Christmas gift ideas under $20 that won’t break your budget
Christmas can be an expensive time of the year. Everyone is out celebrating and lavishing gifts and cheer on each other. While you might love to shower everyone on your gift list with wonderful presents, your bank account will be the one left holding all the bills. Luckily, there are many Christmas gift ideas for good Christmas gifts or even unique Christmas gifts that won’t cost you an arm or a leg!
We’ve rounded up the best Christmas gift ideas under $20! Find the perfect Christmas gifts for men, DIY Christmas gifts, homemade Christmas gifts ideas, Christmas gifts for teens or Christmas gifts for your girlfriend. After all, you can’t get away with claiming you are the gift every year.
DIY CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOU CAN MAKE IN UNDER AN HOUR
Handmade Christmas gifts or DIY Christmas gifts are sometimes the best Christmas gift ideas because you can make them personal.
Hot chocolate kit for adults
The trick here is to include a tiny bottle of Baileys or Kahlua for that special someone. A simple substitution of alcohol for hot fudge or chocolate chips will transform this gift into a kid-friendly version.
Personalised mug
Is there a cat-lover or dog-lover in your life? Perhaps a hippy soul that loves intricate designs? All you need is a plain mug and a set of porcelain pens to create a personalised masterpiece.
Family recipe cutting board
Want sentimental Christmas gift ideas? Look no further. You can etch the family recipe on the wooden cutting board or write it on with a thin, non-toxic marker pen. This is a particularly good DIY Christmas gift if you have excellent penmanship. Plus, you can hand it down for generations!
Crystal ring
You don’t have to spend tons of money to buy the crystal lover in your life an expensive gift. All you need is a ring blank, the crystal, geode or pyrite and some strong glue! It’s a perfect Christmas gift ideas for Mum.
Tassel and Pom-Pom Page Markers
Only monsters dog-ear their books. These DIY Christmas gifts are easy to make and are very pretty Christmas gifts for teens.
Bowties
Joe Manganiello has “I love Sofia” embroidered on his jacket and now you can get your man something similar. If you’ve got some nice fabric lying around, there are easy tutorials online that will show you how to make your own bowtie. Add some personalised stitching for added meaning and you’ll have one unique Christmas gift! For added sentimentality, you could even use fabric from a favourite shirt or old piece of clothing that still holds meaning.
Braided Scarf
Is your girlfriend always stealing your shirts? For excellent Christmas gift ideas, combine two T-shirts to make a braided scarf.
Roll-up pencil case
All you need is mid to heavy weight fabric and some basic sewing skills. There are plenty of tutorials like this one mypoppet.com.au/makes/10-minute-pencil-roll-tutorial/ that will show you how to make the perfect Christmas gifts for teens!
Gilded gift boxes
With some gilding sheets and glue, you can create some expensive-looking and good Christmas gifts! These homemade gifts are perfect Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend. The only way you could make it better is to put a ring in the box, but that’s just a hint.
Friendship bracelets
It may seem like these are Christmas gifts for teens, but they’re also suitable for older recipients. You can embellish these with studs or even hexagonal nuts from your local hardware store. These might be bracelets but they also make good Christmas gifts for men.
Rope Vase
Have you picked up an old vase from a garage sale? Upgrade it with a wrap. All you need is some length of a thick rope or scarf and some heavy-duty glue. Perfect Christmas gift ideas for Mum? We certainly think so, especially if you still don’t have an answer to “why aren’t you married/having children/employed yet?”
Lip balm locket
Instead of the typical lip balm set, make unique Christmas gifts by making some DIY lip balm lockets. If you’ve got beeswax and some coconut oil at home, those are half your required ingredients already!
Knitting needle case
Need some Christmas gift ideas for Mum or your grandparents? Why not DIY Christmas gifts like a felt or fabric knitting needle pouch? Minimal effort, maximum thought. Isn’t it the thought that counts after all?
Felt wallet that’ll fit your phone
Now that the new iPhone is out and bigger than ever, your loved ones might be looking for new phone cases. Why not go a step further and make them a homemade Christmas gift that will hold their phone and cash! You don’t even need a sewing machine for this, just some thread and a steady hand.
Vintage Ribbon Camera Strap
Photography is more popular than ever and while cameras are expensive gifts, the all-important camera strap doesn’t need to be! If you’ve got some spare fabric at home, you’ve already got the makings of a good Christmas gift.
Chalkboard wine tray
Pick up an inexpensive wooden tray from anywhere and paint the base with some chalkboard paint and you’ve got a unique gift for under $20! Not only does it make an excellent piece of home décor, it’s also super useful for people who like to have a couple of bottles open.
T-shirt with personalised t-shirt pocket
These are great Christmas gifts for men or nice Christmas gift ideas for your girlfriend. Make it a couple outfit idea! All you need is a plain shirt, some patterned fabric and fabric glue or a sewing machine.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR MEN
Maybe you’re not the handiest person. This may effectively rule out DIY Christmas gifts. Some of the most difficult people to shop for can be men. They often have such simple wishes, yet so difficult to think about on the spot! Here are some good Christmas gift ideas for that special man in your life.
Single burger press
For the barbeque enthusiast who’s terrible at making handmade patties.
Virtual reality glasses
Made out of cardboard, all you need to do is insert your phone and they’ll be transported away!
Spill wine stain remover
After a couple of glasses, the probability of spills increases exponentially! Get them a gift so that they can stay a step ahead of themselves.
Sexy gifts
Only get these for your partner to avoid awkward family moments.
Waterproof speaker
Wallet o’ gift cards
Like the name suggests, this Christmas gift idea is for the foodie or the picky person in your life. Give them the choice and freedom to do what they will with gift cards to their favourite places.
Tile
Tile is a tracking device that will help you track whatever it’s attached you. Be it your keys, remote or even your shoes!
The Powerslayer
Although this is an excellent Christmas gift for men, you could gift it to anyone! This device charges your phone twice as fast as normal USB chargers but they also eliminate overcharging by automatically turning off.
Envelope laptop case
A sleek laptop case that will remind them of you while they’re at work. Now, these are unique Christmas gift ideas.
Skinny Tie
Sleek and dapper, upgrade his daily work look with a skinny tie.
Universal TV Remote
For the prankster or the friend with terrible neighbours. The universal TV remote will turn off any annoying TV or media player in the vicinity. Just make sure it doesn’t start a passive-aggressive war.
“I hate everyone” socks
Essential work wear for the man who’s lost his faith in humanity.
Bacon Toothpaste
Enough said.
Gold playing cards
Coffee press
Coffee culture is extremely prevalent in New Zealand but it’s also an expensive habit. Help them save $5 every morning with a coffee press that will get them that morning caffeine boost at home!
Mini Ping-Pong set
Inflatable, solar-powered lantern
Retro hot air popcorn maker
USB vacuum cleaner
An easy way to keep their car clean as a whistle!
Meat Claws
For the meat-lover or regular cook who needs an easier way to tear up meat.
Beer backpacks
Technically these backpacks are meant to carry water, but, who’s going to know if you put beer in it instead?
Finding the perfect Christmas gift ideas can be quite stressful. However, it’s always important to remember that Christmas is about family and being together. If you’re not able to get your kids the expensive gifts that they want, spend your money creating an experience that they won’t forget instead.
However, even creating an experience costs money. If you’re short on cash this holiday period, try Loan Peeper New Zealand for a quick cash loan. We’ll look at your financial situation, instead of just your credit score, and get you a loan provider who can help. There’s no need to shop around with loan providers or beg a bank. Whether you’ve got bad credit, are on government benefits or simply down on your luck, we’ll help you.