The “most wonderful time of the year” can also be the most financially stressful.
Between gifts, parties, travel, food and donations, the holiday season can be pricey. And it’s only getting pricier — last Christmas, holiday sales hit $936.3 billion, according to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF).
If holiday spending sounds more scary than merry to you, here’s the good news: Gift-giving doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. There are plenty of unique, thoughtful and imaginative presents out there that will delight everyone on your list without destroying your budget.
At RetailMeNot, we happen to know this firsthand, having invested time and energy investigating the best affordable presents for everyone on your list. Whether you’re shopping for your parents, sibling, significant other, co-worker, grandparents, hairdresser, barista, mailperson or dogcatcher, we’ve rounded up the inexpensive Christmas gifts your giftees will actually want.
Inexpensive Gifts for Women
Touchat Wearable Blanket Hoodie
We’ll say it: The blanket hoodie might just be the best item of clothing, ever. These oversized sweatshirts are cozy, warm and quirky. They also happen to make fabulous inexpensive gifts for women, being one-size-fits-all and widely available in jazzy printed styles all over Amazon. One of our favorite Amazon options is the Touchat wearable blanket hoodie, which is made of an uber-soft Sherpa fabric and pulls in an impressive 4.8-star rating.
Price: $22.09+ on Amazon.com
Sephora Collection Jade Facial Roller
Face rollers started popping up on TikTok and Instagram over the last handful of years, but they’re hardly a new phenomenon. Skincare tools made from crystals like jade or quartz have been used for centuries in Chinese beauty rituals to sculpt the skin and promote blood circulation. Double-edged jade rollers — like this one from Sephora — make spot-on cheap-and-easy gifts or stocking stuffers for beauty enthusiasts.
Price: $13 (reg. $22) at Sephora.com
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase
Satin pillowcases carry a slew of benefits, featuring a glossy, smooth texture that can help reduce wrinkles, acne and hair frizzing. Bedsure satin pillowcases make a quality, affordable option, made of pure polyester satin and coming in a set of two. We love the array of sizes and fun color choices, like Nostalgic Rose and Sauterne.
Price: $9.99+ for a set of two at Amazon.com
Inexpensive Gifts for Men
Jason Markk Premium Shoe Cleaner & Standard Brush
Whether they’re a fancy pair of Oxfords or tattered lucky Nikes, all shoes get dirty. A shoe cleaner helps combat the odors, dirt and bacteria that accumulate on kicks after extended wear. We’re all about the Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner kit, which includes a brunch and four-ounce shoe cleaner solution that can be used on virtually any shoe material — including leather, suede, canvas, rubber and cotton mesh.
Price: $18 at Amazon.com
Uncommon Goods Mountain Whiskey Chilling Glasses
In our time on this Earth, there are two things we’ve learned about men: 1) They think a lot about the Roman Empire. 2) They like whiskey. If you’re shopping for a whiskey-drinking man in your life, consider this set of two whiskey-chilling glasses. The nifty drinkware features precision sculptures of geographical landmarks (a choice of Mount Everest or the Grand Canyon) and can chill whiskey in less than 18 seconds.
Price: $30 for a set of two on UncommonGoods.com
Pizza Socks Box
Call us crazy, but we think socks totally don’t deserve their reputation as lame gifts. They’re practical, stocking stuffer-sized and available in prints that can be tailored to the recipient’s interests. Case in point: These pizza socks that come in the shape of an actual pizza. They might just be the ultimate inexpensive gifts for men who love pizza (and need socks).
Price: $25.99 at Amazon.com
Inexpensive Gifts for Co-workers
Spreadsheet Shortcut Mug
If you work a traditional 9 to 5 office job, you probably see your co-workers more than most others. Show your appreciation in the form of a small but thoughtful gift — like this spreadsheet shortcut mug. Sure, it’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also practical. Not only does the mug showcase a dozen essential spreadsheet formulas, but it is dishwasher- and microwave-friendly to boot.
Price: $12 at UncommonGoods.com
Pinch Me Therapy Dough
Therapy dough — sometimes called aromatherapy dough or putty — is inspired by the clay used by art therapists. The squishable substance is designed to relieve stress and calm anxiety naturally. Kneading the dough can help redirect focus from your mind to the hand and release tension, while the essential oil aromas promote stress release. We’re obsessed with Pinch Me Therapy dough, which comes in a variety of soothing scents, including melon, ocean and spa. They make fabulous inexpensive gifts for co-workers who fidget during meetings (aka all of us).
Price: $29.95 at Amazon.com
Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
Did you just chow down on a cinnamon crumble donut? Sharpen a pencil? Cuddle a cat? Desktop vacuum to the rescue! The handy miniature vacuum can swiftly suck up crumbs, fur, hair dust, pencil shavings and the like from desk surfaces, keyboards and even hard-to-reach areas of drawers. The vacuum is mighty but quiet, and comes with a detachable nozzle and a USB charging cable.
Price: $14.99 at Amazon.com
Inexpensive Gifts for Seniors
Earth Aware Editions National Parks Postcard Coloring Book
In case you haven’t heard, coloring books are no longer just for youngsters. Adult coloring books have come up in a big way over the last decade, thanks to benefits like stress reduction and improved focus. Coloring books are a particularly smart gift for seniors, since they can help improve motor skills and promote dexterity. We love the Earth Aware Editions National Parks Postcard Coloring Book, which features 20 color-your-own postcards with renderings of iconic images from national parks throughout the country.
Price: $9.95 at REI.com
BYRIVER Reflexology Acupressure Slippers
Sure, you could get your giftee a pair of regular old slippers — or you could take their footwear game up a notch with a pair of acupressure sandals. The BYRIVER smart slippers are designed to stimulate nerve endings in the foot, helping to relax muscles and joints while soothing pain and improving blood circulation. Be forewarned: these reflexology acupressure shoes take a few wears to get used to, according to reviewers.
Price: $25.99 at Amazon.com
Uncommon Goods Owl Eyeglasses Holder
Old or young, rich or poor, man, woman or nonbinary person: We all lose our reading glasses from time to time. You can put an end to this problem for your giftee once and for all with eyeglass holders, a.k.a the ultimate inexpensive gifts for seniors. An eyeglass holder ensures glasses are always right where you left them, unsmudged and unscratched. We’re digging this owl holder from Uncommon Goods, which is hand-carved from a single piece of sheesham wood by fair-trade artisans in India.
Price: $28 at UncommonGoods.com
The post Inexpensive Christmas Gifts Recipients Will Actually Want appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.