Christmas is upon us! It’s so exciting! …Until you realize that your ducks aren’t quite all in a row gift-wise. But there is seriously no reason to panic. Less stress is something we all need more of during the holiday season, so I’ve got you covered. Here are 5 last-minute Christmas gifts that are thoughtful and frugal.

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5 Last-Minute Frugal Christmas Gifts

Food

Everybody loves food. I think that’s a pretty safe statement to make (especially coming from a former anorexic!). And Christmas time is the perfect excuse to indulge in ALL the tasty treats. (At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself all season long!) So why not give the gift of something yummy?

Something from the store

Picking up someone’s favorite candy or treat from the store is quick and affordable. I actually love when someone gives me those Queen Anne cordial cherries. One of my many weaknesses. And price-wise, they’re cheap, right, but who cares? Those things are good, and treats like that are one of my favorite kinds of gifts to receive. So whether your gift-receiver likes chocolates, popcorn, beef jerky, pop, or whatever else, it’s a definite win.

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Homemade treats

This one is right up my dad’s alley for sure. He loves homemade pies, especially. But anything you take the time to make at home is going to show that just a little more effort was put forth, and homemade cookies or candy usually taste so much better.

Last year I made puppy chow as part of our Christmas gifts, and this year we made chocolate-covered pretzels. I love this idea because it could be something that someone doesn’t take the time to make for themselves very often.

BONUS: Put the treats into a new container that they can keep and reuse. I mean, I wish all the storage containers I got came with treats inside. Make someone’s dream come true. Lol.

Cute ideas

One year I decided to get some of those glass Christmas tree candy jars as gifts, so I got packets of hot cocoa mix, filled little baggies full of marshmallows, and placed them inside the jars. It was pretty cute and just a little something thoughtful. And of course, being able to reuse the jars is like an extra gift.

Just doing something even simpler like giving a box of hot chocolate with a cute mug is another frugal but thoughtful thing to do. Even filling a mug with someone’s favorite candy—and if you wanted to do a bit more, maybe even throwing in a bottle of nail polish or a cute lip balm—are all simple and sweet gift ideas.

FIERCELY FRUGAL: If you’re super short on spending money, you can always extend an invitation to dinner. Welcoming someone into your home is such a caring gesture and can really mean a lot to people. Just make sure to set a date with them so it will actually happen!

Games

Games, games, games! Okay, I get it. Some people aren’t into them. I always wanted to play them growing up, but I had to twist my mom’s arm to ever get her to play with me. And my dad? Forget about it. But games can be so much fun just because they bring people together.

Card games, puzzles, and board games are usually on sale at Christmas time which makes them perfect last-minute, frugal gifts. And the best part? Often times you’ll end up playing right when those gifts are opened!

FIERCELY FRUGAL: If you can’t find any games to fit your budget, another option is just to pick up a deck of playing cards. You can find the instructions for lots of different games to play with them online, so just print them off and you’re good to go.

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Coupons

No, I’m not talking grocery store coupons here, silly. Because as much as I snatch up those bad boys when I see them, that would be a sad, stinky gift. I’m talking personalized coupons for fun activities and such.

I remember doing a few of these as a little girl and giving them to my mom. I’m sure she appreciated the thought. Because that’s probably all she ever got out of them. Lol. So just be sure if you’re gonna go with this idea that you’ll actually follow through!

Giving a few coupons for certain chores that you know your friend or loved one hates doing is probably an amazing feeling. Or getting one for a back rub, breakfast in bed, a special dinner or dessert that you’ll make them, or one for just time spent together watching a movie or something. These are all fab ideas and I know I’d love to be on the receiving end of any of them.

Heartfelt letter

Obviously, this one is gonna depend on the person you’re giving a gift to. My dad is so not the kind of touchy-feely person who would appreciate this. My mom very much was, but my dad would rather receive a homemade treat or special supper.

But some of us like to know we’re appreciated, and writing a letter is a way to express those feelings that might otherwise be hard to share. Like telling someone what they mean to you, that you appreciate them, and you’re thankful for their presence in your life or for what they’ve done for you.

All of those can seem like such small things. But they can mean a lot to someone, and there’s probably at least one person in your life who’s going through a challenging season right now and would cherish such a gift.

Re-gift

Did I just say re-gift? Oh my goodness, it’s so scandalous! Okay, no it’s not. It’s really not. If you need to hear this from someone, let me be that someone: I’m officially giving you permission to re-gift.

But! There are strings attached, for sure. Something that’s new and doesn’t fit you but you know will work for a certain person? Perfect. Something cute or useful that you know a friend will appreciate? Yes. (*whispers* But only unused stuff. It should really go without saying, which is why this is all in parentheses.)

Re-gifting is truly the fiercest FIERCELY FRUGAL tip of them all. And sometimes, budget-wise, it can be the only option. And that’s okay.

So if you have something that’s new that you received as a gift and it just didn’t work for you for whatever reason? If you think that person would enjoy it, by all means, re-gift away. I mean, if you received a nice gift and then found out it was a re-gift, would you really care? Exactly.

Double the Christmas spirit

All of these types of last-minute frugal gifts are winners in my book. But it’s extra nice if you’re able to pair a couple of them together. Like if you’re doing coupons or writing a heartfelt letter, then pairing that with the person’s favorite bag of candy would add a bit more of a gifty feel to it than just handing them a piece of paper.

I love giving gifts, but even though I’m not able to spend as much as I’d like, these 5 ideas prove that Christmas on a budget CAN be done. And choosing any one (or two) of them will help get your last-minute gifts taken care of, without breaking the bank!