all the shopping around by checking out the best deals on the Moneysaver discount code and offers pages. You can even make sure that you’re getting the cheapest deal on your chosen item by using the handy price comparison function.
Sister
Those who have girly sisters should think about accessories as a low cost gift option. New Look is a great place to head for inexpensive little trinkets such as costume jewellery, neck scarves, head bands and more.
Auntie/Uncle
If you’re unfortunate enough to get an aunt or uncle that you rarely see in this year’s Secret Santa then why not treat them both to something that everyone likes – a meal out.
The daily deals section on Moneysaver.ie details great restaurant deals from Groupon, living social and kgb deals – simply search by location to find a great value dine out voucher.
Grandparents
Granny or Grandpa can often be the trickiest of the bunch to buy for. Practical or consumable gifts tend to go down well with this generation, so why not treat them to a luxuriously soft new scarf or a pair of heavy duty thermal gloves? Failing that, it’s a cliché but a tin of biccies really does always go down well with grandparents who love a good cuppa.
Whoever you draw in the Secret Santa lottery, buying for them within budget will be a doddle when you use Moneysaver.ie for inspiration and bargain hunting.