Frugal Gift Ideas
December can easily be the most expensive month of the year. We all know the reason for the season and what really matters, such as time with our loved ones. But most of us like to give gifts to show our love and appreciation for each other. How do we do so without breaking the bank?
Here are some frugal gift ideas to help you give meaningfully without spending a fortune!
I also talked about these ideas on WCCO This Morning!
Here’s the video:
10 Gift Basket Ideas (from my earlier post, Frugal Gift Ideas)
Themed gift basket ideas are frugal, fun and fully customizable.
How to start? Go to your local thrift store, where basket selection is usually pretty good (there are plenty in the Twin Cities – I like Savers, Arc’s Value Village, Goodwill, to name a few).
Buy a simple basket there for cheap. Then come up with an appropriate theme for the recipient. Here are some ideas for themes and suggestions for contents, though the possibilities are endless:
- Coffee-lover’s basket
Coffee mug (purchase cheap at thrift store, Michael’s craft store, home goods store)
Packet of coffee (Marshall’s, grocery store)
Biscotti
Powdered Creamer
Chocolate-dipped spoon (use this recipe and just omit the peppermint!) - Movie Lover’s Basket (can use popcorn bucket/bowl)
Gift card/certificate for movie rental
Microwave popcorn
Candy bar
Sodas - Child’s Rainy Day Basket
Play dough (here’s a recipe for homemade play dough)
Crayons
Mini coloring book
Silly putty
Puzzle book - Relaxation basket (for woman)
Shower gel or soap
Lotion
Shower pouf or sponge
Scented candle
CD of relaxing music - Baking basket (use mixing bowl as basket)
Dry ingredients for baked goods (just add milk, eggs, etc)
Mixing spoon
Apron - Get-well basket (can use big soup bowl as basket)
Chicken-noodle soup mix (dry, from supermarket)
Tissues
Vitamin C
Comforting book - College student’s basket
Change for laundry
Cocoa or coffee mix
Prepaid phone card
Anything relaxing (book, scented lotion)
Gift card/certificate for local pizza place - Book basket
Books you love yourself that the recipient also would like
Tea or hot cocoa
Blanket
Candle - Goodnight Book Basket (for kids)
Bedtime stories
Cute nightlight
Small stuffed toy
Pajamas - Guy’s gift basket
Cured meats
Craft beers
Other Frugal Gift Ideas
Make a DIY Gumball Machine Christmas Ornament
Make this Homemade Christmas Tree Pop Up Card:
Or these Peppermint Marshmallow Cocoa Spoons:
Also check out these 20 Tips for a Festive & Frugal Christmas (and Free Printable Gift Coupons!)!
More Ideas
- Make your own coupon book
-“One Saturday Night of Your Choice of Movies (or Games)”
-“This coupon entitles the bearer to one choice of one Sci-Fi book” (redeem at a thrift store, flea market) - Handmade Christmas ornaments
- Some of your favorite recipes and a gift card to a grocery store
- Candy filled canning jar
- Your own monthly “subscription” box (you send to the recipient yourself!)
- Think about your favorite but simplest gifts that you’ve received!
Bible Money Matters has a great list of “100 Frugal Gifts You Can Give This Christmas.”
Saran Wrap Ball
This has been circulating around the Internet as a new party game, but I think it works equally well as a gift.
Basically it’s a big ball of Saran Wrap with goodies layered throughout the ball and a big prize in the middle, like a $20 bill.
You basically wrap up small gifts in plastic wrap and then keep wrapping to make a ball, adding new gifts along the way. I think it makes a great gift just like this for one or more people to open up.
There’s actually a game you’re supposed to play with it – basically 2 or more people take turns opening it while the next person rolls dice until they get doubles. But you can either do the game or just give as a gift, I think.
Great items to put in a Saran Wrap ball:
- Candy
- Gift cards
- Dollar store or other small toys
- Ornaments
- Cosmetics
- Lip balm
- Tissue packs
- Fuzzy socks
- Jewelry
- Cash!
We put one together (above) and filled it with little dollar items from Target and ornaments.
Here’s an instructional video:
You can learn more at this website, awesomejelly.com.
Homemade Gift Ideas from Fellow Bloggers!
How to Make the Best DIY Homemade Bath Bombs Recipe – from SavingsLifestyle.com
Have a “Scent”sational Holiday Gift Basket Idea – from Mission to Save
How to Make a DIY Pedi in a Jar Gift (Including Free Printable Tags) – from Mission to Save
Here are some articles from other bloggers about how to give gifts and save money!
Christmas on a budget: $250 for six kids – from AtlantasFrugalMom.com
13 Gift Ideas That HELP Save Money – from InspiringSavings.com
Add fun FREE printable photo booth props to your gifts! Just print on thicker white paper and attach to a stick or straw.