Easter Basket Ideas You Won’t Hate:

I love giving my kids gifts. It brings me so much joy to see their excitement! But you know what I don’t love? Filling our house with more random stuff that gets forgotten not long after.

Do you feel the same?

That’s why I have started asking myself:

“What are my kids going to need later that I can buy now?”

It’s my way of still treating them (and scratching that deal-hunting itch!) without filling our home with unnecessary stuff.

Easter is right on the horizon, so Easter baskets are currently on my mind.

When I think of the question above, I know the weather is changing and getting warmer. So instantly, bathing suits and more seasonally appropriate pajamas come to mind. It’s pretty much guaranteed that they have outgrown their things from last year.

So think through your current family situation. Will you be going to the pool or beach? What about a family vacation? What do they like to do outside? What are their favourite snacks? What about something to do inside on rainy days?

To help get your creative/practical thinking rolling, here are some of my favourite Easter Basket ideas.

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

WATER & SUN GEAR

My kids always need new bathing suits. Currently my favourite places to get their bathing suits are Old Navy and Gap because of how they fit, but also because they have great sales often. (You know I love a deal.) I really like these one piece rash guard suits because of the built-in UPF sun protection.

Swim goggles are also really useful. My oldest will be getting a new pair of these this year.

Pool toys and bath toys are also a solid choice if your kids will enjoy them. My youngest has been asking for some diving toys, so she’ll be getting this set.

Here are a few other items to give you ideas:

• Kids sunglasses
• Easy slip on/off sandals
• Sunhat
• Sand Buckets

OUTDOOR TOYS

There’s nothing better than sending the kids outside to enjoy some fresh air! It’s even better when they have something fun to fuel their imaginations.

There’s always the classics that need to be replaced such as chalk or bubbles or water guns. But here are some other ideas that are sure to be a hit:

• Gardening Tools
• Gardening Gloves
• Reusable water balloons
• Foam Glider Planes
• Racket Game
• Soccer ball/volleyball/football

CRAFTY GIFTS

If you’ve got kids that love to be crafty then you can’t go wrong with some new craft items!

I like to pick up some new craft supplies or kits from Dollarama or Dollar Tree. But here are some other ideas:

• Water Marbling Paint Kit
• Rainbow Scratch Paper Art Notebook
• Clay Beads Bracelet Making Kit
• Paint by Sticker Books
• Paint Your Own Stepping Stone
• Air Dry Clay
• Origami Paper

PRACTICAL GIFTS

Let’s just call this category the “things your kids need anyways” but we can disguise them as thoughtful and fun gifts. Okay?

• Water Bottle (we’re big fans of this brand)
• Hair brushes (something in their favourite colour)
• Hair clips/elastics
• Book light
• Bubble bath/body wash
• Safe knife set for kids
• Books (the newest book in their favourite series, a touch & feel book…etc.)
• Pajamas

CANDY & SNACKS

No Easter basket is complete without a chocolate bunny or some sort of treat! There are Easter themed candies all over the stores. Grab one or two things you know your kids would like and call it a day.

You could also think outside the box a bit and grab their favourite snacks. Could be things you don’t buy very often that they’ll be excited to receive. Or just things you know they’ll enjoy no matter what. Pringles. Mini bags of chips. Cereal. Ritz crackers and cheese dip. Bear Paws. Goldfish crackers. Apple sauce pouches. Fruit snacks. Bunny Grahams. The ideas are endless.

I hope these Easter basket ideas help you build Easter baskets for your kids that are practical and enjoyable for everyone! Remember though, Easter baskets aren’t mandatory!

Need more Easter Basket ideas? I’ve got more here:

• 30+ Fun and Frugal Easter Basket Ideas

I find it can be so easy to buy little things just for the sake of filling the stockings.

However, over the years, I have found myself becoming more intentional with what I buy. I like to buy some practical items, consumable items and just for fun items.

How do you like to fill stockings?

In the past, I have done almost identical things for both of my daughters. However, they currently have significantly different likes.

Without further ado, here are the items I bought for my daughters. Age 9 and age 13. I will add pictures this week when I have a moment by myself.

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

13 year old:

• Old Navy ankle socks
• Erasers (she loves these erasers!)
• Daise body spray
• Grace & Stella Hypochlorous acid spray (she’s quite into skin care so I thought she’d like trying this.)
• Essie Good as New Nail Perfector
• Hempz Frosted Glow Kit (no longer available, but I did find just the body lotion.)
• Hershey’s hot chocolate bomb
• Matrix heat protectant
• Stress ball from Dollarama (her sister got one from a birthday party and she wanted one too. lol)
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Mini micellar water (this is her fave everyday makeup remover)

9 year old:

• Sketch book from Dollarama
• Cool pens from Dollarama
• Cake Beauty Curl jelly (she’s trying to love her curly hair.)
• Ramen noodles sensory toy from Dollarama
• Hershey’s hot chocolate bomb
• Old Navy fuzzy socks (They’re no longer available online!)
• Candy
• Chocolate
• 5 Surprise My Mini Baby
• Flip 7 card game (I’ve heard this is a lot of fun!)
• Nail polish
• Hand lotion (she always gets really dry hands in the winter so a little one in her backpack might be nice!)

There you have it! I think I did pretty well this year. I did struggle with what to get for my 9 year old this year though! But I do think they will enjoy everything. I have also been buying these things since October when they’ve been on sale.

If you are looking for other stocking stuffer ideas, I compiled a couple of lists for you:

• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas
• 25 Dollar Store Stocking Stuffers

Christmas Gift Card Deals

If you love squeezing every last drop of value out of your holiday shopping (same!), you’re going to love this list. Every year, a bunch of Canadian retailers offer gift card bonus deals. The easiest way to score free money or something free just for buying a gift you were already planning to give. Whether you’re stocking up for teacher gifts, grabbing a few for family, or treating yourself to a little “future discount,” these gift card bonus offers are one of the simplest ways to stretch your budget.

I’ve rounded up the best places offering Christmas gift card deals right now, so you can save more and keep a little extra in your pocket this season. Let’s dive in!

Updated December 6, 2025

• Subway – Buy $50 in gift cards, get a free classic footlong sub
• Denny’s – Buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus card
• Domino’s Pizza – Buy a $30 gift card, get a coupon for a free medium 2 topping pizza
• Montana’s – Buy a $50 Montana’s gift card, get a free rib taster plate
• Harvey’s – Buy a $25 Harvey’s gift card, get a free burger
• Kelsey’s – Buy a $50 Kelsey’s gift card, get free wings
• East Side Mario’s – Buy a $50 gift card, get a $50 bonus card
• Casey’s – Buy a $50 gift card, get a $50 bonus card
• New York Fries – Buy a $50 gift card, get a $50 bonus card
• Boston Pizza – Get a $10 promo card when buy a $50 Gift Card
• Moxie’s – Get a $10 promo card when buy a $50 Gift Card
• Applebee’s – Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 Bonus card
• Pita Pit – Buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 voucher
• McDonald’s – Buy a $25 gift card, get a free Big Mac, McChicken or McVeggie.
• Cactus Club – $20 bonus card with every $100 in gift cards
• White Spot – Buy a $50 gift card, receive a $10 bonus for the new year
• Cineplex – Buy $50 or more in e-gift cards and get free holiday gift bundle.
• Old Spaghetti Factory – Buy a $25 gift card, get a free $10 bonus card
• Red Robin – Spend $30 in Gift Cards, get a $5 Bonus Buck, OR Spend $50+ and get a $10 Bonus Buck
• Earl’s – Get a $20 Bonus Card with every $100 in Gift Cards
• Booster Juice – Buy a $30+ gift card, get a free smoothie or acai bowl
• Original Joe’s – Buy a $100 Gift Card and get a $20 Bonus Card to use in January – available in-restaurant only
• Wok Box – For every $25 gift card you buy, get a $5 bonus
• Mr. Mike’s – Buy $50 in gift cards, get a $10 bonus card.
• The Ultimate Dining Card – Buy a $50 Ultimate Dining Card at participating retailers and online, you’ll get $50 in bonus savings 

If you’re buying some gift cards for Christmas this year, you may want to buy from these stores to receive a bit of a bonus!  Do you know of any other gift card deals?  Let me know and I’ll add them to the list!

Simply Frugal Gift Guides

It’s gift-giving season, which means you’re either really excited about shopping for gifts, or in the beginning stages of holiday dread. 🙂

Gift-giving can be very overwhelming. Especially for the person who has everything! When I need a gift, the perfect gift in my mind, is something practical and memorable yet a bit extravagant (something they wouldn’t purchase themselves). Of course, my gift-giving has to be done within a budget, as I’m sure most of yours does too.

Finding a budget friendly and unique gift can be challenging, especially as more and more people may be added to your Christmas list. This year, I want to give you several gift guides that feature fabulous gift ideas that you can shop from!

I’m pretty darn excited about this year’s gift guides because I think you’ll find a lot of great gift ideas for everyone on your list. Plus, since you’re getting this from Simply Frugal, the gift guides feature frugal gift ideas that are separated into categories by price!

Here are this year’s Simply Frugal Gift Guides:

• The Ultimate Canadian Gift Guide
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas
• Simple Gift in a Mug Ideas
• Inexpensive Gift Basket Ideas

These frugal gift guides will help solve all of your gift-giving dilemmas by making it really easy to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list. All you have to do is click, order, and wrap!

You might also find interesting:

• The Best Advent Calendars in Canada for 2025
• 5 Places to Get Fun Family Christmas Pajamas in Canada
• Christmas Gift Card Deals

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

The Best Matching Family Pajamas

The count down is on for Christmas! Every year, I’m on the hunt for cute matching Christmas pajamas for my daughters. But this year, finding the best family Christmas pajamas is going to be on the agenda!

This year just feels like it needs to be extra festive, am I right? An extra dose of Christmas cheer will not disappoint! If you are feeling similarly and think a pair of matching Christmas pajamas for every family member is a must, then you will love this list today.

Below, I have found 5 Canadian, budget-friendly places to get matching family Christmas pajamas with so many adorable options. Enjoy!

The Children’s Place

The Children’s Place is a great Canadian option for family Christmas pajamas! Right now, they have a lot of sizes available and they are on sale all the time! So fun! Here’s a preview of what’s available:

Shop online at The Children’s Place here. Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more.

Old Navy Canada

Old Navy Canada has a big selection of matching family pajamas! They currently have some plaid designs available, but I’m sure they will be adding more as Christmas gets closer! Prices are regularly $14.40 – $59.99, but Old Navy often has sales that include their pj’s. Here’s a glimpse at the selection:

Shop online at Old Navy Canada to see the full selection. Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more.

Gap Canada

Take a look at the matching family pajamas from Gap Canada! They have some nice classic styles. Plus, they always have a sale going on it seems! Here’s a sample of their selection:

Shop online at Gap Canada here for the full selection.

Little Blue House

Little Blue House has a great selection of matching family pajamas. Their selection includes onesies and 2 piece pajamas in a great selection of festive patterns. Here are a few cute ones to look at:

Shop online at Little Blue House to see the full selection! Shipping is free on orders of $75 or more.

Walmart

Walmart Canada has a good looking selection of matching Christmas pajamas online! Prices vary quite a bit. Here’s a look at some of the selection:

Shop online at Walmart Canada here. Shipping is free on orders of $35 or more.

A couple of honourable mentions are:

• Amazon.ca: Nice big selection, but you may have a bit of a challenge finding the right sizes.
• Joe Fresh: They have a nice selection of family pajamas each year.
• Pajama Village: I have a coupon code that will save you 20% off your order! Use code TAYA20.

Did you find any great budget-friendly options from the list above? Also, if you get matching family pajamas, where do you normally purchase them?

Other articles you may enjoy:

• The Best Advent Calendars in Canada
• Affordable Flannel Sheets for Winter

Simply Frugal may receive a small commission if you purchase something recommended in this article. See the disclosure policy here.

The Best Advent Calendars in Canada

When I was growing up, the only advent calendar I knew of were those little chocolate ones that were a bargain from the grocery store or dollar store. But those were still magical and fun!

These days, advent calendars have evolved to include everything from beauty products to toys to crafts! Advent calendars in 2025 take things to a whole new level!  Imagine the excitement on your kids’ faces when they open up mini LEGO sets or Polly Pocket figures. Imagine your own excitement when you open up something you love each morning! 

For today’s post, I thought it would be fun to round up the best advent calendars in Canada for 2025! You’re sure to find something for everyone. They range in price from frugal to not so frugal, but I made sure to only list the well rated advent calendars and legit retailers!

Best Advent Calendars in Canada for Kids

• Harry Potter Official Advent Calendar Hogwarts Seasonal Surprises $46.99
• Princess Advent Calendar $29.99
• Pokémon Advent Holiday Pop-Up Calendar $58.75
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Advent Calendar $53
• Thomas & Friends MINIS Advent Calendar $63.70
• Advent Calendar with 24 Toy Vehicles $29.99
• LEGO City Advent Calendar $39.86
• LEGO Friends Advent Calendar $39.99
• LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar $59.99
• Hot Wheels Advent Calendar $32.99
• Peppa Pig Peppa’s Kids Advent Calendar $45.86
• Mattel Jurassic World Rebirth Advent Calendar $56.19
• schleich Dinosaurs Advent Calendar $44.98
• Purple Cow Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar $49.90
• Purple Cow DIY Arts & Crafts Ornaments Advent Calendar $29.90
• Fidget Toy Advent Calendar $26.99
• Wooden Christmas Tree Advent Calendar $29.99
• Christmas Tree Building Blocks Advent Calendar $41.99
• Girls Accessories Advent Calendar $32.93
• Polly Pocket Advent Calendar $33.98
• Mystery Advent Calendar, a puzzle game in 24 episodes $29.90
• 24 Family Games Advent Calendar $49.90
• The original Mr. Men & Little Miss Advent Calendar $49.90
• National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar $36.99
• Crystals, Rocks, Minerals & Gemstones Advent Calendar $69.95
• 24 Days of Christmas Stationery Gifts $17.99
• Furby Minis Advent Calendar $29.99
• Squishmas Nee-Doh Advent Calendar $38.98
• Slime Advent Calendar $24.99
• Playmobil Christmas Trip to the Market Advent Calendar $36.69
• Home Alone Advent Calendar $26.99
• Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Advent Calendar $44.99
• Play-Doh Advent Calendar $33.99
• Mochi Squishy Toy Advent Calendar $24.99
• MAGNA-TILES Advent Calendar $59.99
• Christmas Activity Countdown Advent $25
• Barbie Advent Calendar $44.59
• Christmas Rock Advent Calendar $24.99
• The Usborne Book Advent Calendar $34.95
• Bluey: The Most Amazing Advent Book Bundle $39.99
• Marvel Spider Man Advent Calendar $42.99
• Disney Princess Advent Calendar Story & Activity Library $42.99
• The original SMURFS Advent Calendar $49.90
• Advent Calendar Christmas Coloring Book $10.99
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar $13.98
• Lindt Teddy Advent Calendar $15.18
• Gourmet Du Village 12 Days of Hot Chocolate Advent $24.98
• Kinder Chocolate Christmas Advent Calendar $15.77
• Moo Free Chocolate Advent Calendar $12.98
• Reese’s Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar $12.97
• Cadbury Heroes Christmas Advent Calendar $22.49

Best Advent Calendars in Canada for Adults

• EXIT: The Game – Advent Calendar $81
• World Adventure Escape Room Advent Calendar $50
• The Escape Room Advent Calendar $19.99
• Cocktail Advent Calendar $109.99
• Friends: The Official Advent Calendar $20.99
• Sephora Collection Advent Calendar $74.50
• Sephora Favorites 2025 Advent Calendar $149
• L’Occitane 24 Day Advent Calendar Gift Set $155
• Best of saje advent calendar $135
• Squish 24 Days of Candy Advent Calendar $68.98
• The Body Shop Classic Beauty Advent Calendar $99
• Bibliophile Advent Calendar for Booklovers Calendar $68
• Book Lovers Advent Calendar $14.99
• Plant Lover Advent Calendar $50+
• Invisibobble Beauty Advent Calendar $36.58
• 24 Family Games Advent Calendar $49.90
• Stationary Advent Calendar, 12 or 24 days $75+
• Purdy’s Tree Advent Calendar $30
• McGuire Chocolate Company Chocolate Advent Calendar $95
• T.Surprise Tea Advent Calendar $45
• Ferrero Collection Christmas Advent Calendar $25.99
• Moyel Candle Advent Calendar $32.99
• Christmas Tea Advent Calendar $24.99
• Tiesta Tea Loose Leaf Tea Advent Calendar $39.95
• McCoy Teas Advent Calendar $19.99
• Specialty Coffee Advent Calendar, 25 days $119.95
• Pirates of Coffee Advent Calendar $129
• Gourmet Du Village 12 Days of Hot Chocolate Advent $24.98
• The Candy Advent Calendar $44.99
• Squish 24 Days of Candy $69
• Whally and Whiz Danish Wine Gum Advent Calendar $49.98
• Simon Coll Hello Winter 3D Chocolates Advent Calendar $35.98
• Serendipity Soy Candles Advent Calendar $69.98
• The Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar $49.99
• 24 Boxes Puzzle Countdown Calendar to Christmas $29.99
• DAVIDsTEA 24 Days of Tea $69
• Fishing Advent Calendar $26.96
• Silver Tree Dome Advent Calendar $13.98
• Silver Tree Tabletop Advent Calendar House $89.98
• Folkulture Essential Oil Advent Calendar $100.64
• Bonne Maman Jams and Jellies Advent Calendar $56.99
• Kanel Spices Advent Calendar $78.98
• No Whey Foods Advent Calendar (without the top 8 common allergens) $25.48
• Moo Free Chocolate Advent Calendar $12.98
• Coffee Junkie Gourmet Single Serve Coffee Pod Advent Calendar $44.95
• Dog Treat Advent Calendar $59.99
• Fly Fisherman’s Advent Calendar $125
• Fresh Water Fishing Tackle Advent Calendar $125
• Grooming & Self-Care for Men Advent Calendar $49.99
• Makeup Advent Calendar $29.99
• Skincare Beauty Advent Calendar $59.99
• Bath Spa Advent Calendar $45.59
• Spa Gifts Advent Calendar $52.99
• Yves Rocher Beauty Advent Calendar $79
• The Advent Calendar for Couch Potatoes $20.99
• 12 Days of Socks for Women $34.99
• 24 Days of Socks for Men $57.99
• Hand Tool Advent Calendar $62.71
• Crystal Advent Calendar $81+
• Fallout: The Official Vault Dweller’s Advent Calendar $39.99

Please note: I listed the regular price on all the advent calendars, but they may go on sale too!

Other articles you may enjoy:

• 5 Places to get Matching Family Christmas Pajamas in Canada
• Affordable Flannel Sheets for Winter

7 Mothers Day Gifts That Don’t Cost A Cent

Mother’s Day comes just once a year, so why not do all you can to make sure it’s a special day? If you are worried about your budget being too tight to celebrate sufficiently, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to enjoy a nice Mother’s Day without spending a dime. Look below at these 7 Mother’s Day gifts that don’t cost a cent, and see how you can celebrate Mom for free.

1. Give her the gift of time.

Don’t try to fit in time for Mom on Mother’s Day, make it a priority. Give Mom the gift of your time to enjoy the things she may want to do, such as go for a hike, watch a movie, or just spend time together around the dinner table.

2. Give her the gift of appreciation.

Show Mom you appreciate her by writing her a list of all of the things you love about her. Make a list of 20-25 things (even more is better!) that make her special. Use your best writing, put the list in an envelope, and gift it to her on Mother’s Day. She will keep it forever.

3. Give her the gift of rest.

Sometimes, Mom just needs a break. Give Mom a little time to herself on Mother’s Day. Quiet the house down and let Mom get a nap in. Or, give Mom some time to sleep in that morning. Even just an hour of quiet time will be much appreciated and make her feel like a million bucks.

4. Give her the gift of affection.

Moms love to hug and hold their babies! Take the time to hug your Mom, hold her hand, and truly connect with her. The older children get, the less often this happens, so take the time on Mother’s Day to get those hugs in.

5. Give her the gift of help.

Are there tasks around the house Mom needs help with? Start tackling those tasks. Do what you can to get these tasks done so Mom can take them off her plate. This will be a huge relief to her and she will no doubt love the help.

6. Give her the gift of truly being present.

Put cell phones and electronic devices away and be present on Mother’s Day. Let Mom know that she is your focus for the day and that nothing else is as important. We get so caught up in devices, this will be a refreshing change for her to see.

7. Give her the gift of patience.

Be patient with Mom today. Mother’s Day is about celebrating her and meeting her needs. Be patient with your own needs on this day and instead make the focus about her.

Don’t let a limited budget keep you from showing Mom how special she is. Consider these 7 Mother’s Day gifts that don’t cost a cent, and see how even a frugal Mother’s Day can be a memorable one.

I’d love to hear your ideas or memories of celebrating Mother’s Day! Let me know in the comments below!

Amazing Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Stocking stuffers are one of the most fun parts of Christmas morning. But finding budget-friendly ideas that are actually useful (and available in Canada!) can be a challenge.

Don’t worry though, I’ve done the hunting for you! Here’s a list of frugal stocking stuffers that are thoughtful, practical, and easy on the wallet. Plus, they’re all available from Canadian retailers you already love.

🎄 Be sure to check out my Amazon Storefront for even more stocking stuffers featured there. And don’t forget to follow Simply Frugal Finds on Instagram for daily deals and festive savings.

Want to know my top gifting hack? Split up those multi-packs! I love grabbing a set of something I know both my girls will enjoy. It’s more budget-friendly that way too!

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

Frugal Stocking Stuffers:

1. e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick
2. Colour ‘n Glitz Glue Sticks
3. Kids Wallet
4. Scratch & Sketch Art Tiles
5. Toothpaste (get a multipack and separate them)
6. Toothbrush
7. Mad Libs: Taylor Swift Edition
8. Gift Card (any denomination that will work with your budget!)
9. Candy/Chocolate
10. Measuring Spoons
11. Homemade cookies
12. Gum
13. Clear Lip Gloss Set
14. AirPods Case
15. Solid Cologne for Men (separate these!)
16. Washable Paint Sticks
17. Frank’s RedHot Original Seasoning
18. Travel sized toiletries
19. Lip Balm
20. Vaseline Rosy Lips
21. Rainbow Pencils
22. Danish Dough Whisk
23. USB Flash drive
24. Downy Wrinkle Releaser
25. Travel Pill Organizer
26. Screen Cleaner Spray
27. Deck of cards (two pack you can separate)
28. Hot Wheels
29. UNO card game
30. Exfoliating Lip Brush
31. Christmas is the only time of the year when I have fun with a Scratch Ticket or two!
32. Cleaning Pen for Airpods
33. Funny Cat Socks
34. Training Chopsticks
35. Mystical Fire Color Changing Packets
36. Crayons, Pencils, Pencil Crayons, Felt pens
37. Tape (what is with kids and their love of tape? haha)
38. Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
39. Adult Coloring Book
40. Notebooks
41. DoohicKey Multi-Tool
42. Nail polish
43. Silicone Spatula
44. Makeup (This eye shadow pallet is neat!)
45. Socks (5 pairs, perfect for separating)
46. Hair accessories
47. Starbucks VIA
48. Nescafe
49. Tea Infuser
50. Little games/toys (Kaleidoscope, Barrel of Monkeys, Slinky)
51. Tower Balance Game
52. Nee Doh Noodlies
53. Homemade slime
54. Bath crayons
55. Monopoly Deal Card Game
56. Homemade Sock Puppet
57. Electric Outlet Mustache Stickers (funny!)
58. Mandarin oranges
59. Craft supplies
60. Sticker Set 
61. Mechanical Pencils
62. Playing Card Holder
63. Water Proof Phone Pouch
64. Dust Plugs for iPhones
65. Cute Sticky Notes
66. Mini Jewelry Travel Case
67. Hair Elastics for Girls
68. Hair Bows
69. Claw Hair Clips
70. Cute Tiny Claw Clips
71. Pimple Patches
72. Rechargeable Book Light
73. Tweezers
74. Chocolate coins
75. Reese’s Half Pound Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
76. Today’s Plan notepad
77. Back Scratchers
78. DIY Flower Magnets
79. Unicorn Scratch & Sparkle Activity Book
80. Dino Sticker Activity Book
81. Christmas Fun Mad Libs
82. Emergency Seat Belt Cutter
83. Kids Pear Detangler Spray
84. Facial Face Masks
85. Triangle Makeup Puffs
86. Blending Beauty Sponge
87. Cozy Festive Ankle Socks
88. iPhone Charger Cables
89. Play-Doh
90. Working Hands Hand Cream
91. Smartphone Stand Holder
92. Hand Warmers
93. 9-in-1 Pen Tool
94. Paper Airplane Squadron Kit
95. Toilet Night Light
96. Measuring Tape
97. Reusable Rubber Twist Ties
98. Stapler
99. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
100. Wikki Stix
101. Croc Charms
102. Cheese Slicer
103. Spa Headband Set
104. Mascara
105. Body Sprays (separate this set for four different gifts)
106. Vehicle Air Fresheners
107. Skin Smoother for Men
108. Disposable Razors
109. Straw Covers for Stanley Cup
110. Stencil Bookmark for Bullet Journals
111. Hot Chocolate
112. Tea
113. Magnetic Wristband for Holding Screws

See? Stocking stuffers don’t have to be expensive to be exciting! With these frugal finds, you can spread holiday cheer without overspending.

Have you got any other ideas for frugal stocking stuffers?  What do you normally add to stockings?

More Frugal Gift Ideas:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Dollar Store Stocking Stuffers

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

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!

1. Maldon Sea Salt – This flaked salt is soo good! Perfect for finishing desserts or savory recipes.
2. Mini Silicone Spatulas – Sounds silly, but these are so great for getting the very last bit in containers!
3. Peppermint Bark Shortbread – Well this sounds absolutely delicious! You can never go wrong with something consumable.
4. Peppermint bark – A long time favorite gift. SO delicious! Here’s a homemade version too.
5. Initial necklace – So pretty and dainty!
6. 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.
7. Small Wood Paddle Board – Perfect gift idea for the person who loves to create those fancy charcuterie platters.
8. Winter Headband – Ok, how cute are these? Everyone needs something to keep their ears warm!
9. Bubble bath – Don’t we all know at least one person that likes taking baths to relax?
10. Brilliant Bites book – Perfect gift for someone who loves entertaining.
11. Throw Blanket – I would be very happy if someone gave me a soft, cozy throw.
12. Weekly Desk pad – So cute to set out on a desk!
13. Amish Country Popcorn Variety Pack – A unique idea that someone is sure to love.
14. Leather Wristlet Clutch bag – Perfect for when your recipient just wants to take a phone, ID and a few small things with them!
15. 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.
16. Angie’s BoomChickaPop popcorn – Keep an eye out the the Peppermint and white chocolate flavoured popcorn! Soooo good!
17. Shower Steamers – No bath needed for this!
18. Faux leather tote – Forget about giving this to someone on my list, I think I may want one for myself!
19. Purse organizer – Know someone who has a purse for every outfit? Make switching over a breeze for them with this organizer!
20. Warm Fuzzy Socks – Yes, please and a good novel too. 🙂
21. Beeswax Food Wraps – These replace the need for traditional plastic wraps and containers for food storage. A must have for every kitchen!
22. Swedish Dish Cloths – I love these cloths and think they’d make a great gift.
23. Maple Apple Butter – How delicious does this sound??
24. Nova Scotia Fisherman Soap – Has great reviews and it’s Canadian made!
25. Moon Lamp – I just think this moon lamp is pretty neat! It would look great tucked in a cozy corner.
26. Homemade Vanilla – I have a recipe here that I think you’ll love!
27. Hand Lotion Gift Set – With all the hand washing in the winter months, hand lotion would probably be appreciated!
28. Mandy’s Gourmet Salads Cookbook – Sure to be a hit with a foodie.
29. TableTopics – Questions to start great conversations.
30. Recipe Notebook – A perfect place to collect all the favorite recipes!
31. Homemade Sore Muscle Soak – Thoughtful homemade gifts are always appreciated!
32. Moo Free Caramel Festive Filled Shapes – These are dairy free!
33. Funny Teacher Candle – This one is perfect for the teacher you know with a sense of humor.
34. Candle Warmer Lamp – One of these would be a lovely gift for a friend!
35. Taco Puck Maple Syrup Canoe Card Game – The Canadian version of the wildly popular Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game.

There you have it! I hope you are inspired to pick up the best gifts this year with these frugal gift ideas for teachers, neighbors and friends!

Other Frugal Gift Ideas:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families

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

Lip Smackers – A fun new lip balm is, well, fun!

Burt’s Bees Detoxifying Clay Mask – The perfect accompaniment for your teen’s next movie night with friends.

Mud Masks – These types of masks are a huge hit with my 13 year old.

Mascara – A new mascara is always a good idea for a teen.

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.

Hand Cream – Leave dry hands behind when cold weather hits.

Sketchbook – For the one who loves to doodle or wants to refine their skills.

Lucky Clover Necklace – Cute and a Van Cleef alternative!

eos Shaving Cream – Perfect stocking stuffer for a teen.

Bookmark – So cute, and perfect for the teen who loves to read.

Looking for more affordable gift inspiration? I’ve rounded up even more Amazon Canada finds that make perfect gifts. All budget-friendly, practical and/or fun. 🎄 See my Amazon finds here!

Gifts under $10

Dehydrated Marshmallows for Hot Chocolate – What a delicious stocking stuffer!

e.l.f. Lip Balm – This is a popular alternative to the Laneige brand that is quite a bit more.

Trendy No Bend Hair Clips – I think a tween would love these!

Mad Libs – I think this would be a fun stocking stuffer for the tweens! Christmas edition to feel more festive.

Uno – When I was a teen, we had so much fun playing Uno as a big group of friends.

Scalp Massager – A great way to deep clean the scalp and keep hair healthy.

Heatless Hair Curler – Easy peasy curls!

Initial Beaded Necklace – Cute, colourful and personalized!

Hair Ties – This is a pack of 50. You can never have enough hair ties! Especially highly rated non-pull ones.

Waterproof Sticker Pack – Just the thing to liven up laptops, water bottles and more!

Do Not Disturb Gaming Socks – These funny socks are ideal for the gamer in your household.

Under Armour Sweat Band – Perfect for gym class or the athlete.

Bamboo Toothbrushes – Ideal practical gift for the teen that is more eco-conscious.

Hand Warmers – Cold hands are the worst!

Gifts under $25

100 Movies Scratch Off Poster – This looks like such a fun thing to do with their friends!

Fidget Pen – A writing tool and fidget toy in one. It can be rotated and transformed into so many different shapes.

Breakout Buster – Help your teen get their breakouts under control with this highly rated product!

Flashlight Gloves – Perfect for the gadget lover, runner, cyclist or really anything when you need to be hands-free!

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Wipes – These individually wrapped cleansing wipes are perfect for stashing in a backpack.

Small Compact Mirror with Light – For the teen that has to check if everything is still in place.

Codenames – Lots of laughs are sure to be had on their next game night with friends or family.

The Screaming Goat – The perfect silly gift.

SOJOS Retro Oval Sunglasses – Your teen girl will be amazed that you could pick something so stylish!

Monogram Makeup Bag – These bags with the fun chenille embroidery letters all all the rage right now.

Joggers – Some good ol’ joggers will work for any teen.

Octobuddy Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount – Perfect for taking selfies or group photos anywhere.

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.

Plush PJ Joggers – Cozy and festive!

Screen Cleaning Pad – This is a set of four that you could separate if you want.

Gold Hoop Earrings – These look shiny and expensive but aren’t!

Murder Mystery Puzzle Book – Now this is a unique gift idea for the person who loves to play detective!

Glitter pens – Perfect for the teen who loves to journal or doodle.

Journal – A beautiful journal to go along with new pens.

Cute Smile Face Slippers – Cute, cozy slippers are a must for any teen girl.

Bluetooth Toque – For the teen that wants to be warm and listen to music wirelessly!

Gifts under $50

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.

Drawstring Sports Bag – Perfect gift for the sports enthusiast.

Shape Shifting Box Fidget – Tweens and teens still like a good fidget toy!

Portable Charger – This might be your teens favourite gift!

Alcohol Markers – These are so satisfying to colour with!

Buddha Board – This is a unique gift idea! Perfect way to be creative but for mistakes to be okay because it has no permanence.

Quilted Puffer Bag – a Lululemon alternative for the win.

Simple Modern Tumbler – Like a Stanley, but at a lower price range. Simple Modern is a great brand!

lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag – The must-have belt bag.

Blanket Hoodie – What teen doesn’t like to be cozy? Perfect gift right here!

Bluetooth Speaker – Tweens and Teens love their music. This bluetooth speaker will keep the tunes rolling wherever they go.

Half Zip Hoodie – A great alternative to the scuba hoodie from Lululemon.

Oversized Hoodie – Oversized is in!

Wide Leg Cargo Sweatpants – Yep, these cargo pants are sure to be a hit.

Gifts over $50

Puffer Vest – Sometimes a jacket isn’t the answer for a teen, but a warm vest is. Here’s one for the guys, or the gals that like a roomier fit.

Platform Mini Boots – If you don’t have a pair of knock-off Tasman Ugg’s, are you even on TikTok?

Disney Villainous: Wicked to the Core Strategy Board Game – With over 3,000 5 star reviews, I think this is a great game for Disney fans.

Aerie Flannel Trouser PJ – Cozy, soft and in style. Check.

High Waist Mom Jeans – The teens want what the teens want.

Spikeball – Teens will love playing this with their friends where ever their adventures take them.

Laser Tag Set – Get those kids up and moving!

Nike Hoodie – It’s oversize, definitely cozy and has a bunch of cute colors! Here’s an Under Armour one for the teen boys.

Noise Cancelling Headphones – Let them hear their favorite tracks really well.

Mini Photo Printer – For the teen that wants to instantly print photos with their besties.

Insulated Booties – I see the girls at my daughters’ dance studio wearing booties similar to these. They must be warm and cozy.

There you have it! I sure hope you were able to find some good frugal gift ideas for the tweens and teens that you have on your list!

Other Frugal Gift Guides:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• 8 Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

Frugal Gift Ideas for Families

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!

1.Tabletop S’mores Maker – $54.99

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.

2. HotPop Microwave Popcorn Maker – $21.99

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!

3. Mini Portable Projector with Built-in Apps – $109.99

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!

4. Inflatable Snow Tube – $69.99

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!

5. Monogram Mugs – $14.99

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.

6. Merry Moonlight Skaters 500 Piece Puzzle – $23.99

This is a beautiful puzzle! Since it’s 500 pieces, it may be the perfect thing for a family with younger children.

7. Our Christmas Story – $55.99

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.

8. Tabletop Fire Pit – $45.99

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!

9. Snowman Kit – $24.59

Everything you need to build the perfect snowman! Fun for everyone.

10. Flip Waffle Maker – $59.99

Help your family start a weekend tradition or continue a favourite tradition. This rotating waffle maker is just fun and makes delicious waffles.

11. Christmas Tree Farm 1000 Piece Puzzle – $28.48

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.

12. Kids Against Maturity Family Game – $29.99

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!

13. Shut The Box Game Wooden Board $44.50

This looks like a fun game for the family who loves to play games! It’s made out of wood too so should last a long time.

14. Charcuterie Board – price varies by size

How about a beautiful handmade charcuterie board for fun, snacky, family dinners? This one is made in Canada!

15. Kubb Yard Game – $69.99

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.

16. Matching Family Pajamas – various prices

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.

17. The Adventure Challenge Family Edition – $54.99

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!

18. Bookshelf Board Games – price varies

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.

19. The Christmas Movie Cookbook – $29.99

How fun is this? With more than 65 delicious recipes inspired by scenes from your favorite Christmas films, this could be a great gift for the family.

20. 100 Cookies – $45

Going along with the food theme, maybe your family just loves baking? This cookbook has 100 recipes for cookies, brownies, bars and more.

Other Frugal Gift Guides:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• 8 Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

The best frugal gift ideas for Kids

Looking for the best frugal gift ideas for kids? You’re in the right place! Finding affordable gifts that kids will actually enjoy can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, birthdays, or special occasions, there are plenty of budget-friendly gift ideas for kids that are both fun and thoughtful.

From creative DIY presents to low-cost toys and educational finds, these meaningful gift ideas for kids prove you don’t need to spend a lot to make them smile. Keep reading for the best frugal gift ideas that parents, grandparents, and budget-conscious shoppers will love!

I have this list broken down into three parts: Gifts for toddlers, gifts for kids and gifts under $10. I hope you find something that’s perfect!

(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

Frugal Gift Ideas for Toddlers

Where’s The Bear – The Hide-and-Find Stacking Block Game

Shopping List Game – A favourite in our house!

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – This game is fun and great for fine motor skills.

Tissue Box Toy – what young child wouldn’t love this??

Kids Play Tent – Perfect for a quiet play space in a cozy corner.

Space World Play Tent – For the kids who have a fascination with space!

Water Doodle Mat – Time for some mess free fun with one of these mats!

Town Playmat Rug – Popular with all kids. Hours of pretend play fun!

Play Doh Kitchen Creations Ice Cream Set – You can’t go wrong with Play-Doh! This is one of those messy activities that I allow because of the depth of play.

Assortment of Wild Animals – Still a favourite here, my youngest plays with animals all the time!

Electric Toothbrush – Who says that the best gifts can’t be practical too? I can highly recommend this toothbrush!

Earflap Hat – I am going to be so sad when my daughter finally outgrows her hat! I love that this has a built in scarf.

Balance Stepping Stones – Imagine the kids burning off some energy on these cool balance stones!

Wooden Toy Mixer/Bake set – I haven’t met one child that doesn’t like to pretend with real life toys!

Wooden Tool Playset – So much fun for the builder!

Picasso tiles – I can highly recommend these! They get so much play at our house!

Wooden Ice Cream Play Set – So cute and looks like a lot of fun.

Doll Feeding Set – Doll accessories like these have been a huge hit in our family.

Tangram Shape Puzzle Set – These are great for practicing problem solving and fine motor skills

LCD Writing Tablet – We have a couple of these and they are always used! Great for in the car too!

Wipe Clean Workbook – Both my daughters have loved these types of books!

Animal Caller – I’m not sure if this is an annoying gift or not but I know kids would certainly love it!

Looking for more affordable gift inspiration? I’ve rounded up even more Amazon Canada finds that make perfect gifts. All budget-friendly, practical and/or fun. 🎄 See my Amazon finds here!

Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids

Brainometry STEM Game – A fun brain booster game!

Magnetic Road Topper Tiles – These look so fun and pair well with magnetic tiles for endless building options.

Crayola Inspiration Art Set – The artist will love carrying this around everywhere they go!

Make a Splash 120 Mat Floor Game, Addition/Subtraction – The perfect combination; educational and fun!

Unicorn 3D Night Light – This one is just a super cool idea. There are different animal options as well if you search around.

Lip Balm Making Kit – My daughter and I always enjoy doing kits like these together.

HEX BOTS Wall Crawler Gecko – Apparently this is an ‘it’ toy this year. It’s already sold out once!

Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone – While we don’t own this microphone, my daughters have both had karaoke parties with ours. So fun!

Karaoke Machine – Same idea as above, but this is a Bluetooth speaker with two microphones.

Light Up Soccer Ball – Fun for those kids who love to be outside all the time!

Stomp Rocket – These are a ton of fun for outside!

Paint Your Own Figurines – I would have loved these when I was younger! As would any child that loves crafts, I’m sure.

Blank Comic Book – Let the kids make their very own comic book!

Interesting Stories for Curious Kids – Perfect for the kids that want to impress their friends at school with fascinating stories!

Electric Motor STEM Kits – My daughters have built some wooden kits similar to this, but they didn’t have any moving parts!

Listified! – A Book full of lists of interesting facts!

LEGO Classic Creative Foods – Aww, cute little Lego foods!

Charm Bracelet Making Kit – They will have fun creating bracelets that they can keep for themselves or give to a friend.

Adjustable Roller Skates – The wheels light up!

Clay Bead Kit – Both my daughters are having so much fun creating bracelets with these clay beads.

The Never Girls Book Collection #1 – Perfect for the girl who loves fairies.

A Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book – Perfect for the fantasy book fan!

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs – Perfect for a child wanting to learn how to cook!

Kid Nylon Knife Set – For those kids that like to help in the kitchen.

LED Bike Wheel Lights – These are just so cool! And provide extra bike visibility.

Air Dry Clay – The hours of creative fun that could be had with this!

Yoto Mini Screen-Free Audio Player – I have heard nothing but great things about the Yoto!

Paint by Sticker Kids – This looks like a really fun rainy day or car activity!

Magnetic Dart Board Set – Hours of fun, in a more safe way!

LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box – LEGO is always a fantastic option!

Bath Bombs with Surprises Inside – These look like a ton of bath fun.

Melissa & Doug On the Go Origami Craft Activity Set – Origami is so fun!

Classic Kids Card Games – I love this card game pack that includes 6 popular games.

Outdoor Explorer Kit – Make being outdoors even more fun!

Water Wow Reusable Activity Book – These were another favorite in our household. There are so many different themes too!

Glow in the Dark Perler Beads – Perler beads that glow in the dark? I’m not a kid, but I want some!

Hot Wheels 10 Car Pack – A great gift idea for any Hot Wheels fan!

Create Your Own Spaceman Craft Kit – Perfect for the little crafter on a cold day.

Frugal Gifts Ideas for Kids that are $10 or Less

Hot Chocolate packs – A must for every stocking! Some of them even change colour!

Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad – These have been hours of fun in our house.

Hidden Pictures Discovery Activity Zone – This has been really fun for my oldest daughter to do when we’re driving in the car.

Sketch Book – I think every child needs a book with blank pages for doodling and drawing!

Lip Smackers Lippy Pal Lip Balm – It really doesn’t matter what kind of lip balm, but my daughters love to get a lip balm.

Baby Toddler Sunglasses – A very useful, practical gift. 🙂

Slinky – Everyone loves a Slinky!

Hot Wheels Formula 1 Cars – Maybe you know a child who’s into Formula 1?

Flashlight – Every kid needs a flashlight for fort building, camping and exploring.

Animal Eraser Set – These are kinda cool! They’re dual ended erasers. One end erases and the other picks up the eraser shavings.

Play-Doh – This always keeps my girls entertained and creative for quite some time!

Stickers – I don’t know one child that wouldn’t love a whole bunch of stickers.

Little ABC Coloring Book – Really, any kind of coloring book is great fun.

The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal – Gift giving seasons are a great time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Spy Glasses – Perfect for the little detective! (this is a pack of three that you could separate to make each pair less than $5)

Invisible Ink Pens – These are so fun! Now they can write secret messages.

Magnifying Glass – I remember using the magnifying glass my parents had all the time outside!

Wooden Flower Magnets Craft Kit – Fun project for the crafter.

The Game of Life Goals Game – Perfect for road trips.

Paper Airplane Book – My daughter was gifted this book and has had a lot of fun creating all sorts of different paper airplanes!

Sea Life Mazes – Mazes are always a hit!

Diamond Painting Keychains Crafts Kit – These are a good way for older kids to spend some time!

I Spy Animals – This could be hours of fun!

Decorative Edge Paper Scissor Set – For creating fun edges on paper for the kids that like to make cards, perhaps?

Gift giving doesn’t have to blow your budget to be special. These frugal gift ideas for kids prove that thoughtful, creative presents can also be affordable. Whether you’re shopping for toddlers, big kids, there’s something here for every age and interest.

Save this list for later, share it with a friend, and keep the magic of giving alive without spending a fortune!

Other Frugal Gift Guides:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• 8 Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

The links below may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure policy here. 

Frugal Gift Ideas for Men

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!

Gifts under $5

Swedish Berries – For the man with a sweet tooth.

Lindt Chocolate Bar – Another gift idea for the man with a sweet tooth.

Earl Grey Tea – Maybe he’s a tea guy?

VerMints – Mints are always good to have on hand.

Scotch Mints – a classic!

Lip Balm – Because men get dry lips too! This Eucerin Lip Balm has no flavour or scent.

Sudoku Puzzles – Fun for the guy that likes to challenge his brain.

GearTie – I think these are pretty smart! A great alternative to zip ties and much sturdier than a twist tie.

Pepperoni Stick – For the man that loves a savory snack.

Related: Gift Ideas for Men Amazon Idea List!

Gifts under $10

Jack Links Beef Jerky – Delicious!

Plant Based Jerky – Even vegan men can enjoy some good jerky! This is made from shiitake mushrooms.

Hexagon Tangram Wooden Puzzle – These are fun to just pick up and tinker with.

Lavazza Qualita Oro Ground Coffee – Great for the man who loves good coffee.

Earphone Organizer – Great for the guy who doesn’t have wireless earphones yet or doesn’t like wireless!

Crossword book – Another fun book for brain exercise.

Method Body Wash – a highly rated men’s shower gel with a great manly scent.

Portable Back Scratcher – I’m not sure if this would be a gag gift or something really practical!

Dust Cleaner – This dust cleaner is so satisfying! Perfect for keyboards, car vents and more. This is sure to be a hit!

Pocket Tool – Your guy is sure to use these credit card-sized tools all the time!

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream – A practical gift for the man that gets really dry hands in the winter.

Stick on Wallet for Cell Phones – For the man that doesn’t like to carry a bulky wallet, but still carries their cell phone!

Proraso Shaving Foam – shaving cream, but more fancy.

Novelty Socks – If he likes fun patterned socks, he’ll like these!

Gifts under $25

Skipping Rope – A simple exercise tool that’s fun and breaks a sweat.

Golf Bag Tee Holder Tag – Personalize this for the golfer!

What I Love about You Fill-in-the-Blank Gift – If he’s a sentimental type, this is a thoughtful gift to give.

Slim Minimalist Wallet – Perfect for the man that needs to carry some cards and cash, but hates a bulky wallet!

Personalized Desk Calendar – Every year we get my Father in Law a calendar with pictures of the girls. He loves it!

Irwin Quick-Grip One-Handed Mini Bar Clamps – a great practical gift for the handyman.

DEWALT Screwdriver Bit Set – Another useful gift for the handyman

A Dad Joke a Day – 365 Dad jokes? I know what I’m getting for my dad this year. 🙂

Notebooks – For the man that likes to always take notes.

Leather Belt – This one is a ratchet belt with fab reviews!

Hot Sauce Gift Set – for the hot sauce lover, four different flavours to try!

Wood BBQ Scraper – In case you haven’t heard, wood BBQ scrapers are THE thing for BBQ’s right now. They won’t leave metal bristles in your food!

Hammock – When we were camping this summer, we were pretty much the only ones without a hammock. So I’m thinking this would be a win for sure!

Baseball hat – These flexfit hats have great reviews!

Basic Hoodie – A basic hoodie is a staple for most men’s wardrobes. You can’t beat the price for these ones!

Cable Organizer Case – Pack away all the chargers, cables, and devices in one convenient place. Perfect for travel.

Toiletry Bag – A nice toiletry bag is something every man needs.

Winter Toque – A new toque might just be the thing he loves most!

Extraordinary Canadians – An inspiring read to spark more patriotism for Canada.

Gifts under $50

Pour Over Coffee Maker – Perfect for the person that wants a really good cup of coffee from home.

Compact Binoculars – Great for the outdoorsman!

Forest: Tree Photography Book – Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. A stunning way to learn about the world and the trees that surround us.

Portable Charger – Sometimes a wall plug in isn’t always available so a portable charger is perfect for convenience.

BBQ Croc 3 in 1 Barbecue Tool – This is a unique tool with great ratings for the BBQ enthusiast.

Guide to the National Parks of Canada – Perfect idea for the man who wants to travel around their home land.

Lifestraw Portable Water Filter – The outdoorsy type will love getting this so they can have safe drinking water where ever their adventures lead them!

Yeti Rambler 20oz Tumbler – A high quality travel mug is a must for any man who enjoys hot drinks.

Waterproof Hooded Blanket – Perfect for the sports dad.

Shiatsu Back Neck Massager – Relax those tired muscles after a long day.

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.

“Sawdust is Man Glitter” T-Shirt – For the man who loves woodworking.

Grilling Spice Set – Includes 20 unique BBQ rubs and spices to expertly season food.

Weather Station – For the man that is interested in the weather and temperatures.

Gifts more than $50

Hot Sauce Sampler Gift Set – This is a fun and unique idea for the guy that loves hot sauces!

Fishing Rod Combo – Perfect for the man who wants to get started fishing more often.

WiFi Digital Photo Frame – I think this would make a great grand(pa)parent gift!

Aerogarden – If he has a green thumb, he can grow things indoors all year long!

Magnetic Wooden Chess Board Set – This is a beautiful, quality wooden chess set that would look good out in the open.

Laser Distance measure – Nice for the handyman!

Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit 5 Pocket Pant – Apparently these pants are really good!

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – This is the brand of portable speaker I see most people using! I see it has great ratings!

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.)

Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset – Every gamer need a good pair of headphones with a microphone.

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!

Other Frugal Gift Guides:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• 8 Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Frugal Gift Ideas for Women

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.

Gifts Under $5

Sally Hansen Nail Polish – A new nail colour is always a welcomed gift!

Lip Balm – A new lip balm or two is always appreciated!

SmartSweets – Who says treats have to be bad for you?

Method Hand Soap – A nice scented hand soap is sure to make washing her hands more pleasant.

Tetley Tea – For the tea lover on your list.

Travel Size Makeup Remover Wipes – Perfect for your traveling friend or someone you know will love them in their purse.

Ritter Chocolate Bar – You can’t go wrong with chocolate!

Related: More Gift Ideas for Women in my Amazon Storefront!

Gifts under $10

Planner Stickers – Perfect for the person who loves their planner!

Makeup Remover Wipes – These are fantastic for those lazier evenings, but when the makeup still has to come off.

A Snarky Adult Coloring Book – For the Mom with a sense of humour.

e.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil/Gloss Gloss – High shine, moisturizing and a little bit of colour! I love this stuff!

Embellished Bobby Pins – These would add a very nice sparkle.

Letter Writing Set – Perfect for the letter writing friend!

Swedish Dish Cloth – Swedish dish cloths are really wonderful! They would make a fantastic gift!

Ultimate Calming Solution Cream – Korean skincare is really having a moment, but because it’s really good!

Salted Caramel Flavoured Finishing Sugar – Yum!

Maldon Sea Salt – If you are shopping for a foodie, Maldon Sea Salt Flakes are sure to make them excited to be in the kitchen again.

Hair Finishing Stick – This is so neat! It looks like a mascara wand, but it actually holds hair gel to tame flyaway hair!

Press on Nails – If she likes to have nice looking nails without going to the salon, these might be perfect!

Soap Saver Bar Soap Bag – This is a unique idea! Fun to pair with a nice bar of soap.

Non Stick Square Baking Pan – Perfect for the person you know that loves to bake.

Gifts under $25

Apple Watch Band – A new Apple watch band is a fun idea. These ones are classic.

Monogram mug – My favorite mug is a mug I was gifted with my first initial. (Superstore also has affordable monogram mugs.)

Under Eye Brightener Roller – This is a must for all those who complain about their tired eyes.

A nice Mug – Get her a new mug that will become her go-to, favourite mug! I like that this one comes with a lid.

Lace Ruffle Ankle Socks – a different take on the waffle knit Free People socks that she’s sure to love.

Travel Jewelry Box – Help the lady you know who travels often have her jewelry all nicely organized on her next trip!

Microfiber Hair Towel – Dry hair in less the time! This is a 3 pack so it could be separated for three different people!

Cookie Scoop – These are a game changer for baking!

A fun Novel – A fun novel is sure to be a hit with the reader on your list.

Flower Bud Vase – Perfect for the person who loves flowers or propagating their own plants!

One Line a Day Journal – I love the concept of this journal! It’s a great way too look back on past years!

Satin Pillow Cases – Your recipient will love waking up with less messy hair!

Mini Waffle Maker – This small but mighty machine busts out some really good waffles. Also makes great hashbrowns and paninis.

Label Maker – For the one that loves to organize things with labels!

Day Planner – I gift my mom a planner every year, so I’m positive this would make a great gift.

Checkered Throw – These look great! The checkered pattern is in style too!

Packing Cubes – Let’s just say, I will always travel with packing cubes now. They are a game changer!

Fuzzy Crossband Slippers – Cozy for the win!

Wild Flicker Soy Candle – A lovely smelling candle is always so nice.

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!

Paint by Numbers Kit – Crafty ladies will love a paint by number kit!

Small Crossbody Bag – This purse has been going viral this year as it’s said to be a fantastic alternative for a Longchamp bag.

Gifts under $50

2 Piece Pajama Set – New pajamas are the best gift! Especially a matching set!

Garden Tools Set – Maybe the gardener needs a new set of tools?

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This is probably one of those fancy items she’d love to have but would never buy for herself!

SoSoft Tunic Sweater – I can personally vouch for this sweater. I have it in two colours and it’s one of my favourites!

Saje Peppermint Halo – This one is on my wish list! I’m prone to headaches.

Lasagna Trio Pan – Make up to three different recipes in one pan!

Lightweight Robe – This lightweight robe is sure to delight all year long!

6-in-1 Cake Stand – This is pretty neat! There are so many different ways this can be used!

Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – These headphones have a high rating for comfort and sound quality.

Waffle Knit Blanket – The waffle knit is in for bedding this year! Help her add a cozy layer to her bed with this thoughtful gift.

Fluffy 2 Piece Loungewear – This looks like the ultimate in cozy wear.

Thermal Laminator – Perfect for the person who loves to use printables or wants to make frequently used papers more durable.

Heated Blanket – The ultimate cozy gift that she will love all winter long!

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.

Birth Month Flower Heart Necklace – This is a unique and special idea if she loves flowers!

Craftsy Membership – If you know a crafter, they may love a membership to Craftsy to hone their skills! You can also purchase individual classes.

Foot Massager Machine with Heat – I have heard that these are amazing for tired feet!

Car Battery Charger – Help her to drive with confidence. Dead battery? No problem!

And that wraps up the frugal gift ideas for women! Did you find any inspiration? What are your favourite gifts to give the women on your list?

Other Frugal Gift Guides:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• 8 Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

Inexpensive Gift Basket Ideas

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 cupcake liners, cake mix, a new oven mitt and a spatula and 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.

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?

Other frugal gift ideas:

• Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas
• Simple Gift in a Mug Ideas
• Frugal Gift ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Stocking Stuffers

Fabulous & Inexpensive Hostess Gift Ideas

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

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!

Other gift guides you may enjoy:

• Frugal Gift Ideas for Teachers, Neighbors and Friends
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Families
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Tween and Teens
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Men
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Women
• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas

7 Ways to Save Money on Halloween Costumes

With Halloween quickly approaching, you might be wondering how to save some money on this year’s costumes.

Saving money on Halloween costumes can be easy, you just need to know a few simple tricks! Take a look at these 7 ways to save money on Halloween costumes and get the fun looks you love for less.

1. Visit a local thrift store.

Thrift stores are perfect for finding cheap dress up items when crafting your own costumes. Find scarves, hats, gloves, fabric, dress up jewelry and other items perfect for creating the look you want. And since it is a thrift store, you never know what you might find. Be sure to stop in especially on 50% off days, and stop in often as inventory is always changing.

2. Comb your own closets.

Take a look in your own closet for items you might be able to use. This includes many of the items listed above such as hats, scarves, dresses, old wedding and prom items, make up, and other accessories. You might be surprised at what you already have on hand that is usable. If you are looking for an accessory that you don’t have, ask family and friends to look in their closets before you go out and buy new. They just might have what you are looking for!

3. Swap with friends.

Ask your friends what costumes from years past they might have on hand. This is a great way to get a new to you costume for your child. You can even swap old costumes your children don’t wear anymore with friends for their old costumes. That way, you can get rid of items while getting some new to you items.

4. Shop Late

Halloween stores need to sell all of their merchandise before Halloween. Once Halloween is over these shops close their doors for the year. Try shopping one or two days before Halloween and you will probably see lots of costumes that have been discounted by 50% or more! This could mean some huge savings but the downside is the inventory is usually limited.

5. Shop Amazon

Amazon has a great costume shop during Halloween. I highly suggest checking out their selection of costumes as they usually have really good prices on Halloween costumes.

6. Visit your local dollar store.

Your local dollar store will have all sorts of accessories that can lend a hand to homemade costumes. Look for princess crowns, magic wands, police badges, face paint, costume reflectors, glow sticks, candy bags, and other items perfect for making your costume a hit! For just a buck, the price on these accessories is right!

7. Make Your Own

Making your own Halloween costume is possible and can be done without touching a sewing machine. Look around your house and see what you already own and what you can turn into a costume. Have an old cheerleading outfit, football uniform, golf clubs or just a scary mask sitting around. Get creative and let your imagination run wild. Get your children used to making their own costumes and not dressing up in the same costume everyone else is wearing. You can also spend some time searching Pinterest for creative and fun costumes to make at home.

There you go! 7 ways to save money on Halloween costumes! See how easy it can be to create the perfect Halloween costume for less? With a little creativity, you’re sure to come up with the perfect costumes for everyone.

What are your most favourite affordable Halloween costumes?

Related Halloween Articles:

• Halloween Costumes on a Budget
• Simple Ways to Save Money on Halloween Candy

Fun and Frugal Easter Basket Ideas:

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

It’s time to start thinking about Easter baskets and all the goodies you can fill them up with. Nothing is quite as exciting as watching children open their Easter baskets, but, what if you are on a limited budget this year? The good news is you can still fill those Easter baskets with tons of fun without going overboard on your budget.

Look at these 30 fun and frugal Easter basket ideas so you can fill those Easter baskets without breaking the bank! You will find lots of ideas perfect for making your Easter baskets sweet and special.

The ideas here are all things that I will or would love to gift my kids. Over the years as a mom, I have become increasingly annoyed by all the itty bitty “disposable” toys. So with that in mind, I have rounded up what I believe, to be thoughtful “long term” ideas. I hope you enjoy and find perfect frugal Easter basket ideas!

1. Lip balm or lip gloss.

Lip balm is perfect for both boys and girls. Little ones will love their own lip gloss.

2. Sunglasses or sun hats

Now that spring is here, hats or sunglasses will no doubt get some use.

3. Candy, chocolate, gum

You can’t have an Easter basket without some candy and treats, right? I was recently told by my dentist that gum with xylitol is great for fighting cavities.

4. Fruit snacks, nuts, dried fruit

For a healthier option, try fruit snacks, nuts, or even dried fruit for a snack.

5. Playing cards or trading cards

Kids love trading cards and playing cards! This Monopoly Deal card game has been a hot seller!

6. Toothbrush, kid’s toothpaste

A new battery operated toothbrush is more fun than a regular toothbrush. You can always feel good with gifting that! Pair it with kid friendly toothpaste.

7. Water Wow!

These Melissa & Doug Water Wow books are so much fun for younger kids. Great for road trips and a good quiet activity.

8. Hair ties, headbands, hair accessories

Girls will love having a fresh selection of hair accessories. Choose from a wide variety at your local dollar store.

9. Kid’s gardening supplies like seeds, small pots and gloves

With spring’s arrival this will allow kids to get out and get active in the yard and garden. This seed variety pack looks great!

10. Paint with Diamonds

I am all for a creative activity that will keep kids involved for a long time! These Paint by Diamond kits are sure to be a hit! I also really like these Diamond Painting stickers. They’re a smaller project to complete.

11. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

These Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putties are a little pricey, but oh so mesmerizing. Your local toy store might be a good place to look for these as well!

12. Kid themed drinking cups

Find kid themed plates, cups, and dishes. Kids enjoy having their own dishes to snack on! These construction themed utensils are so cool!

13. Push Bubble fidget Toy

So fidget toys are a hit with any kid. This one in particular, I think, would be great for counting activities for younger kids.

14. Nail polish, nail files, nail art

This idea is perfect for the little fashionista. These nail stickers are cute!

15. Umbrella

My kids love having their very own fun umbrella for rainy spring days.

16. Pens

I find gel pens, or any type of pen is a hit with my kids! Especially fun coloured ones.

17. Kid Fanny Pack

Fanny packs of our youth are coming back in style! Pick up a kid friendly one for all your spring adventures!

18. Puzzles

Puzzles are perfect for keeping kids busy on a rainy spring day. This LEGO Minifigures puzzle looks fun!

19. Children’s books

Find some fun children’s books perfect for cuddling up with each night. This is a cute one!

20. Coloring books and activity books

Keep kids busy with an assortment of coloring and activity books and crayons. These Paint by Sticker books are so much fun.

21. Crayons, markers, colored pencils

Let the little artist out of your child with an assortment of crayons and other coloring supplies. Or a different alternative is these Invisible ink pens!

22. Stickers, sticker pads, sticker books

Kids never get tired of stickers. Give them a fun spring selection to get creative with.

23. Journals, notebooks, scratch pads

Journals and notebooks are perfect for kids of any age to sketch their thoughts and doodles on. These Scratch pads look great!

24. Pick Up Sticks

A fun classic game of Pick Up Sticks is always a good idea and will last a long time!

25. Playdough, cookie cutters, dough roller

Encourage fine motor skills with an assortment of dough and accessories.

26. Craft kits, mini painting kits, craft supplies

For the budding artist, craft supplies are always fun. I always find little craft kits at the dollar store.

27. Writing Tablet

LCD writing tablets have been a favorite in our house for several years now! Ours actually live in the car and get pulled out and played with every time we go somewhere!

28. Sidewalk chalk

Sidewalk chalk is perfect for staying busy on a spring day!

29. Beach toys, beach buckets, sand castle tools

Summer is just around the corner and kids will no doubt love having beach toys on hand.

30. MagMen Magnetic Toys

These magnetic people look like they could be entertaining for hours! This Mini Magnetic Building Block set would also be fun!

31. Water bottles

A new water bottle will be going in my kids baskets this year. They are in dire need of new ones!

32. Squishmallows

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a kid that does not love a Squishmallow. They are just so…squishy and soft! I’d link to Amazon, but I find they are cheaper at other stores. I’m sure any stuffed animal would be a hit!

33. Pajamas

Pajamas are always a good idea! I find with the season changes and the growth spurts, my kids are always in need of new pajamas to wear.

34. Swim Suit

Same reason as above, I find that spring is a good time for a bigger swim suit.

As you can see, these Easter Basket options are fun and affordable. Head to your local dollar store or Amazon to see these treats and so many more. These are all frugal Easter basket ideas perfect for filling up your baskets this year!

Related posts:

• Easter Basket Ideas you Won’t Hate
• Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids
• How to Create an Epic Easter Basket from the Dollar Store
• Peeps Sunflower Cake for Easter

I’d love to know, what do you put in your kids’ Easter baskets each year? What are your frugal Easter basket ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

I find it can be so easy to buy little things just for the sake of filling the stockings.

Over the years, I have found myself becoming more intentional with what I buy. I like to buy some practical items, consumable items and just for fun items.

How do you like to fill stockings?

In the past, I have done almost identical things for both of my daughters. However, this year, they have significantly different likes. (The almost 12 year old is waaay over toys. haha!)

Without further ado, here are the items I bought for my daughters. Age 7 and age 11.

(Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

For my 7 year old daughter:

• Peanut M&M “book” (Dollarama, but cheaper at Walmart!)
• Colour changing hot chocolate (Homesense)
• Stick on Earrings (Well.ca)
• Nee Doh Glow in the Dark squishy toy (Well.ca, but sold out. I’ve seen this brand at Indigo too)
• Kids Crest Colour Changing Toothpaste (Amazon.ca)
• Glee Gum (Bulk Barn)
• Band-Aid Fabric Bandages (Walmart)
• Nail Art Pens (Walmart)
• Tech Deck (Walmart)
• Grinch Kisses (Walmart)
• Panda Strawberry Licorice (Superstore)

For my 11 year old daughter:

• Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Homesense)
• Tetley Earl Grey Tea (Freshco)
• Peanut M&M “book” (Dollarama, but cheaper at Walmart!)
• Master Patch, pimple patches (Walmart)
• Garnier Micellar Water (Walmart)
• Quo Rose Quartz Facial Roller (Superstore)
• Glee gum (Bulk Barn)
• Tiny Mascara (Walmart)
• Nail Art Pens (Walmart)
• Grinch Kisses (Walmart)
• Panda Strawberry Licorice (Superstore)

There you have it! I think I did pretty good this year. I think they will enjoy everything!

If you are looking for other stocking stuffer ideas, I compiled a couple of lists for you:

• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas
• 25 Dollar Store Stocking Stuffers

DIY Gingerbread House Kits

My daughters love decorating gingerbread houses every year before Christmas. Probably, most likely, because they get to consume candy. But I also like to think it’s because of the creative process and making something cute.

We like to make a special evening or weekend day out of it by adding hot chocolate and having Christmas carols playing in the background.

This year, I thought it would be fun to create little gingerbread house kits. I even had fun creating a Build Your Own Gingerbread House tag to make them way more official. Lol.

In case you think they’re cute too, you can print off your very own when you click on this link here!

These are so simple to whip up. Here’s what you need:

• Sandwich bags
• Graham crackers
• An assortment of candies (I buy mine at Bulk Barn)
• Icing
• The Build Your Own Gingerbread House tag

To assemble them, add 8 square graham crackers or 4 of the large rectangle ones if they are the brand name ones by Christie (pictured below). I like the brand name ones best because you can cut the large rectangle on the top half on an angle so it has a point. This is so the roof crackers have a sturdier resting point.

After this, fill the bag with an assortment of candy. I bought all of ours from Bulk Barn. Seal the sandwich bag.

Once you’ve printed out the tag, cut it out, fold it in half, then staple it to the top of the sandwich bag. Ta da!

The icing I used didn’t fit inside the bags, however, you could create a mini piping bag filled with icing that should fit nicely if you’re giving it as a gift!

You can make your own icing or you can buy it like I do. The premade icing in a can by Betty Crocker and the likes, also works really well!

I think it would be so fun to have a Gingerbread House making party with a bunch of friends! Young or old!

What are your holiday traditions that you find yourself doing every year?

I think this Homemade Sore Muscle Soak would make a perfect gift for someone on your list! Or perhaps it would make a great addition to a spa basket you can make up?

I often find myself with sore muscles in the fall. I think it’s because we’re out hiking more and working outside more. 🙂  Because of this, I find it really nice to have a warm bath with some of my homemade sore muscle soak!  This one smells delicious because it uses fresh mint and lavender (or essential oils).  Here’s how you can easily make up your own batch of homemade sore muscle soak:

Homemade Sore Muscle Soak

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• 1 cup of Epsom salt
• 1 cup of baking soda
• ¼ cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped OR 7-10 drops of peppermint oil
• ¼ cup of fresh lavender, chopped OR 7-10 drops of lavender oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Begin by mixing your Epsom salt and baking soda in a bowl. Mix well.
2. Chop your herbs fine and add them to the mixture. Or, add your oils at this time. For the mixture you see here, I used fresh mint and used lavender oil in place of the fresh lavender.
3. Continue mixing well. The moisture from the herbs and oils may cause some clumping. This is not a big deal. Just use your spoon to break through the clumps.
4. Store the mixture in a glass jar with lid or air tight container. I like to let it sit for a few hours before using.
5. To use your homemade sore muscle soak, just pour it into a running bath. The lavender will help you relax and ease muscle tension, the mint will help revitalize, and the Epsom salt and baking soda will help with inflammation and pain.
6. When done, drain your tub as usual. You may wish to remove any larger herb clippings by hand to avoid drain issues.

Here are some other homemade ideas you may like:

• Strawberry Lemonade Lip Scrub
• Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub
• Whipped Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub
• Homemade Lavender Lotion Bars
• Grapefruit Body Scrub

I find it can be so easy to buy little things just for the sake of filling the stockings.

Over the years, I have found myself becoming more intentional with what I buy. I like to buy some practical items, consumable items and just for fun items.

How do you like to fill stockings?

In the past, I have done almost identical things for both of my daughters. However, this year, they have significantly different likes. (The almost 11 year old is waaay over toys and bath items. haha!)

Without further ado, here are the items I bought for my daughters. Age 6 and age 10.

For my 6 year old daughter:

• Lego Creator Building Kit (Walmart, it was only $5 in-store!)
• Silly face sticker activity book (Dollarama)
• Patterned craft sticks (Dollarama)
• Notebook (Walmart)
• Scentos Santa pen (Dollarama)
• Play Doh bath soap (Dollarama)
• Crayola bath pen (Walmart)
• Mini stapler (Walmart)
• Hand warmers (Walmart)
• Pez Candy dispenser (Walmart)
• pur Gum (Walmart)
• Pocky strawberry sticks (Walmart)
• Curly Wurly (Walmart)
• Hot chocolate packages (Amazon)
• Hair towel turban (Not pictured, from Winners in a box of 2)

For my 10 year old daughter:

• Detox Clay Mask (Dollarama)
• Sugar scrub (Walmart)
• Gold face mask (Walmart)
• Pink face mask (Walmart)
• Christmas nail stickers (Dollarama)
• Hand cream set (Winners)
• Hair towel turban (Winners in a box of 2)
• Lori face scrubber things (Dollarama)
• Hand warmers (Walmart)
• Pocky strawberry sticks (Walmart)
• Toffifee (Dollarama)
• Pez candy dispenser (Walmart)
• pur Gum (Walmart)
• Curly Wurly (Walmart)
• Hot chocolate packages (Amazon)

There you have it! Honestly, I feel like I went a little overboard this year for the stockings. But I know they will enjoy everything!

If you are looking for other stocking stuffer ideas, I compiled a couple of lists for you:

• Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas
• 25 Dollar Store Stocking Stuffers

Simple Gift in a Mug Ideas

I had so much fun with these!

If you are in need of a simple, thoughtful gift idea, I present you with… gifts in a mug. 🙂 Once I started creating one gift in a mug, the ideas kept flowing! The options are endless!

These are a perfect gift idea for friends, teachers, your boss, really, anyone!

The idea is simple. Pick a cute mug, then fill it with your recipient’s favorite things.

To help you get your wheels turning, I want to show you three simple ideas that can be done on any budget.

I found my supplies at Walmart, Amazon, Dollarama and my house.

Gift in a Mug #1 – Self Care Mug

This coffee mug gift idea includes a face mask, cozy socks, lip balm, hand cream, and a milk chocolate bar. This would make for a great gift idea for a friend, mother in law or teacher!

Mug – Walmart
Fuzzy socks – Dollarama
Hand cream – Walmart (was in a set of four, perfect for splitting up!)
Lip balm – Walmart
Chocolate bar – Walmart
Face mask – Walmart

Gift in a Mug #2 – Desk Essentials

This coffee mug gift idea is perfect for someone who works in an office or from home. Anyone really! For this gift in a mug, I put in a mini stapler, hand cream, two pens, gum, a chocolate bar, a small notebook and a small day planner. Because the notebook and day planner don’t fit in the mug, I am just going to place them underneath the mug and wrap it all together in some cellophane.

Mug – Walmart
Notebook – Amazon
Day planner – Dollarama
Chocolate bar – Walmart
Gum – Walmart
Stapler – Walmart
Hand cream – Walmart
Pens – Amazon

Gift in a Mug #3 – Birthday essentials

This idea makes me so happy! It would be perfect for a hostess gift or for a holiday party. Swap the Christmasy items for more neutral items and you could have the cutest birthday present for a friend. To this gift in a mug, I added a mug cake package, a fork, a napkin and a couple of candles. Simple and cheap.

Mug – Walmart
Mug Cake – Amazon
Fork – my party stash
Napkin – my party stash
Candles – my party stash

Other gift in a mug ideas I had:

• Hot chocolate mug: a mug, a packet or two of hot chocolate, a candy cane, a special treat, marshmallows, a chocolate covered stirring spoon.
• Kids themed: a mug, a Pez candy dispenser, a special pen, a notebook, small kid things from the dollar store.
• Craft supplies: a mug, fun craft supplies for an adult or a child.
• Liqueurs in a mug: a couple of those tiny liqueurs that would taste yummy in coffee or hot chocolate.
• Kitchen Essentials: I have seen mini whisks, tongs and the like at Superstore. These would be cute tucked into a mug with a dish cloth!

The ideas are endless!

I hope my ideas will help you out if you want to try gifting a Gift in a Mug this year!

Simple ways to celebrate the holidays on a tight budget

For some of us, the holidays always seem to land during a time where everything else hits. This means a tight budget during the holidays is a common issue that most of us will face at some point in our lives. If you find yourself with a tight budget this holiday season don’t let it ruin your fun.

This year, learn how to rock the holidays on a tight budget with these simple but meaningful ideas.

Focus on Meaning

Focus on the meaning of the holidays instead of the frills and trappings. The holidays are about friends and family so focus more on making memories than having a fancy holiday. Make homemade decorations, bake cookies, and spend quality time with the people you love.

Create new traditions

It’s the perfect time to create new traditions that your family will remember for years to come! Here are some ideas that you may enjoy or get you brainstorming:

• Go on a Christmas tree hunt: Growing up, my favourite tradition was going into the forest (with our free permit to cut a tree) and searching for the most perfect tree to decorate.
• Decorate on December 1st: Another thing we would do is wait until December 1st to decorate the house. December 1st also meant we could crank the Christmas carols!
• Make homemade Christmas cards: This would be a super fun afternoon activity for the whole family!
• Give to the less fortunate: I know locally, there are several businesses that set up bins to collect toys. Perhaps, you could find something similar and team up with a few friends to help take the focus off of yourself.
• Decorate a Gingerbread house: This is always a fun activity for the kids! Or decorating sugar cookies is also fun!
• Write letters to Santa: Sit down with the  kids and write letters to Santa! Don’t forget to send them off! In Canada, you can send your letters to:Santa Claus
  North Pole HOH OHO
  Canada
• Create a holiday bucket list: This post may help you with some ideas to add to your calendar.
• Read a Christmas book every day in December: Head to your library and pick up a big stack of holiday books to read together.
• Have a Christmas movie night: One for the whole family and maybe one just for mom & dad!
• Seek out the best Christmas light display: Take a drive one night just to look at all the lights. Vote for your favourite display.
• Give Christmas PJ’s on Christmas eve: For the last few years, I have been wrapping up a pair of Christmas pajamas for both girls that I got on sale and giving it to them on Christmas eve. They love to wake up Christmas morning in their new Christmas pajamas!

Make Homemade Gifts

Save money but still enjoy the gifting part of the holidays with Homemade Christmas gifts. Use the things you have on hand to make personalized, meaningful gifts for the people you love. It’s the fact that you thought of them and wanted to do something special that makes gifts so wonderful. Baking homemade gifts is a great way to use items you have on hand to create a great gift someone will appreciate.

Earn Extra Cash

A great way to deal with a tight budget during the holidays is to work on simple ways to earn extra cash. Sell off things you do not need or crafts you have made that others can give as gifts. Cleaning houses and clearing snow are both great ways to earn extra cash as the season wears on. This is the best time of year to pick up a part-time seasonal job for extra money if you have the time to spare.

Make a Holiday Budget

To help you thrive during any time with a tight budget, create and stick to a budget. This is a plan to help your family stay on track financially. Plan all of your regular expenses first so you don’t end up making your situation worse for the sake of the holidays. This will leave you with a clear idea of how much you can really spare and how much you should try to earn instead of going ahead blindly.

Look for Free Activities

Look for free fun activities to do. You can still make the most of Christmas even when you can not afford much. Go for a stroll and check out neighborhood light displays, volunteer to help others down at the soup kitchen or food bank. Find reasons to be grateful for what you do have this season, and you will be well on your way to rocking the holidays on a tight budget!

What are your best tips for making a meaningful but frugal Christmas season?

Gingerbread Oreo Truffles

Normally I make Oreo Truffles using regular Oreos, but this year I found Gingerbread flavoured Oreos!  Of course I had to try making them into Gingerbread Oreo truffles using my regular recipe.  Boy, oh boy, are they ever delicious! If these gingerbread oreos are going to be a regular holiday staple each year, I’ll be using them for truffles instead of the regular oreos!  Don’t get me wrong, the other truffles are tasty too, they’re always a hit whenever I bring them to gatherings. 🙂

I thought the gingerbread flavour suited white chocolate best and I finished them off with a sprinkle of nutmeg!

How to Make Gingerbread Oreo Truffles

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bag of Gingerbread Oreos
• 1 Block of cream cheese, softened
• 1 package white baking chocolate
• Nutmeg, sprinkles for toppings, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs with a food processor or use a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin, hammer, rock… 😉
2. Add the crumbs to a big bowl with the softened cream cheese. I use my Kitchenaid mixer to mix until it was all well incorporated.
3. Roll the cream cheese Oreo mixtures into 1 inch balls.
4. Place on a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
5. Chill in the fridge for about 1 hour.
6. When your truffles are almost finished chilling, start melting the chocolate slowly. (in the microwave or stove.)
7. Drop one or two truffles into the melted chocolate and use a fork to remove them, letting the excess chocolate drip.
8. Place them back on the waxed paper.
9. Now is when you want to add the toppings, before the chocolate hardens.
10. Store in the refrigerator or freezer. Enjoy!

Print

Gingerbread Oreo Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 bag of Gingerbread Oreos
• 1 block of cream cheese softened
• 1 package white baking chocolate
• Toppings: Nutmeg sprinkles…

Instructions

• Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs with a food processor or use a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin/hammer/rock… 🙂
• Add the crumbs to a big bowl with the softened cream cheese. I use my Kitchenaid mixer to mix until it was all well incorporated.
• Roll the cream cheese Oreo mixture into 1" balls (or whatever size you’d like) Place on a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• Chill in the fridge for about 1 hour.
• When your truffles are almost finished chilling, start melting the chocolate slowly. (in the microwave or on the stove)
• Drop one or two truffles into the melted chocolate and use a fork to remove them, letting the excess chocolate drip. Place them back on the waxed paper.
• Now is when you want to add the toppings, before the chocolate hardens.
• Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Notes

You can also freeze these!

Because I know you’ll ask, I found the Gingerbread Oreos online at Amazon.ca!  Let me know where you find them!

Other holiday recipes you may enjoy:

• Oreo Truffles
• Whipped Shortbread Cookies
• Ginger Crinkles
• Peppermint Bark

]]> https://www.simplyfrugal.ca/gingerbread-oreo-truffles/feed/ 0 https://www.simplyfrugal.ca/frugal-gift-ideas-for-the-foodie/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frugal-gift-ideas-for-the-foodie Wed, 03 Nov 2021 19:45:00 +0000 https://simplyfrugal.ca/?p=110601 (Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

The Best Frugal Gift Ideas for the Foodie

Have you got a Foodie on your gift list? Here are some fabulously frugal gift ideas that are sure to help you  get the perfect food related gift for them!

1. Oil Spray Bottle – Avoid an oily mess with one of these oil spray bottles! No need for a bottle of Pam any more.
2. Kitchen Scale – The serious foodie needs to measure their ingredients for a great tasting recipe.
3. Funny Tea Towels – Perhaps your foodie has a sense of humor? 🙂
4. Sea Salt Sampler Pack – Gourmet infused salts will complement the already fantastic cooking!
5. Magnolia Table Volume 2 -A Collection of Recipes for gathering.
6. Market Bag – This is a beautiful handmade tote perfect for the farmer’s market!
7. Wood BBQ Scraper – In case you haven’t heard, wood BBQ scrapers are THE thing for BBQ’s right now. They won’t leave metal bristles in your food!
8. Mini Waffle Maker – This small but mighty machine busts out some really good waffles. Also makes great hashbrowns and paninis.
9. Spaghetti Pasta Measure – Forget the foodie, I think anyone that makes pasta needs one of these!
10. Embossed Rolling Pin – The foodie will love to create beautiful cookies with one of these rolling pins!
11. Kale & Herb Razor – This tool is a must-have in a foodie’s kitchen.
12. Fruit Infusion Pitcher – This is a brilliant way to flavor water without getting all the pulp floating around!
13. Silicone Baking Mat – a non-stick silicone baking mat is a must-have that replaces the need for butters, oils and parchment paper. It also helps foods and baked goods brown more evenly.

Not as budget friendly, but still awesome gift ideas for the foodie:

• Lasagna Trio Pan – Make up to three different recipes in one pan!
• Pizza Stone – These aren’t only great for pizza…cookies turn out amazing too using a pizza stone.
• Mandoline – A tool that makes slicing and Julienne(ing) way easier.

The Best Gifts for the Coffee or Tea Lover

If you have a coffee or tea lover in your life, let me help you find the perfect gift for them! Check out the following list of frugal gift ideas for the coffee or tea lover. The perfect gift may just be a couple quick scrolls away.

1. Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker – Perfect for the person that wants a good cup of coffee, fast.
2. DAVIDsTEA Top Holiday Teas – A selection of 12 popular holiday teas perfect for the tea drinker.
3. Multiply Coffee – This is a locally roasted coffee and is so good!
4. Drop it Like It’s Hot Mug – Add a little Snoop Dogg to your day with this sassy mug.
5. Coffee Scented Candle – Have deliciously scented home with this Canadian made candle!
6. You’re My Cup of Tea Towel – Something handmade, but you don’t have to make it!
7. Kicking Horse Coffee – Simply Delicious coffee.
8. Ceylon Black Tea – For the person that loves quality, fresh loose leaf tea.
9. Espresso Thermometer – The perfect tool for the coffee aficionado
10. Milk Frother – For those perfect lattes at home!
11. Sloth Tea Infuser – This is the cutest tea infuser that I ever did see!
12. Bodum Travel Press – Make coffee or tea on the go!
13. Coffee Flavorings – A flavored syrup might be just the thing to make coffee a little more magical each day.
14. If you Can Read This, Bring Coffee socks – A cute, fun gift!
15. Ello Cole Travel Mug – This one has great ratings and looks great too!
16. Healing Herbal Teas book – Perfect for someone that may be interested in blending their own teas.
17. Silicone Tea Infusers – These are so neat! It comes with 6 in a pack, so you could separate them to make more gifts!
18. Mug Warmer – Perfect for the person who prefers to drink out of a mug and not a travel mug.

Have you got a book lover on your gift list? Books are always good, but these are unique ideas that any book lover would love to receive! Take a look at this list of frugal gift ideas the book lover is sure to love. $30 or Less!

(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)

1. When in Doubt, Go to the Library Socks – Well, these library socks are ridiculously awesome for the book lover!
2. Get Lit T-Shirt – Perfection.
3. The Book Lovers Journal – For someone that wants to remember each and every book they’ve read.
4. Personal Library Kit – For the book lover that also loves to loan out their collection.
5. I Love Books Tote Bag – Every Book lover needs a tote bag to carry all their books!
6. Origami Leaf Book Paper Earrings – These are so cute!
7. Minitaure Book Earrings – These earrings are also really great!
8. Library Card Art Print – Perfect for the person who would like to decorate the walls at home too.
9. Harry Potter Cauldron Soup Mug with Spoon – For the die hard Harry Potter fan!
10. “Bookish” Printable Art – An easy and affordable way to add some inspiration to your space.
11. Wooden Book Page Holder – This is something I never knew existed, but I could see it being very handy for the avid reader!
12. Metal Leaf Bookmark – This would be such a pretty gift to give.
13. “Too Many Books” Pillow Cover – I love things with quirky sayings and I’m sure someone who loves books would too!
14. Shakespeare Insults poster – This would make for a great conversation piece in the home of someone who loves Shakespeare!
15. Funny Mug – For the sassy book lover with a sense of humor.

Can you believe we’re one week away from Christmas day?  Wow!  Time sure flies when you’re having fun! (or being busy?)  Since we’re one week away from Christmas, this also means we’ve reached the last week of the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series!  I sure hope you enjoyed it.  I also hope it helped you to have a more simple and manageable holiday season!

Christmas usually involves company and no one likes to show their guests a good time in a messy home.  So, today, I’ve got a free printable Get Your House Holiday Ready Checklist!  It includes suggestions of cleaning tasks to do each day leading up to Christmas day.  There’s even plenty of room for you to add your own tasks.  I kept it fairly simple, because really, who has time for crazy cleaning this time of year?

Remember, these are suggestions only!  Click on the image below or here to print your holiday cleaning list.

What tasks are on your holiday cleaning list?  Are you ready for Christmas?

Here are the rest of the posts in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series:

• Tie up Loose Ends
• Create your Holiday Budget
• Plan your Gift List
• Plan your Holiday Calendar
• Order Christmas Cards
• Decorate and Plan Your Baking
• Plan Your Food
• Checklists for a More Organized Christmas

Can you believe there are only two posts left in this series before Christmas day?? Crazy!

This week, we’re going to focus on tying up loose ends! (Or in other words, finish the things we skipped over 😉 )

That means we’ll:

• finish shopping for gifts
• send out those remaining Christmas cards
• bake delicious cookies
• buy as many groceries as possible for Christmas day
• finish decking the halls
• do those holiday activities that you want to do
• wrap gifts

What do you still have to finish?  I’ll admit, I have to get our Christmas cards sent out still!  I’m also waiting for some gifts to arrive in the mail so I haven’t started wrapping yet.  But, I like to do that all in one sitting while I watch a Christmas movie! 🙂

For fun, I’m leaving you with a link to Christmas music playlists and a list of Christmas movies to watch!

If you’re looking for some Christmas music, check out Spotify for some fabulous playlists that you can listen to 24 hours a day.

Here are some Christmas movies I think you might enjoy:

• The Holiday
• Arthur Christmas
• The Bishop’s Wife
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• A Christmas Carol
• Christmas in Connecticut
• A Christmas Story
• Elf
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• The Polar Express
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Santa Buddies
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• Scrooge
• The Snowman
• Frosty the Snowman
• Frosty Returns
• Holiday Inn
• Home Alone
• Home Alone 2
• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Jack Frost
• Jingle All the Way
• Love Actually
• The Santa Clause
• White Christmas
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Mickey’s Christmas Carol
• Miracle on 34th Street
• The Muppet Christmas Carol

Do you have any other Christmas movies on your ‘must watch’ list?  How are you coming along in your Christmas preparations?

Here are the posts in the 8 Weeks to a Simpler Christmas series so far:

• Create your Holiday Budget
• Plan your Gift List
• Plan your Holiday Calendar
• Order Christmas Cards
• Decorate and Plan Your Baking
• Plan Your Food
• Checklists for a More Organized Christmas

I think this will be a fun week in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series!  It’s all about food! Specifically, we’re going to plan our holiday menus.  You’ll want to think about:

• Christmas dinner
• Christmas brunch
• Christmas eve
• Boxing day

And well, any meal surrounding Christmas day.  My planning is quite simple.  My parents cook our Christmas brunch and dinner so all I have to do is bring the cheesecake and some baking!

For inspiration, I highly recommend taking a look through Pinterest.

While you’re planning out your dishes, be sure to start adding items to a grocery list.  You don’t want to forget anything!

To help you out, you’ll want to check out the Christmas dinner planner and grocery list that are available in the Holiday Planner, here.

Also be sure to print off the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas checklists to make sure you’re on track for the final week’s until Christmas day!

What will be on your holiday menu?  Leave it in the comments! Any food traditions you have to uphold?  How do you keep on budget?

Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist!  This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. You’ll also receive a weekly email with each week’s “task”.

Here are the posts in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series so far:

• Create your Holiday Budget
• Plan your Gift List
• Plan your Holiday Calendar
• Order Christmas Cards
• Decorate and Plan Your Baking
• Checklists for a More Organized Christmas

Here we are, week five of the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series.  That means there are only 28 days left until Christmas! Hopefully you’re feeling a bit more organized than usual because you’ve been following along with the series?

We have a “rule” in our house.  One that I actually grew up with so it sort of just stayed in place now that I have a home of my own. Christmas decorating (and Christmas music listening) doesn’t begin until December 1st.  Maybe you have that same “rule” in your home?  Either way, December 1st happens to be this week.  Thursday to be exact.  So that puts the focus of this 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas post on Christmas decorating!  (I’m going to add in Christmas baking planning too since it’s nice to have a plan for all those parties and gifting opportunities.)

It’s easy to get carried away with Christmas decorating.  After all, the stores are really good at displaying Christmas decorations juuuust right, so you want to buy them all.

This year, focus on decorating simply. Bring out only your favourite decorations.  If you must buy something new, limit yourself to one or two things thing.  Find contentment with what you already own. (Ahem, something I’m telling myself…)

Here are a few ways to decorate frugally for Christmas:

Buy Secondhand

Head to your local thrift stores to see if you can snag any good deals on Christmas decor, Christmas linens or even objects you can transform into holiday decorations!

Get your Craft on

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to get the whole family involved in creating some cute homemade decorations. Pinterest is full of family friendly craft ideas to help make your home more festive.

Shop the sales

Even before Christmas you can find some great sales on Christmas decor.  There seems to always be some sort of Christmas light sale going on, especially at hardware stores.  You might even find some clearance deals on last years stock!

How do you save on Christmas decorations?

Now for the baking.  Start making a list of everything you want to make this year.  At some point this week, purchase all your baking supplies so you’re good to go whenever you have a spare moment.  When you start baking, make the items that can be frozen, first.

Here are some ideas from Simply Frugal to get you started:

• Peppermint Bark
• Ginger Crinkles
• Gingerbread Oreo Truffles
• Whipped Shortbread
• Homemade Marshmallows
• Candy Cane Reindeer
• Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Here is a free Baking List printable for you to download that should come in handy!

What will be on your Christmas baking list this year?

It’s about this time of year when I really start to get excited about the Christmas season.  I get a bit of an urge to turn on the Christmas carols and swap out my fall decor for some winter decorations.  Also, have you seen Pinterest lately? This is the time of year when amazing Christmas stuff gets pinned!

Alas, it’s so easy to get carried away dreaming about all the projects you want to do. Adding too many crafts, baking and activities can be overwhelming!

Every year I struggle with wanting to make all sorts of neat things to feature on Simply Frugal.  But the reality is, I have limited time with two very busy little girls underfoot and other responsibilities to deal with. So any project I do accomplish has to be simple and quick.  Preferably something I can do in about an hour, including picture taking!

All this to say, you don’t have to pack your schedule full of Christmas activities, baking, crafting and shopping in order to have a festive and memorable season.

This is why I’m breaking down the steps to an organized Christmas by one task a week.  It’s good to have direction and a plan in place! I know without a plan, I become quite scatterbrained! 😛  8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas is about creating a more relaxed Christmas season with just the right amount of extra projects and activities.

Here’s this week’s task:

Order Christmas Cards

Now, I realize that many of you are not likely to order custom Christmas cards but for those of you that do, now is a great time to do so!  Custom Christmas cards can take a while to arrive in the mail and if you want them to be sent out to friends & family in a timely fashion, I’d get on it this week. 🙂

Here are a few designs I love, along with some deals!

Vistaprint Canada has a great selection and currently offering their Christmas cards for up to 50% off for a limited time.

Shutterfly usually has some great coupon codes going that should save you a bundle on high quality cards!

Pink dot Design has a wonderful selection of Christmas cards!

Etsy also has a ton of shop owners who create beautiful custom cards and templates!

If you aren’t the type to order custom cards you can of course buy a set of boxed cards and add a photo and a letter if you wish!  That’s what I’ll be doing this year. I bought a box of cards last year on clearance so I’ll be sticking in our family photo and hand delivering to friends and mailing to out of town family.

This week along with ordering/buying Christmas cards, take care of these tasks as well:

• buy stamps, envelopes, if necessary
• write Christmas letter, if desired
• put family photos inside, if desired

Do you send out Christmas cards each year?

Here are the posts in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series so far:

• Create your Holiday Budget
• Plan your Gift List
• Plan your Holiday Calendar
• Checklists for a More Organized Christmas

**This year is going to look different for all of us. So while we may not be doing all the parties and events, there is still plenty to do!**

There are so many fun things to do throughout the Christmas season.  Gingerbread house making, caroling, Christmas plays, cookie exchanges, dinner parties, Christmas light looking, craft making and even holiday movie watching. There is so much to do, there may not be enough time to do it all!

Why won’t you be able to do everything you want to do?  Well, because there’s grocery shopping, laundry, dinner making and everyday life stuff that still has to happen!

This is where planning comes in really handy.  After all, life is busy, and it’ll be hard to get the fun things on the schedule if you don’t plan ahead.

Here are the steps to take if you want to do a lot of fun holiday things this year:

Grab your Calendar

First of all, grab your calendar and mark down all the things you know will be happening regardless of the holidays.  Doctor’s appointments, school activities, office parties…etc.

Talk as a Family

Next, you’ll want to gather the family to discuss all the activities each of you want to do.  Sledding? Cookie decorating party? Christmas play watching?  Brainstorm to your heart’s content.  Make sure to write down all the Christmas movies you want to watch and even the crafts you want to do. (I have a cool Holiday Bucket List included in the Holiday Planner (only $1!) that’s available in the Simply Frugal store that should come in handy!)

Prioritize

Since there are likely more ideas than time, take a look over the calendar again and plan for the activities you can realistically accomplish.  Even with the regular everyday life stuff added in.

Back to the Budget

Before you get carried away with grandiose plans, go back to your budget.  What did you allot for fun?  The case may be that you’ll have to save some activities for future years.

Fill in your Calendar

Now fill in your calendar with all the activities that you can set in stone. Buy those concert tickets and finalize plans with friends, then put them on the calendar.  Make sure to allow for some quiet nights/days at home!

Holiday activities are supposed to be fun so don’t stress about doing everything.  Just make a point of doing the things you want to do instead of wishing they would happen. Planning in advance will make the season more relaxing.

I’d love to know, what’s one thing you’ll be adding to your calendar this year?

Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist!  This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. You’ll also receive a weekly email with each week’s “task”.

Here are the posts in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series so far:

• Create your Holiday Budget
• Plan your Gift List
• Checklists for a More Organized Christmas

Delicious Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Looking for a recipe for delicious Whipped Shortbread Cookies?  Well, here you go.  This is it!  I usually have to make this recipe several times over the Christmas season as my husband and daughters love them! The best part about this shortbread is that it’s so easy to make and only needs three ingredients!

How to make Whipped Shortbread Cookies:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
• Maraschino cherry pieces, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place softened butter in a bowl, whip with a hand mixer or Stand mixer for one minute.
3. Add flour 1/2 cup at a time, whipping after after each addition until well incorporated.
4. Add the powdered sugar and whip again for about 5 minutes (or more).
5. Place by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheets. Decorate with maraschino cherries, if desired.
6. Bake in oven for 10 – 11 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned.

If you find your cookies are coming out like pancakes, you will need to mix even more. These are not like a regular chocolate chip cookies where you only mix until everything is incorporated. The “secret” to these whipped cookies, is actually the amount of time you spend whipping them. Or if your dough is still powdery/flourlike, you will have to keep mixing. The dough will change from yellowish to more white when it’s ready. I have only ever had one batch not turn out and I’m sure it’s because I got lazy and didn’t whip them long enough.

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Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• maraschino cherries if desired

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Place softened butter in a bowl, whip with a hand mixer for a minute
• Add flour 1/2 cup at a time, whipping after each addition until well incorporated
• Add the icing sugar and whip again for about 5 minutes, or more
• Place by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheets. Decorate with maraschino cherries, if desired
• Bake in oven for 10-11 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned

Other family favorites for Christmas:

• Ginger Crinkles
• Homemade Marshmallows
• Oreo Truffles/Gingerbread Oreo truffles
• Rudolph Peanut Butter cookies
• Peppermint Bark
• Peppermint Fudge