Gifts that Look Expensive: Amazing Gifts on a Limited Budget

It is often difficult to find a gift under a certain dollar amount that does not look cheap. If you are giving a gift to a picky person, or you are short on cash, consider some of these gift ideas that are distinctive yet reasonably priced for the impact. Ever not know what to get someone, especially when you factor in Secret Santa budgetary limits, or having to give multiple graduation gifts at the same time, or a series of birthdays and events in a row and really put a dent in your wallet and leave you stumped for good gift ideas.

If there is something that you know a friend has been eyeing, but they will not allocate the money to buy it for themselves, consider if that item is a suitable gift.

Anything monogrammed looks more expensive and does not look re-gifted or like you got it on sale, even if you did. Pens can often be monogrammed for Ebay and antique shops are a great opportunity to find items that other people received as unwanted gifts that are often monogrammed so they cannot return them. You can look by first or last initial and pick up some expensive items very cheaply that look like you took the time to get them monogrammed on top of it. Make sure to ask about item condition and allow.

Some items that come from fancy stores such as Tiffany's, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf's, and similar stores always look expensive If the item is in the signature box or gift wrap, it always look more luxurious than they are. Think of small silver frames or key rings, these items start around $19 retail.

Exotic Truffles are truly decadent. Vasges Chocolat looks like tiny artworks befitting of the truly rich for about $37. See their website to view their decadent, beautiful chocolates. Even if the gift recipient has never heard of this brand and is more of a Hershey's fan, they will know you shelled out some cash for these and they look fantastic. They look much more expensive better than their more common counterparts of Godiva or Lindt and will be assumed to be much more expensive than they actually are.

Bath and Body Works Tru Blu Spa Gloves for $25 makes anyone's hands look years younger and softer. Pair with a an Ahava dead sea salt cream for those with arthritis or eczema or carpel tunnel, or a spa cream for the manicure crowd, a yummy favorite scent for a Mom, these gloves are just plain old loved by all.

If someone is of decidedly better financial background than you and you are afraid of what to get someone who you feel is "old money", try to remember that Paris Hilton is generally NOT the typical rich person. A rich person who was raised wealthy and has a trust fund type of person is actually more interested in useful but stylish items and rare treats. They are generally less interested in trends or mid-level brand names or replica items and interested in quality craftsmanship and materials. Whatever items they collect, if they do, they likely prefer to find and purchase themselves. A well crafted handmade leather writing journal, a well made silk scarf, classic full bouquet of quality flowers, a higher quality item for cooking, such a quality truffle oil or chocolate is likely preferred to the items. This of course, varies by the rich person, but most of the items that are disposable commodities or entertainment for those of less wealthy classes is based upon not being able to afford a more permanent version of something, so it is not that you cannot find a gift for a rich person at Wal-Mart, but it is more likely to be something they also find disposable, such as flowers. Don't pretend you are something you are not, or that the gift is something that it is not. If they were raised wealthy, they are likely used to getting items of lesser value than they can afford, but a little prep time can illicit great gift ideas - such as they might mention a favorite candy or treat they had as kids - such as Fannie Mae chocolates - that the value is you listened to their story and remembered - not so much the cost of the item.

Gift certificates to a favorite restaurant are a known quantity of expense, but there is no minimizing the cost. Make sure to get a domination of gift certificate that will reasonably cover a meal for two at whatever restaurant you pick.

A way to save on gift certificate gifts is to consider SpaFinder or SpaWish, which offer gift certificates to a number of salons (check to see if there are salons of interest to the gift recipient) for a set price, but they do have promotions and discount coupons online so you can get a deal on a gift card that does not show the sale on the gift certificate you give the person. Make sure to give enough to cover a desired service at that salon.

Consider if finances are tight if you have any rewards programs that you can redeem your points for a gift card - like American Express rewards that has numerous choices of gifts and gift cards.

Picking something up at an antique shop that comes with an interesting story that you think might interest the gift recipient is a good way to pick up a gift that the value will be difficult to guess. They could unfortunately under estimate the value as well, so this one depends on the person.

Unless your friend does not care about the cost of an item you give them, try to avoid the clearance department of a store that both of you shop - while Marshalls, Target and TJ Maxx have some great clearances, if your friend sees that gift you got on clearance go on sale for even cheaper than what you paid, it will make you look like a cheapskate.