Today, I am loading you up with super frugal gift ideas. If you need Christmas gift ideas and you are on a tight budget, then this is for you.
This year we are doing a super frugal Christmas. We are starting with a plan and a budget. If you’d like to know more about that you can check it out here. Next we came up with Christmas gift ideas to fit into our super tight budget plan. Below are some of the ideas we are using and a few more, because once you get your brain going on ideas, they just keep coming!
So, let’s get into it!
1 – Make soap and give as gifts. I’m putting this one first because I am actually doing it this year! It’s been years since I made soap, but I’m really looking forward to it. If you’ve never done anything like this before, it could easy cost too much unless you shop thrift stores and improvise supplies. However, you can easily make melt and pour glycerin soap if you want to diy soap simply on a budget (with minimal effort). If you are super crafty, crochet a washcloth to go along with it.
2 – DIY t-shirt – Find a website like Zazzle where you can design your t-shirt. This makes a super meaningful gift! Not artistic? No worries, use a quote that fits the person perfectly (your options are endless!), type it out and viola.
3 – Gift of Lessons – Have your kids been wanting to try to learn a new skill? Or have you been wanting them to try one? Giving a semester or month or two of lessons for Christmas is a great way to cut back on expenses. If you were going to get lessons for them anyway, then you are in essence, giving a gift for “free.”
4 – Dollar Tree gift card – This works especially great for little kids. We gave my son a $5 card last year and he loved it. He knew he could pick out any five things in the store and not worry if he had enough money. He had a blast.
5 – Homemade goodies – Never underestimate the thoughtfulness of homemade food. And it doesn’t have to be baked sweets! It could be homemade granola or even a frozen dinner.
6 – Warm comfort – create a thoughtful gift with a cute mug. Go to a store like TJMaxx to find a super cute mug, then put in a few individual packs of hot chocolate and a candy cane for a simple, sweet gift. If you have a health conscience friend put tea in instead and maybe a cute antique spoon (check thrift stores).
7 – Lip balm or hand balm – There are tons of recipes to make your on balms online. They are super easy. And there is a good chance you even have some of the supplies (like oils) in your kitchen cupboard already.
8 – Thrifty toys – for kids (especially little) I think that buying toys second hand is the absolute best way to go. For $20 you can knock Christmas gifts out of the park. Start early and look for items in like new or new condition. It is more than possible. It will probably take a couple trips and some searching, but your little tyke will be just as thrilled with a thrifted toy. Honestly, when they are little they don’t know the difference, so why spend a ton?!
9 – Homemade Crochet or Knit Cute Coziness – Hats, scarves, leg warmers, afghans, even socks (for the brave). Yes, yarn is expensive, but oftentimes people have excess that they no longer want. Check with friends or family for any freebie yarn. If that doesn’t pan out, watch your local thrift stores for great deals on yarn. You can find great deals!
10 – Personalized book box. Think of the person your are getting a gift for and spend some quality time sorting through thrift store bookshelves. Round up around 5 books that fit the person (who they are, what they enjoy). Keep an eye out for a small thrifted accessory that fits the theme (or person). Then find a box, some cute or colored tissue paper and wrap up the contents (think of a cute subscription box and try to replicate the cuteness!).
Bonus Ideas – DIY Wrapping and Cards
DIY wrapping – Recycle newspaper, at red ribbon and you have a super cute package! Or make a t-shirt bag out of an old (or thrifted) t-shirt add your gift with tissue paper and you have a super cute gift and a reusable bag.
Make your own Christmas Cards – If you are crafty, I’m sure you have this covered. But if you are not… You can do what we did last year. We found a royalty free image (google it!) online, printed it out on white card stock and viola super cute cards that were much more our style that anything we could have bought in the store.
What do you do when you have a super tight Christmas budget? Do you have any great ideas to share? Drop your best ideas in the comments below!
