Art of Gifting: The Trick to Gifting High End Looking Gifts

The season of giving may well be over but if you’re 30+, there is an endless cycle of gifting for all the milestone occasions you’ll be celebrating with your friend groups. Think engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette parties, wedding gifts, baby shower gifts, new mom. The list is endless. If the cost of living has you stressed about gifting something that looks expensive, here are some of the tips I use.

Invest in Good Packaging

The most well-known brands understand the value of packaging. If something is packaged attractively, it has a higher perceived value. Whether you’re gifting a candle as a housewarming gift or a set of baby clothes for a new mom, consider what it is wrapped in. For example, if you’re gifting a candle opt for a velvet box with a textured ribbon. This will look much more premium than putting the same candle in a gift bag with some tissue paper. If you’re super stretched on money, consider saving boxes you receive from online shopping, many of the materials and packaging can be re-used.

Get Creative

Sometimes individual items alone may not work as a gift but if you get creative, you could be the most thoughtful gift giver. Think of a gift for a newly engaged couple. You could gift them well wishes of ‘Love, Health and Wealth’  as an engagement gift. For love, the gift can be a candle, the gift of wealth can be a money tree and health could be some fruit. Packaged neatly in a premium basket, it’d make for a creative and thoughtful gift.

Have a Mix of Items

The trick to expensive-looking gifts is to mix it up. For example, if you’re gifting a mum a new baby hamper for a bridal shower, you can mix a high-end body suit and some diapers and teething toys from your local pharmacy. Mixing high end items with inexpensive but useful things will not only make hampers look fuller, they’ll also have a higher perceived value.

Prep Early to Save

When it comes to gift giving on a budget, the early bird really does get the worm. Many shopping sites regularly have deals. If you know you have multiple occasions to celebrate, consider ordering in multiples or bulk when a sale is on.

Photo by Ekaterina Shevchenko on Unsplash