Broke and don’t know what gift to get your best friend for the holidays?

Here are 40 ideas for cheap gifts this holiday season for the special people in your life.

Jill Stone

Thinking of what gift to get a special someone in your life but don’t have a lot of money to spend? Here is a list of inexpensive, yet thoughtful gifts that you can get within a day.

Food is always a delicious gift that you can share with your friends. Snacks and candy are usually cheap and can be bought in large quantities. If you are able, homemade baked goods are never a miss. If they like drinking coffee or cocoa, you could get them a fun mug.

There are many good gifts that you can get at the dollar store or Walmart. Art supplies like crayons, colored pencils, or paper can be good for the artist in your life. They might also like a coloring or sticker book. If your secret Santa likes to write you could get them pencils, pens, or a pocket-size journal.

If your giftee is more outdoorsy and adventurous, they might like some compact tools or fishing pliers. Or maybe a carabiner, keychain, or reusable water bottle. With the dropping temperatures, you could get them some gifts that would keep them warm and cozy. A fuzzy blanket or thick socks would be appreciated. 

If you’re not sure what they would like, try a card game, a fidget toy, or a book of brain teasers to keep them entertained. Perhaps you think they don’t give themselves enough self-care. You could get them a face mask, hand lotion, chapstick, or lip gloss to help them through the cold season. If your giftee wants to look good as well, you could get them some cute and functional accessories like hair clips, enamel pins, scrunchies, or a tote bag. 

There are gifts that you can give that don’t even cost any money. You could write a poem or draw a picture. You could also make something like a card, a bookmark, a friendship bracelet, or an ornament. Even finding a pretty rock or a wildflower would make a nice gift. A photograph of the two of you together can be sentimental and personal. And of course, sometimes a kind word is all you need to make someone feel special.