It was the second party invitation of the month. And this one was for twins. We were up to three gifts to buy, and Christmas was around the corner. As if he could sense my stress level rising, my husband sent an ill-timed text: “I need cheap gift ideas for the office party.” Make that four gifts! I could feel my checking account balance turn a deeper shade of red by the minute.
Whether it’s a time of year that’s already tough on your budget or one invite after another is arriving in your mailbox, knowing you have gifts to buy can be stressful. But thanks to this list of 20 cheap gift ideas, it is possible for you or the kids to show up to the next party with the perfect gift without breaking the bank. Which one will you take to your next celebration?
Cheap Gift Ideas Kids Love
1. Bubble Wrap Treasure Ball
Bubble wrap itself will get a kid psyched. But wrap it around candy or a $5 gift card, and it’ll blow the kiddo’s mind.
2. $5 Gift Cards
Kids love gift cards because they give them a feeling of autonomy. “I get to buy my next ice cream!” The key to doing this right is to buy cards for places that have options under $5. That’s the Dollar Store, an Italian ice shop, or fast food.
3. A Thoughtful Regift
There’s no shame in wrapping a book your child no longer reads or a like-new toy. Moms need to reach a mutual understanding that regifting is not only acceptable, it’s just plain smart.
4. Summer Bucket
Got a summer birthday to buy for? Every mom appreciates another set of sunglasses for her kiddo. Put a pair in a bucket with bubbles and a beach towel and you’ll be made in the shade.
5. Sidewalk Chalk and Stencils
This cheap gift idea is great for all ages (moms love it, too!). When the weather warms up, sidewalk chalk is a great creative activity to get the kids outdoors.
6. Girly Finds From the Dollar Store
A gift from the Dollar Store can look like a mishmash of junk if you don’t have a plan. So, go in with a theme. You can find cute scrunchies, combs, barrettes, and chapstick. All you need is a cute bag to put it all together.
7. A Book Lover’s Dream
Are you buying for the child who always has his nose in a book? Or does his mom wish he’d find a book series he loves? Buy your child’s favorite book for him (or regift!). Include a mini clip-on lamp so he can lie in bed and read at night.
8. Water Balloon Kit
This is quite possibly the best invention ever. And they’re cheap—like 100 balloons for less than $10.
9. Candy and Cash
Don’t forget who you’re buying for. A full-sized candy bar and a $10 bill make an epic gift for a kid.
10. A Bag of Microwave Popcorn, Candy, and a Redbox Code
When a kid opens this gift, she’ll be psyched at the thought of picking the family movie and having snacks all to herself. Maybe she’ll invite your child over to join in the fun!
Cheap Gift Ideas for Adults
11. Jewelry Cleaner
A few years ago a friend showed up at our Christmas party with burlap-wrapped mason jars containing a blue liquid. She said, “Take off the lid, microwave the liquid for 30 seconds, and drop in your grimey jewelry.”
I’m telling you, it makes them sparkle! The solution is Windex and a few drops of dish soap. Here’s the “recipe” and instructions. A tiny mason jar will do, so this is a great gift to give to a bunch of girlfriends, just like my friend did!
12. Your Favorite Thing
What’s the thing you buy over and over again? For me, it’s these little garbage disposal freshening pellets that are $8. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be valuable. Think about the things you love. Chances are your friends will love them, too.
13. Antique Treasures
When I go antiquing, items often scream someone’s name: “Buy me for ___! She’ll love me!” On an antiquing venture in August, I found placemats from the 1960s that I knew a friend would love. They were $10, so I stashed them for Christmas.
14. Cute Soaps
This is another gift I received and loved. A friend brought me handmade natural soaps, and I love putting out a bar in the guest bathroom.
15. A Book You’ve Read and Loved
A book is the best kind of regift. Wrap it in a nice bow and include a note that tells the recipient why you think she’d like it, too. Close the note with an invitation to get together for coffee to chat about the first few chapters.
16. A Life-Giving Plant
Most every house could use a little green. If you know the person you’re buying for doesn’t have a green thumb, go fake. She’ll love knowing she doesn’t have to keep it alive.
17. Everyday Kitchen Kit
Take a small wooden cutting board, wrap it with twine, and tuck in a cute dish towel. String the twine through the handle of a measuring spoon and you’ve got a cute and inexpensive gift.
18. Mason Jar Goodies
I’ve received bean soup, cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee cake. Can the ingredients fit in a mason jar? Then you can turn it into a gift! Be sure to include a recipe card.
19. Stovetop Potpourri
This is one of my favorite gifts to give at Christmas time, but you can modify the ingredients to fit any season. You need cinnamon sticks, an orange, cranberries, rosemary and cloves. Just place the ingredients in a clear bag with a bow and attach the instructions you can find here.
20. A Journal With a Letter
If you have a special friend, coworker, or relative who seems to have everything, tell her what she means to you and why your life is better because she’s in it. If you think you need a little something extra, slip the letter into a new journal.
With all these gifts, be sure your child includes a thoughtful note in a card. What are some other go-to cheap gift ideas you love?
