We have done this many times throughout the year that we had to be very tight around Christmas. You have an inexpensive Christmas as well as fun and ... I have a ton of suggestions and ideas to help with inexpensive things to work on with your family!
101 Affordable Christmas Gifts, Activities & Tips
1. Bake. This is a great way to involve children. Make some cookies, cupcakes, or delicious candy. Buy some inexpensive colored cellophane and tie it up in a beautiful form or use a paper lunch bag, wrapping paper, colored tin, or whatever is inexpensive and available to you. You can find tons of wrapping options at the dollar store.
2. Emphasize the price range. Some of us have a family/friend gift swap. Set a lower price range that is acceptable for your family. It really isn't ... or shouldn't be about the price anyway.
3. Feed the hungry. Buy some groceries and donate them to the local food bank. You can also serve food in the local soup kitchen. Doing this as a family will teach your children the importance of caring for the poor. Habits started in childhood stay with us throughout our life!
4. Use your talent. it's free! If you are great at organizing, gift a friend a few hours to help them get organized in one area of your home. If you weave, make something special for someone on your list. If you are great with taxes, then offer to do them for a friend or loved one. This one meets the border with women.
5. Dollar Tree Christmas. I know it sounds crazy, however, that things were so incredibly tight for us in a year, that we only had $ 15 dollars to spend on Christmas. Period. Therefore, each of us got $ 5 to spend on each other at the dollar store. It was the best Christmas we have known to date. The flashlight my husband gave me that year was my favorite all-time gift and it works better than the FAR that we got years later and is even more awesome!
6. Homemade Gifts. Grandma and Grandpa are sure to love a handmade gift at the store-bought with their little love worm. This is a great idea for us too!
7. Volunteer. Go to an elderly home and read books. Volunteer where you need to. There are many opportunities in every community! Again, join the family!
8. Make your own decorations. Through the thread old beads, popcorn, and/or macaroni can be made into luxurious garlands. In one year, my daughter cut two large strips of an old disposable table cloth from the dollar store. He made a beautiful bow for each of my Lunds. The color worked perfectly and it added a nice touch. You can also make a garland with pine cones and additional greenery type garlands. Let your creative juices flow and you are about to come up with some great ideas!
9. Start a tradition. Every year, there is a cookie decorating, gift-wrapping, or some other competition. Make sure you have "bragging rights" for the winner to keep for the year. There are some other ideas in this list as well…
10. Sing-a-long. This is something fun that we do each year in our care group. If you have a large family, this may be to a large extent. Using 12 days of Christmas songs, each group or couple ... gets a portion (or two if small family) to sing based on the size of your family. It is really hilarious the way each group sings and how it all comes together. Our group has some real attractions that make it a hilarious activity.
11. Wrap Cheap. Make your own paper type cover. Allow children to color decorative pictures on construction paper and use it to wrap. Re-use last year's gift bags. You can also use the old grocery store paper bags or those cute reusable bags that they make nowadays. Be creative with everything you have ... Wrapping goes in the trash anyway!
12. After the Christmas sale. This is a great time to buy decorations, gifts, and accessories for next year's holiday season. However, you will have to plan it, so you will have a few bucks to actually invest. It is worth it with the money you have saved for a long time!
13. Sell your item. This is a great way to earn some extra money for the holidays. Sell garages, sell on eBay, put an ad in the paper for large items. Take stock and see what extra money you have!
14. Go caroling. Some neighborhoods do this as a group. Otherwise, start your own carling gig. Involve friends, family, and neighbors and have fun blessing someone else!
15. There is pot luck. Instead of doing it yourself and spending too much time and money, let everyone get involved. This is a great way to try other recipes, bond, and work together to save the family money!
16. Go to Christmas Lights. Every year, we put some hot cocoa in the travel mug, get a comfy blanket and ride all in the car while watching the Christmas lights around the city. We are quite the critics you know - see! laugh loudly!
17. Attend church on Christmas Eve. Many churches have a Christmas Eve service. This is another free activity to do with your family again!
18. Random acts of kindness. Pay for the toll of the person behind you, fast food meals, etc. Help someone keep your groceries in the car. Offer to go grocery shopping for an elderly person. Get creative with kindness and it is sure to spread around and get back on its way! This is the Bible law of sowing and harvesting!
19. Make Candy Apples! Delicious! Give some caramel, candy, nuts, etc. away to friends and family, or keep them all with you! laugh loudly!
20. Read the Christmas Story. If you can get Dad to do this, that's great. Make it a big production. Hot cocoa, etc. on the tree lights, then "Father" has read the Christmas story.
21. Scrapbook Fun. Take photos from last year and make a scrapbook as a family. Each person gets a stack of their own pictures and pages that they can create.
22. Shop online shops. Amazon has many gifts in many different price categories!
23. Garage Sale. You think you can meet at a nice garage sale that will surprise the giftable treasures again!
24. Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are both great money-saving days. Companies are competing for your business!
25. iTunes. Buy a $ 5- $ 10 iTunes gift card for the music lover in your life.
26. Calendar. A friend that loves kittens? Get her a calendar with cute kittens for every month. It works for anyone ... golfer, fisher, precious moments, cows, etc. You know what your family and friends like. This is a cheap ... yet personalized gift!
27. Book a coupon. It is always fun. Make a special book of things you do for someone on your list. What you put into the book really depends on who the gift is for. However, here are some ideas: back massage (hubby will like it), clean house, hug, lunch, a spa day, an hour of your time, etc ...
28. Natural Fun! You can make one as a family by using the stuff that is in your home. You can make each member yours and make it a special "bragging rights" contest, which makes the best each year. You can also work on the story as a family or put the kids on a show for you. So many options.
29. Arrival. You can find books and information online to help you perform your own celebration ceremony activities.
30. There is a costume contest. Rule: Christmas has something to do with it and can only use the items you have in your home. Then, vote for who is the best. Oh, and each family member should vote for another member!
31. Something Old. Re-gift something you've received that you haven't opened and most likely won't be used in the next 100 years. No, there is nothing wrong with re-gifting! Especially if money is tight. Just do not re-gift what you have received! Um ... weird! laugh loudly!
32. Gift Card Deal. Many companies offer gift card deals. You just need to take the time to find them. For example, You can get a $ 25 gift card for $ 15. Look online ... you can find yourself a great deal!
33. card. Make a homemade card and write a special message to the person receiving it. Make it personal and sure to be a favorite!
34. White Elephant. It is always fun. have a party. Make sure everyone brings a dish to share. Do not break to decorate the bank either. Then, whether each person can bring a gift between $ 5- $ 20 depends on what your budget will all be. I have been in parties with a $ 5 limit and a $ 25 limit. I had a blast in them all! Make the limit you can afford! See "White Elephant" party on Google for rule variations.
35. Donate. Families must go through their rooms and cupboards to donate to those less fortunate. It will bless another human being, along with making room for new gifts!
36. Nuts. They sell these in bulk, bags, and cartons. You can make your own beautiful jars, bags, etc. Nuts are a tasty, inexpensive, and good gift to give.
37. Recipe in a bag. Do you have a cookie, cake, sauce, pasta, or bread recipe that people love? Put all the dry ingredients in a beautiful bag/jar, what else they need and how it can be made!
38. Clay. Use clay to make nativity scenes, ornaments, etc. Children like to play with clay and play-dough. Let them get creative with the Christmas theme. You can also find instructions online on how to maintain your clay creations for years and years.
39. Family Pikes. Grandparents love pictures as gifts. If you can make your own pictures, do so and keep them in a beautiful frame. Otherwise, take them yourself, develop, and put it in a beautiful frame. Either way, the grandparents are sure to love them!
40. Snowflakes. It was always fun to make snowflakes as a child. All it takes is scissors, white paper, crayons/markers, glue, and glitter!
41. Journal. I love magazines. This is a frugal gift idea for the writer in your life. You can find them anywhere for $ 3- $ 10. Be sure and write a heartfelt note to add a special touch to it!
42. Twelve Days of Christmas Fun! Each day does something fun that relates to that verse of the song. I have included some ideas, but please do not limit yourself to them… you can think of something better!
- Porridge in a pear: make a pear tart, roast pear, or make pear jam.
- 2 Turtle Doves: make candy turtles, attract turtles, do some sort of turtle craft, or go to a pet store and sea turtles. (Yes, I know turtles are pigeon birds, but there are other birds in the song! LOL!)
- 3 French Hanes: Make your family's favorite chicken recipe. Learn a French recipe that uses chicken or chicken and make it as a family!
- 4 Calling Birds: Go to a Nature Walk and see if you can call 4 different types of birds - or 4 different birds! Do a bird craft.
- 5 Golden Rings: Make Homemade Napkin Rings. I'm sure if you can just consider Google "Napkin Ring Craft", you might get a ton.
- 6 days a laying: make eggs. Just poke a small hole at the top and bottom of a large egg. Make sure that you allow all the eggs to empty, rinse, and dry. Then decorate with paint, jewelry, etc.
- 7 Swan Swim: Give the kids a bubble bath, make homemade bubbles, and enjoy blowing bubbles with them, or go to the park and feed the duck!
- Feeding 8 Maids: Making chocolate or colored milk, going to a cow's milk If you have a local farm, read a book about where the milk comes from, or just eat the milk blessings!
- 9 Ladies Dance: Dance around the house and get silly to Christmas music with your children, craft a dance shoe, watch a dance.
- 10 Lords Leaping: Praise Music and LAAP Put the Lord in joy. Jumps play frogs, search for frogs, attract frogs, read about frogs, etc. Forget frogs and think of another idea! laugh loudly!
- 11 Pipers Piping: Make homemade air tools. Google; Pipe crafts, trumpet crafts, etc. Watch a band or listen to wind instruments.
- 12 drummers drumming: make a homemade drum, play drums, use different objects to listen to different "drum" noises, listen to the song of the little drummer boy, see the little drummer boy.
43. Beauty Bag. This can all be done at a dollar store, or in dollar squares at Walmart / Target. Get a cute inexpensive cosmetic bag and add some nail polish, samples, eyeshadow, and other inexpensive beauty items. Great idea for the teenage girl in your life!
44. Share a recipe. Do you have a friend begging you for a certain recipe? Why not give it to him !? What is the big secret ?? Who will have it when you die? Spread love Write it down on a beautiful decorative recipe card and show him how much you love him. Better yet, make an invitation instead of making it… over and over how to make her recipe!
45. Candy Jars. This is a good gift for the chocolate lover in your life. You can find an inexpensive and beautiful jar just about anywhere. Fill it with a Hershey kiss, tootsie roll, or some other favorite dessert treat.
46. Year Round. Instead of waiting for last-minute shopping. Try to start just after Christmas and keep an eye on sales throughout the year. In the long run, you will save money and time with a little attention at a time.
47. Mehtar Hunt. This can be a fun family tradition. Create an age-appropriate scavenger hunt for children/family. Make it fun and have some sweet treats along the way. At the end whoever wins opens up a present. Make sure you have some little things for the runner up so that there are no hard feelings!
48. Local tree lighting ceremony. Many cities have a tree lighting ceremony under the city. It is an independent activity to do as a family.
49. Make jewelry. Make special homemade ornaments to give to your children's grandparents. Not only is it a fun activity for them, but it is also a special gift that any grandparents will treasure for life!
50. Green thumb. This is for the gardener in your life… Give a plant, flower, tree, pot with seeds, or even gardening tools. You can take it a step further and decorate a beautiful pot for them. Then, plant some beautiful plants in it so that they can nourish and grow!
51. game. Board games are cheap gifts and a great family activity too!
52. Fire Pit. If you have a large back yard, why not build a fire pit and have a bonfire on a cold night close to Christmas. Do some work and tell your children the story of Jesus and why God sent him. If you don't have space for a fire pit, just use a grill and pull some chairs around it! No place for it ?? Clean the microwave, burn some candles, and place a "bonfire" in a room.
53. Family Zone Day. Do you remember "Field Day" at school? Create your own family-style. Don't run the sack (pillowcase), egg, wheel barrel, etc., seriously, it can be a blast and a new family tradition. If you have a small family, branch out and invite uncle Uncle, etc.
54. Books. I love books and do so to many of my friends. Most books are inexpensive — especially if you buy Amazon or online book stores. Even ebooks are great gifts these days! Many are under $ 5 and $ 10! If your friend is married, then why not get him the 31 Wife Handbook of Proverb?
55. Make Gingerbread House. You can either buy a kit, check some cookbooks, or through Google; 'How to make an easy gingerbread house' or 'child-friendly gingerbread house' ... or something in that range. Better yet this feather. This is always the funniest way to do stuff like this.
56. As Seen on TV. My husband loves these items! laugh loudly! They actually have their "As Seen On TV" store in a local mall in our city. You can also find many on target. They are cheap and cool gifts!
57. Library. Check your local library for the story and other free events during the holiday season.
58. Gas Card. We all know that gas prices are not going to decrease soon — if ever! A gas card can be a wonderful gift to give!
59. I love you because ... fill a jar, gift bag, or decorative box with a bunch of notes that make you love or appreciate the receiver for all the reasons.
60. Flash Drive. They sell these for 10 rupees less. Many have cool designs on them. This would be a wonderful gift for the techie in your life.
61. Mallow Men. Love this idea, my daughter! Make a snowman with the iceberg! To do great and delicious activity! All you need is large jet puffed marshmallows, white frosting (to keep the marshmallow pile together), pretzel sticks, and a variety of small candies to use. Everyone creates their own special mallow men!
62. Homemade Flavor Oil. Buy a tall beautiful jar. You can find cheap jars in almost any store. Fill it with olive oil and other delicious flavors. Some ideas: Fresh herbs like rosemary, garlic, chili, etc., make it a few weeks in advance so that the taste melts well. Ensure that the jar is tightly sealed.
63. Let It Snow ... I live in a sunny state. However, if you have snow in the forest snow… enjoy it! Go sled, make snow angel, build snow man-fun!
64. free. Use your free offer as a gift. Suppose you buy body lotion and you get one free. Give someone else free. Two gifts in one. You can do all this with 'free with purchase' offers. This is a great way to stock up. Save all of your freebies throughout the year, and you'll have a mess presenting "Go Two" to help keep you on a budget!
65. is. Create one for a special person. My daughter likes to do this and I have done it for some friends. It is a special gift that takes time and effort. However, it is worth it! You will take every letter of their first name and come up with a good word to describe them. Make it beautiful
66. Candles. Who does not like candles ??
67. Target Sales. I like the target very much. I find a lot of great deals going on the back wall. They put all their clearance items (marked below 75%) at the end of almost every Isle.
68. Track Santa. We don't celebrate with Santa at all, but a lot of people do, so, if you celebrate Christmas with Santa, there is a cool site that "tracks" where he is on Christmas Eve. it is very cute. (Noradsanta.org)
69. Christmas around the world. Our homeschool group used to do this every year. If you can get some families together that would be even better. Each family chooses a country they will represent. Then all of you will unite and share many things from the choice of your country. For example, You will share a little about how they celebrate Christmas, a traditional treat (make sure you give the kids a recipe for it as well), and a craft. If you can find at least 3 families together that will make the afternoon fun for you and the children. Each child will come home with a recipe from each country, a craft and fact sheet from each country will also be presented.
70. Indoor Camping. If you have a tent, take it out and set your "campsite" close to your Christmas tree (not too close), and create a Christmas camping experience. If you do this a week before Christmas, you can open a gift to the children as a special treat. It can become an awesome family tradition that your children will love and cherish memories for a lifetime! No tents? No problem! Build a fort with blankets or just throw some blankets on the floor!
71. Family Twister. Without breaking a hip, take out the old twister game and have a blast with your kids. Make it a competition. Whoever wins opens a present!
72. Fruit basket. A healthy gift indeed! Make it beautiful
73. Fuzzy Sox. We like fuzzy socks. You can find them at Target, Walmart, pretty much anywhere! They are fuzzy and have cool designs. Very fun and frugal gift!
74. Letter from Home. Do your children write letters to soldiers abroad. This will not only make those in the military smile, but it will also teach your children patriotism and appreciate their sacrifice for our country!
75. Sponsor a child. Have you ever seen those trees in shops with names on them? They are children who need a gift! I was one of them and someone sponsored me and made my Christmas a year! I was staying at the children's house and no one came to visit me at Christmas. I was very grateful ... and still am for the person who gave me time to get some things on my list!
76. Magazine Subscription. Buy a one-year subscription to a friend/family member's favorite magazine, or hobby magazine you think they'll enjoy!
77. Shortlist. Honestly, it is not frugal for everyone to buy. Shorten your list. Don't break the bank to get everyone a gift! Live and buy within your means. Breaking down to give gifts to others is not what Christmas is all about and they wouldn't want you to do that if they loved you in any way!
78. For birds. This is a fun activity to do with your children. Make a Homemade Bird Feeder! Plastic soda bottles, peanut butter, and seeds are the basics. Google the rest. Then place your feeder in an area that you can see from inside. Hopefully, you come to meet some good winged friends soon!
79. Dollar Bowling. Many Bowling Alley's Doll Bowling Night. It is a cheap way to get out of the house and have fun with the family. However, a good Wii bowling night will also work! They are my favorite nights at home!
80. Popcorn Fun. There are lots of things that you can do with popcorn. Why not make some fragrant popcorn balls? Or use them to make cool Christmas characters (you'll need some other items for this ... get creative)? Popcorn is cheap and you can enjoy making and eating all in one!
81. Candy Cane Craft. We made reindeer for a year, using pipe cleaners for antlers and googly eyes for eyes. It's amazing what googly eyes, pipe cleaners, glitter, and glue can do! Come up with your own creative creatures. There is a candy cane craft competition. Border, here too, women sky. This would be a good time to share the candy cane story…
82. Make food. Give it to a loved one night! This is a great way to share a little bit with someone… make them one of your signature dishes and take it upon yourself to enjoy with your family. You can make it so that they can freeze it, or plan ahead so that they know how to prepare for it.
83. Be clever. The best thing about the Internet is that everything is as close as a few keywords typed in the search bar. You can find tons of things to do. However, my favorite kid-friendly craft site is Kabosay.com. They have tons of ideas to help keep the kids busy and creative!
84. Starbucks. Even a $ 5 gift card will make someone on your list smile. I know that I will love you forever! laugh loudly! Five bucks are good for a fabulous cup of yumminess!
85. Decorate Cookies. Easy, fun, and oh so delicious!
86. Visit the local zoo. Many zoos are not very expensive for the locals. However, if the idea is strapped for money, go to your local pet store and let the kids cuddle a kitty or puppy. We have fish, kittens, puppies, reptiles, bunnies, and many other animals.
87. Any credit. Never buy on credit ever! You will pay more for the gift! Buy only with cash or debit card. You'll save interest and have more to spend later!
88. Spa at home. Great for moms, teenage daughters, or both! Find some homemade recipes online. Send a special invitation to some of your girlfriends and do a spa at home. You will each bring an inexpensive spa item to contribute and give one away. Everyone should also bring their beauty to use. So, you will have your luggage, items to share, etc. Put each item brought in a large "Grab Bag" to "give" and draw straws to order at the end of the party, and allow each woman to take a gift from the bag!
89. Collage. This is a great idea for a close friend, relative, mother, or daughter. Create a collage using pictures, memories, and the things they love. It is sure to bring some loving tears to the receiver's eyes.
90. Gift Basket. It can be settled in any direction ... clever, cookies, fruits, sweets, hobby-related, spa, movie night, fun, etc.
91. Coffee Mug. Do you have a coffee or mug lover on your list? Buy a nice mug and a bag of their favorite coffee. This is also a great tip for a tea lover or hot cocoa fan!
92. Eat free day. Treat the family to dinner one night. Just be sure to do it on the "Kids Eat Free" night!
93. Bathing and bodybuilding. They have big sales. You can get 5 lotions or fancy sanitizers several times throughout the year for $ 20. These are five gifts! Wrap it pretty with a personalized card and it's a definite winner!
94. Pet Lovers. You can get treatments, a new leash, a pet bed, grooming, etc.
95. It is okay to be practical. Not all gifts need to knock their socks off the origin. Try to buy hair cuts, socks, gem/paddies, stamps, computer paper, ink, groceries, etc. Be creative in your practicality! laugh loudly!
96. Herb Gardens. This is a winner for the cook in your life. Herb gardens are cheap and they do not take up much space.
97. Deck of cards. If you have card lovers in your life, buy them a deck of cards. Then, Google Card Game and Rules. Take a printout of the rules and give them along with the card. Or, if you have a few extra bucks, buy a card game rule book to go with the card.
98. The Entertainment® Coupon Book. This is a great gift to give to someone. You can get it several times from your children's school or go to entertainment.com.
99. Christmas time capsule. This can be an annual tradition. Buy a large Christmas themed box (like you would put a gift with no wrap), and every year each member of the family has placed an item in it that represents their year. Then next year, open it up and enjoy the memory-making moments and conversations. Then, repeat this every year! This is a great way to encourage communication and foster memorable conversations. Keep adding it year after year to see how life changes. Make sure you date the items and add a picture of each family member, or draw at least one family photo from that year so that you can see the changes over the years. When the children grow up, the mother will have wonderful memories! (Thanks to my beautiful daughter for this idea!)
100. Date night. Create a decorative "certificate" stating that the carrier will receive free child viewing services. Basically, you will see the children of a friend or family member, so that they can stay the night!
101. One Year Holiday! Try to get only the year of receiving. This can be a real character building opportunity for the whole family and is better than getting a great way to teach. It is important to teach our children — and be generous too.
I hope these ideas inspire you to spend time with your family, make memories, be creative with gifting, and save the most money!