Frugal Redditors Share Their Favorite 'Cheap Gift' Ideas

Persistent inflation is changing the way Americans think about holiday shopping, according to a recent Bankrate survey. But belt-tightening doesn’t mean you have to give up on gifts altogether. Ahead of the holiday season, Reddit’s thriftiest members shared how they save money on presents in a popular thread on r/frugal. So whether you’ve always been a penny pincher, are feeling squeezed by inflation, or both, here are some of Reddit’s best cheap gift ideas — for Christmas and beyond.

Related: 100 Christmas Gifts for $25 or Less

Rather than buying “junk” that no one wants, a Redditor suggests making a few treats at home, such as homemade vanilla extract, biscotti, or peanut brittle. Baked goods shouldn't cost more than a few dollars per person.

Related: Ideas for Filling a Gift Basket on a Budget

Need a heartfelt gift that won’t break the bank? Redditors say a framed photo is a cost-effective gift that shouldn’t be more than a few dollars. And if you don’t have pictures of your loved ones handy, you can mine their social media presence for snapshots, one Redditor notes.

Related: 50 Gifts for $50 or Less

Skip Hallmark and make handmade cards for your friends and family for an affordable holiday gift. Pair the card with a sincere note, and you’re sure to warm someone’s heart — even if it isn’t an extravagant, expensive gift. 

If you like arts and crafts, consider making a book safe. “Buy books at thrift stores, cut out compartments inside, glue pages together, line compartments with felt, (and) add magnets to keep the book closed,” a Redditor writes.

Strapped for time and money? Write a thoughtful holiday email, which won’t cost you a penny. Just be sure to include the “traditional bad family photo,” a commenter suggests.

While we can't be sure this is a serious idea, buying everyone lottery tickets is better than nothing, especially if you know someone who enjoys playing the odds.

Plant moms and dads can propagate their own plants and place them in small pots for a cheap and long-lasting gift. While you won’t have to spend money on new plant(s), you may have to invest in rooting hormone powder, soil, and pots.

Fill your own gift baskets with handmade crafts and baked goods. “I did family gift baskets one year and it was a huge success,” a Redditor writes, adding that their baskets have included sweet treats, snacks, magnets, and photographs.

Scented candles don’t have to be expensive … if you make them yourself. “I’m a candle maker and here’s my biggest secret: candles are very cheap to make!” a Redditor shares. The biggest expense is often the jars, but 50 small candles should cost just $100. You can purchase candle supplies from companies like CandleScience, including fragrances, jars, wicks, and wax.