Restaurant Gift Cards
Usually I wouldn’t suggest a gift card as a heartfelt gift, but if you know your gift recipient’s favorite restaurant, you can frame it as a night out rather than money on a plastic card. Include a Christmas card that says something like, “We know how much you love this restaurant. Enjoy a night out with the girls on us.” This gift shouldn’t run you much cash, and you may even be able to save some money. Many restaurants are doing holiday promotions offering free food and bonus cards with the purchase of a gift card. P.F. Chang’s is a good example. For every $100 you spend on P.F. Chang’s gift cards, you’ll receive a $20 bonus card. Chili’s is offering a similar promotion that costs even less. You’ll get a free $10 bonus card with the purchase of a $50 Chili’s gift card. Both of these promotions will essentially give you free food, and they’re both available in-store and online.
(AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File
Christmas Cookie Mix
This option will take a little bit of work, but it’s simple and budget friendly. Look up recipes on Pinterest or AllRecipes.com to find awesome recipes for cookie mixes. Most recipes call for a mason jar to hold the mix and colored ribbon to decorate. With only a few ingredients and a little creativity, you can make a fun Christmas gift at home for less than $20.
(AP Photo/Sarah Schottler)
AP Photo/Sarah Schottler
Holiday Décor
I know this gift isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great option for Christmas enthusiasts. Holiday decorations get discounted up to 90 percent off the week leading up to Christmas. You can buy a sentimental ornament that commemorates something special that happened this year, or you can get something nice and sparkly for their home. Either way, you spread Christmas cheer without putting stress on your pocketbook.
(AP Photo/Ikea)
AP Photo/Ikea
Alcohol
If you’re really on a time crunch, run to the liquor store and pick up a bottle of your gift receiver’s favorite wine or spirit. If you want to get creative, make a holiday gift basket with all the ingredients needed for their favorite cocktail. If you don’t know their favorite cocktail, pick a holiday-themed drink like a Mistletoe Martini. Check out the deals on liquor at your local liquor store and buy the mixers, gift basket and ribbon at a dollar store to save a few bucks.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Spa Certificate
If you’re missing a gift for those who like to be pampered, a spa certificate is a great way to fill their Christmas card. Many spas allow you to purchase a gift certificate online and print it out at home. Or you can book the services yourself. A pedicure date with your aunt is a great way to celebrate the holidays. Check sites like Groupon and LivingSocial for deals on spa services. And don’t forget to factor in the tip — better not to have the recipient pay toward his or her own gift.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Donations
What better way to celebrate the holidays than to make a donation? There are numerous charities out there in need of funding, and you can help by donating in someone’s name for Christmas. I did this for my family last year, and they loved it. All you have to do is find a charity you want to donate to and visit their website. Many charitable organizations allow you to print out a certificate with the receiver’s name. It’s quick, it’s easy, and you have free range on how much you’ll spend.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Entertainment
If you know a little bit about the receiver’s entertainment tastes, you can buy a subscription that’s sure to bring joy all year. Whether the person likes music, movies, books, or TV shows, there are options to buy something special. Netflix and Hulu Plus are great options for movie and TV buffs, and subscriptions cost less than $100 per year. If you’re gift recipient is more of a bookworm, book streaming services like Oyster cost less than $10 per month and allow the subscriber to read as much as possible for one low rate. For the music lovers, satellite radio is a fantastic gift. I found an XM Radio subscription for just under $120 a year.
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
It’s the day before Christmas, and you just realized you forgot to buy your favorite aunt a gift. We’ve all been there. There’s no better way to put a damper on your holiday cheer than realizing you’ve forgotten someone. Lucky for you, there are still a lot of great last-minute options for buying gifts on Christmas Eve. Here are 10 cheap gifts you can still buy for your dear aunty — or anyone else on your list.
Whether you’re doing it yourself, running to the store, or buying online, stop stressing about last-minute shopping. There are plenty of frugal options for everyone on your gift list. Happy shopping!
