Low cost, high value Christmas gifts

Sick of buying gifts that sit in the cupboard? Then check out these alternatives. There's no waste, the memories will last a lifetime and you get to spend time with friends and family. Psst they won't break the bank either.

HipCamp experience

HipCamps offer self-sufficient travellers the chance to experience rare off the beaten track beauties. Usually set on large private properties, they offer often unseen views, serenity and a true escape from the hustel and bustle. While they don't come with facilities, they are often very affordable and offer a unique experience. 

The Gift $
If you have a self sufficient set up, why not offer an entire experience as a gift. Make a booking, turn up an hour or two before to set up camp. Leave the essentials, a stocked esky and some music. Maybe thrown in some games, bikes or a kayak if there's water around. Top with a few lavish touches and the recipient will feel like they're having a bespoke million dollar experience. Best of all they leave it all behind, while you zip back to do the pack up.

Adventure Activities

Consider gifting eco-friendly adventures like kayaking, hiking tours, surf lessons or wildlife safaris. 

The Gift $$$
You can often snag these on deal sites or find and support a local experience business.

The Gift $
Know how to surf or have a couple of kayaks? Use your own kit to provide the experience. Throw in a picnic and yourself as a tour guide and you'll create lasting memories. 

Creative experience

If you've been blessed with a creative gift, set up your own unique experience by sharing your skills with friends and family. You might be a potter, painter, upcycler or woodturning master. 

The Gift $
Create an experience that lasts an hour or all day, whatever you think the recipient might like. Provide the materials and an item to take home. At the least, you'll get to spend time with your friend or family and you may even inspire a new hobby that will keep on giving.   

Guilt free trading 

If you make a living from your trade or if you're handy and have a garage full of equipment, guarenteed you've got a friend or family member who'd love to engage your skills. Whether you're a nail technician, seamstress, mechanic or carpenter, or just have more tools than a hardware store, an hour or two of your time and equipment is the perfect gift. 

The Gift $
Create your own voucher available for the recipient to use during the year. That way the next time they need a shelf put up or a glow-up for a hot date, they can call on your services without any guilt. 

Date night experience

If you know someone trying to keep the romance alive but doesn't manage it quite as often as they'd like, why not create it for them. 

The Gift $
Depending on the recipient and what skills you're packing, check out these ideas 

• offer to babysit or mind the children for a few hours while they go out or stay in
• turn your home into a romantic restaurant, create the menu's, provide the waitress service and clean up afterwards 
• creat a location based experience at a scenic lookout or beach. Grab a second helper. One of you set the stage with a table, rugs, cushions, picnic hamper and music ,then dismantle afterwards, while the other acts as a chauffeur to the lucky couple. 

Offer your time as a plus1

Got a friend who loves the ballet but hasn't got anyone to go with or perhaps a family member who wants to try a new sport but is nervous to do it alone. Offer your time to accompany them on any experience they want to try.

The Gift $
You can choose a free experience you know they've been wanting to do, pay for your part of the experience if it's on the pricey side, or if you're feeling flush, pop a dollar value on a voucher and they can choose something new.

Child or pet minding vouchers

Most people don't like imposing or feel uncomfortable asking, but trusted friends and family are often the people you really want to look after your children or pets.

The Gift FREE
Simply provide a voucher or vouchers for the time you're willing to share. Whether its a weekend looking after someone's fur baby or hanging at their house while they go out for the evening, guarenteed this one will get the gold tick of approval. 

Photo gifts

With such advanced cameras in mobile phones, you don't need to be a professional or have lots of fancy equipment to take a great photo. 

The Gift $
If you've got some basic know how and a decent phone or camera, offer a photo shoot to a couple or family who only ever get selfies. Then either print a selection of shots or create a photobook as a gift.

Photo tips

• Use natural lines in your environment to guide the viewer's eye towards the subject. This could be a path, a fence, or even the lines created by light and shadow.
• Shoot during golden hours. The best light for portraits is often natural light. Golden hours are the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.
• Try to avoid harsh light. The midday sun can create harsh shadows on your subject's face. If you must shoot during this time, find some shade or use a reflector to soften shadows.
• Focus and Exposure: Tap on your subject's face to set the focus and adjust the exposure. On most phones, you can slide your finger up or down to increase or decrease the exposure.
• Portrait Mode: Many smartphones come with a portrait mode that blurs the background, creating a depth-of-field effect similar to DSLR cameras. Use this mode to make your subject stand out
• Natural Poses: Encourage your subject to move and act naturally. Capture candid moments that reveal their personality.
• Angles: Experiment with different angles. Shooting slightly above the subject can be flattering, while getting down to their level can create a more intimate feel.
• Emotion: Aim to capture genuine emotion. Engage your subject in conversation or play music to set the mood.

Create your voucher

Canva is just one of many places to create designs for free. Use a voucher template and create memorable gifts they'll remember forever.