Gifts Under $15
If you have lots of gifts to give, like I do, then you probably end up with a bunch to give for under $15. There is nothing wrong with a $5, $10, or $15 per gift budget. But thoughtful givers like you always want to give a meaningful gift that isn’t just clutter. Remember: I am a big advocate for the Kon Mari Method — especially at Christmas time!
So, here are a few of my favorite suggestions for thoughtful gifts under $15. And don’t forget to stop by my shop for your own copy of The Nice List, my Christmas planner, stickers, or my other books, too. They make wonderful gifts.
Kimono Clips
One of my favorite little boutiques carries Kimono Clips, and I gave one to a friend for her birthday a few years ago. She loved it! Their Etsy shop is filled with beautiful clips in a range of styles and sizes. Each one is covered with traditional fabric from Japan, and they are made by women in their own homes. They make beautiful, thoughtful gifts!
Relaxing Gifts for a Pandemic
There is no question: the world is more stressful than usual right now. As you are thinking about gift giving, consider some more relaxing ideas. But they don’t have to be expensive!
Philip Howard’s album, Connected, is an antidote to a stressful day. I listen to this regularly as I am working or when unwinding at night. His beautiful piano arrangements and compositions are just perfect at the end of a day of work and school at home.
I am wearing Snoozie’s slippers right now. A friend gave me a pair a few years ago, and they are my favorites! I have foxes, but I love all of the whimsical animals. Perfect for anyone to keep their feet warm while working at home.
As we all focus on health and wellness, shower steamers are fabulous — particularly for people with allergy or sinus problems. I love the eucalyptus vapors. Just put one in the shower, and they release scents when the water hits them. Or consider a lavender-filled heating pad for someone who puts in long hours in front of a computer at home. Zap it in the microwave for a fragrant, relaxing hug — a poor substitute for hugging each other, but we do what we need to do right now.
Click here to order Philip Howard’s album, Connected.
Gifts for Kids under $15
BrightSide Stickers
Stickers are so hot right now, and Bright Side Stickers are fun and fabulous! These are large, vinyl stickers in a range of designs. Perfect for decorating lunchboxes, notebooks, skateboards, binders, snowboards, helmets, or anything else deserving of a sticker. I love their sticker packs, too!
Personalized Crayons
I absolutely love these! PastelloRosso will make a child’s name or other favorite shapes like Mickey Mouse and Star Wars figures. Crayons are always fabulous, too! PastelloRosso also does sidewalk chalk — always handy over winter break!
Flow Paper Books
I love ALL of the FLOW books, and this one is a fantastic value — lots of paper which can be used in so many ways. This book isn’t just for children. Anyone who likes to craft would like this book. Also check out the other FLOW books, too. They are great!
Water Colors & Watercolor Paper
Children should get good art supplies, and water colors are a good example. The watercolors given to children are generally low-quality which means that young artists can get very frustrated when they don’t flow well or work the way they hoped. Get some mid-range watercolors and some good watercolor paper and watch the children in your life blossom as artists!
Helpful Gifts
Zelmin’s Minty Mouth
We are all very close with a few people these days, and if those people happen to have bad breath… well, that can be a big problem. Enter Zelmin’s Minty Mouth. They sent me a few packs of mints to try, and I have to say: they are pretty great. I am highly allergic to most of the sweeteners used in gums and mints, so my mouth is often less than fresh. Zelmin’s is minty and has this groovy herbal capsule in the middle that you swallow — it keeps the fresh breath going long after a mint gives up. So they are kinda cool — and may make all of this close contact a lot easier to take!
And if you order through Zelmin’s website, they are offering you 15% off! Just use the discount code: MAMA15
You can even order a monthly supply — so you (or your friend) will never run out!
A Turntable
A turntable may seem like a strange gift, but it is an invaluable tool for anyone trying to corral art supplies, markers, pens, glue, and the like. These are indispensable in the kitchen, but they are also fantastic in the office, art room, sewing room, or even in a child’s room. It might not seem like an obvious gifting choice, but I used them in several places in my Workroom Makeover, and I suspect they may make more popular and useful gifts than we might think.
Eco-Friendly Gifts
We are all trying to reduce our environmental footprint, but we are also creatures in the modern world. Small changes, though, make a big difference. Tucking a few of these items into a purse or backpack can help reduce plastic consumption — and they make useful, inexpensive gifts.
Reusable Utensils
This clever little kit means that the recipient will never need to use plastic utensils again. Just tuck them in a purse or bag, and they are always prepared.
Replacing plastic baggies, plastic wrap, and other single-use plastics can feel daunting, but there are several easy ways to do it — all of which make great gifts.
Food Huggers stretch to fit and securely cover open containers and even halved melons. Made from silicone, they make a good alternative to plastics, and they tuck inside each other for easy storage.
Queen’s Wrap is covered in beeswax and is a reusable alternative to plastic wrap. It keeps foods fresh and can be used over and over again.
Yummy Gifts
Coffee Sleeve
Long, long ago — well, not THAT long ago — I lived in the town of Faribault, Minnesota. Faribault is home to one of the oldest woolen mills in the US, and I LOVED buying blankets there. They last for generations and are gorgeous. If a blanket isn’t in your budget, how about a blanket for your friend’s coffee cup? Faribault Woolen Mills makes these darling woolen coffee sleeves, and they are just $10 each! Inexpensive and environmentally-friendly — save those cardboard sleeves from the recycling bin!
Fireball Marshmallows
Fireball whiskey in marshmallow form? Yes, please! These silky, spicy pillows of goodness come in a cute box and at a great price for a delicious treat. Wondermade has marshmallows in other flavors, too, just in case Fireball isn’t your… er, cup of tea.
Microwave Popcorn Popper
Did you know that you can make popcorn in the microwave? No, not microwave popcorn all covered in oily chemical grossness — REAL popcorn! You can actually do it with nothing but a paper lunch bag, but this handy glass popcorn popper has the added bonus that you can melt butter at the same time — genius! And at $15 it is WAAAYYY cheaper over time than that chemical-laden fake stuff.
Have a little more to spend? Box this up with a bag of organic popcorn and some Greek Seasoning for a delicious gift.
Honey Spoons
I love honey in my tea, and this is a great way to take honey with you when traveling without the mess. These honey spoons are plastic-free, too, which I really appreciate.
For the Home
Potted Plants
Even at Christmas time, potted plants can be easy to come by and inexpensive. And they make a house or office so cheery! You could even start with a hand-thrown pot from a local potter for a little extra pizzaz. Your local nursery probably has a houseplant area — and they might even be able to help you pot your plant, too.
But you can also order plants to be delivered anywhere in the country! Check out Piep.co — they have a budget-friendly selection of pots and plants. They ship all over the country. And their plants arrive beautifully!
Hand-thrown Mug or Bowl
A handmade mug makes even the simplest cup of tea taste better! And bowls are always useful. Instead of heading to your nearest big box store, try your local ceramics studio, senior center bazaar, or artists center. Or look at Etsy. You’ll find hand-thrown mugs in a range of prices — and sets of mugs which you could split and use for multiple gifts. Throw in a few fancy tea bags or some cocoa, and you can give the gift of hygge at a very reasonable price — AND support an artist, too!
Wool Dryer Balls
These little balls of wool don’t look like much, but they are so practical. Throw them into the dryer with your clothes, and they tumble around helping your clothes dry faster and reducing static. You won’t need dryer sheets anymore! Practical and green, too!
I have become a big fan of CleanCult, and I have their dryer balls. They sent me some of their products to try including a set of dryer balls, and I am a convert. But there are lots of sources for dryer balls both locally and online.
Photo Gifts
We are all separated and apart this year. Photos have never been more important! Consider a photo gift to remind people far away of your love.
Photo Magnet Set
Magnets used to be consigned to the refrigerator. No more! At Bambino’s school, for example, they adorn the students’ lockers! I wish I had thought of that long ago! And for $14 Social Print Studio will send you 10 magnets — each with a different photo of your choosing on it. The best part: you can order this from your phone in your pajamas!
You can even split the set between several people if you are looking for something under $5. At $14 per set you have 10 gifts at $1.40 each!
Framed Print
We are surrounded by photographs, but so many of them don’t end up on paper anymore, and it’s those prints that make our homes cozy, and remind us of the people we love every day! Having a photo printed doesn’t cost much. Frames can be inexpensive. And the end result is a thoughtful and cherished gift!
I particularly love these Ribba frames from Ikea. They are $3 each, and they come in several sizes, too.
Stickers
Who doesn’t love stickers? I love them! And Moo’s sticker books are such a fun bargain. For $9 you get 90 tiny stickers. Each one can be a separate photograph or design if you want! You could order stickers for that child or friend with the really unusual name who NEVER finds personalized magnets in the store. Or photographs of your trip to Yellowstone last summer. Or spell out a secret message. Or propose — for $9, no less! Or give your direct reports a whole book of gold stars — what a morale boost!
Seriously, stickers rock!
Personalized Gifts
Monogrammed Ear Warmer
As you may have realized, I love all things monogrammed. Monograms just make a simple gift all that much nicer, and these ear warmers are no exception. Perfect for a chilly walk or for watching a child’s hockey game at the rink, they also make a great layer under a hat for those of you in VERY cold places. And they come in a range of colors and monogram styles, too.
Personalized Charger Decal
Every time my mother, sister, and I get together, I go home without one of my phone chargers. It is irritating and expensive. But no more! I got some of these personalized charger decals, and not only are my chargers cute, but they are also marked with my initials! This is a great and useful gift for coworkers, friends, and thieving relatives alike! And Wellbowed has a discount for ordering more than one, too, which makes them an even better deal. Charger decals for everyone!
Personalize Almost Anything: $3 and up
There are hundreds of shops on Etsy — and probably in your local Facebook groups — that sell vinyl personalized decals. They are inexpensive, easy to apply, and they dress up almost anything! Put them on a clipboard, a candle holder, cups, bins, tins, candy jars, barrettes, bar ware… honestly, the possibilities are endless! Purchase your containers first. Measure. Then order decals in the right size. Apply and give!
