We’ll never forget the story of the practical gift that saved a family — literally. A young man’s gift to his parents — a smoke detector — sat under the tree when a fire broke out in the house in the middle of the night. Fortunately, the giver had put batteries into his gift. Even though it was wrapped and under the tree, the smoke alarm did its job, and the family escaped unharmed.
We doubt most practical gifts will have so dramatic an outcome, but the truth is people want and need practical gifts. If you or your loved ones are on a budget or a fixed income, ignore the inclination to exchange unnecessary sweaters and ties, and make over your holiday gift giving with practical presents. Even better, these useful gifts can be inexpensive to buy.
To make your practical Christmas, birthday or holiday gift a winner, choose something that’s a special treat that people on a budget wouldn’t buy themselves or a way to help offset the cost of something they enjoy or need.
Here are some affordable, practical gifts to consider this year.
You’re sure to find a cheap Christmas gift for everyone in your list.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
Gifts on a budget
This guide is designed to help you explore the realm of meaningful and affordable gift-giving, ensuring that you can delight your loved ones without financial strain.
Whether you’re searching for the ideal present for a holiday, birthday, or just because, we’ll provide you with creative and diverse options that cater to every occasion and personality.
Practical health and safety gifts
Photo: Deposit Photos
Sticking with the safety theme to start, you can find plenty of safety items and kits that your friends and family have been meaning to purchase but never get around to buying. Practical holiday gifts are perfect! (and everyone on your list will be grateful for practical Christmas presents!)
Fire extinguishers are something many people don’t think to replace, but they do have expiration dates. Replacements aren’t expensive, which makes them a perfect practical — and thoughtful — holiday gift for our list. You can find various types of fire extinguishers online, ranging from the traditional metal canister to the aerosol sprays that are easy to use and easy to store in the kitchen.
A fireproof document box is a great place to store valuable documents and items so that they are easy to grab during an emergency. Include a money gift inside to add to the surprise.
Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased as a combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector, or separately. These start at very affordable prices, so you can get one for everyone on your list, or add one to a gift with other safety items.
Electric toothbrush. A thrilling gift? No. Something they’ll use at least twice a day? Probably (at least, their dentist hopes so). My dental hygienist says that electric toothbrushes keep your teeth cleaner and are less likely to damage gums and enamel. Whether you get a basic no-frills model or a fancy option with a water flosser, it’s a gift that will keep them buzzing. (The fancy ones are a staple at membership clubs like Costco, or check your pharmacy and use your rewards from its loyalty program.)
Emergency road kits. Everyone should have an emergency road kit and first aid kit in the car. It’s a great practical gift for folks who commute long distances, live in snowy climates or enjoy road tripping. Throw in a warm throw blanket or sweatshirt to complete the gift. While you’re thinking about cars, consider a gas card. Gasoline is definitely expensive, which is why someone with on a limited income might appreciate filling up the tank for free.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Entertainment gifts make some of the best practical gifts
When it comes to practical Christmas gifts, activities are always a good idea. People love to get out and about and have fun!
Movie theater and/or restaurant gift cards. When people cut back on spending, often it’s recreation like dining out or going to the movies that’s the first to go. A night out without having to hit the ATM would be a welcome gift for a special couple in your life.
This doesn’t have to be a fancy restaurant; pick up a gift card at their favorite local chain, coffee shop or ice cream shop. Plus it’s a great time to buy these, as there are tons of gift card bonus offers available in November and December that can benefit you, too.
Membership to a local zoo, museum or botanical garden. Membership to a local museum or zoo can drastically reduce admission pricing for families who love to go on educational outings. You can often purchase gift memberships at galleries and other places of interest. These practical gifts can also be a great way to support local institutions.
Subscriptions. A magazine subscription is a gift that can be enjoyed all year, and will save the recipient from making impulsive newsstand purchases at higher rates. If your loved one is always running out of free articles for online newspapers, buy them an online subscription; some are just a few dollars per month. TV and movie lovers might enjoy a subscription to a couple of months of Netflix or Hulu Plus, while readers may enjoy a subscription to Audible or Scribd.
The Entertainment Book. For those who hate paying full price for their entertainment, this giant coupon book includes deals for thousands of area businesses, restaurants and attractions. Or for a modern spin on local discounts, a Groupon gift card lets the recipient keep watch for local deals that are too good to pass up.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Practical gifts for the home
Coupons or gift cards for a service. For example, the parents of young children would be thrilled to receive certificates from you that entitle them to a few hours of babysitting. You could also offer pet-sitting or walking services. Other options are for yard work, meal delivery, car detailing or oil changes — whether you can perform the service or purchase a gift card for them. Be sure to include an expiration date, so they’ll redeem the coupons promptly.
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards
Rechargeable batteries. Disposable batteries eat money because you constantly have to replace them, making rechargeable batteries a gift that will save your friends and family money month after month. Rechargeable batteries are more expensive than disposable ones, so many people don’t think to buy them for themselves. But with many people receiving electronics for the holidays, they’ll be grateful for such a practical gift. Combine with a battery charger for a thoughtful touch.
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: 16-pack of AA rechargeable NiMH batteries (2,000 mAh)
- DEVICE COMPATIBLE: Ideal for remote controls, flashlights, clocks, and more
- LONG LASTING: Can be recharged up to 1000 times with minimal power loss
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: 12-pack of AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries (800 mAh)
- DEVICE COMPATIBLE: Ideal for digital cameras, remote controls, toys, and more
- LONG LASTING: Can be recharged up to 1000 times with minimal power loss
Electric blanket. Know someone who is always cold? They’ll be thrilled to curl up under a toasty blanket on a chilly evening.
Photo calendar. A calendar personalized with photos of family and friends will brighten up anyone’s kitchen or office. It’s an especially nice gift for older relatives who don’t get to see their younger family members all that often. Or pick a calendar/planner that works with your loved one’s organizational style or personality. You’ll find tons of colorful designs to choose from, as well as more professional-looking versions.
New pillow. If you’ve read anything about pillows, they are gross — filled with skin cells and dust mites. Basically, these need to be washed and replaced way more than most of us do it. Yes, pillow comfort is a personal thing, but more than 200,000 people gave this hotel collection pillow good reviews, so we think it’s a safe bet.
School care package. For those students already in college, create a care package for them to take back to the dorms. A practical gift could be a themed “cram session kit” stocked with snacks, a coffee mug, index cards and a pack of highlighters.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Money-saving gifts
Creative cash gifts. Give rolls of quarters to college students and apartment dwellers who may need to feed the washer and dryer and urban dwellers who need to feed the parking meter. Buy videogame-obsessed kids Robux or currency in their favorite game. A small financial gift on your end can be a big winner.
Book of stamps. Yes, there are still folks who use stamps. Think of your Aunt Tillie and other relatives who don’t pay their bills via the Internet and who still like to send old-fashioned greeting cards by snail mail. But instead of buying that big roll of flag stamps, get creative. The USPS has holiday stamps available in the forever stamp. Is your grandmother a history buff? Buy a sheet of commemorative stamps. Check out all the special stamps for enthusiasts.
A Costco, Sam’s Club or Amazon Prime membership. Belonging to a warehouse club like Sam’s or enjoying free shipping and other benefits of Amazon Prime can add up to tons of savings for savvy shoppers, especially if the membership fee is taken care of by a thoughtful gift giver.
A contribution to a child’s 529 plan – Saving for college sometimes falls to the back burner for those paying off debt or saving for retirement. That’s why this is a good gift if you have grandchildren, or nieces and nephews, and contributions can be as little or as much as you’d like.
Cheap family gifts
These cheap Christmas gifts are perfect for a family! Don’t miss this list of cheap gifts for family for your next holiday gathering. These are great inexpensive family gifts!
Board Games: Choose classic board games like “Uno,” “Jenga,” or “Monopoly” that cater to different age groups and provide hours of fun for the entire family.
Bestseller No. 1
The Uzzle 3.0 Board Game, Family Board Games for Children & Adults, Block Puzzle Games for Ages 4+- WHAT ARE THE CHANGES: The Uzzle 3.0 Family Board Games for Adults now comes with IMPROVED QUALITY, bigger blocks, 100 Unique Puzzles, & 4 Difficulty Levels. Levels 1-2 are great for young kids. Whereas, levels 3-4 are extremely difficult for adults.
- SUPER FUN AND EASY TO LEARN: The Uzzle is loved by over 150,000 customers worldwide. The game can be learned in under 1 minute and enjoyed time and time again.
- FAST-PACED AND ACTION-PACKED: Play individually or with up to 4 players. You can play with unlimited players if you get extra games. It’s fun because these players race to crack the puzzle on the card by flipping, spinning, and merging identical sets of 5 patterned blocks. Sharp eyes, fast hands, and quick minds prevail in this fun-filled pattern-matching frenzy!
SaleBestseller No. 2
Do You Really Know Your Family? A Fun Family Game Filled with Conversation Starters and Challenges - Great for Kids, Teens and Adults- Get ready for the best family game night as you laugh and learn new things about each other with this fun card game.
- See who really knows the family best as you answer fun questions about each other while sparking interesting conversations.
- Create hilarious family memories as you compete and perform silly challenges together.
Puzzle Sets: Opt for a large jigsaw puzzle that the family can work on together during the holiday season, encouraging teamwork and patience.
Bestseller No. 1
LEGO Minifigure Puzzle- Minifigures Are The Heart Of The Lego Brand: The Minifigure—The Humble Yellow Character Found In Lego Creations—Has Become A Global Icon. In This Puzzle, Minifigures Get Their Starring Role
- Unique Opportunity For Lego Fun: If You Love Both Lego Minifigures And Puzzles, Don’T Miss This Opportunity To Combine The Two
- Broad Appeal: This Jigsaw Puzzle Is Perfect For All Types Of Lego Fans—From Longtime Lego Builders To Casual Fans To Parents Sharing Their Love Of The Brand With Their Children
Bestseller No. 2
MasterPieces 400 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults, Family, Or Youth - Creekside Gathering - 18"x24"- Matte Finish – Our matte finish helps reduce glare for an improved puzzling experience.
- Random Cut - All MasterPieces puzzles have varying shapes to create a variety with tight and thick interlocking pieces. Ensuring a variety of challenges with every puzzle! The perfect way to keep game night fun.
- Environmentally Friendly - Our puzzles are made from 100% recycled material and non-toxic, soy-based inks for eco-friendly fun!
DIY Craft Kits: Purchase a family-friendly DIY craft kit, such as a gingerbread house kit or a pottery painting set, perfect for sparking creativity in everyone.
SaleBestseller No. 1
Dan&Darci Arts and Crafts Vault - Craft Supplies Kit in a Box for Kids Ages 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 & 12 Year Old Girls & Boys - Crafting Set Kits - Easter Gift Ideas for Kids Art Activity Gifts- Unleash & Spark Your Creativity: Your complete arts and crafts supply set with arts & crafts supplies for kids to create and craft. Packaged and stored in a beautiful 2-drawer case.
- Premium Value: Kit includes Pipe Cleaners, Fuzzy Sticks, Pom Poms, Wooden Pieces, Felt Strips, Craft Sticks, Sequins, Wooden Discs, Wooden Beads, Plastic Beads, Sticky Gems, Googly Eyes, Scissors, Sewing Needles, Glue, Glitter Glue, Feathers, Buttons, Thread.
- Unlimited Uses: Make jewelry by adding beads to the thread or pipe cleaners. A windcatcher by gluing sticks together into a shape, decorating them, and then tying beads to hang down. Using as many of the different supplies as possible, make the world’s strangest-looking monster. Create an animal that’s a mix of animals … the feathers of a bird, a tail like a monkey, and the trunk of an elephant. You get the idea... the possibilities are endless with this mega kit!
SaleBestseller No. 2
Sew Mini Animals (Klutz Craft Kit) 8" Length x 1.5" Width x 9" Height- 2017 parents’ choice award winner
- No prior sewing experience necessary
- Small-scale projects stitch up fast and provide hours of fun
Family Movie Night Package: Create a movie night bundle with a selection of family-friendly DVDs, popcorn, and cozy blankets for a fun night in.
Bestseller No. 1
Movie Night Basket Gift Set – with Candy Variety Pack, Movie Trays, Movie, Movie Snacks & Popcorn Gift Set – Gift Baskets For Families by Cheshire Gifts- 📽️ PREMIUM MOVIE NIGHT KIT – Includes 2 Easy to Assemble Movie Night Snack Trays, 2 Retro Popcorn Bags, and an Extensive Theatre Candy Assortment Gift Box to Improve Your Movie Night Decorations
- 👪 FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - Go Beyond Your Typical Movie Night With Our Ultimate Gift Baskets For Families Which Include Popcorn Containers, Movie Night Popcorn Gift Set, Movie Night Accessories and Candy Care Package
- 💝 DATE NIGHT BOX – The Date Night Box Idea That Will Perfectly Complement Your Most Exciting Moments Together. This Popcorn Gift Basket Comes With Popcorn Trays, and Movie Night Supplies
Bestseller No. 2
Thoughtfully Gourmet, Movie Night Popcorn Set, Includes Yellow and Mixed Popcorn Kernels, 10 Paper Popcorn Bags, 5 Popcorn Seasonings & Toppings- GOURMET SEASONINGS - USA Flavored popcorn seasonings include Bacon Cheddar, Butter Salt, Caramel
- POPCORN TOPPINGS - Colorful candy sprinkles and gold edible glitter sugar look and taste great
- MOVIE NIGHT POPCORN BOX - Great for slumber party treats, family nights, birthday parties
Subscription Box: Consider a subscription to a service like “KiwiCo” or “Universal Yums,” which delivers monthly science kits or snacks from around the world, offering new experiences every month.
Bestseller No. 1
Universal Yums International Snack Box | Variety Pack Of Chips, Candy, Chocolates, And Snacks From Around The World | Foreign Snacks For Students, Back to School, College, Office | (40 Exotic Snacks)- What's Inside: This snack box from around the world contains 20 full size packs of foreign snacks + the Yum Bag, with 20 exotic candies. Our international snack box will take your taste buds on a journey. Experience a variety pack gift basket of unforgettable international snacks, food, and candy from multiple cultures... Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian, Greek, French, Thai - and more!
- A Curated Experience: Crack open your Universal Yums international snack box and find an exciting lineup of yummy international snacks, food, and candy from around the world! A variety of selections including your favorite foreign snacks, exotic foods, hard-to-find candies, and chocolate inside this international candy box. This gift basket which is a snacks variety pack for adults, teens, and kids, won't disappoint!
- Got A Group? Surprise your office coworkers with a crazy international snack box, or discover a fun care package for college students filled with yummy international snacks, food, and candy. Our bulk foreign snacks variety pack has exotic treats from around the world to keep your friends and family guessing! This international care package doubles as a gift basket and is perfect for any group! Whether you need birthday gifts, or a gift for adults, & teens. Gifts for boyfriend, for women, or men.
Bestseller No. 2
Midi International Snack Box | Premium Exotic Foreign Snacks | Unique Snack Food Gifts Included | Purple Theme Box | Candies from Around the World | 12 Full-Size + 1 Bonus Snacks- Immerse yourself into the world of snacks with International Yummies by Matleas
- International snacks you find in this crate offer great variety and exotic tastes unlike any other
- Comes with a pamphlet that gives funny trivia about snacks
Outdoor Game Set: Encourage some fresh air with an outdoor game set like badminton, bocce ball, or a frisbee, perfect for backyard entertainment.
Bestseller No. 1
Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Kit - Spikeball Game Set - Sports & Outdoor Family Games - Includes 3 Regular Balls, 1 Ball Net, Drawstring Bag & Rulebook - for Lawn Games- Competitive Spikeball Game Set: Experience the thrill of using this Spikeball game set with your friends and family when you play this outdoor lawn and yard game
- Fun Outdoor Game Set: You can set up your Spikeball game set and play Roundnet on any surface, whether it's grass, sand, or indoors
- Outdoor Game for Adults & Kids: This game comes with 3 Spikeball balls, a Spikeball set, a drawstring bag, and a rulebook to use if you're into that sort of thing
Bestseller No. 2
Mattel Games Toss Across Kids Outdoor Game, Bean Bag Toss for Camping & Family Nights, Get 3-in-a-Row for 2 to 4 Players- We took classic Tic Tac Toe and added some action!
- Place the Toss Across unit on a floor, turn all targets blank side up, grab your three bean bags, and get ready to toss!
- Players try to get the rotating triangles to flip to show either X or O. Three in a row wins!
Cooking Class Experience: Gift a virtual or local cooking class that the whole family can enjoy together, learning new recipes and cooking techniques.
Family Photo Book: Compile a personalized photo book with family memories from the past year, which can be enjoyed by all and cherished for years to come.
Storytelling Card Game: Choose a storytelling card game like “Rory’s Story Cubes” to inspire creativity and imagination during family gatherings.
Plant Growing Kit: A family-friendly indoor herb or vegetable growing kit can provide a fun and educational activity that continues to yield benefits throughout the year.
These gifts are designed to foster togetherness and create lasting memories without breaking the bank.
For more great holiday tips, read these articles:
- Kitchen gifts under $25
- Thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget
- Homemade food gifts
- Free cheap and homemade gifts for pets
- Homemade soup gifts that will warm the heart
- Save by shopping early
My favorite practical gift to give was a battery-charger that came with rechargeable batteries. I bought several and gave one to each of those very hard-to-buy-for people in my family. It was economical, practical, everyone loved it, and I’ve had a hard time topping it since.
I bought throw blankets one year for my sister and husband. Loved them and can use them year round.
Last year for Christmas, I hired carpet cleaners to deep clean my brother’s carpets. It was such a great gift and something he wouldn’t pay for himself, but this year, I’m totally stumped. I love your idea about buying a Costco membership! Thank you for sharing such great ideas!
People think about smoke detectors, but totally forget WATER detectors. Under each sink, dishwasher, by each toilet, and shower, the water heater, … any water-using item that could leak where you don’t want it to. There are different types: ones that blast a sound right there at the source, to electronic ones that text you, and everything in-between. Prices start around $10, so it’s worth getting one for every spot you might need it. Be alerted to the leak while it’s still small.