Best Frugal Christmas Gifts: 25 Creative Gifts for 2024

Looking for frugal Christmas gifts?  Here are 25 frugal gift ideas when you want to exchange gifts but are on a tight budget this Christmas season.

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Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas to Stick to your Christmas Budget

There can be so many reasons why you would want to save money at Christmas. 

The average American spends upwards of $900 on Christmas.  That is a heck of a lot of money and probably more than some people can afford.   

It is absolutely not worth going into debt to buy Christmas presents.

Some people do better with a specific holiday budget to keep them in line.  Other people keep it a bit looser but try not to get too carried away. 

Though gifts can be fun, there are many other traditions that can be so much more meaningful around the holiday season.

My favorite traditions usually involve food, like having people over and doing cookie exchanges. 

Going for drives to see fun Christmas lights is up there too, and right now anything is fun around the holidays with my little one.

For an epic list of free or cheap things to do at Christmas, check out these 100 frugal Christmas ideas.

Want ideas on how to make quick cash for the holidays? Check out these posts:

• 7 simple ways to earn extra money before Christmas
• An easy way to make $500 by the weekend
• Flexible side hustle ideas
• Mystery shopping – a fun and easy way to make extra money

Frugal Christmas Gifts to Keep Christmas Simple

You can keep Christmas simple and thrifty, but you have to be conscious of it.  It is so easy to get sucked into buying way too much at this time of year when you go to malls.

Blame that cheery Christmas music and those Christmas-scented candles wafting out of Bath and Body Works. 

You don’t have to avoid malls entirely but the less you’re in stores at Christmas time the less of a chance you’ll go overboard.

I do almost all my Christmas gift buying online now and I’m not alone.  One in five people prefer doing Christmas shopping online and this number is only growing.

For some really great deals on Christmas gifts, check out this post on early Black Friday deals – and get your shopping done early while saving money!

Related posts:

• 50 awesome gifts for kids under $10
• 20 Strange and Useful Things to Buy on Amazon Under $25
• 20 Best Gifts for Entrepreneurs (Plus One Ridiculous Bonus Gift They Need).
• Minimalist gifts that are good for the environment
• How to save money for Christmas
• Easy board games – at home activities for preschoolers when you’re stuck inside

I have seen other gift guides where it’s considered frugal if it costs under $100 or $200 for a gift. 

I’m not sure about you, but for me that is not frugal. 

I wanted to put together a gift guide that is truly frugal with lots of simple Christmas gift ideas too – sometimes simple is best. 

The frugal gift ideas below are all highly rated, and are easy to order and have sent right to your door. 

With that being said, stay home, make yourself a cup of coffee, and shop these frugal Christmas gifts that won’t break the bank.

Frugal Christmas Gifts for Adults

1. Socks

No you won’t get any awards for creativity.

But it is almost guaranteed the recipient will use this frugal Christmas gift.

Unlike the inflatable neck pillow I got my dad for traveling, or the time I got him a t-shirt that lit up with batteries (sorry, Pa, not sure what I was thinking on that one).

I learned my lesson. Socks, stick with socks.

I love love love these National Parks socks for women and men. They are designed and made in the U.S.

2. Best frugal Christmas gifts for active people: this affordable workout clothing

These high waist leggings and capris have built-in tummy control and a side pocket and are great for running, yoga, and gym workouts. 

They come in a ton of different colors, and are the #1 bestseller in women’s athletic pants on Amazon. 

They are opaque and not see-through – hooray!!

3. Books

Cookbooks and inspirational books are great choices (I highly recommend anything this woman writes). 

This cheeky book would be an interesting read.  

A thoughtful book would make a great frugal Christmas gift for your mom, sister, friend, or teacher gift.

4. A nice pen and journal

You can help your loved one start the new year off right with a pretty journal and colored pens to go with it. 

I LOVE this bullet journal in emerald.

5. Subscription

A magazine or audio subscription can be a good option for a frugal Christmas gift. 

A subscription to Audible is a great choice if you’re not exactly sure what your loved one would want as the person can choose their own audio book. 

I just got this for myself because I’m at a stage where it’s easier for me to listen to a book as I’m doing things instead of sitting down to read a book. 

They even have a 30-day free trial membership (which includes two free books!)

6. Frugal Christmas gifts for self-care: Bath bombs

This pampering gift is great for your friend or family member who could use some time to relax and de-stress. 

This bath bomb set is organic, comes in gorgeous colors made with premium essential oils, and arrives in a cute giftable box. 

7. Soap

Hey, we all need to bathe.

Soap is one of the quintessential frugal Christmas gifts. It also makes a great for minimalist Christmas gift since you use it all up! 

This soap gift set comes with 6 organic soaps from Bali, and are suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

8. Frugal Christmas gifts for people on the go: Insulated coffee mug

Some of you might know my love for this travel insulated coffee mug. 

It’s the best travel mug I’ve found and I take it everywhere with me. 

It doesn’t leak and you can use it/open it with one hand. I love it so much it is a go-to gift from me (and I bought a second one for myself!)

If animals hold a special place in your heart, Paint My Pooch specializes in custom pet mugs, an excellent gift for pet lovers!

9. Best frugal Christmas gifts for cold winters: Slippers

A new pair of cozy slippers will be appreciated on a cold winter day especially if the house isn’t carpeted. 

These slippers are an Amazon bestseller with memory foam on the inside and an anti-skid rubber sole. 

Handy to prevent slipping if your child likes when you run around the house with them (“mama, run faster!”). 

Who needs a gym when you have a child?

10. Homemade Treats

Coffee, tea, and chocolate are all great ideas for frugal Christmas gifts.

Though these might seem basic, most people like coffee, tea or chocolate.

It’s a good idea to give practical gifts that people will actually use than be creative with gift-giving (see above for perfect example).

11. Coupon Book

For a personalized thrifty gift, you can make a homemade coupon book.

Or to save time, you can grab a fill-in-the-blank version for just a few bucks, and Amazon Prime it.

These are love vouchers for couples, and this DIY coupon book is blank so could be for any gift recipient.

12. Themed Gift Baskets

This turquoise spa gift basket would make a thoughtful gift for young adults, a college student, or tired moms who need some self care.

This bee-themed gift basket is super cute and would surely be a favorite gift for a Secret Santa.

13. Olive Oils

A fancy olive oil, like this one infused with blood orange would be the kind of thing a foodie would love, and is a surprisingly affordable gift.

(This olive oil set is more of a splurge, but looked too amazing for me not to include in this gift guide!)

14. Hot Chocolate Mix

Hot chocolate sets make great frugal gifts for neighbors, teachers, friends, whoever.

Try this grinch hot chocolate set or this Irish hot chocolate gift set.

15. Photo Collage

For a personal touch, a photo collage blanket makes great frugal gifts for the family.

This past summer, my daughter and I went on a beach vacation with my sister and her family, and our parents.

It was so fun spending time together, and I wanted to make a keepsake for everyone from that trip.

I made photo collage blankets for the whole family and had them shipped to each household. It was super easy through Amazon.

Frugal Christmas Gifts for Kids

Related reading: The Best Non-Electronic Gifts for Preschoolers

1. Toothbrushes

A new toothbrush makes a perfect frugal stocking stuffer.

There are so many cute toothbrushes and toothpastes and this stuff is fun when you’re a kid!

Don’t go getting them a tube of Colgate Minty Fresh and expect them to be thrilled with their gift (if they are you’ve taught your child gratitude really well).

I remember getting Miss Piggy bubble gum toothpaste and Kermit the Frog green apple toothpaste as a kid and loving it.

2. Winter clothing

Kids just keep growing so clothing is always a great gift for kids.

And check out the cuteness of these kids winter hats!! 

I love the hats both so much and their prices are very affordable, making them frugal Christmas gifts.

3. Monogrammed gifts

This was a huge hit from Santa for me one year when I was a kid – I received monogrammed pencils in my stocking.

I was blown. Away.

When your first name is ‘Suchot’ you can bet you don’t find any little magnets or anything at all with your name on it in stores.

No matter what your child’s name is, something cute with their name on it will be a hit.

4. Insulated straw cup

This stainless steel cup is my favorite cup for my daughter. 

She has been using it since she was 18 months. 

I used to toss it in the diaper bag and it never leaked, and it kept her milk cold for up to 12 hours. 

Try this insulated cup!

5. Slippers

Cozy slippers aren’t just for adults – kids love slippers too. 

These ones below are adorable, plush, and highly rated on Amazon.

6. Frugal Christmas gifts for creative kids: Art supplies

Crafty indoor fun can be had on a winter day with brand new crayons, washable markers, safety scissors, glue, and more. 

This Crayola gift set comes with:

• 64 Crayons
• 10 Ultra Clean Washable Markers
• 10 Stamper Markers
• 10 Bold Ultra Clean Washable Markers
• 16 Metallic Crayons
• 8 Neon Crayons
• a Crayola Sketch Pad

7. Books

Different books are always a great option for kids. 

They are also verrry welcomed by their parents, who appreciate having something new to read to their little ones. 

Although an adorable book, there are only so many hundreds of times you can read ‘Where’s Spot?’ with feeling. 

This book and this one are Amazon bestsellers so you can’t go wrong. 

Check out this post for book gift ideas.

8. Lego and Mega Bloks

There are so many different Lego and Mega Bloks sets including ones for the frugal gift-giver and there is a reason these little connecting pieces have been around forever.

Kids love them and they inspire open-ended creative play. 

The two building sets below are best seller master sets.

9. Indoor playhouse

While you could go the giant cardboard box + markers route (a genuine hit with most kids), if you’re looking for something a bit more obviously gifty, check out this super cute indoor play tent. 

And if you’re having a hard day of parenting, you can hide in this tent too.

10. Toys for pretend play

My daughter has been really into cleaning, including cleaning up her own messes.  Knock yourself out, kid. 

I know this stage won’t last but right now I’m loving it, and eyeing this Melissa and Doug Dust, Sweep, Mop set. 

We already have the stainless steel cooking set. 

She got it last year for Christmas and she still plays with it every day.

If you’re looking for gifts for dads, here’s a helpful post for with 10 cheap gifts for Dad who wants nothing (he will love them!)

For cheap gifts for kids, here are Dollar Store stocking stuffer ideas to save you money at the most expensive time of the year for many people.

Related post: Best Edible Christmas Gifts from the Garden your Family Will Love.

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