Even though we know them well – perhaps too well – buying Christmas presents for flatmates can still be a nail-biting, anxiety-inducing task. Last year we helped you out with 5 non crap gifts for a fiver or under, but this year we thought we’d raise the bar (and the price tag) by offering up 7 brand new present ideas for £15 or less. Yes, these 2018 prezzies are slightly pricer... but c’mon, your flatmates deserve it for putting up with you for another year! Get your wallet ready: we’ve got something for everyone...
1. For the one who loves to decorate...
We all have one flatmate that takes great pride in making their bedroom look like it belongs on the cover of Architectural Digest. Their sheepskin rugs and hanging plants put your plain bedsheets and plastic IKEA lamp to shame.
It may seem like their Insta-worthy room is complete to your “minimalist” eyes, but this £11.95 pineapple print from Desenio will be the ultimate finishing touch and a fabulous Christmas present. Worried they won’t be allowed to hang it up in your rented pad? Don’t be! This snazzy print will look just as “fashun” leaning on a shelf or desk.
2. For the one with a sweet tooth...
This flatmate is always snacking on chocolate and sweets… but you’d never know it from looking at them. How do they do it?!
You may be envious of their forgiving metabolism, but Christmas is all about thinking of others, so surprise this housemate with a sweet subscription box. For £15.96 they’ll get 4 weekly boxes over the course of 1 month. From assorted toffee to flying saucers, Treats offers a mixture of goodies which will be sure to keep their sweet cravings at bay this January. This tasty gift might be over £15 (just), but who cares when they’re gleefully stuffing their face (and hopefully sharing…)!!
3. For the one who never puts the toilet seat down, like ever...
No matter how many times you tell them off or embarrass them in front of guests, there’s always one flatmate who continuously leaves the toilet seat up. Not to worry – we have the ultimate passive aggressive Christmas present for you...
Just as you’d give the flatmate that smells a fancy shower gel, gift the flatmate that never puts the toilet seat down ‘Toilight’ – a motion sensor light for toilets. This nifty £11.99 gadget works by lighting the toilet bowl up in multi-coloured lights as you approach it. Okay, it’s a bit crappy (pun intended), but it’s not Christmas without at least one tacky present. Hopefully it means your flatmate will now think twice about leaving the seat up…. Plus it’s super useful for when the rest of the flat needs a wee in the dark of the night!
4. For the one that loses everything...
It happens ALL the time – you’re ready to leave the house, but then you hear the dreaded “I can’t find my keys!” from the flatmate that misplaces everything... Shock. You’re then forced to wait around for what feels like an eternity whilst they check every surface and sofa crack.
Enough! Gift this notorious flatmate ‘Tile mate’ – the best-selling Bluetooth tracker that can be attached to keys, bags, wallets… humans?! The tracker works up to 100 ft and is controlled via a phone app, which records the location of the item and rings it up to 88 decibels. This holy grail of a present can be bought on Amazon for £12.74. Just THINK of all the precious time you’ll save… and the midnight wake-ups whenever they forget their keys...
5. For the one who's super organised...
This flatmate is the complete opposite of the one that loses everything – they get kicks out of scribbling initials on fridge food and go wild for a diary. But you’re certainly not complaining… they’re the one that keeps the whole house in check!
So say thank you to them this Christmas with a rose gold memo grid from New Look. The wire grid, which comes in at a bargain £9.99, can be used to organise and store notes, letters, photos, invitations – the lot! Warning: such an attractive organisational present may send this neat freak into overdrive...
6. For the house party animal...
It’s impossible to ignore the flatmate who loves a sesh and is constantly playing music through the house – even into the early hours of the morning! We all have one… but unfortunately for them, there’s one place their blazing tunes can’t sound – the bathroom.
So what better present for the party animal flatmate than a waterproof shower speaker?! This £12.99 speaker from Amazon can be stuck onto any bathroom surface and its wireless Bluetooth connects to phones and ipods, so they’ll never miss out on the chance to boogie again. It’s also a very versatile investment as it can be used by the pool or on the beach as well... flat vacay anyone?
7. For the one who thinks they’re Nigella...
Do you know your burrato from your scarmoza? Your portobello from your shiitake? Well this flatmate does... and they don’t half go on about it! They take over every house meal, but you don’t kick up a fuss because, let’s be honest, they are the best cook.
For this fancy flatmate we give you our best find yet – ASDA’s £10 Slow Cooker. This foodie gem will allow your flatmate to cultivate cooking creations that they can leave to simmer away whilst they’re at work, uni, the gym – wherever! Plus, the slow cooker is also one of those “present for you – present for me” kinda gifts as you’ll no doubt get to taste test their mighty meals! Clever huh….
So, what are you getting your flatmates for Xmas? Let us know on Facebook...
