Each month, NerdWallet suggests one wallet win to help you feel more confident about your money. This month’s topic is making holiday gifts feel more valuable, and we’re going to show you ways to elevate a gift without overspending.
Making an inexpensive gift feel fancy is a winter challenge I relish.
As a relatively frugal person who often gets sticker shock when shopping for gifts, I’m always looking for creative ways to save money without diminishing the present. Over the years, I’ve developed a few strategies to make a $50 gift feel like it’s worth at least double that.
In the spirit of the season, I’m sharing these strategies with you. I hope you — and your recipients — find them as celebratory as I do.
Personalize the gift
What does your gift recipient love to do? It helps if they have a favorite hobby, sports team or other interest.
Let’s say your recipient likes to fish. Giving a gift card to a niche fishing store makes it feel far more valuable than the standard Amazon card because it shows that you considered who they are. And there are specialty stores for every hobby these days.
Maybe gift cards aren’t your go-to. You can easily enhance other gifts, too.
Paying $5 extra to engrave or embroider their name on the gift — whether it’s stationery, jewelry or a backpack — makes the item feel far more valuable than its price tag because it’s customized to the individual.
If you choose a gift that couldn’t have been given to anyone else, it increases its value.
Time required: A few extra minutes to think about your recipients’ preferences and apply them when shopping.
