Cheap Christmas gifts have gotten me out of tricky Christmases more than one time!
I’ve had Christmases when money was tight and I wasn’t quite sure what I could afford to buy. But I’ve always managed to have a gift for everyone I was swapping presents with. Some years that meant making my own chutneys and jams. Other years I’ve been able to spend more.
Whatever the year looks like, I always need a few cheaper ideas to help keep the cost down. I want to give people something nice, something they’ll enjoy, without leaving myself short afterwards.
These Christmas gift ideas include homemade treats, useful little presents and things you can do for someone without spending much at all. You don’t need to choose anything elaborate. Start with what the person likes and work from there.
Christmas food gifts on a tiny budget
1. Homemade chutney
A jar of homemade chutney is a lovely present for someone who enjoys cheese and crackers. Make a batch and divide it between a few gifts. A handwritten label and a little ribbon are plenty.
2. Jam or marmalade
This is one of the gifts I’ve made when money has been tight. Choose a flavour the person enjoys, and remember that one lovely jar can be the whole present.
3. Homemade mince pies
A few homemade mince pies in a small food-safe box make a lovely Christmas gift. You can prepare them ahead, then give them with a note explaining how to store and serve them.
4. A batch of shortbread
Shortbread is simple to make and easy to divide between several people. Cut it into fingers or rounds, and use a recipe you already know works well.
5. Their favourite cake
A lemon drizzle, ginger loaf or chocolate cake can make a very welcome present. Bake something you’re comfortable making, rather than buying lots of ingredients for an unfamiliar recipe.
6. Their favourite sweets
Choose the sweets they always reach for first. A bag of their favourite fudge, liquorice or chocolate feels personal because you’ve remembered what they enjoy.
7. A good packet of coffee
For someone who loves their morning coffee, buy a packet they might enjoy trying. Choose beans, ground coffee or instant to suit what they use at home.
8. Tea and biscuits
Their favourite tea and a packet of lovely biscuits make a simple, useful gift. You don’t need a special gift set; choose the two separately to suit your budget.
9. Hot chocolate and marshmallows
Put drinking chocolate and marshmallows together for a cosy evening treat. Add a chocolate bar if you have a little more to spend, or leave it at that.
10. Cheese and crackers
One cheese they enjoy and a packet of crackers can be enough. Arrange them in a reusable lunchbox if you’d like the container to be part of the gift, and keep the cheese refrigerated.
11. A favourite sauce or pickle
For someone who puts hot sauce on everything, a new bottle can be a fun present. Mustard, pickles and other favourite condiments work well too.
12. A family film-night treat
Fill a popcorn tub with popcorn and a few favourite sweets. It makes a cheerful shared gift for a family to enjoy with a film at home.
With homemade food gifts, include the ingredients and storage instructions. Use a reliable recipe, and count the cost of containers as well as ingredients when deciding what to make.
Personal Christmas gifts that cost very little
13. A favourite photograph in a frame
Print a photograph of a lovely day together or a family moment they’ll remember. A simple frame is enough; it’s the photograph that makes this special.
14. A small photo album
Choose a few pictures and add names, dates or short captions. This can be particularly lovely for someone who rarely gets around to printing their photographs.
15. A handwritten family recipe
Write out a family recipe, including all the little details that usually get passed on verbally. You could give it on a nice card or in a small notebook with room for more recipes.
16. A proper handwritten letter
Tell someone what they mean to you, or write about a happy memory you share. It costs very little and gives them something personal to keep.
17. A favourite childhood book
Look for a second-hand copy of a book they loved as a child. It could bring back memories or become something they read with their own children.
18. A homemade Christmas decoration
If you sew, crochet or enjoy crafts, make one small decoration using materials you already have. Choose colours or a design that suit the person’s Christmas tree.
19. A photograph calendar
Use family photographs or pictures of places you’ve visited together. Compare printing prices before ordering, and add birthdays to make it useful as well as personal.
Useful Christmas gift ideas on a small budget
20. Comfortable socks
Choose socks they’ll actually wear: warm socks for walking, plain ones for work or soft ones for home. They don’t need to have a Christmas pattern.
21. Their usual hand cream
A tube of a hand cream they already enjoy can be more useful than a large gift set. It’s also an easy way to avoid spending money on products they won’t use.
22. A favourite bar of soap
Buy a soap in a fragrance you know they like. Wrapped simply, it makes a nice little present on its own or alongside a facecloth.
23. A notebook for their interests
Choose a notebook for someone who likes writing recipes, planning their garden or keeping a journal. Add a message inside explaining why you thought of them.
24. A good pen
For someone who enjoys writing, a comfortable pen can be a lovely everyday gift. Refills for a favourite pen are another inexpensive option.
25. A kitchen tool they need
Perhaps they’ve mentioned a broken peeler or worn-out oven gloves. Replacing something they use regularly can be more welcome than buying an unfamiliar kitchen gadget.
26. A pocket umbrella
A small umbrella is useful for someone who walks or takes public transport. Choose a sturdy, straightforward one that will fit in their usual bag.
27. Repair something they love
If you can sew or mend things, offer to repair a favourite cardigan, bag or other much-used item. Agree it with them first so you can get it ready as their gift.
Affordable Christmas gifts for hobbies
28. A book they want to read
Ask what’s on their reading list and look for a paperback or a clean second-hand copy. You’ll know you’re giving them something they’re interested in.
29. A second-hand cookbook
Choose a cookbook that matches the food they enjoy making. Older books can be full of straightforward recipes and are often easy to find second-hand.
30. A puzzle book
Crosswords, sudoku and word searches make inexpensive gifts for people who enjoy them. Choose the type and difficulty they usually buy.
31. A jigsaw
Look for a complete second-hand puzzle with a picture they’ll enjoy. A familiar place, favourite animal or beautiful landscape gives you a starting point.
32. A card game
A small card game can be one present for a couple or family. Choose something they can get out and play without needing lots of equipment.
33. Seeds for a gardener
A few packets of flowers, herbs or vegetables can make a thoughtful little gift. Choose things they have space to grow, whether that’s in a garden or pots.
34. Gardening gloves
A replacement pair of gardening gloves can be very welcome when the old ones are worn through. You don’t need to add a whole gardening gift set.
35. A plant you’ve grown from a cutting
If someone admires one of your plants, grow a cutting on for them. Give it once the roots are established, with a note about how to care for it.
36. Supplies for their favourite craft
Yarn, embroidery thread or fabric can make a useful present for someone who makes things. Ask which type they use so your money goes on something they need.
37. A sketchbook or drawing pencils
For someone who enjoys drawing, a sketchbook or a few suitable pencils can be enough. There’s no need to buy a huge art set.
38. A local walking guide
A book of nearby walks can give someone new places to explore. Look for routes that suit the distances they enjoy walking.
Cheap Christmas gift ideas for children and teenagers
39. A bundle of second-hand books
Put together a few books from a series they enjoy. For younger children, a small bundle of picture books gives them several new stories to share.
40. A second-hand toy they’ve asked for
Look for a particular toy they want, rather than buying something just because it’s cheap. Give yourself time to clean it and make sure the pieces are all there.
41. A sketch pad and colouring pencils
Paper and colouring pencils are a simple present for a child who enjoys drawing. Choose supplies they can use freely, without needing much help to get started.
42. A baking afternoon with you
Write an invitation to make biscuits or cupcakes together, with you providing the ingredients. Pick a date so they have something definite to look forward to.
43. Something for their sport or hobby
Swimming goggles, grip tape or a music accessory may be something they need. Ask them or their parent for the exact item before buying.
44. Money towards something they’re saving for
A small amount towards a wanted purchase can be more useful than another present. Mention their savings goal in the card to make it personal.
45. A magazine or annual
Choose one about something they currently enjoy, whether that’s animals, football, gaming or crafts. It gives them something to sit down with over the Christmas holidays.
Christmas gifts that don’t add more stuff
46. An evening’s babysitting
If you already babysit for someone, offer an evening so they can make plans. Arrange a date together rather than leaving them with a voucher they feel awkward using.
47. A home-cooked dinner
Invite someone over and cook something they enjoy. You can keep the food simple and spend the evening catching up.
48. Help with a job they want done
Offer a few hours to help scan old photographs, sort a cupboard or work in the garden. Choose something they’ve mentioned wanting help with.
49. A coffee date, your treat
Meet at a café or invite them over for coffee and homemade cake. Put it in the diary so it becomes time you actually spend together.
50. A small gift card
Choose somewhere they already shop so it’s easy for them to use. If you don’t know where they’d spend it, cash in a card gives them the choice.
How to wrap and present gifts on a tight budget
Keep nice bags, biscuit tins, baskets and ribbons from gifts you receive. Store them together in a cupboard so you have wrapping ready when you need it.
A popcorn tub filled with film-night snacks or a breakfast bowl holding hot chocolate and marshmallows makes a lovely little hamper, with the container forming part of the gift.
Plain brown paper and twine look lovely too. If you’re buying wrapping supplies, look for reduced prices after Christmas. Cheerful, plain gift bags work all year round with a different ribbon or tag.
Keep Christmas gifts within what you can afford
Write down who you’re buying for and how much you have to spend. My free Christmas Budget Planner gives you somewhere to keep your gift list and costs together.
A small budget can mean making a few things, buying second-hand or choosing one simple present. You can put a couple of gifts together if you have the money, but you don’t need to keep adding extras.
A jar of chutney, a wanted book or their favourite chocolates can be the whole gift. Give it nicely, with a warm Christmas wish, and leave yourself enough money for the rest of the month.
