We get it, lockdown has absolutely s**t all over birthdays. In fact, let’s be honest here, it’s s**t on a lot of things, including all kinds of celebrations with our favourite people: weddings, baby showers, engagements, house-warmings. Anyway, we digress.
In lieu of actually been able to spend time with our loved-ones to say: “I cannot believe we’re <insert age here>” whilst drinking a glass of prosecco and wearing actual lipstick, we’ve been trying to get better at sending a little summin’ summin’ in the post or leaving doorstep present deliveries. But we are fast running out of ideas for the mates who have everything, and so we thought we’d round up some of our fave gift ideas which are all under-£30.
We hope you find something that inspires your next present purchase…
Star Sign Prints
One of my mates got me this cute little Virgo postcard print from Jacqueline Colley for my birthday, and I adore it. But then I adore astrology and checking my Co-star app every day and reading anything that might help predict the turbulent life of a Virgo Sun/Aries Moon. They cost just £7.50 and you could even pop it in a frame if you fancied.
Glossier Beauty Set
Glossier’s one of those brands that I recommend to everyone – it’s slightly pricier than your Superdrug brands but equally isn’t too high end, the products look super cool, and I’ve loved almost everything I’ve tried (the jury’s still out on Skywash). They have a couple of great sets under the £30 mark – the Milky Jelly Cleanser + Futuredew duo which is perfect for anyone who loves fresh, simple, super glowy skin and the Skin Tint + Concealer set, which are both great low-coverage everyday make-up basics.
Dried Flowers
If fresh flowers don’t take your fancy, then say hello to Instagram’s latest interior trend: the humble dried flowers. So damn great because they last, well… y’know, a very long time. We’ve created a round-up of some of the best places to buy online here, but Etsy is a great place to find them on a budget.
Postal Cake
If you’re worried they won’t be getting their hands on enough of the sweet, spongy goodness that is birthday cake, then don’t you worry, the internet’s got that covered with their abundance of cake you can send in the post. M&H Cake sell cake tubs (£8) – best eaten after a quick stint in the microwave, or you can get a mixed box of brownie bites from Bad Brownie, or a selection of sweet cakes from Cutter & Squidge.
Homemade Pamper Set
This one’s a goodie if your friend lives local and you can do a drive-by present drop-off, and also super easy because you can get it all at the supermarket (perfect if you forget to buy a present until the day). Get a gift bag or gift box and fill it with: bubble bath, face/hair mask (I like the Garnier sheet ones for face and any of the Aussie hair treatments), body butter, wine or sexy soft drink, and of course, chocolate.
Invite To An Outdoor Meal (Or Voucher For An Indoor One At A Later Date)
With restrictions eased (and continually – fingers crossed – easing over the next couple of months), there’s more options when it comes to seeing each other IRL. If you’ve got a nice outdoor space set-up you could invite them over for a takeaway or something delish cooked by you (complete with romantic candles, lots of blankets and a nostalgic play list), or you could set up a birthday picnic consisting of all their fave foods. Another option would be to pre-book their fave restaurant now ready for May re-opening and to create a cute invite/voucher to give them now.
Fancy Ornamental Candle
Gone are the days we buy candles to actually burn – because as of 2021 (and the tail end of 2020) it’s all about the decadently beautiful ornamental candle that can NEVER EVER be touched. Gemma created a great round-up here, but as with the dried flowers, Etsy is another great place to have a hunt for a bargain.
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