If you are on a budget and want to find the perfect cheap birthday gifts, then look no further than this list of cheap birthday gift ideas for all ages.
From inexpensive party favors like balloons and candy bars to personalized photo frames or custom-made jewelry boxes, these cheap birthday gifts will make great presents for any occasion.
When thinking of cheap gifts, it doesn't mean they have to be less thoughtful gifts.
Most cheap gifts are ideal gifts because they're affordable, easy to buy, and some of them even handmade!
Whether you are looking for affordable gifts for kids, gifts for students, gifts for husbands, gifts for women, last-minute gifts, or homemade gifts, there is something here for everyone.
We have divided our list into 6 different categories where we've listed some of the best cheap birthday gifts in each one.
So, without further ado, here are our 30 top picks for cheap birthday gifts ideas.
5 Inexpensive Gifts Ideas for Kids
Kids' birthday party gifts can be expensive, but there are plenty of inexpensive kid's birthday party gifts out there.
Here are our top 5 cheap birthday gifts ideas for kids:
1. Balloons and candy bars
Balloon bouquets are always a fun way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. To create your balloon bouquet, simply fill a clear vase with helium and tie a bunch of colorful balloons around it.
Also, balloon bouquets can be customized with names or special messages. They also make cute party favors!
Another option is a box of assorted candy bars, it's always a hit at parties! You can also customize them by adding a personal message or drawing a picture on the wrappers!
There are many options and you can get as creative as you'd like. Kids will love it.
2. Coloring books
Coloring books are a great way to relax and spend time with children.
You can find many options at local bookstores or online. Some coloring books come with crayons, markers, colored pencils, stickers, etc.
And the options are many as well! From coloring books featuring popular characters to ones filled with pictures of nature.
This is a great inexpensive gift for kids and adults alike. It's an activity that people enjoy doing together, which makes them an amazing option when it comes to cheap birthday gifts for kids.
3. DIY craft kits
DIY craft kits are a great way to teach kids how to do things themselves.
You can find many craft kits available at local stores or online. These kits usually include everything needed to complete a project such as glue, scissors, tape, paint, glitter, etc.
Some kits even include instructions so that you don't need to worry about anything else!
You can also make them more personalized and unique by including a note card or sticker with their name on it. This is a great idea if you want to give them an inexpensive present that they'll use.
4. Handmade personalized pencil case
Personalized pencil cases are a great option when it comes to cheap birthday gifts for kids!
You can show them how much you care about them by giving them a unique inexpensive as well as a practical gift!
They are very easy to make and you can easily find templates online. Simply print the template onto paper, cut it out, then decorate it however you'd like.
Then, take it to a local store and ask them to engrave your child's name on it.
It's a simple yet thoughtful gift that any kid would appreciate!
5. Stickers
Stickers are a great way to add personality to items such as backpacks, lunch bags, and notebooks. They make excellent inexpensive gift ideas that are sure to brighten up their day.
You can find lots of different types of stickers in various shapes, sizes, and colors. There are even some stickers that have designs printed directly on them.
If you're looking for something specific, you can make your custom stickers as well!
These were our top picks for inexpensive kids' birthday party gifts. We hope this list helps you find the perfect cheap birthday presents for your little one!
Now, let's move on to our next category: cheap birthday gifts for students!
5 Ideal Gifts for Students on a Budget
If you are looking for the perfect gift for students whose birthdays are near, check out these 5 inexpensive gifts ideas for students below:
1. Customized tote bags
Totes bags are an inexpensive way to carry everything from groceries to school supplies, which makes them a great option when it comes to cheap birthday gifts!
Personalize them with their name, favorite quote, or a special message.
You can either buy pre-printed totes bags or print your designs using a home printer. It's an amazing gift that they'll use every day.
2. Personalized pencils
Pencils are a must-have item for students. If their birthday is near and you want to give them a thoughtful gift without spending too much, consider giving them personalized pencils.
They will love having their name engraved on them, making them feel extra special. You can even do it yourself if you don't mind getting messy!
They will keep them forever in their pencil case and always think of that special birthday when they got it from you.
3. Personalized notepads
Another great option when it comes to cheap birthday gifts for students is personalized notepads.
Notepads are useful tools for keeping track of important information and keeping up with assignments and projects. You can get them printed with their name, address, phone number, email address, etc. Or, you can even make one yourself from scratch!
It's a unique gift that they will definitely appreciate and use often.
4. Photo prints
If you are looking for a cheap gift for college students, then photo prints are a good choice.
Printing photos is a fun activity that everyone loves doing. You can choose from different sizes and styles, including canvas prints, wall art, and more.
The best part? You can easily find affordable prices online and they'll love to hang them on their dorm room walls!
5. Personalized water bottles
These make a great birthday gift for college students and they are also a special gift since the birthday person will use them often!
You can find many options of cheap water bottles you can easily customize with their names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.
This is a great idea because they will be able to remember who gave it to them and where they bought it from.
So, those were some of the best cheap birthday gifts for students. We hope you found this list helpful, now we can move on to our next category: cheap birthday gifts for husbands.
5 Cheap Gifts for Husbands Ideas
If your husband's birthday is coming up soon, and you are as penniless as ever, don't worry, we got you! Here are the best inexpensive gift ideas for your husband's birthday:
1. Customized mugs
If your man loves coffee, he'll love having his favorite drink served to him in a unique mug.
There are plenty of cheap options available online. You can also thrift, decorate it yourself, or even make one from scratch. He'll love the personal touch and you won't spend more than $10.
Customize it with his initials or a funny saying. He'll use it every day and always think of the best birthday present he got each time he drinks his morning coffee!
2. Personalized keychains
Key chains are a great way to store keys and small objects. They are a great cheap birthday gifts option as you will find many designs and themes to choose from without having to spend too much money.
Keychains are a great way to express your affection towards your significant other on his birthday.
If you buy one ready-made, there are tons of different styles, shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from. Or, you can get creative and design your keychain!
They're also very practical because they come in handy all the time. And he will love it!
3. Handmade soap
If your husband's birthday is coming soon, why not surprise him with homemade soap? It's easy to do and inexpensive.
You can either buy pre-made soap at the grocery store or make your spending little money as it is an easy-to-make option. Use natural ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, essential oils, etc.
Homemade soap is a great homemade gift idea for men. It is one of the most amazing cheap birthday gifts options as not only is low-cost but smells wonderful.
4. Personalized beer bottle opener
Beer bottle openers are a great way to impress your husband on his birthday and not only are one of the most useful gifts for men but inexpensive as well.
They are also a unique way to express your love and appreciation for him.
You can choose between many options available online. There are lots of different designs and themes to choose from.
He will use this gift regularly and always remember you!
5. Handcrafted wooden frame
This makes a great inexpensive gift idea for your husband's birthday. Woodworking is a hobby that most men enjoy, so if you know how to work wood, you could easily craft something out of wood for him.
It doesn't have to be fancy, just something simple and functional. The possibilities are endless. Just grab a set of tools and start crafting!
The best part about this gift is that it is handmade by you, which means you can customize it however you want. So, what are you waiting for?
These were our top 5 cheap birthday gifts for husbands.
We hope these tips help you save some cash when buying presents for your men. But, let's face it, gifts for husbands are easy to shop for or craft.
However, women? That's another story. We know how hard it can be to find the perfect gift for women on a budget.
So, keep reading our next category which is 5 perfect inexpensive gifts for women, and don't miss any of the awesome ideas we've gathered for you.
5 Perfect Gifts for Women Without Breaking the Bank
We know it can be difficult to think of cheap birthday gifts for women, but we have come up with five cheap gift ideas for women that will definitely impress her and one of them will most likely be one of her favorite gifts.
Make sure to read through all the cheap birthday gifts for women ideas before making any gifting decision:
1. Personalized jewelry boxes
Personalized jewelry boxes are a unique and creative way to store all of her favorite necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings.
There are many cheap options available online and you can easily create a custom piece by choosing a design she likes and adding her initials, a meaningful note, or a quote.
She will love the personal touch and it will last forever!
2. Plants
If you know she has a green thumb, then this is not only an awesome gift but will be appreciated for years to come.
You can find plants at local nurseries and garden centers, order them online, or even grab a piece of cardboard and plant some seeds yourself.
She will be charmed by the fact that you took the time to grow a plant for her birthday.
When picking out a plant, consider what kind of environment she lives in. If she lives in a warm climate, then get her something tropical like a palm tree, however, if she lives in a cold area, then go for something more hearty like a cactus.
Whatever your choice is, just remember to keep it alive until her birthday arrives!
3. Handmade pieces of jewelry
This is a creative gift that you will enjoy creating and she will appreciate receiving it.
Start with a simple chain necklace and add charms from dollar stores or craft stores, then finish off with a pendant. You can also use old costume jewelry or vintage beads.
The possibilities are endless!
4. DIY Flower bouquet
Flower bouquets are a beautiful way to celebrate someone's birthday.
You can also make a DIY flower crown and surprise her with a fun and festive way to dress up a party outfit. You can easily make these using flowers from your garden or buy them at a craft store.
There are so many different ways to arrange flowers into a bouquet! Not only you will save money on this gift, but you will also enjoy making it.
5. Chocolate box
Chocolate boxes are a delicious treat that everyone loves.
You can choose between a plain chocolate box or a fancy one that includes a personalized message inside. Either way, you won't spend much and this makes a very special gift for any woman's birthday!
She will enjoy opening the box and finding a thoughtful as well as a delicious gift inside!
So there you have it! Five cheap birthday gifts for women without breaking the bank. We hope you enjoyed reading our list and found it helpful.
Our next category on the list is next: cheap last-minute birthday gifts, so let's go for it!
5 Inexpensive Last-Minute Gifts Ideas
How many times have you forgotten that someone's birthday is coming up? Don't worry, here are our top picks for last-minute gift ideas for birthdays that won't break the bank:
1. Card games
Card games are a classic way to play together while celebrating birthdays, holidays, and more. fun gift.
Also, if the person loves board games, he/she will appreciate having a set of their own. This is a very inexpensive gift that you can buy almost anywhere and at the very last minute.
If you want to give it the extra personal touch, you can always write a short note on the back explaining why you chose each game.
2. Gift cards
Gift cards are a simple but effective way to give someone exactly what they want.
You can find inexpensive gift cards that cover just about anything from restaurants to clothing stores, just think of the person's interests and hobbies and you will find something perfect.
This is one of the best last-minute gift ideas because it doesn't require much thought and planning.
3. Handwritten note
A handwritten note is always thoughtful and makes a great last-minute gift idea.
The only thing you need to do is sit down and write out a few lines expressing how special the recipient is to you.
It's easy to get started, takes no time at all and the person will love the fact that you took the time to express yourself in such a meaningful way.
4. Homemade cookies
Cookies are a classic birthday cake flavor and a great cheap birthday gifts option!
Homemade cookies can take no longer than 30 minutes to bake and are a wonderful last-minute gift idea. All you need to do is grab some ingredients, mix them, roll them into balls, and place them onto baking sheets.
Then, wrap them individually in cellophane bags and tie them with ribbon. The birthday person will love receiving homemade treats as opposed to store-bought ones.
5. DIY gift bags
DIY gift bags are a quick and easy way to wrap presents and add a personal touch.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing your gift bag. Here are some examples of how others have done it:
- Use scrapbook paper or fabric to cover a basket filled with goodies
- Make a gift tag out of construction paper and write on it "Happy Birthday"
- Wrap the present in newspaper and tie it with twine
You can use your creativity to make a fun gift in no time that they'll love forever!
Now that you've got the inspiration about last-minute cheap birthday gift ideas, we can move on to our next category: 5 inexpensive homemade gift ideas.
5 Cheap Homemade Gift Ideas
If you are looking for cheap homemade birthday gifts, there are amazing options that are both affordable and incredibly cute.
These are some of our favorites:
1. Customized photo frames
Photo frames are one of the best ways to display photos of loved ones.
They come in many shapes and sizes, so there's sure to be something that fits perfectly into your home decor.
If you are on a tight budget, you can get creative and use old frames from thrift stores or even repurpose old picture frames by sanding off the edges and painting them.
There are many ways to create the perfect custom piece that they will love!
2. Photo books
Photo books are a wonderful way to preserve memories and share stories with friends and family. They are special gifts that people will cherish forever.
You can find photo books at local bookstores or even make them yourself!
Make sure to fill them with pictures of the recipient and their loved ones and include their names as well as meaningful notes!
3. Homemade treats
Homemade treats are a delicious way to show someone you care. They are also inexpensive and easy to make.
You can try out some of these recipes:
- Coconut cupcakes
- Carrot cake
- Peanut butter brownie bites
Whatever your choice is, just remember to keep it simple and sweet!
4. Candy dishes
Candy dishes are a sweet way to serve homemade candies and desserts. You can buy candy dishes at most department stores, but if you don't want to spend a lot of money, you can easily make your own.
All you need is an empty glass jar, some decorative ribbon, and some colorful candies.
Think of the recipient's favorite color and pick the one they like best, then put it inside the jar. Tie the ribbon around the top of the jar and give it as a gift! They'll love this unique and personalized treat!
5. Personalized coasters
Coasters are a practical way to protect surfaces around the house. They make excellent homemade gifts if you know what type of person you're giving them to.
For example, if you know that your friend likes coffee, you could make her a set of mug-shaped coasters. If you know that your brother loves sports, you could make him a set of coasters shaped like baseballs.
It doesn't matter what kind of person you're giving the coasters to; all you have to do is personalize them with their name and a message of how much you appreciate them.
Those were our top 5 cheap homemade gift ideas. We hope you enjoyed reading them as much as we did writing them!
Before you go, don't miss our frequently asked questions section to clear up any doubts you might have about making homemade gifts.
Happy crafting!
Frequently Asked Questions
We often receive many questions regarding cheap birthday gifts. Here are some of the most common ones:
Are cheap birthday gifts worth it?
Yes! Cheap birthday gifts are great gifts for almost anyone on your list.
They are affordable, easy to create, and usually very well received by those who receive them. If you're looking for a quick and easy gift, then cheap birthday gifts are perfect.
They don't take much time or effort to create and they'll be enjoyed by the recipient for years to come, so they make a great gifting choice!
What is the cheapest birthday present for a friend?
The cheapest birthday presents for a friend are homemade goodies.
If you know your friend really enjoys baking, then you should consider making them something from scratch.
This will not only save you money, but it will also allow you to express your appreciation for them in a more personal way.
To top this even more, you can make food together. Buying ingredients can be your gift, but making something together would be a true show of friendship.
How do I choose between cheap birthday gifts?
There are several things to consider when choosing between cheap birthday gifts.
First, look at the recipient’s personality. If he or she likes crafts, then a handmade gift might be perfect. However, if the person prefers electronics, then a personalized gift card would probably be better.
You should also consider how much time you have to make the gift.
If you don't have a lot of time, then a quick craft project like a personalized mug or tumbler may be just right. But if you have plenty of time, then maybe you should go ahead and plan out a full gift basket.
Whatever option you choose, remember to keep it inexpensive. You can still get creative and use items from around the house to create a unique gift.
Are there any DIY gift ideas that won't cost a lot of money?
Of course! There are lots of ways to give inexpensive gifts without spending a fortune. You can use some of the examples from our article and add your own creativity to them.
For instance, instead of buying expensive flowers, buy an arrangement of fresh fruit. There are million different combinations you could try.
Or, you could simply write a note expressing your gratitude for someone's help. This is one of the best gifts you can give because it costs nothing and everyone loves getting handwritten notes.
What happens if the recipient doesn't like cheap birthday gifts?
You shouldn't worry about this! They'll most certainly love receiving inexpensive gifts, so just make sure you choose a few that speak to their personality and style.
Cheap birthday gifts are one of the best birthday gift ideas, as well as meaningful gifts.
You should just make sure that you choose a present that you love and that you would want to receive yourself as well.
If you thought well about the recipient's interests, personality as well as the occasion, then you should feel confident that they'll appreciate your gift.
How do I find cheap birthday gifts for my kids?
Cheap birthday gifts for kids are easy to find. You just have to think about your child's interests and hobbies.
For example, if your kid loves art projects, you could engage in a DIY activity together and it'll be the perfect gift for them. Or, if your child is into sports, then you could give him or her a handmade jersey with his or her favorite team's logo printed on it.
The possibilities are endless! Just make sure you pick something that will appeal to your child's interests.
Conclusion
We hope our extensive list of 30 inexpensive gift ideas has helped you find the perfect cheap birthday gifts for all ages!
Remember, the perfect gift doesn't have to be expensive at all, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it should make the recipient happy.
Happy shopping!
