Last Minute Gift Guide (small businesses & high street)

Welcome to my annual last minute Christmas gift guide! As always I try my best to include some fantastic low cost gifts from the high street along with some amazing budget friendly gifts from independent British businesses.

From a personalized photo necklace to custom guitar picks for the music fan in you, you have many options to choose from. However, if you are choosing a present for someone in your family who is about to graduate, then opting for graduation regalia could be a good idea. For instance, you can go for diploma frames, custom announcements, and handcrafted desktop diplomas, which could be found on the likes of https://www.jostens.com/graduation/college/. However, if the gift is for some other purpose, then you could simply search on the Internet for the shops that could sell you the desired items. If you want to gift a shoe, you can search “the best sports shoes” on the web to find a suitable online shop. Nevertheless, it is so important to celebrate and support small businesses, so I recommend that you visit the shops and marvel at their creativity.

I have highlighted 19 of my favourite items (all of which are priced at 15 or less) below going down the price scale so make sure you scroll right to the bottom of the post.

Last Minute Gift Guide

Over 10

Liberty Print Cufflinks*, Pink Green, 15
Treat the man in your life to a resplendent set of Liberty of London and silver cufflinks in this gorgeous green colour way. Sure to add a subtle and fun statement to a formal occasion or work place.

white rabbit skincare comfort cleansing balm

Comfort Cleansing Balm*, White Rabbit Skincare, 15
Just about the only product my skin tolerated in 2015 was the handmade Comfort Cleansing Balm from White Rabbit Skincare and I’m happy to sing its praises until the cows come home.
This vegan friendly balm contains some of the most gentle ingredients designed to cleanse your skin and soothe at the same time. It comes beautifully packaged along with the fluffiest of flannels and even gets the Caroline Hirons nod of approval.

pink green necklace

Liberty Print Necklace and earrings*, Pink Green, 14.50 and 12
These beautiful patterned jewellery pieces are a dead set winner for ladies with taste. Choose between the necklace or earrings or even combine both for a beautiful and timeless set.

10 and under

monochrome home sweet home print

Home Sweet Home Print, osotweedesigns, 9.50
Know someone in love with their home or someone who has recently moved? Then you can’t beat a Home Sweet Home sign. This particular sign is cheery yet, subtle and chic and you’d be hard pressed to go wrong with monochrome.

retro cat brooch

Retro White Cat Brooch*, Lorelai, 8
If you know someone who loves a hint of retro kitsch or have a beloved cat lady in your life then THIS is the gift for you. Reminding me of vintage vases, ornaments and paintings this cat brooch is a laser cut and engraved acrylic piece, completed with hand painted detailing. You can choose from a selection of colours, designs and styles.

shake it off art

Shake it off Embroidery Hoop*, The Primrose Parasol, 8
It says fantastic things about my friendship circle that I wouldn’t be able to find a friend who wouldn’t love an embroidery hoop festooned with pink mustangs and emblazoned with “Shake it Off”. Perfect for a craft room, home office or next to a dressing table and an all round perfect gift. The functional chairs and desks from a place like office monster could benefit from this touch of creativity to make for a productive office space.

film in five seconds book

Film in Five Seconds, 7.49
Oddly one of the hit gifts of Mr Thrifty’s birthday was the book Film in Five Seconds a puzzle book similar to those you find in the back of The Independent. With the aid of image clues you have to guess the name of the film. A great book for post-dinner party nattering.

terrarium pin

Diamond Terrarium Enamel Pin*, Finest Imaginary, 7
Succulents, cacti, terrarium, all things so many of us have swooned over in 2015 and you can bring a jolt of beauty to a friend with this beautiful terrarium enamel pin for only 7 from one of my favourite creatives, Finest Imaginary.

snowflake necklace

Snowflake Necklace*, Claireabellemakes, 6
If the snow can’t fall from above you can still give a beautiful snowy deposit to a friend in the form of a gorgeous snowflake strung on an 18inch necklace for the bargain price of 6. Use code THANKS for 10% off online.

pug in a mug

NOKI Pug in A Mug Silicone Tea Infuser, 5.99
As kitschy and daft as this product might seem, it is incredibly useful! It brews up a fantastic cup of tea because the pug’s arms latch onto the side whilst holding your tea at the perfect depth inside the mug. A fantastic gift for tea fantastics and fans of the ever adorable pug-tastic pooches.

terrific beard club

Terrific Beard Club keyring, Veronica Dearly, 5.95
Make that bearded person in your life smile with hairy pride as they festoon their keys this ace Terrific Beard Club keyring.

5 and under

prim ark christmas slippers

Nordic Themed Slippers, Primark, 4
Tis the season for slippers and these bargain slippers make a beautiful gift at just 4. They are seriously soft and deliciously warm and to top it all off they look so wintery the recipient will drag these out year after year for a dose of cosy feet!

copper tealight holder

Copper tea light holder, Home Bargains, 3.99
The world and his wife seems to have gone copper crazy this year and you can add a little hint of copper into the life of a friend or loved one with this beautiful tea light holder. Grab a bag of tea lights and pretty box of matches and tie with a beautiful bow. The perfect gift for a copper lover for about a tenner.

vivid baked highlighter

Make Up Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter, Superdrug, 3
In three shades (peach pictured) these fantastic highlighters are a must for all of your girlfriends. An illuminating highlighter, which gives a healthy glow after just a light application – this product is a dupe for MAC Mineralized Skin Finishes.

rose gold clutch

Rose gold clutch, Primark, 3
The perfect handbag essential can find its way into your Primark basket for just 3. Whether the recipient uses it for a purse, clutch or a make up bag is up to them but the gorgeous rose gold tones are sure to please.

ps make up christmas set

PS make up set, Primark, 2.50 each
These sweet little make up sets each contain either 8 eyeshadows or 8 lip & cheek colours in sweet little snap shut polka dot tins. The perfect little gift for a teen or someone new to make up. Whilst Primark’s PS make up range is definitely budget it is not without merit and you’ll find the shade range and lasting power every bit as good as many well thought of high street chemist brands.

string tin

String container, Home Bargains, 1.99
This lovely little tin with a spool of twine hidden inside is perfect for shabby chic fans and gardeners. Not only is it immensely useful, it is pleasing to the eye. Better yet the original label from the brand signals it was originally on sale for 6 and is yours for the bargain price of 1.99.

this too shall pass sticker

Positivity Stickers*, Sleepiest Designs, 1.50
This sweet set of quote stickers is perfect for someone in deep with the ever evolving planner world or even someone in need of a teeny tiny boost on the front of their notebook. For 1.50 these are a sweet and very thoughtful gift.

mini spatula

Mini kitchen set, B&M 1.49
This little set might look stupidly small but believe me a set like this has more uses than you can shake an…erm…spatula at. The dinky little size makes them perfect for creative baking and also for slipping in a stocking too.

I hope this budget friendly guide has helped you find the perfect gift for friends and family without spending a small fortune.

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P.S. Items marked with an asterisk (*) have been received free of charge for the purposes of this gift guide. I only feature things I can truly recommend as worthwhile items.