Even though you know your spouse better than anyone else, your partner can sometimes be the hardest to shop for. You want to get a great gift that he or she will really love and doesn’t already have. Luckily, shopping (or making some do-it-yourself gifts) for your spouse is easier with this list of gift ideas for $25 or less:
Gifts for Him
Men can be notoriously difficult to shop for. Here are a variety of gift ideas for the man in your life:
— ‘Open when’ letters. This is a popular idea circulating on Pinterest right now. Basically, you write a bunch of letters for different occasions or moods. Then, stuff them in envelopes that say when to open each letter. If you’re truly broke — or if your husband loves this kind of sentimental stuff — this is a thoughtful idea that only requires you to buy envelopes. (It also works for wives, too.)
— Customized photo gifts. These are great for guys with a cubicle or office that could be a little homier. These recycled photo blocks are beautiful, or you could decoupage your own photo paperweights.
— Jewelry. Men sometimes like jewelry, too, and customized jewelry makes a great gift. Have this bracelet customized with your initials and wedding dates. If he’s not into jewelry, consider a keychain instead, like this beautiful hand-stamped one geared for the family man.
— Beard conditioner. Does your man have some serious facial hair? This beard conditioner will help keep it looking great. Or you could make your own natural beard conditioner from a few simple ingredients.
— Cutting board. If your man is a fan of cooking and Walter White, this “Breaking Bad” cutting board is the perfect gift. Or you could try your hand at making your own with a simple cutting board and a wood burner.
— T-shirts. Etsy is full of creative screen-printed T-shirts such as this one featuring Darth Vader on a bike, or this Marvel T-shirt. You could also make your own with freezer paper and fabric paint.
— Spices and rubs. For a man who loves to grill, give him something to look forward to in the summer with a set of barbecue rubs and spices. You can also easily make your own version of this gift.
Gifts for Her
Finding your wife something thoughtful that she doesn’t already have can be tough. But we’re here to help with a bunch of handmade and homemade gift ideas:
— Vintage vases. She’ll need something to put all those flowers in that you’re going to buy her for other occasions. Try these adorable shabby chic vases. Or you could use thrifted Mason jars and some paint to create your own distressed vases.
— Jewelry. Jewelry is a no-brainer for women. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on one-of-a-kind pieces. Peruse Etsy for affordable jewelry like this “to the moon and back” necklace. Making your own hand-stamped jewelry is surprisingly easy, too. The tools will likely cost more than $20, but you could make several gifts with one set.
— T-shirts. T-shirts are great gifts for wives, too, especially if you can get her something fun and funky that doesn’t come from a box store. This “friends not food” shirt is great for your resident vegan, or try this tree and bird shirt. Of course, you could design your own screen-printing, too, for a truly one-of-a-kind shirt.
— Infinity scarf. Easy-wear infinity scarves make great gifts. This deer scarf is a unique accessory, or make her feel really cozy with this gray crocheted number. With very basic sewing skills, you can turn some fabric into a DIY infinity scarf.
— Framed prints. A wonderful print and a thrift store frame may be perfect for her office or favorite reading nook. She might like this Shakespeare print or this sassy metallic print. For a truly sentimental print gift, use photo editing software to make artwork with your vows.
— Phone case. Phone cases are a great way to ensure your gift gets everyday use. Put her favorite family photo to use with a custom photo case. Or your could grab some nice paper and make your own custom phone case.
— Journals and notebooks. If your wife loves to keep lists, journal or write down hilarious things your kids say, a customized journal or notebook is a thoughtful option. This Paris journal is classy, or go for glam with this glitter journal notebook. Or make her some cheap, fun journals for different purposes by covering composition notebooks.
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Personalized Gift Ideas for Your Spouse Under $25 originally appeared on usnews.com
