When money is tight, finding affordable Christmas gifts can prove difficult, especially if looking for ideas under $10. You don’t want cheap presents to make your friends and loved ones think they are not important. You want them to know you love and appreciate them. Yet with limited funds, you need an inexpensive gift idea. So what do you do?
For Top Holiday Gifts Think Hobbies, Personalized Gifts, and Collectibles
To find a great holiday gift, first consider the likes, dislikes and interests of those on your Christmas list. Sit down and take a few minutes to brainstorm what you know about each person. Whether they are friends or family members, most individuals have some type of hobby or collection you can tap into. Some questions to ask might be:
- Does this person draw, scrapbook, sew, make homemade crafts, bake, go camping and fishing, or build things?
- Does this person collect recipes or cookbooks, DVDs, tools, assorted figurines, paperback novels, sports items, kitchen gadgets, wine, perfume or rare coins?
- What is her favorite color and decorating style?
- Is this a homebody who prefers to read, search the Internet, or watch television or DVDs?
- Or is this a person who lives an active lifestyle?
- Is this person involved in community activities, does he work long hours, or take special classes?
- Does this person play a sport?
- Is this person involved in furthering his or her education?
The more you know a person, the easier it will be to find an affordable Christmas gift. Regardless of how small the gift or collectible is, people love things that add to their collections, help them with their hobbies and activities, or are personalized in some way. If the Xmas gift touches on the person’s likes and interests, the present will be appreciated, even if it costs less than $10.
Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas Under 10 Dollars
Affordable Christmas gifts will be easier to spot with a personalized list of the person’s likes, dislikes, hobbies and collectibles in hand. However, finding a cheap idea will still require a bit of legwork and sometimes a touch of creativity to personalize it.
Make good use of stores that cater to those on a limited budget like Walmart, Big Lots, Pick ‘N Save, K-Mart, and other discount and dollar stores. Also don’t forget the many possibilities online. If you buy most of your gifts at the same website you can often get a good deal on shipping.
Just make sure you fine tune the final idea to fit the person. Someone who doesn’t like to bake won’t appreciate a decorative loaf pan and probably will never use it. A non-baker would enjoy a loaf of homemade bread if you use a simple, plain loaf pan wrapped in a bow to hold it. In addition to collectibles and hobby supplies, consider:
- an accent or braided rug
- fancy hair clips or hair ties
- winter knit hats
- paperback novel from the person’s favorite author, and/or bookmark
- reading lamp or desk lamp
- decorative candles or candle gift set
- decorative pillows or travel pillow
- photo album (can cover a cheap album with fabric and trim)
- welcome door mat
- house socks or slippers
- holiday socks
- kitchen or wall clock
- gravy boat set
- fancy serving bowls
- graniteware turkey or beef roaster
- plastic containers shaped to hold sandwiches
- Rubbermaid containers with a twist-on lid (fill with “kisses” or M&Ms)
- mini T-Fal frying pan, one-egg size
- mini T-Fal griddle pan
- Anchor Hocking casseroles set
- single Pyrex casserole
- microwave cookware: bacon plate, casseroles, egg mcmuffin pan, egg cooker
- decorative containers for flour and sugar or gluten-free supplies
- kitchen gadgets like a food chopper, cookie press, or container of assorted utensils
- decorative plastic bag holder
- cake decorating kit
- super-large cookie sheet or novelty cookie sheets (cookie molds)
- unique cookie cutters
- 3-piece stackable cookie cooling rack
- serving platters (top with assorted baked goods)
- designer cake pans
- bbq utensil set
- unique hot cocoa or coffee mug
- unique picture frames (Walmart has frames that say “Love,” “Too Cute,” or “The Gang”)
- Christmas sock filled with goodies the person is particularly fond of
- various bath, hair, and skin gift sets
- food gift sets like sausages and cheese, pancake mix and jam, or hot cocoa and mug
Best Ideas for Christmas Gifts
The best ideas for Christmas presents focus on the person receiving the gift. For a gift the receiver will appreciate throughout the coming year, take the time before shopping to brainstorm the person’s likes, dislikes, hobbies, and collectibles. While limited funds makes Christmas shopping more difficult, with pre-planning and a personalized list in hand, it’s possible to find affordable ideas for Christmas gifts at less than $10 that won’t look like the receiver is getting a cheap Xmas present.
For additional Christmas ideas, check out How to Make a Wreath for Creative Christmas and Holiday Gifts, Magical Xmas Wreaths Make Great Christmas Decorating Ideas, and Handmade Christmas Gifts – Fabric Decorative Wreath Ideas.
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
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