Did you forget to pick up something for Uncle Eddie? Maybe you didn’t get a present for the gift exchange at work. Does your son’s teacher still need a small gift of some kind?
At moments like these, it can be easy to just run into a store and grab the first thing you see, resulting in a gift that’s less than enjoyable for the recipient. That’s a result we all want to avoid.
Instead, here are 10 ideas for low-cost gifts that can work well for all kinds of people. You can hop onto Amazon and order a few of these to have on hand for such emergencies, or you can simply pull up this article for any last-minute holiday shopping.
Want to spend more than just $10 on a gift? Buy two or three of these items, and bundle them together. Many of them have great synergy with each other.
1. A chocolate bar. A bar (or two … or three) of high-quality chocolate is a great gift for anyone with even the slightest semblance of a sweet tooth. This works especially well when you pair a more traditional flavor — plain milk chocolate, for instance — with a more exotic one like the Chocolove Orange Peel in Dark Chocolate.
2. A box of tea. Teas make for a very nice gift, particularly if you happen to know the person is an avid tea drinker. I find that a variety pack with a smaller number of higher quality teas, like the Tea Forte sample pack, works better as a gift than one with a larger number of lower-quality teas.
3. Pens. Quality pens are a great gift for any writer — or any professional, for that matter. I am partial to the Uniball Signo 207 Ultra Micro pens. They cost about a dollar apiece, but they provide a smooth writing experience without smearing on almost any kind of paper. This gift pairs very well with the next item …
4. A writing journal. A blank journal with an understated cover, filled with paper that’s good for writing, is a great gift for anyone on your list who keeps a diary, takes notes or is a budding writer. The Piccadilly Essential Notebook is a great entry-level journal that can be found for $5, thus pairing well with a few of the quality pens mentioned above.
5. Craft beer. If you know that your gift recipient enjoys craft beers, buying a few single bottles of interesting beers can be a wonderful gift. If you’re not sure what to get, stop at a local liquor store and ask the person at the counter for recommendations. Simply state that you’re buying a few bottles of craft beer for a friend as a gift; they’ll point you to something intriguing and delicious.
6. Hot chocolate mix. During the winter months, hot chocolate can make for a delicious treat. Here, I went with Epicurious’ pick for the best hot chocolate. You can get several packets of the Land O’Lakes Cocoa Classics in different flavors for under $10, but I find the basic Chocolate Supreme to be the best of the lot.
7. Homemade cookies. Homemade cookies are a brilliant solution to the gift problem. Simply make a batch of cookies for your home, but if you need a gift, wrap several of them in a sheet of cellophane, twist the cellophane at the top and tie on a ribbon. It makes a very cute — and tasty — gift.
8. Wool socks. A pair of well-made socks is always a great idea for a winter gift, particularly in northern climates. Merino wool socks do an excellent job keeping feet warm while also wicking away moisture. Plus they feel great on the feet. You can find pairs of these socks for under $10 in many places.
9. Homemade soup mix. A soup kit that makes a homemade soup as easy as simply boiling water and adding the kit contents is a really nice gift, particularly when you select the ingredients yourself. Just pick up the items needed for your favorite soup recipe, add them to a glass jar and tie a piece of cloth to the top with a ribbon.
10. A life-changing book. The most recent book you enjoyed almost always makes a great gift because it provides a conversation starter between you and the recipient. This is particularly true if you know the recipient is an avid reader. Another option is to choose a book with the potential to change your giftee’s life — something like the classic “Your Money or Your Life” by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin.
Spend a moment thinking about your recipient, then browse through this list. I’m willing to bet that at least one or two items pop out at you, making your holiday gift-giving a bit better (and a bit cheaper).
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10 Great Last-Minute Holiday Gifts Under $10 originally appeared on usnews.com
