How to Buy Inexpensive Christmas Gifts

Inexpensive Christmas gifts are highly sought after this year, when many people are expecting more subdued celebrations. You don't have to sacrifice quality and thoughtfulness when you buy frugal gifts. Whether your budget is tight or economic worries are causing you to decrease your holiday spending, follow these tips to find inexpensive Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Candles

   Consider using your talents, from carpentry skills to artistic abilities, to create original gifts for your friends and family. You'll invest more in time than in materials, minimizing the expense. Consider oil paintings, wooden boxes, candles, soap or jewelry, according to your abilities.

2. 
   Fruit Basket

   Create a simple gift basket for under $15, or under $10 if you're careful. Purchase baskets from thrift stores for less than $1 each and fill with several items around a theme. Balls of yarn and a pattern for the knitter; gourmet coffee beans, mug and raw sugar for the coffee lover; fresh fruit and gourmet cheese for the food enthusiast.

3. 
   Photo Album

   Assemble photographs, new or old, in an album for your friend or family member. Digital photographs are very cheap to print online, and albums are available in every price range. Note dates and names by photos for posterity.

4. 
   Muffin mix

   Pair a gourmet muffin mix with a muffin pan or pancake mix with maple syrup, wrapped with a bow, for a easy, tasty gift.

5. 
   Warm socks

   Pair nail polish with hand cream, or foot soaking powder with nice socks, for a simple pampering gift.

6. 
   Kitchen gifts

   Pick a sea salt mill and pepper grinder that come with salt and pepper--a gift that's sure to be used and appreciated.

7. 
   Art paper

   Make a craft kit or art supplies collection for the creative teen on your list. Jewelry making supplies are inexpensive, as are many craft items. Print out directions or ideas and include the instructions with your homemade craft kit.

Tips & Warnings

• Think about each person's talents, hobbies and interests when buying inexpensive Christmas gifts. Put a lot of thought into each one, and your frugality won't even be noticed.

Resources

• Christmas Crafts Year-Round: 60 Great Gifts You Can Make
• Gifts for a Writer
• Good Gifts for Guys for Christmas

[rajgift]

on 12/25/2008 Nice article on inexpensive gifts. You can check http://www.buygiftsheretoday.com to get information on gift ideas...

[sunshine11219]

on 12/3/2008 these are some great suggestions

[derbyka]

on 11/7/2008 I can always use ideas for inexpensive gifts!

[MommyBear]

on 10/28/2008 Thanks for the ideas! Every year I spend too much time thinking about what gifts to get and how I can save money in the process. You've saved me hours of pain! I'm going to do the gift baskets, gourmet muffins, and the nail polish/hand cream ideas. :) hee-hee Thank you! 5*****

[LilacGirl]

on 10/27/2008 These are all great inexpensive gift ideas. I especially liked the muffin tin gift, as well as the photograohs you put together. Good article.