There’s no limit to gift-giving opportunities over time, from birthdays and anniversaries to holidays and special occasions. And, if you’re like most people, you take these moments as a chance to show someone just how much you care about them. Even when you’re choosing a gift for an acquaintance, you still want to get them the perfect present. Few skills feel quite as satisfying as being a great gift-giver, after all. 

When choosing that ideal gift, though, it’s all too common to fall into the trap of paying top-dollar, thinking that will leave you with the most high-quality item by default. Thankfully for gifters on a budget, though, that doesn’t have to be the case. With a bit of extra effort, you can offer your recipient a great gift at an even better price. 

Pay attention to reviews and product descriptions. 

This is one piece of purchasing advice that applies not just to finding the perfect present, but to any shopping you do more generally, too. Before making a purchase, be sure to read the product description closely and browse the reviews left by other customers. This way, you can avoid the dreaded situation of ordering something online only to have it arrive in not-so-ideal dimensions, like a doll’s chair rather than a standard chair at a great price. 

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, look at reviews of the product posted to various online retailers, as well as blogs and other websites. For an even more thorough search, consider looking at similar products, too. For example, you might be looking at the Seiko 5 as an affordable yet luxurious stainless steel watch for your husband, father, or another man in your life. While the reviews are excellent, a quick search for the best watches under 500 dollars brings up alternative options for a great watch, with brands like Bulova, Timex, and Casio standing out in particular. After comparing these classic watch options, you might decide to go with your original choice of timepiece—or you might realize the best watch for your loved one is another one entirely. 

Know your recipient. 

For anyone hoping to show their love or appreciation for someone through a gift, knowing the person who’ll receive it is pretty essential. If you’re shopping for a friend or family member, this might be an easy concept. If you’re finding a gift for an acquaintance, co-worker, or someone else you aren’t particularly close to, though, it might involve a little extra work. 

Maybe you know your significant other loves the health and wellness benefits of CBD and treats themselves to edibles like Sera Labs’ Miracle Gummies whenever they have a few dollars to spare. You could purchase some gummies or edibles for them because you know it’s something they already love and that they have presumably cleared the use of CBD with their doctor already, as you should with any supplement. Conversely, you’d want to do some research to find out whether an acquaintance would be interested in a CBD gummy gift—and can use CBD products in the first place—before buying the same present for them. 

Shop around for the best deal.

As with any purchase, you’ll get the best deal on your chosen gift if you compare the costs at multiple retailers. Even if your favorite store is offering a discount, you might find the price is better elsewhere when you go to checkout, thanks to free shipping or other offerings. This is one of the best ways to make sure you’re getting a great price for your gift of choice. You could even find a lower-cost option in many cases by simply searching an alternative shop or heading to a brand’s official website rather than a third-party retailer. 

Consider, for example, that you’re browsing tunics for a fashionable gift. Initially, you may turn to your go-to store and find a tunic at a reasonable price. Before heading to checkout, though, you decide to check a few other shops—and you’re glad you did. As a result, you find a variety of satin and linen tunic tops that any woman will love, each at an even steeper discount than the original tunic you were considering. So, not only will you have a more affordable option. You’ll have a gift of the highest quality, too. 

Whatever the occasion, a lot goes into finding a great gift. Whether it’s for a close friend, another loved one, or someone you hardly know, it’s essential that you put some thought into your shopping experience to make sure that you not only find a present in your preferred price range, but you find one that’s perfect for its recipient, too. By comparing the costs through different retailers, carefully reading a product’s details and customer reviews, and studying the person who’ll be receiving the gift, you can truly become the best gift-giver you know. Better yet, you can still take advantage of discounts, sales, and the best price point possible in the process.