If you’re looking for the perfect gift to treat a friend, creating something completely unique is a great way to show how much their friendship means to you.

More thought goes into finding the perfect gift whether it’s a personalised piece of jewellery or photo frame or a hamper with some of their favourite things in. You know your friend more than anyone, but we’ve put together some creative gift ideas for your friends for inspiration that won’t cost you a fortune.

Friendship Hamper

You don’t a need a special day or reason to show someone close to you how much they mean to you. But if you’re looking for a good way to say thank you, a hamper is the perfect gift.

Gift ideas for a hamper can include their favourite scented home fragrance such as this lovely Portmeirion Botanic Garden Boutique Candle Tin in the scent Sweet Pea.

Another great gift is a reed diffuser, so they can refill the diffuser with their favourite home scent. This stylish Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Reed Diffuser in Bergamot and Water Lily makes a wonderful addition to any home.

Don’t forget to add edible delights to the hamper. If your friend has a sweet tooth, be sure to include some of their favourite indulgent treats such as biscuits, cakes, pastries, chocolate and sweets. This can be homemade or bought. Why not include some luxury hot chocolate too and preservatives?

If your friend prefers savoury food, then crisps, a selection of cheeses with biscuits to accompany them, chutney and some delicious pastries, should be included.

You could complete the hamper with a bottle of their favourite drink and personalised card.

Book Collection

If your friend is a bookworm and enjoys spending their spare time reading, then you could buy them a story collection from their favourite author or genre.

Perhaps your friend has a collection of stories and they’re missing one. Finding the missing piece of their collection is a great gift idea. You could even try to find an original or limited version of this book or a signed copy by the author.

Of course, you don’t have to gift your friend with the latest romance book or thriller. You could buy them an autobiography from their favourite celebrity. You could even treat them to a new recipe book from their favourite chef.

If your friend is lacking in storage for their books, buy them a new bookshelf or a quirky storage solution. If you’re a crafty individual, make them a bookcase. It will be more personal and unique, not only because it’s been handcrafted by yourself, but it will be one of a kind.

Photo Collage

Creating a collage with your favourite photos of you and your friend is a great gift idea, especially if you’ve been friends since your childhood. Every photo will have a story behind it that is personal to you both.

Although you’ll no doubt have hundreds of photos to pick from, choose a handful of your favourite ones that have personal meaning to you and your friend. The photos can be placed in a readymade collage photo frame; a large photo frame so you can select how you position the images, or you could create a mood board to pin the photos too. Whatever you choose, we’re confident your friend will love it.

Pamper Box

We all deserve a pampering from time to time. It’s a great way to rejuvenate and relax and also makes the perfect gift.

What’s the best thing about having a pamper day? You don’t need to spend a fortune.

In recent years, Christmas Eve boxes have become the ‘must have’ Christmas gift, and this year pamper boxes will be equally as popular.

You can have so much fun creating the pamper box and filling it with luxurious items such as aromatic home fragrances, lavender pouches, calming oils and lotions, and soft cotton towels for the face and body. To make the pamper box more personalised and indulging, include a range of tea flavours such as chamomile, lemon and ginger. You could even sneak in a small bottle of red and a box of chocolates. If your friend uses Spotify, create a soothing playlist to listen to whilst enjoying an evening of relaxation.

Grow Box

If your friend is the green-fingered type, buy a selection of plant-related goodies and create a ‘grow box’. This is an inexpensive gift idea and ideal for friends who have recently moved into their first house or are setting a small herb patch in their apartment.

The grow box can contain a colourful selection of seeds and bulbs of your friend’s favourite flowers or even a flower that reminds you of them. If your friend is the culinary type, include herbs and a range of garden fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, strawberries and a chilli plant.

Make sure you include a watering can so your friend has no excuse but to water the plants, especially during this current spell of warm, dry weather. If you’re looking for a watering can that boasts style and can also be a gift that can be kept on display, then we recommend the Portmeirion Botanic Garden Watering Can. It’s tasteful, elegant and it makes watering your garden enjoyable.

Other gifts to include are gardening gloves, plant feed, a new gardening hand tool such as a trowel, fork or pair of sheers and small planter or a garden ornament.

There are so many creative gift ideas for friends that you could buy on a budget, but only you know what your friend likes and what would make the perfect gift.

Whether your friend is going through a tough time or you just want to show them your appreciation for everything they have done for you, a unique and personal gift is sure to brighten up their day.