10 Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas

Not Sponsored: Christmas is right around the corner! You want to give everyone a gift, but due to inflation and a looming recession, your budget is tight. Well no worries! I've come up with 10 Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas, that will make you a winner with all of your co-workers, friends, neighbors, and anyone else you encounter for the holidays.

Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

1. Homemade Bakery Box

Even if you're not a bake-from-scratch person, buying a box of Duncan Hines, Pillsbury etc. will do. Bake a pound cake or two (either round in shape or in a loaf pan; it can be a lemon pound cake, butter pound cake, banana nut bread loaf etc.). Then bake some cookies (sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, macadamia nut cookies etc). Again, your cookies do not have to be from scratch. You can buy pre-made cookie dough. Cut the cake or pound cake in slices and place them in a small box. Now, add some cookies atop the slices of cake. If you're feeling extra, bake some mini-muffins in a mini-muffin pan (blueberry, banana nut, lemon etc) and place them atop the cookies. Another option is to make rice krispie treats instead of cake and add cookies etc. You've just completed making a great tasty Christmas gift! 

2. Candy Box or Candy Tin

Purchase 1-2 large bags of assorted miniature chocolate candy (Amazon, Target, Walmart). Also purchase a large bag of peppermint candy (round peppermints, miniature candy canes, or a hard candy assortment). Lollipops are also great fillers. Take a handful of chocolate candy, a smidgen of peppermints and/or lollipops/hard candy and place them in a small box or small tin container. People love a bit of candy, whether at home or at the office

3. Breakfast Box

Who doesn't love breakfast!?! Buy several boxes of those miniature cereal boxes (they usually come in a variety pack - check Amazon, Target or Walmart), throw in some granola bars (buy several variety packs of either Kind, Kelloggs Nutri-Grain, Quaker Chewy, Nature Valley, Annie's etc.). Consider buying a pack of small raisin boxes, hot cocoa packets, granola bars, fruit cups, Belvita breakfast bars, Kcup pods, oatmeal packets, instant grits packets. Consider making miniature muffins. Whatever you choose, put them all in a box and give the gift of breakfast. 

4. Fruit Bag

Go to your local store and buy a bag (it's cheaper) of oranges, apples, peaches and nectarines. Also buy a large bag of peppermints or peppermint candy canes. Fill a small to medium size bag with an assortment of fruit and candy. It's an excellent healthy option!

5. Tea Sampler Box

Buy boxes of various types of tea (black tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, green tea, white tea). Buy a box of sugar packets (Equal, Sweet N Low, Splenda). Buy cute bottles of honey with the bear (Walmart, Amazon). Buy a box of Biscotti (if they don't come individually wrapped consider putting them into snack zip lock bags). Fill a small box with these items and you have given a gift of relaxation. 

6.  Nut Box

For this gift, you want to buy nut variety packs in the individual serving size (Target, Amazon etc): Cashews, Peanuts, Pistachios, Sunflower Seeds, Almonds, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Chocolate Covered Raisins etc. Place several of these in a small box for a salty tasty treat! 

7. Snack Box

What do you like to snack on? Well others probably like those things as well. Holidays are meant for snacking. Consider buying variety packs of individual bags of popcorn, chips, cookies and candy. You can buy them in 14-50 count increments from Amazon and Target. Place an assortment of these in a box.

8. Bath and Body Works Box

Bath and Body Works always has $2.95 (fun size hand creams, hand spray, body cream, fragrance mist), $3.50 (room sprays), $3.95 (wallflower fragrance refills, body lotion  and $5.95 (small single candle) deals. You are usually limited to 20 items per sale. It may be too late this year to do this, but you could start next year. Either go in the store or purchase online when they do have these sales. Stock and save these items! Fill either a small bag or box with an assortment of these products, that will make an amazing home or personal gift. You can even throw in some Christmas theme socks with your gift,

9. Beauty Box

Think travel size EVERYTHING! Travel size hand cream, mascara, shampoo & conditioner, mini lipstick, perfume, face cleansers, body wash, makeup remover, moisturizers, eye cream, sunscreen, lip balm, candle, mini makeup, lotion, body cream, toothpaste, shaving cream, mouthwash, nail polish etc. If you go to ULTA, Sephora, Nordstrom and type TRAVEL SIZE, it will give you many options. Consider buying duo or trio sets. For example the brand Philosophy sells a shower gel set that contains three (3) shower gels. You can split that gift into three! Make it work for you. This is one of the more expensive ideas, but beauty products overall are not cheap. Also travel hygiene products (toothpaste, mouthwash etc) can be purchased at your local drugstore (usually they have a mini section).

10. Coffee and/or Hot Chocolate Box

You can really have fun with this gift idea. Buy k-cups of various types of coffee (dark roast, medium roast, breakfast blend, specialty holiday blends, pumpkin spice, peppermint, Colombian, cappuccino, snickers etc. Then buy boxes that contain packets of hot chocolate (or you can also buy the k cups of these). Buy mini marshmallows (you can place these in a snack size bag) or marshmallow toppers (individually packaged) to include in your gift box. Add some packet of sugar and a candy cane! Here you have something hot & delicious.

Note: You may be asking yourself what kind of box or bags should you use? I would suggest buying brown Kraft bakery boxes, plain boxes or brown paper bags in bulk (Hobby Lobby, Etsy, Amazon, eBay, Michaels, Supply Store). Usually you can find small tins at these places as well. I hope this gift guide helps you for the holidays. Once you're done, sit down and enjoy a Christmas movie.

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