Gift Budget Guide UK
How much should you actually spend on gifts? Your complete guide to appropriate gift budgets for every relationship and occasion in the UK
One of the most awkward questions in gift-giving: "How much should I spend?" Spend too little and you seem cheap. Spend too much and you make others uncomfortable. This guide breaks down appropriate UK gift budgets by relationship, occasion, and context – no more guessing.
Quick Budget Reference
Close Family
£50-£150+ depending on occasion
Partners
£50-£200+ for special occasions
Friends
£20-£50 typical range
Colleagues
£10-£30 for most occasions
Gift Budgets by Relationship
Partners (Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Spouse)
| Occasion | Suggested Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birthday | £50-£150 | Milestone birthdays (30th, 40th) warrant higher end |
| Valentine's Day | £50-£120 | Focus on thoughtful over expensive |
| Anniversary | £80-£200+ | Increases with years together |
| Christmas | £80-£200 | Often the highest annual spend |
Pro tip: Quality and thoughtfulness matter more than price. A well-chosen £60 gift beats a generic £150 one. Browse gifts for her or gifts for him for inspiration.
Parents & Step-Parents
- Birthday: £40-£100 depending on your budget and their needs
- Mother's Day / Father's Day: £30-£80 typical, quality over quantity
- Christmas: £50-£120, often the biggest gift of the year
- Note: Adult children typically spend more than young kids. Pool resources with siblings for bigger gifts parents truly want.
Siblings & Close Family
Friends
Close Friends
- • Birthday: £30-£60
- • Christmas: £25-£50 (if exchanging)
- • Wedding: £50-£100 per couple
Casual Friends
- • Birthday: £15-£30
- • Housewarming: £20-£40
- • Baby Shower: £20-£50
Browse affordable options in our gifts under £50 collection.
Colleagues & Work Gifts
- Secret Santa: £10-£20 (stick to agreed limit)
- Boss Leaving Gift: £5-£15 per person in group collection
- Close Work Friend: £20-£40 for personal occasions
- Retirement Gift: £10-£25 per person in group collection
- Rule: Never spend more than colleagues on group gifts – it creates awkwardness. Check our gifts under £20 for Secret Santa ideas.
Gift Budgets by Special Occasion
Weddings
Close friends/family: £50-£150 per couple
Colleagues/acquaintances: £30-£60 per couple
Evening reception only: £20-£40
Tip: Consider whether you're attending as a couple (spend more) or solo (spend less)
New Baby
Close friends/family: £40-£100
Colleagues: £10-£20 (group gift typical)
Casual friends: £20-£40
Browse thoughtful options in our baby gifts collection
Housewarming
Close friends/family: £30-£60
Casual friends: £15-£30
Neighbours: £10-£20
Practical home gifts work best – see our home gifts section
Smart Gift Budget Strategies
- Set Annual Gift Budget: Calculate total gift spending for the year (birthdays, Christmas, occasions) and divide across months. Prevents December panic.
- Quality Over Quantity: One thoughtful £40 gift beats four £10 items. Choose quality within budget rather than cheap quantity.
- Use Sales Strategically: Buy Christmas gifts in January sales, birthday gifts during Black Friday. Plan ahead to maximise budget.
- Coordinate Group Gifts: Pool resources with others for bigger, better gifts rather than multiple small ones.
- Consider Your Financial Situation: It's okay to spend less during tight months. True friends and family understand financial constraints.