My Gift To You – 100 Present Ideas for $25 Dollars or Less

The other day Maggie said in the comments of my Christmas Ideas post that her Christmas budget was more like $15-20 dollars than $50, and then we emailed back and forth and she said that she would love a list of Christmas presents under $25. (Well, she said under $20, but to get to 100, I needed that extra $5 dollars on some of these. Bear with me.)

 

Keep in mind that this list is not an all encompassing list…it’s not necessarily going to be items that you will love and your dad will love and your cousin will love, it’s stuff that for the most part, I’d be excited if it showed up on my doorstep, and some of it is for kids, because, well, I have a kid. So yes, there are kissing penguin salt shakers out there for less than $20, but they’re not on MY list, so you’ll have to seek those out on your own.

Also. I know that with shipping, some of this stuff might come out to more than $20 or $25 dollars, but that’s just how the cookie crumbles. I’m not posting any codes here, but I would advise you to check www.retailmenot.com before you order anything, odds are you can get a small percentage off or free shipping if you look for it. Or, if you live in a less desolate burg than myself, you may find these things in actual stores.And finally, just know that for some of these things, you may have to go to a little more effort to make them seem really present worthy…a copper bowl on its own is ok, but add a wire whisk, a recipe for chocolate chip meringues, and a red bow, and that’s a present. Also, if you don’t have any ribbon, well. I just can’t help you. Ribbon makes the world go round.

In other news, this took FOREVER.

1. Hurry! This pear candle trio from Garnet Hill is only $8!

2. If you know people who are into coffee and who still aren’t using a french press, it’s perfect for them. Look around, and if you find it cheap enough, add some coffee or a couple cute mugs for an even nicer present.

3. This travel frame from West Elm ($9 and free shipping!) would be cute tied up with a Lonely Planet guide to somewhere you know the recipient has always wanted to go (Lonely Planet France – $16.49)

4. I love these magnet boards from Paper Source and they are only $4.95 each! They come in a bunch of cool colors and for this price you could get three! In other news, I will be overusing the exclamation point in this post like you would not believe!

5. If you have absolutely no idea what to get someone, you can’t go wrong with a Moleskine notebook ($10). They are the bomb. Add a reasonably fancy pen from Target or Office Max – and that’s a great gift.

6. I love putting together $20 worth of fun “toys” from the drugstore in a gift bag with a label on the front that says something like “Just for Today, Be a Kid Again”. Ideas: bubbles, a slinky, some crayons, a Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker, and a Yoyo. I have given this present before and it is very popular.

7. Buy a Paper Source Suitcase (Medium, $10). Fill it with chocolate (Hershey’s Kisses come to mind) or socks. Tie up the handle with a fancy bow and a tag. Done.

8. Tie up a Crate and Barrel pancake mold ($2.95) with a small glass jar of some REAL maple syrup (aprox. $6 at my cheap grocery store) and some Krusteaz pancake mix ($3).

9. A tie dyed onesie from Etsy ($10 or so) with a mix cd of sixties and seventies tunes for mom and dad.

10. A pair of baby legs ($12) and a mix cd of eighties tunes for mom and dad.

11. I love this toiletry bag from Garnet Hill so much that I’m bitter I don’t have anyone to give it to. It’s only $15, so for that price you could stick some cute lip gloss from Target in one of the pockets.

12. Sonia Kashuk brushes from Target, ($17). This makes a great present because I would love to have some good makeup brushes but it is the kind of thing I would never ever buy myself. These say they won’t be available for 2-6 weeks, but hopefully they have them in the store.

13. oilcloth tote, $15

14. Classic correspondence cards from American Stationery. ($22) These are a little more expensive than Maggie’s requested limit, but they are so nice and make such a good all round present that I had to add them to the list. I have them in ivory with my initials in navy and I use them all the time.

15. I just love these candleholders from CB2, and at $3.95 to $4.95 each, you can buy a nice assortment. Or get just two and then give them with some candles.

16. A milagro is used to petition the saints. This one, for a leg, could be for someone with an ankle issue, or for a runner. But they make them for any part of the body. Frame it in a shadowbox from Target and it’s a really cool gift and a nice way to let someone know you’re thinking of them.

17. REI Headlamp – Mr. E and I got headlamps as wedding presents and we use them all the time. Lately I use mine more for reading than camping, but trust me, it comes in handy either way.

18. Why am I obsessed with snow globes lately? Regardless, this photo snow globe seems really nice, and the small one is only $19 dollars.

19. Know anyone who is really into photography? A camera cleaning kit is another one of those things that is extremely useful, but that I never feel like buying for myself. $15.99

20. I can’t use the headphones that come with the IPOD because they hurt my ears and fall out, but I love my Sony headphones. The first pair I had lasted four years, and I just bought another pair. I can run with them and they don’t hurt my ears. At $7 dollars, you could pair these with a $15 Itunes gift certificate or subscription to a music magazine.

21. Pair a subscription to Every Day Food Magazine ($18) or the cookbook itself ($16) with a few wooden spoons and a rubber spatula. Don’t forget to put a fancy ribbon around the whole thing. (And if you give the subscription, buy a copy of the magazine at the store to give as the “right now” part of the gift)

22. I think I’ve already shared my love of the wall calendar, but here’s a desk one…the Paper Source letterpress calendar, for only $16.50

23. J Crew socks. These are three for $20 dollars, and oh so cute.

24. Ever since I got hooked on cupcake blogs, I’ve wanted some pastry tips. You can buy this set and a plastic coated bag for $15.70.

25. Alba Lotion. I am surprisingly eh about the rest of the Alba line, but this is my favorite lotion, ever. The plain flavor smells like my childhood, weird as that may sound. A vat of it will run you $13.09 on Amazon, and I honestly think sometimes the best presents are those where you give someone nothing more than A SHITLOAD of something they love. A piece of pool chalk is not that exciting, but 25 pieces of it, so that someone never has to buy it again, makes a nice statement.

26. J Crew gloves. These are nice, for $21, although I’d probably fold them over, and they come in cool colors.

27. I love this American Eagle hat, but I can’t bring myself to pay $20 for it. That’s why it’s a great gift.

28. If we weren’t giving Mr. E’s mom a group gift, I think we’d get her a photo book from Snapfish. I hear really good things about them. And they start at$4.99 each!

29. My favorite hot sauce in the world can only be bought online or in Ann Arbor. We always have some in our refrigerator and we add it to everything. Tie a bow on it and put it in a cute gift bag with some limes and the fanciest tortilla chips you can find. Add a tag that says “Feliz Navidad” and you’re done!

30. Our hot pads are always dirty and gross. I’d love some new ones, but again, I’m too cheap and lazy to buy these for myself. They have some nice ones at Sur La Table for $5.95 each. And again, wrap these up with a cheap wooden spoon, colorful rubber spatula, and one of those new silicone baster brushes from Target and a fancy ribbon and it’s a nice looking gift.

31. This copper bowl is only $15.25. Add a red ribbon and a wire whisk from Target and it’s going to look like way more than a $20 present. And you could always add in a recipe for chocolate chip meringues, if you want to get fancy.

32. I’ve been searching for “hair clips” on Etsy for months. It never occurred to me to look for “bobby pins”. Finally Not Martha linked to this shop and the light dawned. $10 for three hair pins.

33. Wood tops, Etsy, $15

34. Peppermint bark, Etsy, $7.95

35. Baby hats, Etsy, $10

36. American Spoon Fruit, $7.50 a jar. Trust me when I say that this stuff is so good, it is totally worth $7.50 a jar. And it would make a great present with some homemade scones.

37. wooden pear bank. This is only $15 and very mod. Perfect for a little kid, or for a grown up who’s into fruit (like me.)

38. Soap, Etsy, $2.75. Etsy has about nine bazillion different kinds of soap, go with what you like. This sounds good to me.

39. One of my awesome readers recently sent me a gift certificate to Adagio Teas and I got three samples for only $4.75, and they came packaged beautifully in a cardboard box and then in these neat little tins. I think I can email whomever wants one a $5 gift certificate, and using that, I think if you ordered four samples, it would make a really nice gift, and be very inexpensive. Package it with a tea ball spoon meshy thing (you know what I’m talking about, right?) and a fancy ribbon, again, and you could even add a mug if you’re feeling generous. And email me if you want a $5 gift certificate sent to you.

40. Baby booties, Etsy, $15. There are over 2,000 listings for baby booties on Etsy, here are the first ones I thought were cute.

41. Japanese fabric pouch, Etsy, $16. How cute would these be filled with colored pencils? If this one is sold out, check the sellers other listings.

42. booze. I just got a gift set of Bailey’s with two glasses for someone at Rite Aid for $14.99. And who doesn’t love liquid fat at Christmas time?

43. Earrings, Etsy, $15. There are loads of lovely, affordable earrings on Etsy.

44. Bliss hand cream ($8), nail files ($2), and the Burt’s Bees Healthy Hand Repair Kit ($12.95). I love getting nail files.

45. Plan Toys Cars ($8), and free shipping if you order $25 worth of Amazon stuff.

46. A cool poster. I like “Summer Burn”, but there are tons available. For this price ($9.99), you can probably buy a frame too. Sign up for Aaron Brother’s email and they will send you 40% off coupons for frames.

47. Finger crayons. These seem fun, for $15.

48. Suede scuffs from Target, $14.99. I have these and I wear them EVERY SINGLE DAY.

49. Detroit Tigers baseball Hat, $14.44-$18.88, depending on the size of your head. Perfect for your Magnum PI role-playing games. (Mr. E says: “Those aren’t games, honey. It’s a life style.”)

50. J Crew umbrella, $19.99. Maybe a little loud? Not for everyone? I like it. If you had enough music it would be cute to pair it with a mix cd with songs about rain or something. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, It Never Rains in California, Stormy Weather, The Thunder Rolls. Ooh, off the top of my head, four songs. I am awesome.

51. Wisteria bird feeder, $19. Wrap with a package of birdseed, or Sibley’s, if you’re feeling flush.

52. I love this monogrammed dog dish, $18, and I suspect anyone with a dog and a heart will as well.

53. A nice tall red vase, $20

54. Throw two J Crew Favorite tanks (on sale for $4.99-9.99 each) in a gift bag with note that says “Summer Will Be Here Before You Know It.”

55. Buy a cute plant and throw it in a fun striped pot. Wrap in brown paper and a ribbon. Include care instructions. Deliver.

56. Stores are full of paperwhite and amaryllis kits right now but you can also do this yourself. Go to your garden store and buy six paperwhite bulbs ($6), get a cute bowl from Target($5), steal some rocks from the Target parking lot, and set the rocks and the bulbs in the bowl (root side down). Wrap with a bow, and include instructions telling the recipient to add water to the root line and to place the bowl near a window that faces light.

57. $20 to follow your bliss. My sister in law loves those claw machines at the front of stores. One year for her birthday, her husband handed her a roll of quarters and drove her to all the claw machines in town. Think of what your gift recipient loves to do, but never gets to do on their own, and help make it happen.

58. I just love this sparrow sculpture, and for $14.95 I feel like it’s a deal.

59. Jonathan Adler vase trio, $24. These are a bit more than the ideal limit of $20, but they’re so cute and I think a good deal. And you could give two away and keep one for yourself!

60. Wire Bowl, $21.

61. Prairie Vase, $14.95. I love everything about this vase. It would be pretty filled with some kind of fun candy.

62. Cat Pillow, $14. I don’t know why, but I love this pillow. It’s large, for one thing, and says Meow!

63. Super cute tray and coaster set, $21.95

64. Candlesticks always make a nice gift, and these from Crate and Barrel are so cheap ($5.95 each!) you can give them with some candles.

65. This cake stand is lovely, and is only $14.95.

66. At $10.95 each, you could give someone two of these Crate and Barrel hurricanes, and they were originally $32.95 each!

67. Somewhere in the Target candle section, they usually have a boxed set of eight clear glass votive holders. They’re really nice, thick glass, and cheap, around $10 for the eight. Buy eight red votive candles (50 cents each at my grocery store) and package them together.

68. Youth In Revolt, $12.21. This is one of my favorite books, ever. Um, it’s a little dirty, so maybe don’t give it to prudes or 11 year olds.

69. Yeah for polka dots! You could give two of these latte cups, $10.95 each, or just one and a small stovetop espresso maker. I think last year I saw the small ones at Cost Plus for $9.99 or $14.99

70. A lovely straw tote to remind someone of summer, $14.95. Add a beach towel and a note about summer being here soon.

71. A framed picture is always nice. Espresso Wood Frame, $9.95.

72. Yes, I am really way too into the tealights, but this aqua flower tealight is simply beautiful. Very girly, and on sale! $12.71. Make sure to include a few tealights.

73. These espresso cups are only $5.70 for six! For that price you can definitely include some espresso.

74. Papersource letters. At $2.85 each, you can afford to spell a whole word. Paint them or leave them as is.

75. Believe it or not, these were the least hideous pajama pants I could find for less than 20 bucks. The pajama pants market is in the toilet right now! Gap scottie dog pajama pants, $19.99

76. I love this platter from Crate and Barrel, and it’s only $14.99. It would look even better filled with cookies. And don’t forget the bow.

77. This gorgeous J Crew headband is $4.99. Preppy and cheap. Need I say more?

78. Found, $10.17. Last time Mr. E’s family was here, we spent hours looking through this book and laughing. And Davy Rothbart is a fellow Michander so I have to represent. Also on the dirty side, so maybe not a present for nuns or kids.

79. fancy post its note cube $15, pair with some pens, $5

80. Sur La Table mortar and pestle, $15.95. I don’t have one of these and I am always wishing I did.

81. Sundance gloves. Gorgeous! I love the color. They were $58, now $14.99

82. O Ball, $15 – Eli thinks this is boring, but Mr. E loves it.

83. Haba discovery blocks, $18.99. Eli loves things that jingle and that he can hold, so I bet he would like these.

84. Mrs. Meyers Kits, in any flavor, $14.99

85. I would love it if someone gave me $20 worth of thread in rainbow colors. If you want to splurge there’s a neat container with spikes you can put the thread in, but it wouldn’t be required.

86. This is Courtney’s idea…buy an unfinished gourd birdhouse, paint it a fun color, insert a perch and a metal tie, and voila! Almost all handmade and very mod.

87. A zinc letter from Anthropologie, $18

88. A bowlful of wooden acorns. These are only 25 cents each! Buy a bunch and give them in a cute bowl you have lying around the house. Regifting is your friend.

89. A pepper grinder, $13.50. If you know anyone who is still using pre ground pepper, buy this for them today. You can add some peppercorns from the bulk food section of your grocery store. (A secret of mine for making bulk food look cute…steal some of those clear plastic triangle shaped bags from the floral section of the grocery store, the ones that are for putting flowers in? Fill them with whatever you’ve got, peppercorns or whatever, tie off the top with a nice ribbon, and trim off the loooong ends. Voila!”)

90. A digital kitchen scale. I have one, I love it, I use it all the time. This one comes in fun colors and is only $24.95.

91. Burt’s Bees Pedicure Kit, $12.99. You could add some nail polish if you wanted.

92. Sloppy Firsts. But this together with Second Helpings for $22.32 and give it to your favorite lady today. She will love it. And when she’d done with Sloppy Firsts she’ll be very glad you gave her Second Helpings. Also not for nuns.

93. mini cupcake or muffin pan, $12.95. Add a recipe, a wooden spoon, a rubber spatula, and a bow.

94. Throw two bottles of OPI nail polish ($6-7 each), some foot cream, and some of those weird toe spreader thingees in a gift bag.

95. Fancy hot chocolate and two mugs in a gift bag. You can even include a little plastic baggie of mini marshmallows, tied with a cute bow (See my note earlier about the floral bags).

96. For $19, you can get a very nice apron from Williams – Sonoma, and you could even pair it with copies of some of your favorite recipes, however you want to do it…in a recipe box, glued into a notebook, or in plastic sleeves in a three ring binder.

97. Everyone loves a sock monkey, $10.

98. Everyone keeps asking me what Eli wants for Christmas, but the reality is that he’s not even one yet and he doesn’t know the difference. And he already has lots of toys. Oddly, what I would love for him would be some of the more “ordinary” stuff it seems we never buy and never have enough of, things like those rubbery coated baby spoons, bibs, and socks. All bundled together, a few of these would make a nice gift for new parents.

99. I have these napkin rings, they’re gorgeous and are only $3.50 each. Splurge and get six, or buy less and give them with some cloth napkins.

100. How cute would a set of six of these little bowls be ($2.95 each), one of each color? Stack them up and tie a ribbon around them.

101. I am including this blanket as Number 101, because it’s such a good deal I couldn’t pass it up, even though it is over the price limit. Sundance Wool Blanket, orginally $95, on sale for $29.99