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20 Gifts For The Holidaze Under $20

Dec 9, 2009

by djevoke
posted in Do It Yourself!

This holiday season is a little rough for most of us. This presents an interesting life lesson- the one where you get to learn about the real spirit of Christmas, not the monetary value but, the true value of being surrounded by loved ones and giving back. However, does that help squash the expectations that we have to give something? Nope and don't worry, I'm in the same position as you and I'm here to help!

Homemade Coupon Book

I use these for all sorts of occasions- it's absolutely free right now and you get to pick what you want to put in it. I've done books with coupons for massages, homemade meals, dinners out, baseball tickets, movies, drinks, mixed CDs....you can get creative as you want and your giftee can get presents year-round!

Monogrammed Wine Stopper

These are SO cool. I found them looking through a Bed, Bath and Beyond catalog where they're on sale for $9.99. It's such a fashionable, personal and fun way to keep your wine fresh instead of trying to jam the cork back in every single time.

Martini Set

This idea fuses two cheap ideas into one, you can do that with just about anything. That is another option- grouping cheaper gifts into one theme. You can get two martini stemless glasses ($2.99/ea at Target) with a martini shaker ($9.99 at Target, though you can find them cheaper!). Total cost: $16 + tax.

Drinxx Playing Cards

I've just discovered these playing cards which have synthetic covers (you know just in case you don't want your cards to get sticky while drinking) AND drink recipes printed on the back. So, while you're waiting for someone to fold on the river, you can learn how to make a mean mojito. Total cost: $6.50 at www.umbra.com

Glass Photo Coasters

I just love these. You can insert a 2.5"x2.5" photo into the middle of the glass coaster and add some of your personal style to your coffee table or provide conversation starters for your guests. For a set of four, with a black coaster holder, at Bed, Bath and Beyond, the total cost: $5.99.

Discovery Kids Teach and Talk Activity Laptop

I've always been the artsy fartsy aunt that loves to give the kids fun but, educational toys...yeah, yeah I know but, I'm incredibly clever about it. This Discovery laptop is one of those toys which makes learning fun- it includes 32 games and learning activities all for the price of $19.99.

Playskool Step Start Walk N' Ride

For the newbie who's having their first Christmas, this is one of those rare gifts that helps with child development AND is fun. It starts by helping a baby find its first steps then, it offers the hard worker a ride around the living room. Total cost: $18.89

Photo Calendar

Who doesn't love these? Seriously. They're useful, they're personal, they're homemade and from the heart, AND they only take $20 to make. At Target Photo Lab, you can personalize your 12-month calendar with photos, captions, choose which month you want it to start and choose your own backgrounds and designs.

10-piece Wooden Photo Frame Set

Do you have a photographer on your list or someone that loves to display family photos? Get them this 10-piece set for $20. For added personalization, you can add favorite memories, quotes, or song lyrics in fun handwriting or font in the frames. You can also mix fun, inpsirational photos or magazine cut-outs with the quotes or even add recipes along with food photos. I'm sure you get the picture, pun intended ;p

Board Games

This is a fun option for those that love to entertain on your list. No need to spend $40 on a Wii game, go old skool and buy a board game. My favorites are Cranium ($20), Battle of the Sexes ($15), Fact or Crap ($15), 12-in-1 Wooden Game Set ($20), Quelf ($20) and Apples To Apples ($18). You can all have a blast playing the game when they open their present.

Fudge

Ah, the most delicious holiday tradition. Every year, I bake a bunch of fudge and give it out to my neighbors and bring it to holiday parties. Click on the title for my no-fail recipe. Total cost: $12.18 from Vons without Walnuts. You can add Peanut Butter Chips, nuts, etc to change up the taste but, I love it just the way it is!
See the full review, "Perfect Holiday Gift for Anyone Left on Your Christmas List!".

You can buy your music lover their fave CD (or buy an iTunes card) OR you can make them a mixed CD of all the songs that remind you of them. I love the latter and cheaper option but, then again, I'm a DJ. You can download songs from Limewire, a free music sharing site. It's much more personal and therefore, much more appreciated. Yes, it takes a LONG time but, in the end, it's worth it!

DVD

DVDs- who doesn't love a DVD of their fave movie/TV series they can watch over and over again or a classic that they loved but, can't ever find? BONUS: Blockbuster is closing a bunch of stores and as they say, one's misfortune is another's treasure...or something to that effect. Everything in the store is 70% so you can get classic movies or new hits for $5-$10. That's cheap enough for you to stock up on a couple! Also, Vons/Safeway has a bin of DVDs for $5 and the choices aren't half bad.

Books

The gift that keeps on giving. You can pair it with a booklight ($5-$10) for a great gift combo.
Looking for that impossible guy's gift? If you're looking for a fun, unique gift- check out The Rules: A Man's Guide to Life by Esquire ($10) with such gems as Rule No. 346- "A man over 30 shouldn't own a futon or a beanbag chair".
Want to get your tween into reading? The Twilight Saga. Each of the books is about $10 and 500 pages, so trust me, one or two is plenty to get them hooked.
How about your fave female? Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn ($16.34 on Amazon)- an incredibly inspirational book about the hardships women face and how to overcome them together.

Accessories

For your favorite femme fashionista: Target: a really cute pair of leather gloves ($17.99), a cute Fedora ($14.99), Hobo bags ($10-$20), Glove and scarf set ($10). Forever 21: metallic wallets ($7.50), fingerless gloves ($3.80-$8.80), cute beanies ($6.80)...for more go to forever21.com, gojane.com or flyjane.com.
For a guy that needs to stay warm and wants to look cute doing it: all of the following are $15: fingerless gloves, Peruvian style hats, cable-knit scarves, and other scarves.

Clothes

Yes, you can still hook your family and friends up with some cute digs that won't dig too deeply into your pockets. The following are examples from Target (my fave one-stop shop) BUT, you should definitely give a look to www.Forever21.com, www.GoJane.com, www.flyjane.com, www.pinkice.com for some FAB fashion finds!
Girlfriends, sisters, moms: Warm and cozy microfleece V-necks ($15) or hoodies ($20)
Kids, nephews, nieces: Sweaters ($13), fleece hoodies or pants ($7/ea), girls' sweaters or skirts ($10-$15)
BF, Dad, Brothers: Striped thermals ($15), Sweaters ($20), Flannel Shirts ($20)

Make-up Sets

Who doesn't love make-up? The best gift is the one that we need but, we'd never buy ourselves. You can make your own or buy one of the drugstore combos ($5-$20). The best site to check out for make-up deals, you get labels for CHEAP is www.ulta.com. Spa sets are another fun gift to give friends that work way too hard!
For the pre-tween: a really cute Hello Kitty one with a bag, lotion, bubble bath, shower gel and body spray ($10).
For an older friend or relative: $10 spa sets exist that you can pair up with the make-up set or a manicure set and you are...set ;p

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lyssachttr December 09, 2009

great list full of good ideas, thx!

djevoke December 10, 2009

You're welcome- hope it helps you out a little!

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devora December 09, 2009

Love this list, babe! You've got something for everyone and most of these are really thoughtful gifts :)

djevoke December 09, 2009

Thanks love- wanted to include everyone so that they're all covered and you're not broke!

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aunnyd December 09, 2009

Fantastic review djevoke! Definitely Facebook worthy...hint hint, nudge nudge. ;)

djevoke December 09, 2009

Already shared it and hopefully I'm FB worthy ;p

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dalydose December 09, 2009

Yowzers...good stuff! As a fixin to be married one I can just IMAGINE your coupon book. ;)

djevoke December 09, 2009

No kidding LOL That and being unemployed will turn you into an incredibly clever shopper ;p

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dalydose December 09, 2009

FUNemployed...say it with me FUN-em-ployed!

djevoke December 09, 2009

It'd be MORE fun if I was laid off later so I could afford the holidaze ;p But, I just applied to FB so FINGERS CROSSED!

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About the list creator

Samantha (djevoke)
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I'm a human jukebox that is constantly changing my station depending on my mood! Feel free to share your passion with me in my communities: Pass the Remote!, Hip Hop Culture, Wedding Planning … more

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