The holidays can bring up a lot of stress and uncertainty, especially when it comes to what to buy your loved ones. And it can be even harder doing it on a budget. But it’s all good because I have a great list of gift ideas that you can use this holiday season that are UNDER $30!
Once Halloween passes, I know we are in the full swing of the holiday season. And there is are a plethora of holidays celebrated here in the U.S. that you’ll definitely get to witness at least one of. Some of the popular and major holidays here in the states are :
- Thanksgiving
- Black Friday
- Hanukkah
- Kwanzaa
- Christmas
- New Year’s
And these are just to name a few. I know I’m most likely missing other holidays (these are the ones that first came to mind), and they may all differ at the root, but a lot of them have one thing in common. They include some form of gift giving.
Exchanging gifts around the holidays is such a special experience, regardless of the gift that was given or received. It’s a chance for you to give something of value to those of value to you.
But I wouldn’t be the first to admit how hard it can also be around the holidays. It’s hard to juggle all of the busy activities paired with an extensive and expensive shopping list.
Yeahhhhhhhh…that’s not it.
Giving gifts are not all about spending hundreds of dollars and trying to show others just how much you can spend. It’s about giving something to someone that means something, but it shouldn’t break your bank.
Your budget always matters because you’ve set intentions that you want to strive to hit those financial goals. That’s why this holiday guide is perfect to help you give great gifts at amazing prices.
This is why I have created this creative and fun holiday guide. 10 different things you can purchase for your loved ones, all under $30! (Hint: Can also sometimes come out lower on price depending on style/ size of the item you pick)
Related: 6 Hacks to Eliminate Your Holiday Stress , A Guide To Stress Relief When You’re Feeling Burnout , How to Create A Budget: 5 Steps for Beginners
Jewelry from Alex And Ani
Jewelry can be a tricky gift to give someone because it may not be easy to tell what someone else’s taste is. But I say it’s perfect if you have even a little insight into what someone likes or wants.
If you have someone in mind, I guarantee you they will love adding a little more flare to their look with jewelry from Alex and Ani. I love them because they offer cute pieces at a cheap price. It’s super affordable and compliments any outfit, but that’s just my opinion of course 🙂
They have an assortment of different pieces of jewelry too, ranging from bracelets and rings to bracelets and full-blown collection sets.
I have two bracelets from Alex and Ani and I can confidently say I’m a huge fan! And I’m not an affiliate of them at all, nor do I get any commission for saying any of this. Just a gal who really like their products!
They have several hundred products you can get for under $30. I’ve listed a few of my favorites, including two that I have already!
- Blue Zircon Birthstone Charm Bangle
- Moon + Star Hair Pins, Set of 3
- Path of Life Molten Coin Charm Bangle
- Gold Stud Earrings
Floral Or Edible Arrangements
This is such a cute gift to give that will make most, if not all, humans smile. You can opt for a floral arrangement like a bouquet of flowers or you can go the food route with dainty chocolates and fancified fruits. Totally up to you, and what the person your gifting would like.
Also, I hate to say it, but this year may be perfect for gifting your loved ones arrangement during the holidays. Covid-19 has forced us to social distance and the holiday season is no different. Unfortunately, that means a lot of people won’t be able to see their loved ones.
That’s where arrangements can help bridge the gap and give both parties some joy!
If you want to go the floral route, you should check out 1-800 Flowers. Not only do they have so many products to select from, they also offer same day delivery.
They don’t just offer flowers either. You can also order things such as plants, foods, and even teddy bears; super cute.
Another option is to use Edible Arrangements which offers mostly food with some additional options that pair well with their flower collection.
But those are just a few options, there are so many options you can use, including local florists. All easily done under $30!
Books (Paperback & Digital)
This is a great gift to give because it can be a very personal gift. It kind of shows that you are mindful and super aware of what the person likes or has an affinity for. It’s beautiful and trust me, the person will notice it too!
I enjoy a really good thriller or mystery novel if I’m looking for fiction. If I’m going for non-fiction, then I’ll usually do something learning more towards spirituality or personal development.
But I’m pretty open to any book and always love when I’m gifted a book. Not one bad experience yet.
And I will tell you it has made my heart so incredibly happy when people in my life know what I like and give me things that represent that.
This is why this is a perfect gift for the holidays. It can be personalized as much or as little as you want. If you’re not completely sure what the person your gifting would like, you can also use a gift card at their or your local bookstore to make it easier.
Which leads me to the next gift idea…
Electronic Gift Cards
A lot of people don’t like to gift cards for presents because they may not be “personal” enough, but I couldn’t disagree more.
Gift cards are a great way to give to someone and allow them to choose exactly what it is they want. It removes all of that anxious guesswork for you. In turn, making the holiday season stress-free and simple.
Also, with increasing social distancing rules in place all over the country, these are easy to send electronically. Most stores, if not all, offer the option to purchase a gift-card that can be sent through traditional mail or via e-mail.
I’ll also point out that most gift cards have a minimum load of $25 (most, not all), which makes this even a cheaper than the $30 limit I’ve pointed out for this post!
So if you’re worried about Covid-19 (you’re not alone my friend), no need to even make the trip to the store. Grab a card online and have it in your loved one’s e-mail box the same day. Simple, easy and efficient.
A Planner/ Organizer
The major holidays I mentioned earlier are situated during the end of the year, which is right before the New Year.
With that being said, a lot of people will be looking forward to the new slate that the new year provides. They will be hoping to start the new year with new habits, such as working out more, eating healthier, or getting more organized by using a checklists, planners or organizers.
The most tangible of those that you can gift someone is a planner or organizer. They are a simply gift to pick up and can really help someone transform their life.
No, seriously! Many people benefit tremendously from the use of planners or some tool of organization. They help people keep track of their obligations so they can stay on top of it all.
It makes life a whole lot easier and simpler. Something we all want more of, am I right?
Last year I purchased the Passion Planner from Amazon after a friend recommended it, and it was the best thing she did.
It was a great planner to help me organize my ideas and focus on my passions and goals each month. It helps transform your mindset into one that puts you first and helps you achieve your goals, whatever they are.
But they are not the only type of planners that do that. There are so many planners and organizers out there, including ones about specific topics or concepts you may like. Here are a few to get you going:
Wall Art/ Décor
This is a perfect gift to help someone’s house truly transform into a home. You can get as creative as you like here (also as creative as the person your gifting likes).
And this is a great gift for anyone who has recently moved or will be moving soon. They will be looking for cute and fun ways to decorate their new place which you can help them with!
You can purchase wall art pretty much anywhere, but my favorite pieces have been purchased from Marshalls or T.J. Maxx & HomeGoods. Beautiful art at beautiful prices I must say.
If you’re willing to go the extra mile on the creativity tip, then you can also go the DIY route. You can use free services like Canva to design your own wall art online, print it out and purchase your own frame for it, for example.
And Canva is a fairly simple tool to use. You don’t have to be a graphic designer for this at all.
Keep in mind that the DIY route is also the cheaper option since you’re doing most of the work yourself!
DIY Care Package
This is perfect for all of my DIY fans out there. A care package is almost synonymous with the holiday season because it is personal and requires time and effort.
But it is always worthwhile.
I dated someone in the military when I was younger and there was a year that he was deployed during our relationship. It definitely wasn’t easy but I had a lot of fun making the care packages that I sent overseas.
If you’re an arts and crafts person, then this you’re going to love this. Because that’s all that it was to me. Just me, some cardboard, markers, construction paper and some random things I knew he would love.
The best part was I learned how much I enjoy being creative, kind of like being a innocent kid all over again.
For one care package, I decorated it using the NBA as my inspiration. The season had just started and I knew my ex at the time would appreciate it. Super simple and something that I got to enjoy making. Now won’t you look at that!
I want you to realize that gift-giving doesn’t have to be daunting or flustering. It can and should be fun for you, too.
You can make the care package with anything you want. You can make it themed too, depending on what the person your gifting likes. Get creative and have fun with it.
But if DIY isn’t your thing, no worries. There are plenty of options online at sites like Etsy, where you can purchase a care package. Less effort and work altogether!
Electric Wine Opener
I’m currently on a no-alcohol binge, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy my glasses of wine or guzzling of tequila. Because I did, trust me.
But I just always hated opening wine bottles, especially if I wasn’t using a decent bottle opener. You know, the ones that don’t really pull out the cork, but instead push the cork further in. And now you’re drinking wine with the cork still in it. Fantastic.
Insert the electric wine opener.
My best friend gifted me one last year, it really has been a game-changer in our house. It has made it so much easier to open wine without leaving any mess behind.
And can grab it from Amazon for as low as $20. Can’t beat that.
Board Game
Games are so much fun. I mean who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned board game?!
Okay, so maybe not the traditional board games that we grew up playing as children, like Trouble or Monopoly. But there are SO MANY adult game options out there that are perfect for the season of gift-giving!
I’ll warn you now. Some are a little more inappropriate than others, but here are a few that I have either given, or been given over the holidays:
The one below is one that I found somehow through social media. I haven’t purchased it yet (saving it for my birthday next month so I’ll leave a review soon), but I think would it would be fun to try. It seems like a fun and cool way to build teamwork, solve a problem and celebrate the success, again hopefully haha.
Most games are pretty cheap, giving you many options to fit different personalities in your life. Make this holiday a fun one by gifting someone a game that they can enjoy with their loved ones, including with you too!
Homemade Desserts
This one is probably one of the most personal gifts you can give someone, because it requires your full attention and awareness. It’s also an awesome opportunity to show off/ improve your baking skills by gifting someone a tasty treat.
You can opt for a dessert that you like to make, make well, or know the person your gifting, would like. It’s totally up to you!
My favorite cookies are chocolate chip cookies but I also enjoy oatmeal raisin cookies as a second runner up. I’ve definitely thought about giving some some to friends with hand written messages (I’ll post an update if I do!)
They are also super cheap to purchase the ingredients. Every recipe will be different but most baking recipes call for similar ingredients. The base ones that you probably will always need is sugar, flour, butter, eggs and milk.
Not only is it a sweet and personal gift to give someone else, it’s a nice gesture that I think goes a long way!
What gifts are you buying this holiday season? Comment Below!
