Thrifty Christmas Gifts - Under $5

 

Times are tough, for a lot of people, and we are in a recession with higher utility bills and sky rocketing grocery prices.  No one needs to go into debt over gift giving at Christmas time.  Here are some great gift ideas and they are all under $5 each!  Depending on what you already have on hand they may not even cost you anything so shop your houses first:

 

Photo Collage - print out some pictures or dig out some photos you already have and put together a collage for someone.  Use cardstock, poster board, or even part of a cereal box and some scrapbook or other paper to assemble your collage with tape, glue or a glue stick.  It can be random pictures or a significant event like graduation or a vacation.  Add a note to let the recipient know what they mean to you. 

Homemade Granola - make your favorite recipe or use this one.  Place cooled granola into a jar or a Ziploc bag and label it.  Decorate your package with ribbon, stickers, whatever you like. 

Drink Mug - fill a nice mug (Dollar Tree has many) with packets of hot cocoa mix, tea bags, K cups, whatever the giftee might like.  Use plastic wrap over the top to keep the contents neatly inside, pop a bow on top. 

Soup Mug/Bowl - place a can of hearty soup or chili inside a large mug or a bowl (Dollar Tree has many).  Add some crackers if you like or a Jiffy cornbread mix.  Place inside a gift bag and decorate with ribbon or a bow.

 

Bagels & Cream Cheese - in a bag place a package of bagels and a tub of flavored cream cheese spread.  Decorate the bag with ribbon or a bow. 

Sugar Cookie Bake Set - in a bag place a package of sugar cookie dough mix, a bottle of Christmas themed sprinkles and a cookie cutter.  Decorate the bag with ribbon or a bow. 

Activity Set - a colorbook and a box of crayons will keep any child busy.  Word search, crossword, Sudoku puzzle books plus some mechanical pencils are great for teens and adults.  For the artistic teen or adult on your list consider an adult coloring book and a package of colored pencils.  All of these items can be found at the dollar store. 

Fleece Throw - Wal-Mart has a nice selection of fleece throw blankets for less than $5

 

Candy - purchase King size or theater size packages of the recipients favorite candy or candies.  Or, make fudge, toffee or dipped pretzels.  Place in a jar or Ziploc bag and decorate with ribbon or a bow. 

Manicure - one or two bottles of nail polish & an emery board. 

Breakfast - pancake & waffle mix + syrup, a package of canned cinnamon rolls & orange rolls, or breakfast sausage + a carton of eggs. 

Homemade Bread - if you are a baker consider making a fresh loaf of bread or a pan of dinner rolls.  Add a jar of jam or jelly. 

Warm Feet - fuzzy socks or warm winter socks are always appreciated. 

BBQ Sauce - purchase some bottled barbecue sauces in various flavors such has mesquite, honey BBQ and regular.  Or make up your own recipe and place in a glass Snapple bottle or Mason Jar and label it. 

Cash or Gift Card - sometimes the best gift is just to tuck a $5 bill or a $5 gift card (Starbucks, Burger King, Dollar Tree, etc.) into a card.

 

Don't feel bad or ashamed if a $5 gift is all you can or are willing to afford to give someone.  Or if gifting or re-gifting items you already have on hand is the best you can manage.  You are not being cheap, you are being resourceful.  Remember, it is more about the thoughtfulness behind a gift than the amount of money spent on it.  Enjoy the process and have fun with it.  Have a Blessful Christmas not a Stressful Christmas.