The holidays are upon us and the race to buy gifts begins. Sadly, this typically puts most Americans in debt that they sometimes do not get out of until the next holiday season- or longer. Instead of letting this be you, take a look at these gift ideas on a budget, and prepare to save.

Make Your Budget

Gift ideas on a budget do no good for someone who does not have a budget. Before you start shopping, be sure you know what budget to stick with.

Start first by making your list and take one of my best saving tips to heart: Not everyone you know needs to be on your list. In fact, not even every friend or family member needs to be there.

Only people you really want to give a gift to should be there. This does not mean you should not send out a Christmas card or something to others, but that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on them. In fact, you can buy a box of Christmas cards for around one dollar.

Categorize

Everyone else on your list should be prioritized. People like your spouse and kids should, of course, be at the top. You can fill in the others as you see fit. You might have five brothers but not be close to any of them but a second cousin who acts like your brother. Your gift priorities should follow who you are closest to and can only be done by you.

After you have your list, consider prioritizing everyone by a one, two, or three. Then set an individual budget for those groups. For instance, you might decide that you will spend no more than $10 on threes, $20 on twos, and $100 on ones.

Gift Ideas

Having everyone fit into a budget category makes it easier to choose an appropriate gift. Once this is done, dive into the ideas below to make your plan.

Free Gifts

Some of the best things in life are free, but they might cost you a little time. Still, if you are trying to stay on a budget, free is a great way to go.

Services

Know someone that has been fussing about cleaning out their attic, having a date night, or something else? Give them a coupon for that, like “One free night of babysitting” or “Five Hours of Attic Cleaning”.

Gift Cards

How about a gift card that you don’t have to buy? Talk about gift ideas on a budget, there are several apps that you can earn gift cards from for different things. The ones I have used and cashed out on several times are:

• Mistplay- Play some games and cash out for cards from Playstation, Xbox, Amazon, and more.

• Fetch Rewards- Scan your grocery receipts and cash out for more gift card options than I can list. I personally cash out for Walmart and Amazon quite a bit, but I know I have seen Sephora gift cards, restaurant gift cards, Gamestop, and more.

• S’more- You download the app and let it provide your lock screen. Every day you use your lock screen, you gain 10 points. You can choose other ways to earn through it, too, like watching videos. I use this for Amazon.

I’ve tried other options, but those three are the most effective ones for gift cards. Try them out. When you cash out for a gift card, write the code in a card to give to your loved one.

Trust me when I say that teenage boys love to get Playstation and Xbox gift cards. You don’t necessarily have to give them away, either. I also let them build up to do bigger shopping. I love filling up my Amazon cart and checking out with a $0 balance because I’ve earned gift cards.

Regifting

Some people talk down about regifting, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. If your grandmom gives you a sweater you do not like, but it is someone else’s style, there’s no reason not to pass it on to someone who will actually use it.

Just be sure you remember who gave it to you so you don’t give it back to them or regift to someone they know.

Contribution To Upcoming Vacation Or Special Event

Have a loved one preparing for a vacation or honeymoon? Put together a guide book full of information and maybe a packing checklist. Give a gift coupon to pet sit while they are gone. Anything that can help make that event even better will be appreciated.

Make Gifts

This can be a fun thing to do. I love making gifts. It is so much more personal than most store-bought gifts. And, it’s usually cheaper, so making items is one of my favorite gift ideas on a budget.

Even if you are not “crafty”, there are plenty of things to make easily. The following list is a variety of ideas that require a variety of skills. Just choose what fits you best.

In the Kitchen

Are you a good cook or baker? Are friends and family members always complimenting your cooking? Know someone that says, “I have got to get your recipe!” or just plain longs to get better at cooking? Good, because there is a lot you can do for them. Here are just a few ideas:

Special Photos

One of the best gifts I have given my parents in the past are special photos. I would either dress my children up, take a bunch of pictures, and frame the best ones. Or I would do some editing on my computer.

For instance, one year I made my mother an 8” X 10” with my whole family in the middle. Around the main picture, I had individual shots of each of us. I did this for my brother’s and sister’s families, too, so she has unique photos hanging on her wall of all her kids and grandkids.

Dollar Tree Load Up

If you do not shop at your local Dollar Tree, it’s time to start. It is one of my favorite places to go for so many things from gift wrap and party decorations to school supplies and home decorations. And with everything there literally $1, it’s one of the best saving tips I can share.

I cannot tell you how many gift baskets I have made from Dollar Tree items or how many treasures I have found. Sometimes, I have found the same brand of items in the store that I have found online for a lot more.

I will be the first to say that it’s true, you get what you pay for. So while Dollar Tree does have some items that may not be worth the money, a lot of things are. I’m going to share some of my favorite gift ideas from their supplies below.

Kitchen Supplies

No, you are not going to find the Pioneer Woman’s latest dish set or a good waffle maker at the Dollar Tree, but there is a ton of other items. If you have someone who is remodeling their kitchen, just moved into a new home, or just love being in their kitchen, make a kitchen lover’s basket for about $10 with some of the following:

• Cooking utensils

• Cute or sassy dish towels and dishrags to match

• Coasters

• Timers

• Measuring cups

• Vegetable cleaners and peelers

A couple of years ago, I decided to change our kitchen theme. I was able to get not only dish towels and dishrags to match but also utensils of the same color, a self-adhesive backsplash, and some adorable decorations from this store. I spent less than $20 to refresh my kitchen (not including the paint).

Self Care

We all know a woman who needs to take a little time out for herself- even if it’s just for a 30-minute soak in the tub. There are so many health and beauty products that you can pick up from Dollar Tree and make either separate baskets for each or mix the products together. Some of the best to consider are as follows:

For the Kiddos

Let me give a quick disclaimer here: Most toys at the Dollar Tree are not well-made, but what can you expect? There are, however, some great things to take advantage of.

Art Box

My daughters have developed the family artistry bug. Fortunately, there is a “crafter’s corner” at the Dollar Tree. You can load up on paints, palettes, pens and markers, paintbrushes, crayons, pads and coloring books, aprons, and much more. I filled up what I call “The Bored Box” with supplies on this aisle. Those girls have enjoyed months of fun for about $20.

Toy Treasures

Don’t completely avoid the toy aisle- there are a few treasures on it. For instance, my girls are also into My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop. Last year, I accidentally ran across small figurines from both lines- the same figurines that were more like $10 next door to the Dollar Tree. For that $10, I was able to get 10 packs.

Shopping at the Dollar Tree comes down to being willing to look around on each aisle and being creative. Also, every Dollar Tree has some varied items, so traveling to a few is a good idea. We have three within 10 minutes of my home. I usually hit all three while shopping for gifts because I often find matching items spread out.

They also have a website you can order from, though most of those things are sold in bulk. This is not necessarily a bad thing if you have several people you want to buy something similar for- like coworkers or something similar. It never hurts to check the site before shopping in-store.

If you cannot tell, I love Dollar Tree, but it does not have everything I need, of course. The following are other gift ideas that are still budget-friendly and can mean a lot to others.

• Journal or diary

• Costume jewelry

• Look for yard tools at thrift stores and yard sales

• Pay a month of membership to something they love, like the gym or Xbox Live

• Jar full of candy- Who doesn’t love candy?

• Have a traveler on your list? Grab a cheap zippered bag and fill it with travel-size toiletries. Most of these toiletries cost around one dollar, so you can give this gift for a few bucks.

• Pajamas

• Weighted or fleece blanket

• Fluffy pair of slippers

• Waterproof speaker

• If you have a water lover, get them a water filtration pitcher for around $20. This is a gift that keeps on giving. Considering we are trying to stick with gift ideas on a budget, this price might be something you save for one of the most important people on your list.

The following are a few additional “secret” weapons and tips to stick to a budget when buying gifts.

• Start early. I try very hard to work toward gifts all year long. Christmas, birthdays- it does not matter. The earlier I start, the more time I have to comparison shop, track down good deals, and earn gift cards. It also gives one more time to sock away some cash.

• Usually, a few weeks before Christmas, places like Dollar General have a toy sale. Sometimes, these are great sales. They don’t always have products for main presents, but I do typically find a lot of “filler” presents, stocking stuffers, and things my nephews like. Keep an eye out and check them out for yourself.

• Every time you visit your favorite retailer, find the clearance aisle. It never fails that I find several things my kids love on clearance. Sometimes, I find them right after the Christmas holiday. I also find clearance on their websites, so be sure to look around at your favorite stores.

• Beware of Black Friday. I’m all about sales, but Black Friday often leads to people spending a lot of money on items they never planned to buy. You don’t have to avoid it- just have a plan and stick with it. And know that not everything they show as “on sale” is actually on sale.

• Five Below is another favorite store of mine. They have all kinds of neat stuff for kids and adults, including workout equipment, makeup, art projects, and Beanie Boos (These were some of the cheapest Beanie Boos we found anywhere.)

• Browse thrift stores. You can often find things like good coats, name brand clothes, microscopes, dishes, furniture, books, décor, jewelry, and more. The furniture is usually great to sand down and restain.

• Check out start-ups. A lot of times, when companies are trying to get their products out there, they give away samples, trial sizes, and really good deals.

Conclusion

Gift-giving should be enjoyable for both the giver and the receiver. I hope that these gift ideas on a budget can help make it a great time for you without breaking the bank.