9 Inexpensive Gift Ideas That Will Make Your Friends And Family Smile

Budgeting / By Humbled Budget

Humbled Budget Team

With over 55 years of combine experience in the Finance/Tax Industries based in the United States, Our Team of Humbled Individuals' shares their wisdom gained through experience or technical knowledge acquired through Additional Education.

Table of Contents

Introduction

If you’re looking for cheap gift ideas, don’t worry. You don’t have to spend a lot to make someone smile. Some of the best gifts are inexpensive and will last a long time.

A set of pretty jars

If you have a crafty friend or family member, the gift of something they can do themselves is always a winner.

You can buy or make your jars with decorative labels and fill them with different snacks (like salt-and-vinegar chips) or other goodies (such as chocolate). Here’s how:

With the help of some friends, raid every thrift store in town until you find four types of jars for under $5 each (you don’t need to get 20 different kinds). Look for clear glass ones so you can see what’s inside them.

If the jar already has some design—say, an old label from when it was used to hold fruit preserves—that’s even better; just be sure to remove any stickers before applying your labels.

Attach decorative labels onto each one using Mod Podge or another craft glue made explicitly for adhering paper onto surfaces (like glass).

You’ll want two sets: one boring but legible (“salt & vinegar chips”) and one artsy but illegible (“peppered peanuts”). If you’re feeling fancy, buy some glitter adhesive too!

Pack up all four sets in colorful tissue paper tied together with ribbon or twine; wrap up any extras like napkins around each jar so they look even fancier than before.

A nice water bottle

There’s no end to water’s benefits for your health, skin, and general well-being.

To stay hydrated, you should regularly drink water throughout the day. An excellent tool for this is a reusable water bottle—they’re cheap, small enough to carry anywhere, and easy-to-use.

You have many options when choosing which kind of reusable bottle to purchase: plastic or glass. Shorter or taller? Wide mouth or narrow mouth? Lid or no lid? How many ounces should it hold? Should it be insulated so your cold drinks stay cold (or hot beverages stay hot)? These are all questions you’ll need to ask yourself before making your decision!

Candles

Candles make an excellent gift for anyone. You can find scented and unscented varieties in all shapes and sizes when looking for candles. Candles can be made with beeswax, soy wax, or paraffin.

In addition to the classic red pillar candle or white taper candle, designer-style candles come in many different colors and shapes (some have metallic finishes).

If you’re looking for something more unique than those standard options, look into artisanal fragrant soy wax melts from companies like The Flaming Candle Company.

Candles also come in all sorts of scents—from classic vanilla bean to holiday-themed peppermint candy cane; therefore, no matter what kind of smell your loved one likes best (or if they’re allergic), finding a scent that suits them shouldn’t be complex.

Just remember not to overdo it: some people might get overwhelmed by too sweet scents, like cookies baking in the oven on Valentine’s Day morning!

A cast iron skillet

Cast iron skillets are the best kind of cookware to have. They’re durable and last long, making them an investment that will pay off for years.

Many people are intimidated by cast iron skillets because they seem complicated—and maybe even old-fashioned—but once you learn how to use one properly and start cooking with it regularly, you’ll never want to return.

Cast iron skillets can be used on gas and electric stoves (though not induction), making them versatile enough for homes, restaurants, and cafes.

The surface is nonstick so that foods won’t stick during cooking; however, when it comes time to clean up after dinner, I recommend using hot water only and then scrubbing with soap if necessary at the end of each mealtime use cycle.

Otherwise, some seasoning might come off with harsh detergents, which would defeat being able to cast iron since these pans require lots of maintenance anyway due to their natural porous nature.

A Dutch oven

Cast iron saucepan with a lid known as a Dutch oven lid that can be used for slow cooking, baking, roasting, and frying. It’s perfect for the cook who wants to make delicious meals at home.

A cast iron Dutch oven can last forever if you take care of it properly (washing it by hand and drying it thoroughly before storing it).

A well-cared-for cast iron Dutch oven will become more beautiful as time goes on because the patina on the metal develops over time through use and seasoning.

Fruit of the month club

Fruit of the month club is a subscription service that sends members weekly deliveries of fresh, exotic fruits from around the world.

Members can receive one or multiple weekly shipments, depending on their preferences and budgets.

Some clubs also offer gift cards where friends and family can give you their gift instead of sending it directly (which is especially helpful if they are unsure what kind of fruit might be your favorite).

The cost varies depending on what type of subscription you choose but will generally fall within these ranges:

Single shipment per week: $10-$20/month
Weekly shipment with two or more people who live together: $15-$30/person/month

Food of the month club

Food of the month club is a great idea for foodies. You can find a variety of clubs online where you get a monthly delivery of different foods, and some clubs will send you meats, cheeses, and even desserts.

Research what food items your loved one would like to receive in their monthly shipment. It’s fun to receive something different each month.

A subscription box for your favorite magazine or service

A subscription box is a great way to give gifts. It’s an inexpensive one-time purchase that you can enjoy together, and it’s also something they’ll regularly get—so they’ll be able to look forward to it every month!

You can give a subscription box of your favorite magazine or service, like Hulu or Amazon Prime. Or you could try something new: there are subscription boxes for everything from food (like Blue Apron) to beauty products (like Birchbox). You might even discover something new together.

If you’re looking for more ideas for inexpensive gift ideas, check out our other articles about how to save money on holiday shopping:

Subscription boxes are like giving a gift each month

Giving subscription boxes is a beautiful idea gift; this is the way to go if you’re looking for fun and practicality. You can find subscription boxes for almost anything: food, books, and even magazines.

Besides the obvious benefit of giving someone a regular gift each month (or every other month), subscription boxes also easily surprise people with something they’ll enjoy.

For example, I have several friends who love getting new book recommendations from me each month when their subscriptions come in the mail.

Great gifts don’t have to be expensive!

You don’t need to spend much money to give a great gift. This can be one of the most fun aspects of gift-giving—it’s all about finding the correct item at the right price point and making it feel special.

If you want to give a fun and thoughtful present without breaking your budget, try these ideas:

Make something. Many craft projects are easy enough for anyone on your list—you could even make them together.

Ask your friend what they like or want if you need help figuring out where to start. This lets them take ownership of their gift too.

Give memories instead of material items. A highlight reel from their last vacation is always welcome (and cheap) for someone who loves hiking but doesn’t have time for it anymore.

Send them photos and their favorite hike routes so they can plan some trips in the future when life isn’t so busy.