Cheap Gift Ideas Under $20

October 08, 2011, By Phil Dotree 1 comment

I sometimes give gifts because of their boomerang quality. Every gift that I get for a co-worker makes them tolerate me a little more. For loved ones, I do it out of, well, love. There doesn't need to be a special occasion—just something that's fun to do, and it tells them I care. The best thing about giving a gift for no reason is that you don't need to spend a lot. Here are a few great gift ideas that will cost you less than 20 bucks.

Coffee. When buying inexpensive gifts, the trick is to get something that's luxurious for your budget. Coffee's a great example. If you spend $20 on a bag of coffee, you'll be getting some really nice coffee, and you'll look like a hero. I frequently check out CoffeeFool.com for gifts. They're a little too expensive for my daily cup, but their flavored and unflavored coffees make ideal gifts for co-workers or loved ones. They also offer deals on certain bags each Friday, allowing you to buy cheap, fresh coffee with a serious kick.

Candles. A small scented candle is a fine "anytime" gift, and it's not too personal, so it's the perfect present to give without making a big deal out of it. I'd stay away from candles for gift-giving occasions, though; candles seem a bit thoughtless for a birthday or Christmas, but they're a pleasant surprise at any other time of the year. Get inexpensive candles from BarnLoftCandles and you'll pay far less than you would at the mall. You can use the extra cash to get a really nice candle, or just pocket the money. (You don't want your gift to be too nice).

Moleskine notebooks. A really fine notebook will help your co-workers stay organized and could act as a diary or a good source of scratch paper for a girlfriend. If you've got kids, they'll appreciate a good-looking notebook that makes them look a bit cooler at school. For serious writers and artists, the notebook of choice is the Moleskine, and it's very possibly the only notebook that you can give without seeming like a cheapskate. Whenever I give them, they get a strong reaction, and I don't have to spend more than a few bucks.

Thumb drives. Practical gifts are often the best, and a thumb drive is a cool, inexpensive way to get data from one computer to the next. TigerDirect has loads of options for under $20, and you can personalize the gift a bit by having it engraved or by picking out a great color.