15 unusual gifts for under £10
Are you looking for that elusive gift that falls into the 'something a little bit different' category, but won't break the bank? Here at Rex London we are all about gorgeous gifts. We absolutely ace gifts for him, totally finesse gifts for her, and even have great gift ideas for those annoying people who seem to have everything. Right now, we're focussing on unusual gifts. The kind that will stop someone in their steps and put a smile on their face. Best of all, they are all under a tenner! Read on to browse our brilliant collection...
Quirky gift ideas for your coworkers, neighbours, friends, and family
... for the chic geek
Periodic Table glasses case & cleaning cloth, £5.95
Are you friends with someone who knows their protons from their particles? With this specs case to hand they will never confuse their Ni from their Na (heaven forbid!). It's elementary, really.
... for the globe trotter
Pistachio green travel scales with tape measure, £6.95
Give the precious gift of peace of mind to any frequent flyer you know. They will never fall foul of airlines' pesky hand luggage limitations with these savvy scales that boast a cool, retro design.
... for the hostess with the mostess
Cerveza Española round metal serving tray, £9.95
A tray offers an elegant way to serve multiple beverages, and is especially useful for the garden. This colourful design evokes sunny Spanish vibes, and will come in handy to keep drinks balanced, even if your hostess gets a little trolleyed.
... for the music lover
Set of 6 vinyl record silicone coasters, £7.95
Even if they're more likely to stream a song than spin a record, anyone who appreciates music will celebrate the iconic visuals vinyl brings. After all, water marks on the coffee table aren't very rock'n'roll. Apparently, Elvis used to swear by a good doily.
... for the nature lover
Ladybird wooden bug hotel, £8.95
Protecting pollinators is a major mission for all environmentalists. This hanging home for our insect friends is a cute and compact way for someone to offer a minibeast motel in their outside space.
... for the foodie friend
Blue whale ceramic noodle bowl set, £9.95
For true foodies every meal is a moment, even if it's just a bowl of ramen. This sweet set, with its adorable whale chopstick rest, will make someone's next noodle soup session so much more special.
... for the desk jockey
Hot dog mini stapler with 1000 staples, £6.95
Does someone you know spend too much time at their desk? Give them a cute companion to keep them company. This sausage-themed stapler will help them organise their essential papers, and may even provide inspiration as to what to have for lunch.
... for the busy mum
Gumball wall hanger, £8.95
37% of being a mum is making sure everyone has the correct PE kit/coat/bag/lunch box/water bottle as they leave the house. This sputnik-inspired hanger will keep bits ready to grab-and-go - and look darn good doing it.
... for the glamour puss
Bunny ears head band, £4.95
Anyone who spends considerable time applying make-up appreciates a decent headband to keep their coiffure out of their concealer. This version brings a light-hearted touch with the addition of bunny ears. Hop on it!
... for the keen cook
Pig wind-up kitchen timer, £8.95
Whether it's a sponge, a souffle, or a stew, every gourmet guru needs a timer in their cooking life. This pig could save someone's bacon - literally - with its timing capabilities.
... for the pot plant obsessed
Your Garden mini gardening tool set, £9.95
If you're buying for someone who is crazy about cacti and mad about monsteras, how about this mini gardening set? Perfectly-sized for pot plants, it offers three small-scale tools for cute indoor cultivation.
... for the disco diva
Gold hanging disco ball, £9.95
Kitchen disco, anyone? This small-scale mirror ball will bring the sparkle to any indoor gathering, creating instant dance floor vibes. You just need to supply the bangers…
... for the devoted dad
Spirit of Adventure multi-task tool pen, £9.95
Know a dad that prides himself on being able to fix anything? With this multi-tasking tool in his top pocket he'll possess the super-power to tighten a screw at a moment's notice. Not all heroes wear capes, kids.
... for the book worm
Set of 4 magnetic dog bookmarks, £2.95
Set of 4 magnetic cat bookmarks, £2.95
True bibliophiles always use a bookmark. Folding the page corner? The horror! Whether they are Team Fido or Team Moggie there's a super-cute set to select. Although, at £2.95 each, you could splash on both…
…for the accessory aficionado
'Love' wooden heart-shaped trinket dish, £8.95
Bringing vintage charm and a warm, wood finish this heart-shaped tray literally screams 'love.' It's perfect for rings and other small adornments. Even if they don't use the tray for jewellery, there are so many other stylish ways to use a trinket tray, we're sure it will get some use.
How to make a £10 gift look and feel like a grand gesture
We're on a mission to prove you don't have to bankrupt yourself to give thoughtful presents. Even a gift under £5 can be pimped to look like a million dollars. Here are some handy tips to up the wow-factor of a low-cost pressie.
Don't forget the card
A handwritten greetings card is an absolute essential when you're giving smaller gifts. Taking the time to compose a heartfelt (or humorous) message speaks volumes. Investing a small amount in a multipack of blank greeting cards is a super-savvy way to make sure you've always got a card to hand, whatever the occasion, to accompany any gift.
Wrap it up
Gift wrap isn't just a practicality, it's a simple way to make a present look more considered. Wrapping paper also makes the gift-giving process more of a 'moment' as you all enjoy the suspense of the unwrapping. Our gift wrap designs are so gorgeous they'll make any gift look like an eye-catching treat, especially when placed next to more run-of-the-mill wrapped presents. Finishing your wrap with some inexpensive ribbon or colourful tape or twine is a pro trick to add even more visual interest.
Present it in a reusable container
Consider adding to the present by making the container you place it in part of the gift bundle. Smaller gifts work wonders placed in vintage-inspired storage tins, mini storage bags are a cute way to transport a gift, and a colourful storage basket makes a great background canvas for any wrapped gift. For all three, some tissue paper to pad out and elevate the presentation is highly recommended.
Bundle in some inexpensive extras
It's a neat trick to 'bulk out' a low-cost gift by adding some cheap extras. Getting someone a statement candlestick? Lovely, buy a small box of taper candles to go with it. If you're gifting someone a vase, fill it with flowers - even wildflowers you've picked yourself will add some real impact.
A wash bag makes a wonderful low-cost gift - just pop in a scented bar of soap before you hand it over.
Storage tins, especially decorative ones, make for attractive presents. Why not fill a tin with homemade cookies to make it as much of a gesture as it is a gift?
A mug is a classic affordable gift, but pair it with a box of posh tea bags to make it more special.
Finally, it's tradition that you should never give someone an empty purse. Place a coin inside to keep superstition alive. As an interesting aside, in terms of folklore this is known as 'hanseling' the purse.
Take the time to show you care
Taking the time to make a present by hand is the ultimate in meaningful gift-giving. Craft kits make this easier, and here at Rex London we have lots to choose from. We'll provide the inspiration and materials - you just need to find the time. For under £10 you could cross stitch someone a cheerful rainbow, make an adorable mini lion plushie, or, if you're handy with a needle and thread, create an elegant ladybird-themed embroidery hoop.
Make it personal
We keep mentioning how important the meaning behind a gift is - it's a cliche, but it really is the thought that counts. One way to show you've really thought about a low-cost gift is to make it personal to the recipient. For example, a photo frame is a perennial pleaser as a great gift. Don't just give an empty frame - add in an image that's meaningful to the person you're giving it to.
If you're buying someone a notebook, write on the first page. A funny joke, an insightful quote, or some of their favourite song lyrics shows consideration.
A pack of cards is a super-cheap gift that you can easily upscale. Create universal score sheets pre-printed with the names of the giftee's family members so that when they're ready for their next game night they have the score sheets ready to go.
Frequently Asked Questions about budget-friendly gifting
If you're lucky enough to have lots of family and friends, you'll know that the cost of constantly handing out gifts can rapidly rise. You may wonder if spending less on presents is acceptable. Here at Rex London we have some thoughts on the matter...
Is it okay to give low-priced gifts?
Yes, absolutely. As the saying goes, we're not all made of money. Giving gifts that haven't cost the Earth is not just acceptable, it's pretty classy if you put time and effort into thinking about that person and the perfect present that they are going to love. That's the beauty of buying more unusual gifts. Rather than the recipient thinking 'well, that can't have cost more than a tenner,' they'll be thinking 'where the heck did they manage to find that?'
Is it commonplace to give low-priced gifts?
Yes, and increasingly so. We're all familiar with the Secret Santa gift-giving process, but many families and friendship groups are introducing price-limited gift rules to help keep things affordable. Arguably it's more fun, and more of a challenge, to find the perfect gift on a budget. If your family or friends aren't currently gifting under such cost restrictions, why not be the one to suggest it? After all, we've got you covered with Rex London's fabulous gift range.
What makes a gift unusual?
To find a truly unusual gift you need to step away from the boring, bog-standard places people go present shopping and have a keen eye for quirk. Products with clever, witty designs stand out from the crowd, as do items with some vintage flair. An unusual gift can also be classed as something someone wouldn't consider buying for themselves, but realise when they receive it they really did want it all along. For example, a noodle aficionado might not consider splashing out on a cute chopstick rest but when they have one will realise how fun and practical it is (and it will have only cost you £5.95!).
How do I buy someone something they will love?
The secret to giving a gift that hits the spot is getting to know someone. Presumably you have a fairly good understanding of your immediate family's likes and dislikes, but if a colleague casually mentions they adore penguins, for example, jot that down so you can delight them with a thoughtful penguin-themed present when the time is right.
How can I avoid giving unwanted or unused gifts?
See above! It's a matter of judgement, and knowing your giftee. If you've never known someone to wear specs, don't buy them a glasses case. If in doubt, a practical gift, like a fun tea towel or a quirky pen, is a safe bet that even if you haven't absolutely nailed it, the gift is likely to at least get used.
Where can I find inexpensive gifts?
Here at Rex London we have you covered for this all year round with our 'Gifts under £10' and our 'Gifts under £5' selections, but the other handy tip is to shop the Clearance section. Clearance stock is refreshed regularly, so if you see something that's the perfect present, grab it while it's cheap and save it until it's time to gift it. Buying bits throughout the year and curating a stash of good gifts is a brilliant way to keep gifting affordable - just don't forget where you store them!
Wild Flowers puzzle. Was £7.95, now £1.95 in clearance
