Holiday gifting doesn’t have to drain your wallet. A small, thoughtful gift can mean just as much as something expensive. If you’re looking for creative ways to spread a little Christmas cheer to your neighbors and coworkers, you’ll love these affordable ideas.
For more thorough Christmas gift ideas, you can check out another article by us – 46 Inviting & Cozy Christmas Gift Basket Ideas
Food-Based Frugal Christmas Gifts
1. Homemade Cookie Jar Mix
A jar filled with the layers of a cookie recipe looks like something from a country bakery. You can see the sugar, flour, and chocolate chips stacked beautifully, tied with a bit of ribbon and a handwritten label. It’s simple, heartfelt, and genuinely useful.
Ingredients: 1 cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup chocolate chips, ½ tsp baking soda, pinch of salt.
Cost: $3.00 each
2. Peppermint Cocoa Kit
Cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, and crushed peppermint come together in a jar that smells like December. Topped with a candy cane and a “Warm Wishes” tag, it’s the kind of small gift that everyone uses and remembers.
Ingredients: ½ cup cocoa powder, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup powdered milk, ¼ cup marshmallows, 1 crushed candy cane.
Cost: $2.50 each
3. Sweet Snack Jar
Caramel popcorn mixed with pretzels and chocolate candies looks festive in a clear container. It’s crunchy, colorful, and the kind of thing people open immediately.
Ingredients: 2 cups popcorn, ½ cup pretzels, ¼ cup M&Ms, ¼ cup caramel bits.
Cost: $2.25 each
4. Christmas Trail Mix Bags
An easy gift you can make in bulk. Mix nuts, pretzels, and red-and-green chocolate candies, then scoop into small bags. It’s cheerful, portable, and fits perfectly in a stocking or office cubicle.
Ingredients: ½ cup peanuts, ½ cup pretzels, ¼ cup M&Ms, ¼ cup cranberries.
Cost: $1.50 each
5. Homemade Jam Jar
A tiny jar of homemade jam feels old-fashioned in the best way. Add gingham fabric on top, a bit of twine, and you have a small, edible piece of home to share.
Ingredients: 2 cups fruit, 1 cup sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp pectin.
Cost: $3.25 each
6. Mini Breakfast Basket
Bundle pancake mix, mini syrup, and a wooden spoon together in a paper box. It’s like giving a lazy weekend morning in a basket — comforting and personal.
Ingredients: 1 cup pancake mix, 1 mini syrup bottle, 1 wooden spoon.
Cost: $5.00 each
7. Cookie Sampler Plate
An assortment of homemade cookies wrapped in plastic and tied with ribbon is one of those timeless, neighborly gestures. It’s affordable, nostalgic, and makes a kitchen smell amazing while you prepare them.
Ingredients: Sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies.
Cost: $1.75 each
8. DIY Sugar Scrub
Even though it’s not for eating, this sugar and coconut oil mix smells sweet enough to. Add peppermint oil for a Christmas touch and spoon it into little jars with handwritten tags.
Ingredients: ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup coconut oil, 3 drops peppermint oil.
Cost: $2.25 each
9. Christmas Simmer Pot Kit
Give a jar filled with dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and cloves — when boiled in water, it fills the house with the scent of Christmas. It’s an aromatic gift that feels unexpectedly luxurious for how little it costs.
Ingredients: 1 dried orange, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tbsp cloves, 1 pine sprig.
Cost: $2.50 each
10. Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
These glazed pecans make the house smell divine while baking. Package them in small mason jars and tie with ribbon for an elegant but frugal edible gift.
Ingredients: 1 cup pecans, 1 egg white, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon.
Cost: $2.50 each
11. Hot Cocoa Cones
Layer cocoa powder, marshmallows, and chocolate chips in a cone-shaped bag tied with twine. It’s inexpensive and looks straight off a holiday market stall.
Ingredients: ½ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup chocolate chips, ¼ cup mini marshmallows.
Cost: $1.75 each
12. Homemade Fudge Squares
Rich, creamy fudge wrapped in parchment with baker’s twine looks like something that came from an artisan shop. It’s indulgent but surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients: 1½ cups chocolate chips, ½ can condensed milk, 1 tbsp butter.
Cost: $2.00 per batch
13. Neighbor Movie Night Bag
A microwave popcorn pack, cocoa mix, and a small candy bar make a low-cost, fun gift that invites people to relax. It’s friendly and casual — exactly what a neighbor gift should be.
Ingredients: 1 popcorn pack, 1 cocoa mix, 1 chocolate bar, paper bag.
Cost: $3.00 each
14. Office Desk Snack Jar
For coworkers, fill small jars with granola or trail mix and label them “Workday Crunch.” It’s playful, tasty, and universally useful.
Ingredients: Nuts, raisins, pretzels, cranberries.
Cost: $2.25 each
15. Reindeer Chow
Chex cereal, chocolate, and powdered sugar combine into a sweet holiday snack kids adore. It’s festive, messy, and perfect for casual giving.
Ingredients: 2 cups Rice Chex, ½ cup chocolate chips, ¼ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup powdered sugar.
Cost: $1.50 each
16. Gingerbread Cookie Kit
Include a bag of pre-measured dry ingredients, a small packet of molasses, and a cookie cutter. It’s interactive, smells wonderful, and families love baking it together.
Ingredients: 1 cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp ginger, ½ tsp cinnamon, 1 molasses packet.
Cost: $3.25 each
17. Mini Bread Loaves
Bake mini loaves of banana or pumpkin bread, wrap them with parchment and ribbon, and you’ve got a comforting, homemade gift that feels far more valuable than it is.
Ingredients: Banana or pumpkin puree, flour, sugar, egg, butter.
Cost: $2.00 each
18. Dried Fruit Snack Pouch
Dehydrated orange and apple slices make for a colorful, fragrant, and healthy treat. They look like something from a gourmet store but cost very little to prepare.
Ingredients: Dried oranges, apples, cranberries.
Cost: $2.00 each
19. DIY Bath Salt Jar
Though technically not edible, this jar of peppermint-scented Epsom salts could pass for a sugar jar at first glance. It’s simple, fragrant, and fits anyone’s budget.
Ingredients: ½ cup Epsom salt, 3 drops peppermint oil, red coloring.
Cost: $2.25 each
20. DIY Lip Balm Tin
A blend of beeswax, coconut oil, and peppermint oil poured into small tins makes for a useful, pocket-sized winter gift. It’s practical, easy to make, and feels personal.
Ingredients: 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp beeswax, 3 drops peppermint oil.
Cost: $2.00 each
21. Candle & Cookie Gift Bag
A tealight candle and two homemade cookies tucked in a kraft paper bag make for a heartwarming gesture. It’s sweet, thoughtful, and looks beautiful when finished with a bow.
Ingredients: 2 cookies, 1 tealight, paper bag, ribbon.
Cost: $2.50 each
22. Whipped Body Butter
This gift blurs the line between food and skincare — it looks like frosting but softens skin like magic. Made from coconut oil and shea butter, it’s simple and soothing.
Ingredients: ½ cup shea butter, ¼ cup coconut oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Cost: $3.50 each
Non-Food Frugal Christmas Gifts
23. Mini Potted Succulent
A tiny succulent wrapped in burlap with a jute tie adds instant cheer to desks or kitchen windows. It’s one of those low-effort, high-impact gifts that feels good to give.
Materials: Mini succulent, small pot, burlap, twine.
Cost: $3.00 each
24. DIY Ornament
Clear ornaments filled with glitter or snowflakes look festive and personal. Write names or quotes in gold ink for a custom touch.
Materials: Clear plastic ornaments, filler, paint marker, ribbon.
Cost: $2.00 each
25. Scented Candle Jar
Candles make perfect small gifts because they suit everyone. Add a rustic tag and twine bow, and it suddenly feels handmade, even if you didn’t pour the wax yourself.
Materials: Small candle, twine, label.
Cost: $2.00 each
26. Cozy Sock Bundle
Bundle fuzzy socks, cocoa packets, and a candy cane into a small wrap. It’s practical, charming, and the kind of comfort people actually use during cold nights.
Materials: Socks, cocoa mix, candy cane, clear wrap.
Cost: $3.00 each
27. Mason Jar Candle Holder
A bit of Epsom salt inside a mason jar gives the look of frosty snow. Add a tealight and it becomes a soft, glowing accent for any home.
Materials: Jar, Epsom salt, tealight, ribbon.
Cost: $2.00 each
28. DIY Coaster Set
Plain cork coasters can become art with a few paint strokes or stencils. Bundle them with a ribbon for a simple, personalized desk or home gift.
Materials: Coasters, paint or decoupage, clear sealer, ribbon.
Cost: $3.00 each
29. Handmade Soap Bars
Homemade soaps are small luxuries that cost surprisingly little. Scent them with lavender or peppermint, then wrap them neatly with paper and jute.
Materials: Soap base, fragrance oil, colorant, wrapping paper, jute.
Cost: $2.75 each
30. Framed Christmas Quote
Print a meaningful Christmas quote or short verse and pop it in a simple frame. Add a bow for a small but thoughtful keepsake.
Materials: Printed quote, small frame, ribbon.
Cost: $2.00 each
31. Festive Hand Soap Gift
Holiday-scented hand soaps feel thoughtful without being extravagant. Tie with a bow and tag, and they’re ready to hand out to anyone.
Materials: Hand soap bottle, ribbon, printed label.
Cost: $1.75 each
32. Mini Spa Pouch
Lotion, bath salts, and lip balm tucked in a little organza bag make a quick spa kit. It’s soft, calming, and universally liked.
Materials: Small lotion, bath salts, lip balm, organza bag.
Cost: $4.50 each
33. DIY Coffee Lover’s Mug
A white mug with a handwritten quote in paint pen feels personal and practical. Add a few coffee sachets for an easy, warmhearted touch.
Materials: Plain mug, paint marker, instant coffee, biscotti.
Cost: $4.00 each
34. Neighbor Note + Candy
A handwritten note expressing genuine gratitude is one of the most overlooked gifts. Add a chocolate bar, and it becomes a kind gesture that feels personal.
Materials: Note card, pen, chocolate bar, envelope.
Cost: $1.00 each
