Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
Do you give gifts to your kids’ teachers, your neighbors or friends? It can be a really fun way to let them know you appreciate them!
This gift guide was so much fun to put together. There are so many neat things out there and I know I rounded up some great budget-friendly ideas for you.
Without further ado, here are my Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends!
Maldon Sea Salt – This flaked salt is soo good! Perfect for finishing desserts or savory recipes.
Mini Silicone Spatulas – Sounds silly, but these are so great for getting the very last bit in containers!
Peppermint Bark Shortbread – Well this sounds absolutely delicious! You can never go wrong with something consumable.
Suncatcher Crystals – Add beautiful rainbows to your recipient’s home with these suncatcher crystals! This comes as a six pack, so you could separate them to have multiple gifts.
Small Wood Paddle Board – Perfect gift idea for the person who loves to create those fancy charcuterie platters.
Winter Headband – Ok, how cute are these? Everyone needs something to keep their ears warm!
Bubble bath – Don’t we all know at least one person that likes taking baths to relax?
Leather Wristlet Clutch bag – Perfect for when your recipient just wants to take a phone, ID and a few small things with them!
Scented Candle Set – I don’t think you could go wrong with a candle! Great gift idea for a teacher, friend or neighbor! This is a set so you could even separate each candle to give away.
The links below may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small compensation at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure policy here.
Frugal Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens
Shopping for a tween or teen can have its challenges. After all, they’re not usually into toys anymore, and toys are so easy to buy!
Gift cards are great, but they’re also pretty boring to give. Why not show your tween or teen how amazing you are at gift giving with the help of these frugal gift ideas! You are sure to find some thought provoking ideas that don’t all center around technology.
Take a look at these Frugal Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens:
Gifts under $5
e.l.f. Lip Balm – This is a popular alternative to the Laneige brand that is quite a bit more.
Mud Masks – These types of masks are a huge hit with my 12 year old.
Eyeshadow – A new eyeshadow is always a good idea.
Gum – I really like PUR Gum because it uses xylitol to sweeten it. My dentist said that xylitol can help in preventing cavities! Lots of different flavors too.
Sketchbook – For the one who loves to doodle or wants to refine their skills.
Letter Board – See what kind of creative and witty things they can come up with,
Wet Brush– Every girl or guy with long hair needs a really good brush.
Personalized Notepad – Anything personalized to so fun to receive! Especially if the recipient has a more unusual name.
Fairy Lights – Most teens like to spend a lot of time in their rooms, so making it feel extra cozy with some fun lights would be appreciated. These Govee LED Strip Lights are another alternative.
Glitter pens – Perfect for the teen who loves to journal or doodle.
Journal – A beautiful journal to go along with new pens.
Bluetooth Toque – For the teen that wants to be warm and listen to music wirelessly!
Gifts under $50
Platform Mini Boots – If you don’t have a pair of knock-off Tasman Ugg’s, are you even on TikTok?
Puma Duffle Bag – A duffel bag is a must have for any road trip or athlete.
Ukulele – We gave our oldest daughter a Ukulele and it has been used so much! She’s always making up songs. A great gift that will grow with the recipient.
Life Skills 101 for Teens – They may roll their eyes at this book, but I think they’ll soon be learning some valuable lessons.
Every year, I like to purchase one gift that will be fun for the whole family. Usually it’s a board game of some sort. We like to try it out right away on Christmas day for some extra quality family time!
However, there are sooo many different things out there that would make fantastic gifts for families.
This gift guide has fun, frugal gift ideas for families that any family would love. Happy gifting!
Does your family really loves s’mores? This tabletop s’mores maker might be so fun for everyone. Experiment with different combinations inside on cozy winter days.
If your family loves a movie night with popcorn, here’s a highly rated popcorn maker. Add some popcorn kernels and seasonings, and you’ve got a great family gift!
Take family movie night to another level with a portable projector! Be sure to clip the coupon. I’ve heard that the ones with built in apps like Netflix, Prime, etc, are key!
This could be such a fun family gift idea! Have fun as a family ripping down the toboggan hill with this inflatable, lightweight tube. Currently on sale!
I love the idea of matching monogram mugs for each member of the family! You could even stick some hot chocolate or a gift card inside each mug. Here is a slightly less expensive option from Indigo.ca.
If you are a family who really appreciates traditions and preserving memories, this is a gorgeous keepsake book to help you. This will be a family treasure for years and generations to come.
Have you heard of Solo smokeless firepits? Well, Those are great but not cheap! I have found a Tabletop Fire Pit with great ratings that is a fraction of the cost. Use this at home for cozy evenings, make some smores or bring it camping!
Another great puzzle, but this one has 1000 pieces so perfect for a family with older children or one that enjoys doing a puzzle during the entire duration of the holidays.
Kids Against Maturity combines the tried and tested fill-in-the- blank game-play, a perfect enjoyable hilarious way to bring your family together. You will be sure to be laughing so much when you play this favourite!
My parents discovered this game while they were camping this summer. My dad, loves wood working, so he promptly crafted this game in his shop. Fortunately, you can actually purchase this game too! We had so much fun playing it this year and enjoyed the friendly competition.
How FUN is it to all have matching pajamas for the holidays? In this post, I have a huge assortment of matching family Christmas pajamas from Canadian retailers.
For the adventurous family that wants a different way to do/decide family activities! There are 50 Scratch-Off Adventures and Family Night Games for Kids & Adults inside this unique gift!
These are so neat! They’re board games stored in a nice “book” to put on a bookshelf! There are all sorts of different games available. Find Battleship, Mystery Date, Monopoly, Scrabble, Candy Land and more! Every year you could add a new one to the collection.
Shopping for gifts for kids can be tricky. While there is no shortage of ideas out there, it can be tough finding quality, engaging toys. So my goal with this gift guide was to find ideas that inspire creativity, teaches a skill, is practical or gets them up and moving!
Bonus, nearly all the frugal gift ideas for kids are $50 or less! If it’s not less than $50, it comes highly vetted by me!
Men are so hard to shop for! Am I right? It can be tricky to come up with thoughtful and unique gift ideas for the dads, brothers and husbands on our lists. They either have everything already or don’t want anything. (At least in my case!)
I think what I have curated in this gift guide for men, is a great variety of different ideas. I’m positive you will find something for that hard to shop for person. So sit down, cozy up with this gift guide and get the inspiration flowing with these frugal gift ideas for men!
Lifestraw Portable Water Filter – The outdoorsy type will love getting this so they can have safe drinking water where ever their adventures lead them!
Viking Revolution Ultimate Beard Kit – Give him something to take care of that beard! I think this would be something a young adult would enjoy if he has a beard.
Nordik Vegan Leather Valet Tray – Does he like to have a place for everything? This is a great masculine looking catch-all tray.
Manmade Boxer Brief – Featured on Dragons’ Den, these highly rated boxer briefs might just be the favorite gift.
Convertible Travel Garment Bag – If he travels a lot, for work, he may really enjoy having this bag! Helps keep clothes wrinkle free and holds all the essentials for a business trip.
Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer – This smart meat thermometer guarantees a perfect steak every time! Perfect for the foodie that loves tech too!
SAXX Underwear – Apparently these are the best! (They do go on sale occasionally.)
Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven – This one is definitely on the pricier end, but could be the gift that keeps on giving if he loves to experiment with pizza making!
There you have it! I sure hope you were able to get some good frugal gift ideas for the men on your list!
Since the focus here at Simply Frugal is, of course, frugality, I’m going to break down the gift guides into various price points. Sound good?
All right. Let’s get started with Frugal Gift Ideas for women! I happen to think shopping for women can be one of the easiest shopping tasks every year. However, sometimes it’s really nice to have some unique and different ideas to think about!
So go ahead and take a look or pass this on to your significant other for some hints. I’m sure you will find thoughtful but frugal gift ideas for women at every price point.
Simple Modern Insulated Travel Mug – We love Simple Modern in this house! These travel mugs have great ratings, look great and keeps beverages hot or cold!
Thermal Laminator – Perfect for the person who loves to use printables or wants to make frequently used papers more durable.
Gifts over $50
Kindle – I think I’ve owned my Kindle for at least 10 years now. It’s still going strong and I still love it! Highly recommend! They do go on sale too.
Giving gift baskets is a fun way to include a little variety in your gift giving. And, if you coupon, you probably have a lot of extra things that you got for free or very cheap that you can place in these baskets as well. Even if you don’t, doing a themed gift basket can make it easy for you to gift things this holiday season. It’s possible to create a gift basket that is so personalized, the receiver will love it! If you are stumped on what to put together, that also won’t cost you an arm and a leg, here are 7 Inexpensive Gift Basket ideas to get you started.
Movie Night Gift Basket
Give the gift of a movie night! This basket simply requires microwave popcorn, some dollar store candy, a $5 movie from the cheap bin at Walmart and some cozy socks. If you’re making this one for a teen or pre-teen, you could add a gift card for a movie ticket to the local theater.
Manicure Gift Basket
Some simple nail polish, a patterned file (can often be bought at Bath & Body Works or the dollar store for cheap!), a small bottle of hand lotion and some nice nail decals. This one is perfect for teens and tweens. You can also throw in a gift card to a beauty supply shop if desired.
Baker’s Delight Gift Basket
Do you know someone who loves to bake? Buy them some fun patterned cupcake liners, cake mix, a new oven mitt and a spatulaand you have a great gift. You could even skip the basket and just place everything in the mitt and tie off with a ribbon.
Hot Cocoa Gift Basket
Hot cocoa can be made with just a few simple ingredients and packaged nicely in a mason jar. Add in a bag of marshmallows and some dollar store mugs for a finishing touch. This basket costs less than $10 to make and in many cases, less than $5.
Sporty Gift Basket
If you have a sports fan on your gift list, try this one! Place some snacks like sunflower seeds, jerky or popcorn in a basket. Add a small trinket of their favorite sport team such as a key chain, bottle opener or lanyard and finish it off with a set of tickets to watch a minor league team in your area.
Pasta Heaven Gift Basket
Got a pasta lover in your life? Place some fancy pasta (this can often be bought at a discount at outlet stores or a store like Winners), pasta sauce (homemade or bought), shelf stable Parmesan cheese, and a pasta server into the basket for a great fast dinner.
Bookworm Gift Basket
Everyone knows someone who loves to read. This gift basket will delight them! Get a $5 Amazon Gift card or a gift card to their favorite local bookstore (to buy a book or an e-book), a cheap fleece throw blanket, a coffee mug, some tea and a low cost clip-on reading light.
I hope there were some inexpensive gift basket ideas there to help inspire your gift basket building endeavors! Do you have any other themed gift basket ideas that you could share in the comments?
The holidays mean get-togethers, dinner parties, and all sorts of festive gatherings. If you are attending any one of these events, it is always a nice gesture to take the hostess a gift for all of their hard work. Hostess gifts use to be a common thing in the past, but many people just aren’t sure what to give these days.
No worries, as I have compiled a list of 11 inexpensive hostess gift ideas, perfect for your gift giving needs. Check out this list of hostess gifts and consider one of the suggestions next time you are invited to an event. Your hostess is sure to appreciate it!
1. A potted plant.
You can find small potted plants at most grocery stores for about $5. Take one of these plants and wrap the pot in some decorative paper. This is always a nice idea for an inexpensive hostess gift, and a potted plant will last longer than cut flowers will. Or fake plants will do too!
2. Some scented hand soap.
Try for some nice foaming hand soap found at stores like Bath and Body Works for just $4 a piece. Add some twine or ribbon to the bottle and a gift tag and you are all set. This Mrs. Meyer’s Peppermint hand soap is a nice option to purchase online.
3. Scented candles.
It seems as though everyone loves candles. Give your hostess a scented candle in a soft and not overpowering scent. This set of four soy candles might be the perfect thing to separate and gift to four different recipients! They can use it that night for the event or save it for when they are ready to relax and wind down.
4. Decorative hand towels.
These are always cute for kitchen and bathrooms, and can be found for as little as $1 at your local dollar store. Snag some decorative towels on sale even and keep them on hand so when event invites arrive, you have them for your hostess. Or this dishcloth set on a Mango Wood Board would be a great option too!
5. A book.
Does the hostess love to read? Even Dollar Tree or Dollarama have a nice selection of hard cover novels and cookbooks. Book Outlet is another great place to get discounted books. Find one you think they will enjoy and include a heartfelt note with it. It is sure to be appreciated!
6. Tea or coffee.
Coffee and tea comes in so many flavors, so put a small sampling together for your hostess. If you wish, you can even include a cute mug from your local dollar store. Your hostess will no doubt think of you when she takes a sip.
7. Cozy socks.
Who doesn’t love cozy socks? After throwing a party, your hostess will enjoy having a nice pair to slip into. (These ones are so cozy looking!) Gift your hostess with some cozy socks found at most dollar and discount stores and they are sure to appreciate the gesture.
8. An inexpensive gift card.
A gift card to a local coffee house is a nice inexpensive hostess gift idea. You can place the card in a dollar store mug if you wish or just a heartfelt card. Everyone loves gift cards, and even a $5 – $10 one is a nice way to show your appreciation.
9. A notebook and pen
I would be so pleased to receive a nice notebook and pen! Grab a notebook from the dollar store and a nice pen or two. Tie them together and, Voila! Or purchase a notebook set like this and some of these highly rated pens. Divide them up and you’ve got several gifts to give.
10. Hand lotion
This set of 4 hand creams would be a great set to purchase and separate so you have multiple gifts that won’t break the bank! Pair one with an inexpensive set of cozy gloves or a hand soap.
11. Cute Apron
If you know this hostess loves to be in the kitchen, perhaps a new apron would be a great token of appreciation! Get this set of three aprons to separate and gift to three different people!
12. Chocolate
I don’t think you can go wrong gifting chocolate! Pretty much anything will go I think! But if you know specifically what your host loves, you could gift that.
As you can see, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to show your hostess you are grateful for their hard work. Consider these 10 inexpensive hostess gift ideas and see how easy they can be to give!
I’d love to know what some of your favourite inexpensive hostess gift ideas are. Let me know in the comments below!
As the chilly weather sets in, there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a cozy sweater—especially one that doesn’t empty your wallet.
Whether you’re after a classic cable-knit, a trendy oversized fit, or something soft and snug for lounging, affordable sweaters are a must-have for your fall and winter wardrobe.
To help you stay warm without overspending, I’ve rounded up a list of the best affordable sweaters that combine comfort, style, and coziness. Read on to find your next favorite sweater that won’t break the bank!
12 Affordable Sweaters You Will Love
Note: I have listed the sweaters at their regular price. But this price may change at any time with sales.
Stripes are so classic! I love this one that can be worn with leggings or slimmer jeans. There’s a $10 coupon to apply currently.
With so many affordable and cozy sweaters to choose from, staying warm and stylish this season has never been easier. So, go ahead and update your wardrobe without the guilt because comfort and warmth shouldn’t come with a big price tag!
With cold weather nearly upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to stay cozy and warm in your home. One way to combat the chill is to invest in a set of flannel sheets for all the beds in your home. Flannel sheets are made out of cotton but are heavier, warmer, and softer than your normal cotton bedding.
In this post today, I have rounded up the some of the best affordable flannel sheets to keep you sleeping peacefully until warmer weather arrives again. Because this is Simply Frugal, this list contains affordable, budget-friendly options that will keep your wallet happy too!
One fun thing about flannel is that there are a ton of fun patterns to choose from. Plaids, Christmas themes, winter themes, kid patterns, geometric designs and so many more. Here’s a list of some really fun patterns I found on a budget:
Costco also has some great affordable flannel sheet sets, but I am unable to link to them as they are a seasonal item in-store only. Homesense is also worth a look for budget friendly sheets.
Because there are great solid colour flannel sheets too, I’ve rounded up my favourites below. Solid colours are great to dress up a patterned duvet or to simply add a pop of colour or coziness to any bed.
I hope you enjoyed this selection of cozy affordable flannel sheets! There are so many different designs and price ranges from the sources I found. I’m sure you’ll find something that suits you well!
