62 Cheap Gift Ideas: Thoughtful But Inexpensive Gifts Under $20

From birthdays to the holidays to weddings and so much more, buying gifts can be a continuous activity for all those special people in our lives.

But sometimes, all that gift buying can stack up against your bank account. You want the best gift you can get them but also need to be mindful of being financially responsible. And if you think you’re limited to getting them just a gift card, think again.

Thankfully, you don’t need to choose between an impressive, thoughtful gift and conserving your monthly income. You can get a gift that will both show your loved one you care about them and also keeps you on the right financial path. Whether you’re searching for that perfect something for a birthday, wedding, holiday or a gift just because, you’ll be sure to impress your friend, sister, father, significant other or coworker with what you find.

To help, here we share 62 great gift ideas that are both thoughtful and inexpensive that you can get for your loved one.

For the Office

Journal

Whether your person loves to write or just needs a space to collect their thoughts, a fun and colorful journal can be a great idea that she can use. And with so many patterns and colors to choose from, you’ll be sure to find one she loves to carry around. Look around at the variety on Amazon.

Coloring Book

Crayons, markers and colored pencils aren’t just for elementary kids. Adult coloring books have grown in popularity and can be a fun activity you and your friend can do together. You can find one with animals, elaborate designs or other interests to personalize the gift. Check out the cute options at Barnes & Noble for kids and adults alike.

Notepad

Help her stay organized and on top of all her reminders with a notepad set with fun patterns, colors and shapes of notes. Pair this gift with a few gel pens to get her set for work, school or home. Check out the many options at Etsy.

For Their Style

Blanket Scarf

Especially in cold temperatures, a cozy blanket scarf can bring warmth and a pop of color in her style. Find a style she likes and warm her up with a cute accessory that doesn’t cost a fortune. Check out the cute options at places like Anthropologie.

Earrings

Whether small studs or dangling feathers, find a pair of earrings that speak to her. See a wide selection at Claire’s.

Makeup Bag

Get her a spot to store all her favorite beauty items with a personalized makeup bag that says something about her or your relationship. These bags can be inexpensive but the personalized touch can be priceless. Check these out from Target.

Winter Hat

Keep his head and ears warm with a cozy winter hat perfect for the cold temperatures. Whether sporty or stylish, you can find one that matches his unique style. Find great options at Dicks Sporting Goods.

Slippers

For those chilly floors in the winter, keep their toes warm with cozy slippers. Find a cute pair on Amazon.

Fun Socks

Socks can be far from a boring gift idea. Keep your friend’s feet warm and cozy and giver her a laugh at the same time with socks with funny sayings or patterns. With so many options, you can describe her unique personality with a pair of socks. See the fun collections on Amazon.

For the Home

Scented Candles

Share the aromas of fresh linen, lilac flowers, cinnamon apple or endless other scents that she loves with a candle. You can also find a location where you can customize your candle to create her perfect scent she can’t get enough of. Check these out from Yankee Candle.

Wall Tapestry

Add some decor to her room with a colorful tapestry that can add a pop of color to her space. Find one with her favorite colors or pattern to let her know you got it just for her. Check out the variety on Wayfair.

Essential Oils

From relaxation to energy, essential oils come in a variety of scents that can be perfect for her to unwind or wake up with. Especially if she already has a diffuser, these oils are essential. Find out what’s out there at Bath & Body Works.

Coffee Table Book

From informational to photo-focused to funny to inspiring, coffee table books are much more than decoration. Bring him wisdom or a good laugh with a book he’s sure to not want to put away. Discover a few on Amazon.

Table Lamp

Bring some light to their living space with a decorative table lamp. These lamps can be fairly inexpensive yet can transform a room. See the styles at Wayfair.

Succulent Holder

Get her a place to put her decorative plant with a succulent holder. Bring life to her room with a colorful or elegant holder, such as those on Amazon.

Picture Frame

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and when you put it in a frame, it becomes a thoughtful and inexpensive gift she’s sure to love. Find one that speaks to your relationship. See examples at Wayfair.

Coasters

Keep their table free from marks with personalized or specialty coasters designed just for them. See the range of coasters made of a variety of materials at retailers like Wayfair.

Throw PIllow

Add an element of comfort to their sofa or bed with a festive and decorative throw pillow. Find a pattern that matches their living space or find something to make them laugh. See a wide selection at your favorite home decor stores, like World Market.

Warm Blanket

Give the gift of warmth with a soft and cozy blanket for their couch or bed. Find a pattern and style they’ll love as they snuggle up in cooler temperatures. Find one they’ll love at places like Target.

Dry Erase Calendars

Let him stay on top of all his important dates and to-do lists with a dry erase calendar, perfect for his home or office. Check out ideas at Staples.

Indoor planters

Let her keep that indoor rosemary plant in style with decorative indoor planters. Find one to match her style at Target.

Poster

Know what their favorite band, artist or travel destination is? Bring it to them with a poster for their wall. Make your own or find one on Amazon.

Framed Letter Board

With this home decor piece, she can create whatever message best fits that day. Check out the selection of customizable framed letter boards at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Decorative Tray

Add some decor to their living space with a tray table for their bench, ottoman or kitchen table. These tray tables can be helpful for keeping beverages off the floor and for when you just need to set something down. Discover the style at Wayfair.

For the Kitchen

Coffee Mug

Mugs are a great way to get a personalized gift that doesn’t dent your wallet. Find a funny saying, photo or other caption that will inspire or get a laugh everyday he uses it. Browse through what Amazon has to offer.

Loose Leaf Tea

If your person is into hot, brewed beverages, take a step up past pre-bagged tea and get him some loose leaf tea and an infuser so he can make his own favorite beverage. Find a flavor he loves at places like A Tea Spot.

Recipe Box

Does she love to cook? Get her a place to collect all her favorite cards, notes and scribbled recipes she can access easily. You can even include some recipe ideas for her by getting her recipe box started. See the fun examples at Michaels.

Travel Mug

Whether he fills it with coffee, tea or other beverage, a travel mug can be a gift idea anyone is sure to love. And with so many designs, patterns, sayings on a travel mug, you can get a mug for everyone on your gift list. Find one on Amazon.

Spatula

A kitchen can rarely have enough spatulas. Find one or a few with fun sayings, a cute design or bright colors to match her personality. Find options at places like Crate & Barrel.

Speciality Coffee Beans

For the coffee-lover, get her a bag of roasted or specialty coffee beans to elevate her morning drink. See selections at your local coffee shop or online at Amazon.

Tea Bag Holder

Keep their tea bag from falling into the mug with a cute tea bag holder. Match her interests and personality with the cute ideas from Etsy.

Pour Over Coffee Set

Is he bored with the regular brewed coffee from work? Give him the gift of better coffee with a pour over coffee set so he can make his favorite roast of coffee. Find one on Amazon.

Cookbook

Whether he needs quick, 30-minute meals or a collection of all vegan recipes, a cookbook is a great gift that can spark or continue his love of cooking. Find the perfect one for him on Amazon.

Wine Glasses

Let her enjoy her favorite wine in a glass that’s perfect for her style and personality. Give her a laugh every time she pulls the glass from the cupboard or let everyone know which glass is hers. Browse the fun assortments at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Chocolates

If your special someone has a sweet tooth, get her a box of speciality chocolates or candies she’s sure to love. Pick out her favorite flavors and put a smile on her face. See an assortment on Amazon.

Lunchbag

If she takes her lunch to work everyday, get her a bag to keep in it that adds to her style. See the vast selection at Target.

Bottle of Wine

Whether sweet or dry, red or white, find a bottle perfect for his palette. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a gift perfect for a dinner party or celebration. View the selection at places like Wine.com or just visit your local grocery store.

Bottle of Extra Virgin Olive OIl

Add some new flavors to the kitchen with infused extra virgin olive oil. From vinaigrettes to marinades, your chef can use oil in all his dishes. Check out your local specialty oil shop or on Amazon.

Mini Slow Cooker

Make cooking up those dips, soups and roasts easy with a mini slow cooker that’s the perfect size for those smaller dishes. Find them at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Popcorn Air Popper

For the one who can’t get enough bowls of popcorn, get her a air popper that makes getting her favorite snack quick and easy. Find inexpensive ones at Target.

Cookie Mix

Give them the gift of a fun activity that tastes delicious. Find their favorite cookie flavor and give them just the ingredients. Find some gift sets at places like Etsy or better yet, make it yourself!

Beer Glasses

For the hops lover in your life, get him a set of unique beer glasses. Pick the glass that goes with his favorite brew for him to enjoy his beverage and look great doing it. Whether plain or themed, you can find many options at retailers like Target.

Apron

Get the chef in your life a personalized apron that matches her style. Whether fun or stylish, find the perfect fit for them at places like Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Bottle opener

Whether for a bottle of beer or a glass of wine, a bottle opener can be a great and inexpensive gift, especially when you find one that matches their personality. See an assortment at Wayfair.

Flavor-Infuser Water Bottle

If she does – or wants to – drink a lot of water, get her a water bottle that allows her to add some flavor. These flavor-infuser water bottles allow her to add in her own fruit and herb flavors that she likes easily. See the selections on Amazon.

For Health & Beauty

Hand Lotion

Take a step past the generic brand of lotion and find a scent of hand lotion she’ll want to use everyday. You can also find gift sets of a few scents she can try, all without pushing you past your budget. Bath & Body Works has a lot of great options.

Nail polish

Gel or shellac, nude or neon, nail polish comes in a variety of colors and tones, so you’ll be sure to find a color she can wear for every occasion. Add in a pair of nail clippers, a fun nail file and some candies and she’ll be set for a DIY manicure. See the shades at Ulta Beauty.

Specialty Soap

Keep their hands smelling fresh and clean with specialty bars of soap. Find their favorite scent at Lush.

Bath Bombs

Create a at-home spa for her with scented bath bombs that can help her unwind and relax. Check out some at Lush.

Men’s Grooming Set

Keep him looking his best with a grooming gift set with all the essentials. Whether he has a full-on beard or patchy stubble, you can find what he needs at places like Target.

Eye Mask

Give the gift of good sleep with a comforting eye mask that blocks out light and allows them to sleep. Find them on Amazon.

Just for Fun

Canvas Tote

Whether for groceries, books or running errands around town, canvas tote bags are a fun and stylish way for her to carry her things. Check out the cute options on Etsy.

Wallet

Does you person have a wallet that’s falling apart at the seams? Get him a new billfold that lets him carry around his things in style. And by finding one that matches his unique style, you can personalize this thoughtful yet inexpensive gift. Check out the variety of options on Amazon.

Board Game

Give them hours of fun with a board game. Whether strategic or silly, there are game options for every preference. See the wide selection at Target.

Deck of novelty cards

From sports teams to travel locations, you can find a deck of cards of any theme. Get your card shark a deck of cards that matches who he is and that he can use to play for hours. Check out the fun options at Zazzle.

Travel Speaker

For music on the go, get them a travel speaker so they can carry their beats with them. Many of these speakers are small and fairly inexpensive, making the perfect gift for your music lover. Find them on Amazon.

Car Phone Mount

Let them go hands free with a car mount that fits their phone. Easy and perfect for travel and commuting to work, these mounts are versatile and make a great gift. Find the right one at places like Amazon.

Selfie Stick

Allow her to take a photo wherever and with whomever with a selfie stick. Find the right one for her phone at Amazon.

Puzzle

Whether a quick 250-piece or a challenging 1000-piece puzzle, share this fun pastime with a themed picture of something they like. Find a wide assortment at Amazon.

Magazine Subscription

Know what her favorite magazine is? Get a few months subscription of it so he can keep reading. You can find them easily on Amazon.

Luggage Tags

For the world travellers, help them pick out their bag easily with a personalized luggage tag. Find some cute options on Amazon.

Earbuds

Keep the music popping on the go for him with earbuds perfect for his personality. Find a pair that fits him with Best Buy.

Get Them a Gift They Love – Without Breaking the Bank

With these helpful gift ideas, you can give them a personalized and thoughtful gift without hurting your wallet.