10 great gifts for under $10

Does your Christmas gift list stretch from here to the mailbox? Do you need to buy for aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews as well as your immediate family? That can add up to a hefty credit card bill come January. We have some ideas for great gifts you can get for under $10  – where thoughtfulness replaces high price tags. Try these on for size.

Bargain books

Check out the bins at all kinds of stores, not just bookstores. There are great discounted children’s books, cookbooks, and books on every subject imaginable, and you can find great gifts under $10. Does your aunt often mention her favorite childhood book? Get her a copy. Does your cousin rave about his slow-cooker? Get him a cookbook for new ideas on how to use it. Your niece loves horses – there are lots of horse-related books in those bins.

Used books in great condition can also make cheap holiday gifts. Look for used bookstores, book sales at libraries or community centers, or even used book sellers on Amazon. And don’t forget e-books. There are “deals of the day” for Kindle that could allow you to multiple ebooks on sale and still stay under $10. 

Calendars

Younger folks mostly use their phones, but Grandpa John still uses a calendar, we bet. Get him one with vintage cars if that’s his passion. They come in every subject imaginable and those calendar kiosks pop up all over malls this time of year.

Art supplies

If your nephew is a budding artist (or even if he’s not), he may love a pad of blank paper and some fun colored pens or markers. Craft kits of all kinds will help keep kids busy over the holiday break. But arts & crafts are not just for kids anymore. Hobbyists of all types will appreciate supplies and materials for pursuing their favorite pastimes. 

Stylish zipper pouch

This large zipper bag is smartly styled and roomy, with tweed-look fabric on the outside and a durable lining with lots of pockets on the inside. It would make a great gift for men or for women, and can hold anything from makeup to art supplies, to … well, anything.

Photos

Just about everyone has photos on their phones, but it’s hard to display (or sometimes even find) them. Print out photos of the day you and your sister went to the amusement park and make her a little photo album (cheap at drug stores) to remember the day by. Or buy a frame and print out a photo to put in it. You can find picture frames cheap at thrift stores.

Manicure set

Easy, practical and packed with more than just the basics, this handy nail clipper set would make a welcome gift for men or women.

Gourmet ingredients or home-baked goodies

Photo: Deposit Photos

Does everyone crave your fabulous fudge or your peanut brittle? Give them all a sample, nicely wrapped, with the recipe inside. Now they can make it any time they want. You can find adorable, inexpensive containers on Amazon to make your gift presentation super special. 

A packet of saffron or jar of real cinnamon will be a great addition to the spice rack of the gourmet cook on your list. Or get them a jar of caviar, if they’re a fan. You can get domestic (and very good) caviar at the grocery store. Fancy jams or local honey make nice but inexpensive gifts and support local businesses.

Scented lotion or bath powder

Does your mom love an expensive perfume, but you don’t feel like you can shuck out $50 for a bottle? Get her the lotion or bath powder in the same scent. It’s much cheaper and smells the same.

Beauty products and makeup

Is there a little girl on your list? Get her a bottle of nail polish and some nail accessories. A teenager who dares to be different? How about peacock blue eyeshadow? Or temporary hair color that she can use for a purple streak to go with her favorite sweater? Beauty stores like Ulta often have a section for sample-sized products that are affordably priced.

Flashlight

Everyone loves flashlights. Yes, really. Get the biggest, baddest one you can find that’s under $10. Or go small: a headlamp for when they’re working on their car or fiddling in the woodshop.

Gifts don’t have to be expensive to say “I’m thinking about you.” Plus, your thoughtful $10 gift may be more appreciated than that expensive — but itchy — wool sweater Aunt Mary bought. 

Bonus gift idea under $10:

An app

Yes, there’s an app for just about everything, and some are surprisingly affordable (or even free). Choose one suited to the recipient (and make sure they know how to use it). Or give a gift certificate to their preferred app store, and let them pick a few apps for $10.

Still searching for more inexpensive gift ideas? Check out these:

• Stocking stuffers for grownups
• 10 cool  inexpensive gifts for kids 
• Practical gifts they’ll appreciate
• Stocking stuffers for kids
• Kitchen gifts under $25