Having a huge friend group is never a bad thing ... until gifting occasions roll around. Rethink your gift-spending budget this year and consider one of these 30 cheap gift ideas that look way more expensive than they really are.
From sentimental photo books, to a luxe tea sampler, and even a cute crossbody bag that can be worn pretty much everywhere, we selected plenty of great options that are the best of both worlds: thoughtful and affordable. Best of all, with all of the money you save, you can even treat yourself to something special. Your wallet will seriously thank you, and so will your recipients!
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Under $5
‘Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book’ by Sasha O’Hara
You can't exactly gift them therapy, but with this cheap gift, you can encourage them to relieve some pent-up stress. This hilarious, profanity-filled coloring book that'll help them feel better during hard times.
These capiz-shell lotus votives light up the surrounding space with their soothing botanical silhouettes, with or without a tea light flickering inside of each one.
This handy crossbody bag embraces both style and function with several built-in card slots and an expandable pocket to hold her phone, lipstick, keys, and sunnies.
It's RFID-protected for total safety, and it's super lightweight to tote around town.
From Go Fish to Gin Rummy, these movies-themed playing cards will make every game even more fun. Each of the included 52 cards features a different movie director or star, so while you won't find a King of Diamonds in the deck, you will find Alfred Hitchcock and Spike Lee.
This under-$10 kitchen appliance may seem tiny, but it'll totally change up their breakfast routine. From savory chicken and waffles to equally indulgent sweet treats, the options are truly endless.
The perfect motivational gift for the friend who occasionally needs to be reminded of how awesome they are, this 2021 calendar features an inspiring piece of advice for every day of the year.
There are also fun puzzles and trivia questions on the back of each tear-off page, making this creative calendar so much more than just a tool to keep track of the days.
Tech gifts can get absurdly expensive, but the PopSocket is a cheap gift and affordable phone accessory that'll please them while keeping extra pennies in your pocket.
It grips onto the back of their device for easier holding and handling, so selfies and streaming can become more seamless, and a refillable lip balm inside ensures that their mouth always stays moisturized.
This sloth-shaped infuser will be a hit with anyone who steeps loose-leaf tea on the daily. They can stash one of these at their work desk and the other in their tea cupboard at home!
This unbelievable five-piece shave set offers plenty of value for the price. Your soon-to-be clean-shaven recipient will enjoy several full-sized essentials, including a rich shave gel, razor handle, and a three-pack of razor cartridges — all for just $15!
Your favorite adventure-seeker will get a kick out of this interactive, scratch-off poster. It features 100 must-try activities that are probably already on their figurative bucket list, and every time they do one, they can mark it by scratching it off.
Gift your favorite green thumb a kit to grow their very own flowers. It includes heirloom seeds, starter soil, flower pressing & drying guide, and growing instructions. They can build their very own backyard garden.
Give her a helping hand with this wearable nail polish holder that'll make DIY manicures way more manageable. Now if this cheap gift could only make nails dry faster!
This luxe hand sanitizer from Touchland may not be the first thing on their wish list, but trust us, they'll be thrilled to receive it. This fresh watermelon fragrance is a major upgrade over the sterile scent of Purell, but other options in the collection, like lavender, citrus, and forest berry, are equally as sweet.
Your favorite hostess will flip out over this party-perfect set of six coasters. They'll keep her tables free of unsightly water stains, and they stack up like a cactus to add an extra festive touch to any celebration.
Multitools are fantastic cheap gifts, because even if the recipient isn't exactly the handy type, they never know when they're going to need a wire cutter, scissor, pair of pliers, or especially a bottle opener! This under-$20 option is a great standby for them to keep in their car or as part of their everyday carry.
If you have a serious tea lover on your hands, set them up for sophisticated sipping with a variety pack of VAHDAM's most popular single-origin and in-house blends.
Who said that cheap gifts can't be sentimental? This customizable mini photo book is a gift they'll cherish for years to come, and it won't cost you a fortune.
This floral soy candle smells as expensive as those outrageous $50 ones you're too cheap to actually light. Feel free to keep the flame burning with an affordable price tag that'll practically obligate you to buy one for yourself, too.
We love countertop organizers that also happen to be adorable. This petite lotus-shaped container sits prettily by their bathroom sink, holding up to 30 cotton swabs at a time.
This cult-favorite facial spray is an outrageously popular cheap gift idea for a reason: It hydrates and refreshes tired skin, instantly giving it a fresh and dewy glow.
This is a great cheap gift idea for the friend who's trying to make greener choices with their daily drink purchases. This colorful set of six silicone straws comes with its own cleaning brush and carrying pouch.
With a 4.8-star rating and over 6,500 rave reviews, this note set is a no-fail cheap gift for the most forgetful shopper you know. Those with more specialized diets can take advantage of keto and vegetarian versions, checking off as many grocery items as they wish.
This lavender-scented bath bomb is just the cheap gift that your most high-strung friend needs to chill the F down. And the fun doesn't stop once it fizzes away! It contains a small surprise inside, so you're getting two gifts for the price of one!
Their size is perfect, their designs are cute, and they even fold up to fit in a bag for spur-of-the-moment use. BAGGU is a practical gift for eco-friendly recipients who just can't refuse a spontaneous after-work Target run!
Step up their spa night with this super-cheap gift idea. TONYMOLY's single-use sheet masks are touted for their nice scent and fresh feel, and they aren't super messy to deal with.
These trendy traceless hair ties won't leave marks in her hair like traditional elastics will. Her strands will stay perfectly intact, so she can avoid using damaging hot tools the next morning.
The sticky-note obsessive can never have too many writing pads around. We love this colorful set that has enough pads to stash in a desk, bag, or even a coat pocket!
This adorable hair accessory will snazz up boring strands with a knotted velvet top and a surface spotted with pearls. We love the classic vibes of this jewel-toned green, but there are plenty of available colors that'll fit your friend's preferred aesthetic.
A bottle of vino is a nice gift, but it's a little blah, don't you think? This handy red wine stain remover makes for the ideal cheap gift pairing to help prevent inevitable party messes.
A cheap gift that looks way more expensive than it really is, this modern, concrete vase pairs well with a single stem. It's available in two sizes and three shapes.
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