We all know that the holidays are meant to be a time of joy, but how do you find the right presents for all the people on your list when you don’t have much cash to spend?
The best thing is to think small. If you can get someone something they really want (like their favorite book or toy), you can always add a little extra in case it doesn’t fit perfectly within your budget.
Here are some great things that will make wonderful gifts that cost less than $20.
Books
A book is an easy gift to give and one that most people love. Whether you’re looking for a classic like To Kill a Mockingbird or more modern reads like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, there are tons of books out there for everyone on your list.
You may not even realize that you already own some of these favorites, so take a look at what you already have. You might just find yourself with another copy of Harry Potter. Or maybe you have a few copies of the Twilight series lying around. That’s okay! Just remember that they’re all cheap enough to buy again.
When it comes to buying books for friends, you should probably try to stick with ones that aren’t too expensive. Your friend will likely appreciate getting something inexpensive, but if you’re giving them a $50 book then they’ll feel ripped off. You can also look online for used book stores. There are actually quite a few places where you can pick up used books for almost nothing. Here is a great resource for finding used books for cheap. It includes links to eBay and Amazon as well as other sites.
Gift Cards
If you’re looking for a gift card, here are some great options.
Amazon Gift Card – This one seems obvious, but we thought it was worth mentioning because of its popularity. Amazon is probably one of the largest companies in the world and has a very wide selection of products available. Plus, if you know anyone who shops on Amazon at least once per year, this would make a perfect stocking stuffer.
Walmart Gift Card – Walmart is another large company with a lot of different categories of products. They sell everything from electronics to clothing, and many of those items are under $25. Plus, you can use it at any store in the chain—so even if your friend lives far away, they can still shop at their local Walmart.
Target Gift Card – Target is another huge retailer that sells anything from clothes to furniture. They have a decent selection of items from less than $25, which makes it ideal for stocking stuffers.
Kohl’s Gift Card – Kohl’s is a department store known for its low prices, but their selection isn’t limited to clothing. They also carry a wide variety of household goods, toys, and other types of things that could make great stocking stuffers.
Just about every major retailer offers gift cards for sale, so go through your old receipts and see if you have anything left over from previous years. You might be surprised by how much money you can save this holiday season by purchasing gift cards.
Jewelry
Jewelry is another type of gift that costs less than $20. When it comes to jewelry, it can be difficult to choose between rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc., so we put together a quick guide to help you identify the best jewelry for your budget.
For rings, you’ve got several choices. A simple band is usually the cheapest, but it often doesn’t match well with other pieces of jewelry. So you might want to consider getting a ring with a pendant attached. Rings with pendants come in a variety of styles and colors, so you can find something that matches pretty much any outfit. And the best part is that a good-quality necklace will last forever. Necklaces are also a great choice if you know you want to upgrade later. You can easily change the color from black to red without spending a ton of money.
Earrings are another great option for cheap jewelry. Many pairs of earrings come in sets of three or five. These are especially helpful if you’re trying to get a set of earrings that will coordinate with clothing while staying within your budget. Also, if you plan on replacing the earring after a short amount of time, you won’t have to purchase a new pair of earrings for each occasion.
Bracelets are another popular choice for cheap jewelry. In addition to being able to customize the style of bracelet to match whatever you’re wearing, you can usually find a nice set of bracelets that will cost you less than $20. Some bracelet designs last longer than others, so if you’re planning on replacing the bracelet before it wears out, you might want to invest in a nicer one.
Pens
Writing instruments are another common type of gift that costs less than $20. Pens are a great way to show someone you care because they’re such an important part of everyday life. But pens can be expensive, especially if you’re going for a high-quality pen. For example, some fountain pens can cost thousands of dollars, so it’s better to get a cheaper model instead.
If you want to keep things simple, you can check out pens that come with ink cartridges. Most of them offer a fairly wide range of ink colors, so they’re perfect for writing letters or notes on paper. If your person likes to write down ideas, then you should definitely consider one of these.
Of course, there are plenty of other kinds of writing instruments. But they tend to be pricier than pens. They include a wide range of ballpoints, mechanical pencils, rollerballs, markers, and many others. So unless you know exactly what your recipient wants, it’s probably best to stick with a basic pen.
Keychains
Key chains are another item that costs less than $20. They’re a great way to show your support for a cause close to your heart. Plus, they’re simple enough to make that you can attach a message or special quote to the keychain itself.
There are a bunch of different types of key chains you can choose from, including a variety of novelty key chains like tassels, pom-poms, and snowflakes. Then there are the traditional keys that have been customized with a picture of the recipient. The best part is that these key chains can also double as a unique gift idea.
But there are also a couple of other ways to personalize your key chain. You can print messages directly onto the key chain using a laser printer or a home computer. Then you can cut out a picture of your receipt and glue it on top of the printed message. If you don’t have a printer or cutting machine handy, you can also order custom key chains from a website like Etsy.