Looking for cheap but thoughtful Christmas gifts ideas this year, so you can embrace the holiday spirit of giving without breaking the bank?
As Christmas is around the corner, giving presents will be on your mind and maybe even stressing you out for many reasons. What do I buy? How much do I spend? How do I show I care while staying within a budget? and How do I avoid the gift cards again?…
Before your stress spirals out of control, my friend, here is a little help for your festive season – 25 Cheap but thoughtful Christmas Gifts Ideas. In fact, they are perfect for any occasion needing a gift.
Nothing on the list is above £20 / $20!!!
For me buying a gift for someone is only half of the equation of gift-giving. The other part is the thought process of coming up with the right gift for the right person.
So here are 5 rules I go by, when it comes to cheap but thoughtful Christmas gift ideas:
- Add a little luxury. Buy something you know the person would love but is just a little too expensive for everyday purchase.
- Donāt buy what they already have! This makes complete sense when written down but how many times does this happen?
- Think about what the person really enjoys and relate the gift to that.
- Donāt buy cheap tat!
- Avoid humorous gifts. They stay humorous for a very short period, then what do you do with it?
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1. Power Bank
If you don’t have a power bank – why not? These things can be a lifesaver, and this twin pack is a great offering, being light, slim and super easy to carry around. Works for all devices due to having 2 x USB, USB C and Micro USB ports.
2-Pack Miady 10000mAh Power Bank
2. The High 5 Habit
Mel Robins is one of my favourite people when it comes to personal development. I love her no-nonsense approach, and her ways to kick you into gear are simple yet very actionable.
In 2021, her new book The High 5 Habit is changing people’s lives by eliminating self-doubt, fear and unworthiness so they can believe in themselves again.
If you know someone in life who is struggling with confidence and self-doubt, this book will make a meaningful present this Christmas.
The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit
3. Meal Planning Tool Kit
For the moms who are constantly juggling, and struggle to put healthy food on the table for the family? This meal planning tool kit will turn a threaded weekly chore into a fun family affair.
This value-packed digital tool kit includes a weekly meal planning guide, a mini healthy slow cooker recipe book, a 4 meal prep in 1hr freezer cooking kit with a shopping list and so much more…
Use this special code Xmas30 to get 30% off.
4. Happy Socks
I first bought these for my husband as he was an early adopter of colourful socks. These days all the family have them. I donāt know what it is, but they do make you happy!
Happy Socks
5. Briercrest Glasses
We bought these glasses, based on the look and the fact they matched our nice whiskey glasses. The expectations were low due to the price, but when they arrived we both loved them, and they are now our go to glass for GnTās. The best part?
They are dishwasher safe!
Briercrest Glasses, Set of 6
6. Magnetic Tool Wristband
Annoyingly marketed as a tool for men (so must have been marketed by a tool :-/ ) but this handy invention is a must for those who love DIY and a gadget at the same time.
Magnetic Wristband Best DIY Gift
7. Handy Bike Tool
You would be amazed how many times you need one of these, for making adjustments to the kids’ bikes, or even fixing your friends pedal when it drops off. This is a quality item from the renowned Swedish tool make Bacho.
8. Star Wars Patent Prints
We have several Star Wars lovers in the family. They all love these patent prints that even pass my test of artwork that can go up. These retro line drawings of the machines are uber cool.
9. Face Roller Massager and Gua Sha Beauty Tool
Welcome to the latest crave for skin care – Gua sha. This affordable system will help to reduce puffiness around the eyes, improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, relax facial muscles and release stress.
Natural Rose Quartz Face Roller Massager and Gua Sha Beauty Tool for Skin Care
10. Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The gift that’s good for the planet, stylish and if the person actually uses it, saves them money as they reduce the bottled water they buy.
From going through a few of these stainless-styled bottles as a family, simple design, no straw, and a handle are the must-have features to make a lasting choice.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Leakproof, BPA-Free, Insulated Flask
11. Mini Diffuser
The modern version of the oil burner tea light candle thing you had years ago. This up to date tech version is a great addition for the bedroom. I add a little lavender oil to help me sleep at night.
Essential Oil Diffuser
12. Face Mask Packs
Theses are perfect for a little home spa indulgence. There are hundreds of options, but if you are willing and trust me… Go for these snail face masks from Korea. The Koreanās take face products very seriously. You will love the results.
Korean Face Masks Snail Jelly Face Mask
13. Bluetooth Eyemask
Why not help someone in your life to have a perfect night’s sleep with this bluetooth eyemask? Yep, you heard me right. With this clever device, they can now incorporate relaxing music or meditation apps to help them drift off – without annoying their partners š
3D Upgraded Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Eye Mask
14. Scented Candle
Ok here it’s all about quality and not size. Quality candles are just a different league. I love NEST candles.
Nest Fragrances Votive Candle
15. A Digital Notebook
This is my absolute new obsession for 2021 – going paperless with my note taking and journaling.
I even created my own – this hyperlinked 10-subject digital notebook works for GoodNotes, Notability, Noteshelf, or any pdf annotating apps that reads hyperlinks.
10 Subject Digital Notebook
16. Lamy Mechanical Pencil
So many people write in pen, but there is something about using a pencil. Any artists, designer, or technical person will appreciate this stylish gift.
Lamy AL-Star 1228018 Mechanical Pencils 0.7 Model 171 Black
17. Wine Opener
Never struggle with a cork again! Plus get a foil cutter, no-drip pourer, and a really useful vacuum wine saver (if you ever manage to not finish the bottle).
Wine Bottle Opener Kit
18. Touchscreen Running Gloves
These lightweight gloves will become a staple for your running outfit. They are engineered to protect against odors, keep you warm, have grippers on the palms, and have the all-important touchscreen touch tip finger technology.
New Balance Touchscreen Running Gloves
19. Mambo Sauce
Quite simply Capital City’s two best sellers in one pack – Mild Mambo and Sweet Hot Mambo. These sauces can be used as a marinade, glaze, dipping, finishing or basting directly on the grill. Yum!
Capital City Mambo Sauce
20. Pass The Pigs
This is such a fun and underrated game that all the family can play. It even helps with improving maths, and small enough to take anywhere. We love it. Our kids even talk to the pigs to try and get the pigs to bring home the bacon!
Pass the Pigs Dice Game
Socially distanced version – where 4 players get a set of pigs š
Pass the Pigs Party Dice Game
21. Scrabble Frame / Message Board
A friend of ours bought us this gift many years ago and it has been something that always gives us a smile.
Changeable Scrabble Tile Letters with Rustic Wooden Frame
22. Luxury Lip Balm
Know someone with constantly chapped lips? This has been my go-to lip balm for years. A little tube goes a long way.
Clarins HYDRA-ESSENTIEL BAUME LĆVRES RĆPARATEUR
23. Indoor Plant
Perfect addition to any home, bringing the outside in, and purifying the air in the house.
This is one of my fav. – String of Pearls. It’s perfect to drape over the shelf or hang, and it requires minimal care.
String of Pearls – Indoor Plant
24. Charging Station
Do you know someone with a kitchen corner full of charging cables for all the family devices? Of course you do.
Well, here is a clever solution to help tidy that corner!
3 in 1 Aluminum Charging Station
25. Makeup Brushes Cleaner
Every beauty guru on youtube says that you gotta clean your makeup brushes often but who has time for that? Treat your girlfriends to this time-saving gadget to clean those dirty brushes in no time.
Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer-Fast Electric Brush Cleaner
Final thought on 25 Cheap but thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas Under $20 [2021]
So here you have it, 25 cheap but thoughtful Christmas gift ideas for this holiday season. Remember, giving gifts is not just about buying, it’s about making an effort into thinking what the person enjoys and needs.
A thoughtful gift doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but when you can put a smile on someone’s face with the right gift, that, is truly the joy of gifting.
Related reads:
- 50+ Christmas & Birthday Gift Ideas for Elderly People
- 17 Money saving ideas for this Christmas
- Make extra cash for Christmas with Matched Betting
That’s an awesome list of Christmas gift ideas under 20!! I love the idea of Magnetic Tool Wrist band, it will come really handy for someone i know. I love DIY ideas and this one is perfect.
Your list of thoughtful Christmas gift is going to be very handy for someone like me who runs out of the ideas for affordable gift as stocking stuffer.
Thank you!
Don’t we all get stuck with gift ideas sometimes… glad this will help you to enjoy gift-giving during the holidays without breaking the bank.
I cannot believe that this year is almost over, this pandemic really took the time away and fast! Most of us, including myself have to watch out with our spending but we also want to enjoy the joy of gifting as well. Thanks for these budget friendly amazing ideas! You are so right about humorous gift, it stays funny for a short period of time and no longer has its purpose. I am loving this magnetic tool wrist band! My guy friends and so my husband will go berserk of this! Water bottle is also a nice gift. I am trying to save the world by telling people to stop using plastic bottle! Pass the pig is also a nice one and yes to the indoor plants! Thanks again for the ideas! I ‘m loving them.
Glad there are a few gift ideas that you can already relate to people who may enjoy in your life. Giving Christmas gifts doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as you put some thought into it =)
This is fantastic
Well thought out
Well written &
Worthy items documented
Glad this is some help to your gift-giving during the festive season.