**7 Best Group Gift Ideas When You’re on a Budget
Here are the best and cheapest group gift ideas!
As great as giving can be, buying gifts for a whole group of people (especially all at one time) and staying on a budget can be a struggle. Hip2Save reader, Michelle, was experiencing this challenge last year:
“I need to find something to give the women in my church group. There are 119 women to buy for and I’m hoping to stay around $1 for each person. Any suggestions? Have you seen any great deals on anything that might work?“
When working within a tight budget, I like to combine small items into mini packages to increase the gift’s value while still keeping costs low. Having the gifts be the same, lets you purchase in bulk to take advantage of quantity discounts, making that $1 per person goal much more attainable.
You can also keep your eye out year-round to score some awesome once-a-year deals.
Read on for group gift ideas that cost roughly a dollar or just a couple of dollars each to help make group gift giving (especially around the holidays) easy on the mind and easy on the wallet!
Here are 7 budget-friendly group gift ideas –
1. A notebook and pen set Group Gift Idea
Paper journal lined pocket notebooks, 24-pack $12.99
OR
Kraft Paper notebook journals, 24-pack $23.99
Gel pens, 120-pack $20.99
Gifting idea as low as 76¢ with one notebook + one gel pen.
This noteworthy set is perfect for keeping a daily journal, jotting notes, or doodling. Both notebook sets offer a wide variety of designs and colors so each recipient’s gift is unique! Add an extra personal touch and write a friendly note on the first page for them to see each time they open their journal!
2. Candy-filled faux Frappuccino Group Gift Idea
Starbucks cold beverage cups, 50-pack $29.99 (regularly $29.99)
Non-branded plastic cups with dome lids, 100-pack $28.99 (regularly $35.99)
Christmas Green White Straws, 50-pack $6.99
Candies: Hershey’s Kisses, Rolos, Werther’s Originals, or Reese’s $3.69-$5.89
Gifting idea as low as $1.16 with one Starbucks cup, one lid, one straw + a few candies.
Find me someone who won’t say “OMG how BRILLIANT!” about these chocolate-filled Starbucks cups… I’ll wait. 😉 This super clever packaging uses clear beverage cups, gold-foiled candies, a little white tissue paper, and a green straw. Feel free to conceal a surprise inside (like a gift card) or give it as is.
3. Winter Survival Kit Group Gift Idea
Nature’s Bees cocoa butter lip balm, 24-pack $19.98
Lip Naturals Lip Balm, 120-pack $58.81 (regularly $69.99)
Jergen’s travel-sized hand lotion, 24-pack $15.99 (regularly $23.99)
Kleenex Tissue travel packs, 3-pack 99¢
Gifting idea as low as $1.81 with one lip balm, one hand lotion, and one tissue travel pack.
Cold weather means crisp, dry air—but it can leave your skin feeling dry and lips dehydrated. Soothe chapped winter skin and lips with a buttery lip balm, mini hand lotion, and a pocket-size pack of tissues to make a complete winter kit.
4. At-home pedicure kit Group Gift Idea
Emery boards, 144-pack $11.25
Foam toe separators, 24-pack $5.99 (regularly $9.95)
Shany nail polish, 24-pack $29.99
LA Colors nail polish $1 each
Gifting idea as low as $2.02 with one emery board, one foam toe separator, and one nail polish.
Give the gift of an at-home pedicure with an emery board, toe separators, and, of course, nail polish. 💅 You can even grab Lina’s FREE “For Your Mistle TOES” gift tag to complete the whole set.
5. Custom ornaments Group Gift Idea
White ornaments, 18-pack $9.86 (regularly $10.86)
Black vinyl, 6-feet $6.53
Decorative ribbon, 10 yards $12.99
Gifting idea as low as 95¢ per ornament.
Make a Rae Dunn-inspired ornament with holiday buzzwords or personalize it with your recipient’s name! Lina’s DIY is easy, fun, and totally frugal, but if you don’t own a Cricut machine, you can purchase similar decals on Etsy!
Make this DIY year-round by swapping out the ornaments and holiday words for a ring dish with their monogram or try fun words like “bling”, “love”, or “his” and “hers” if it’s for a couple.
6. Votive candles Group Gift Idea
Mercury glass candle holder $1 each
Black & gold stand candle holder $1 each
Iridescent candle holder $1 each
Battery-operated tea lights, 100-pack $37.99
Gifting idea as low as $1.38 with one candle holder and 1 battery-operated tea light.
I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes giving candles as a gift can seem a little generic, but pair them with a glass candle holder and ribbon for a dazzling gift! ✨
Go with a battery-operated tea light for a zero mess candle and you’ve got a gift that appears much more expensive than a dollar and some change! You’ll probably want to keep a few for yourself to add to your own holiday decor.
7. Self-care Set Group Gift Idea
Dermal sheet mask set, 26-pack $15.99
Stash Chamomile tea, 100-pack $20.94 (regularly $21.99)
Gifting idea as low as $2.08 with two face masks and four tea bags.
Help your recipient melt away the stress of busy holiday plans with a relaxing sheet face mask and some chamomile tea. You could even go the extra mile and DIY an essential oil mister, great for spritzing a pillow before laying your head down.
To make the essential oil mister:
-
- Unscrew the spray top from a glass bottle.
- Add 10 drops of essential oil to the bottle — I love eucalyptus around wintertime!
- Add a few drops of vodka… strange, I know, but it helps blend the oil and makes the scent last longer!
- Fill the rest of the way with water, leaving a little room at the top.
- Securely screw on the spray top and gently shake to blend the oil.
- To add even more of a personal touch, label the bottle with the kraft paper tags to identify the essential oil scent!
Write a little note with some great usage ideas, like an air or fabric freshener! Feel free to switch up the scents with soothing lavender or invigorating peppermint. When it comes to buying small gifts for groups, this idea is creative and sure to be appreciated.
Gift giving to a large group doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
Buying small gifts for groups can always make the value seem much more than what you actually spent! With just a small budget and these clever group gift ideas, you can bring some Christmas cheer to just about anyone, no matter how many people you need to buy for.
I watched for blanket deals over the past few weeks and was able to get really nice blankets for all of my co-workers for under $5.00 a piece. I am adding little tags with candy canes that say “The Snuggle is Real! Enjoy your Christmas Break!” (I work in at a Middle School). For the two ladies I work directly with, I am adding coffee mugs and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card. 🙂
Such a cute idea! I’m sure the recipients will love those!
That is really nice Adrian! Love it!
Love this idea! I am running out of ideas for teachers!🤣
There is a huge post on one of my Facebook groups about teacher gifts and they really like gift cards, just a $5 one is good. They do not need more coffee mugs was said over and over. 😬
I am doing blankets for my kids’ rotating teachers (music, art, etc), too! Our note is “Just settle down for a long winter’s nap!”
I’ve also done a cookie mix and cookie cutter gift one year, one year, a wrapping paper with tape a bows (so the season is a ‘wrap’), and another year we did movie candy, popcorn, and a redbox code.
What a sweet and fun idea! Thanks for taking the time to comment, Adrian!
love this!!!
I did the DIY for the “toes” and they came out great! I went to Ulta on Black Friday, bought 5 for $5…..bought the socks at Menards for .99…came out great! I should have done more, I was only able to do 5….great ideas! Practical and economical 🙂 Thank you for all you do…..
That’s actually a good idea! I bought a bunch of socks this year to give as gifts. Wonder what would be good to add for men/boys? They don’t typically do nail polish, lol. 🙂
big toe nail trimmer, and a big fingernail scrub brush (they have them at the dollar store in multi pack sizes). My husband loves the nail brush after he works on cars to get the grease from under his nails.
With a nice ribbon they will look just as cute.
Thank you! Gift giving can be soooo stressful, lol. Especially when you’re buying for what feels like a thousand people! 🙂
Men who “get their hands dirty” may find Goop or GoJo hand cleaner plus a nail brush a useful gift.
I stock up when I see a good sale. Last year at the end of the winter season kohl’s had blanket scarves for $2 and I bought a bunch of them for gifts this year!
Thanks so much! I love the Faux Frappuccino idea for the teenagers in my family and my kids’ teachers! I’m going to try to find some smaller quantities of the supplies needed. You’re the best!
So glad you’re going to try out the gift idea—Lina comes up with the best DIY gifts! We know it will be a big hit ☺️
What do you get a male teacher?🙂
Gift cards—same for a female teacher! Teachers love gift cards.
What places and amounts do you recommend for teachers? Between my 2 kids, we have 18 teachers to buy for. (Yes that’s just the teachers). Add the bus driver, extracurriculars, etc. and the number gets higher. I like the idea of a gift card, but $5 or $10 looks stingy. I usually try to find something relatively nice on a good sale (3 wick candles, scarves and lotion pair, etc).
I’m a teacher and honestly, if I had to choose, I would rather have a $5 gift card than a candle/lotion/mug. Of course I am very appreciative of any gifts and nothing is ever expected! But if you wanted to do a $5 gift card I don’t think any teacher would think that it is stingy.
Lastly, I always like to mention that my favorite gift is a card with a nice note in it. I have kept every nice note I have gotten from parents and students, whereas a lot of the physical gifts I have recieved has eventually found a new home.
Yes! My oldest makes handmade cards for her teachers, and I figure a $5 Starbucks card for coffee or tea is better than another mug. My little one is in 1st grade so probably this will be her first year doing her own Christmas cards. They need to learn to appreciate their teacher’s hard work!
I’m a teacher and I’d prefer a $5 gift card over any other gift. Starbucks and Barnes and Noble are a favorite. I can get a cup of coffee and a book! (And with a teacher discount, $5 can buy a good book!) With as many students as I have over the years, other gifts seem wasteful. I can’t keep everything. Nor do I particularly like to collect apple themed items…lol
As a teacher, I am very appreciative of getting $5.00 gift cards with a nice note attached. It’s nice to be thought of and teachers are natural bargain hunters. We can make $5.00 go a long way! If your students are in elementary/middle school, a $5.00 gift certificate to teacherspayteachers.com is very much loved! They help the teacher find engaging activities to enhance learning when time is very limited. Again, $5.00 can go a long way on this site. It also benefits the students as well: win-win!
My kids’ teachers are always asking for extra glue sticks and dry erase markers so I stocked up during back to school sales. I plan on giving each of them each an economy-sized box of glue sticks and a $5 Target gift card. Scents for candles and lotions can be iffy if you don’t know preferences or allergies and not everyone drinks coffee so I’d rather give them something I know they can use in their classrooms.
I always give a b&bw hand soap with a handmade card. I figure if they don’t like the scent to use at home, they can stick it in the teacher’s lounge.
If you tuck the Starbucks gift card into the faux frappacino above it will look a little more special for just a few extra dollars. My 10yo daughter usually makes a little something for her grandparents/aunts/uncles. Two years ago we gave my hard-to-buy-for SIL a small-value Starbucks gift card and presented it as described above (they were happy to give us an empty cup and lid for free when we bought the GC but we only needed one). We used Lindor truffles in gold wrappers instead of Hersheys and hid a pastel bath bomb under the tissue paper.
I also keep my eye out starting in early November for deals for her teachers. The last couple years Target has offered a high percentage Cartwheel discount on some kind of mid-tier boxed chocolates. If a $5 gift card was presented with a small box of decent chocolate and a handwritten note from you/the kids that seems like plenty to express your appreciation.
I don’t want to sound unappreciative of teachers but, to be fair, they are working in their chosen career. Many people have jobs where they’re under-appreciated and/or under-paid who are not given gifts at Christmas (and many teachers also receive something daily during teacher appreciation week and again at the end of the school year.) I always try to recognize my daughter’s teachers, bus driver, etc. but I don’t feel the need to spend more than $8 or so each.
Do $5 gift cards (maybe $10 if they have 1 or 2 “main” teachers). Get a big of Lindt chocolates or similar and attach 1 or 2 with the gift card. Add a sweet note; handwritten from kiddo would be the best but I know that can be torture getting them to write those out or check out Pinterest for a cute catch phrase that matches your gift (i.e. Starbucks card = “Thanks a latte!”) – cheesy but cute and it will be appreciated! My SIL was a teacher for 30 years and they talk A LOT. The teachers will realize you bought for a ton of them so you weren’t being cheap!
I may be the Scrooge of the bunch, but do you actually WANT to do that for 18+ people? Once my kids started rotating classes in middle school and not spending all day with the same teacher like elementary school, we stopped mostly gifting. Giving to 18 is generous if you can/want to do it, but for me it would be an unreasonable expectation, too much expense, and my kids didn’t even like half their teachers anyway. In middle school, my kids picked which teachers they wanted to bring in pair of beautifully decorated gingerbread boy & girl with a handmade tag tied with a ribbon, and that was it. If we do anything anymore, it is for the sports coaches who spend a lot of time and effort on my kids. (I’m not all mean, I do send school supplies in the beginning of the year for any teacher that requests).
I’ve done jerky and car wash tokens for the guys and its always been well received. MN winters are hard on cars so anyone can always use a wash.
I wish I could post a pic, but I did “movie” gift packages with a box of candy, a bag of popcorn and a redbox code printed on a cute tag and wrapped it all really cute.
One of the companies I do business with used to send out small gifts. Over the years they’ve switched to making a donation to charity in our name, which I appreciate even more. We’ve been able to choose from several charities. It’s environmentally sound, no shipping, no plastic waste, no worry that it arrives on time. And the money that would go to the small gifts really adds up to something meaningful for people who need it. I’m not bashing the ideas in this post, but adding an alternative that some people might prefer.
We gave flashlights to all the staff at the cancer center when my dad was having chemo. He wasn’t too happy with the plan, said everyone already has flashlights.
He later admitted they were a BIG hit, sparked lots of conversations about kids and spouses!
Flashlights are a great gift. My uncle gave family members a flashlight years ago and I still have mine. It’s magnetic and I keep it on the fridge. Also, my sister mentioned once that she didn’t have a flashlight so I immediately sent her one. It came in handy very quickly when the power went out and later during multiple snowstorms. Very good gift.
We got those little LED flashlights that come in 3 and 5-packs, and we hung one on a thumbtack just inside the doorway of each bedroom. I never realized how much I could use flashlights until I realized it would never take more than 12 seconds to find one in my house!
I was reading an online thread about the best item under $x that you purchased this year. One of the items that was heavily regarded was a magnetic or headlamp flashlight! The magnetic ones can be stuck to your fridge, metal shelf, counter to grabbed easily when needed and placed securely on any magnetic surface to free your hands.
Personally, I bought a set of magnetic, rechargeable LED headlamps based on that thread. They were $8-10 for a 2pk at OLLIE’S. Not a great price for group gifts, but if you needed an idea for that tinkerer in your life this is it! Honestly thought I was hardly ever going to use them, but I LOVE having my hands free while getting stuff done in unfinished areas of the house and have been very satisfied with my investment.
Just a tip for the Starbucks faux frap idea: If you’re buying gift cards to put inside I’m almost positive if you asked for a cold cup + lid for each gift card so you can package them cutely, they would give it to you. Especially if you visit during a non-busy time. Then you can use some of the cash you saved to tip your barista! This may not work for 50 people, but if you’re doing a smaller number I think it would.
Cute idea, T! Thanks for the tip!
Great idea!
Make homemade ornaments or homemade cookies/fudge/chex mix
We have a “gum” drawer at work. So I watch for deals, clearance, or free after rebate type deals & buy multiple types of gum for them to enjoy. For about 50 people I only spend about $20-$25
I want to work where you work Jamie! A gum drawer—HOW FUN! 🙂
I find gum deals on Amazon subscribe & save. There is also a store in my area called Fresh to Frozen (Richmond, VA) and they have lots of great deals on candy & gum.
YAY for other folks from the RVA area!!!!
I have made peppermint bark and packaged them in cute Christmas cellophane bags. If is easy and economical. I also bought a lot of gloves and scarves at the Kohl’s after season sale.
I honestly love the idea of using the money to make a donation to some worthwhile cause. I for one do not need anything and am increasingly aware of how many people there are that would truly benefit from a donation. I would make a nice donation and then create a cute card for each of the church members explaining the donation recipient and why I chose it. It’s also a great way to raise awareness for a charity that others might not be aware of.
I did the rootbeer bottles with brown pipe cleaners for antlers and a red nose with googly eye. Tag says Merry Christmas and a Happy Root Beer. Since I got the 6 packs of root beers on sale I was able to make each for about .50 cents. And will give out individually to everyone on my second shift.
You could also as group decide to use that money and adopt a few kids for Christmas and get them something they wouldn’t normally get.
$2 frosty keyrings. Free mini frostys at participating Wendy’s for a year.. Supports foster kids who are waiting on their forever home too. We give them to the grandparents from the kiddos, since they are always taking them there!
I did the same thing Michelle. I’m adding them to teachers’ gift. I’m thinking of adding a small Wendy’s gc to it.
thank you for suggesting this. I am thinking for inexpensive but practical gifts for our mail delivery person and trash and recyclable guys.
I usually do the B1G1 Ferrero Rocher boxes of candy for the trash and recycling crews. I add in a $10 gift card to Target for our sweet mail lady. I LOVE the Wendy’s Frosty tag idea though; maybe for next year.
I bought clearance Christmas cookie containers last year for 50 cents, then bought a bunch of Lindt chocolate when they went on sale! 650 variety pieces for around $125. I know $125 seems like a lot but I have enough for all me, teachers, me, secretaries, me, coworkers, me, stockings, and package drop-er-offers 🤪. Did I mention I have enough left over for me😀.
I ordered cute snowman mugs and candy canes from the Dollar Tree, found a bulk pack of Land O’ Lakes assorted hot chocolate and spiced apple cider packets. I’m going to put everything in the mug for coworkers. I haven’t done the exact math, but should be around $1.50 each 🙂
I forgot to say, I love all the other ideas too! Very clever!
I love Dollar Tree so this is what I’m doing – they have hallmark brand wrapping paper with cutting lines, scotch gift wrap tape and I even found weatcott titanium scissors! They are a bit smaller than standard scissors but still a good size. $3 for a very practical gift! You can also find a printable to go along from Pinterest if you’re into that. I might even get gifts for the kids librarian, computer teacher, PE coach etc which we don’t normally do but they deserve gifts too!
I work at a Chef Center. Quality kitchen towels or kitchen washcloths are a very popular item. What woman does not need a new one?
Yes! And for other gifts, I’ve wrapped them in a pretty new kitchen towel. Saves paper and the wrapping is part of the gift.
Thank You for this! We make holiday bags for families that have to spend the holidays in the NICU with their babies. These are all things we use for these bags! You’ve saved us so much time! We always have to shop around to get good deals on bulk items. Thanks again!
We have a place called Bargain Hunt. I found dish towels in packs of 3 for $3.00 and dish clothes 4 for $2.00 to match.
They are a really nice thick ones. I found some that have Friendsgiving embroidered on them. I am using there for gifts for my Sunday school class.
Brilliant ideas, and the comments section has a lot to offer as well. It’s no wonder I love this blog/web site.
super cool ideas!
I bake cookies with my children, they bring them to their teachers and school staff, a total of 30 boxes (made out of crafting paper sheets) each one with at least 13 cookies, from chocolate chip, turtle chocolate, pumpkin, red velvet and more… it’s a big hit every year, they’re always expecting them. I spend about $30 on everything
How sweet! Thanks for sharing your tradition with us, Lesly!
I always do a Redbox movie code, combined with a pack of microwave popcorn and a box of movie theater popcorn, for my kids’ teachers. There are several different versions of cute “movie night” tags that you can print and add to the gift as well. I’m a teacher, too, and since this is something I wouldn’t mind getting I figured it was a pretty good gift! lol
Just FYI I shop thrift stores and always see “teacher” themed coffee mugs/cups so I am thinking they don’t really keep them. Yes, I am retired from a school teaching position too.
Yes. Every teacher I have known personally has said they love the sweet gifts but they are all apple’d out! LOL
I just made about a dozen gifts from the Dollar Tree for co-workers. If you watch, you can pick up a 8-15 pack of clear, cute bags, fill up with some of the nicer food items, a sanitizer (purse size), etc. Add a mug, etc. It’s not that original but is appreciated. Yesterday our Dollar Tree was full of an entire end cap of newer DVD’s, etc. Sometimes you can find books that are still selling at some of the book stores, etc. Rare, but it can be done. Our Dollar Tree also has amazing decorations now that do NOT look like they came from the dollar store. Sometimes when you have to give “something” but it needs to be small, it is the simple, easy things that are the best route. There are products that I love from the Dollar Tree and some not—so if you can be choosy and pick out the higher quality items, you can make a great gift. For example, ours had Godiva full size choc. bars yesterday and a 3 pack of Ferrero Rocher, etc It is possible there to do a gift bag with some of the products not being “cheap” products. Our health and beauty aisle also has some fabulous finds there sometimes!!!
My local Dollar Trees rarely have the name brand overstock items but a couple days ago I was delighted to find face masks by “Yes To…” and another name brand. My tween daughter had recently expressed an interest in face masks so I snagged a couple for her stocking. Later that day I saw the same ones at Target for $3-$4 each. I also noticed they had more ELF cosmetics and name-brand snacks than usual (perfect for our upcoming road trip). They even had caramel filled Stroop waffles that I saw in the impulse area near Target for $1.99.
For Schools: A couple of those large platters of cookies from Sam’s Club left in the office at a school with a nice note-there’s lots of cute cookie ones out there and a Christmas card thanking them for their time. The same with donuts. This works especially well when your child is older and has more teachers. I’ve also done lunch-variety of 6 inch subs, multi pack of chips, and waters. As a teacher myself, I prefer something that is edible, or a small gift card for Starbucks (guilty pleasure). If you know the teacher well a small ABC gift card always gets a good chuckle.
One year I made mini farkle games. Bulk dice on amazon, little mesh tie bags, and printed the directions for the Game.
I love farkle!! We play it all the time. Thank you for the idea! Heading to Amazon. 😉
My Dollar Tree actually had Farkle! It was dice on a card with a rules sheet. It’s a fun game. 🙂
What a great find, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing!
I buy the huge reusable tote bags with cute prints at Michael’s, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, etc. for around $1 each. I attach a silly note such as “Wishing you a TOTEally Merry Christmas” or something similar. Our teachers, coworker’s, church groups, bus drivers, etc. always seem to need a big bag. Most of the teachers use it that day to carry home their other gifts. Easy for the kids to carry to school, economical, and reusable.
I love this. Thanks for sharing Brandy
When my kids were in elementary school I used to send home a note with each student in the class telling parents I was collecting for a visa gift card to give the teacher if they wanted to contribute. Most would give $5-$10. We would end up with a gift card of a significant amount. The teachers loved them and the parents liked not having to come up with an individual gift.
That’s what is usually done during Teacher Appreciation week where I live.
I used to struggle with affordable gifts for my coworkers that would be suitable for various ages/interests/preferences, especially since I’m a female in a very male dominated field. One year our company Christmas party was a late lunch so I bought an inexpensive toaster for the break room along with bagels and cream cheese from Panera and added a bow and a merry Christmas tag, figuring that everyone would need brunch. It went over well and was so much less stressful than dealing with individual gifts that I continued the tradition. I’m not sure what I’m going to do this year. I’m at a different company and our team is pretty health conscious. An Edible Arrangement is outside my budget but I may get a fruit platter from my local grocery store. Long story short, for 100+ people brunch, sheet cake, etc. would be cheaper and easier if you have the opportunity. I’m not a church goer so please excuse my examples but is there something you could buy for the community area (children’s room, kitchen/event prep area, etc.) that would benefit most of the congregation regularly?
We have done something totally different this year. I think that most Teachers (like ourselves) get a lot more than they probably really want or need for gifts/gift cards- so this year the family has decided to donate what is usually spent on our children’s Teachers. We will be giving each of the Teacher’s a Christmas card letting them know that we and themselves have donated to a person who needs it much more than either of us probably do. I am hoping that their Teacher’s will feel the same way too. I think it would be so good if all Teacher’s told the students/parents to do this gesture as well- what a great lesson it would be for all. Such an amazing feeling too!
I bought a bunch of the packaged expensive brand presharpened pencils in on clearance for my youngest child’s teacher. Add some cute quote relating to pencils and put in a gift bag. Teachers love school supplies especially mid year.
This year I made aromatherapy neck pillows for my daughters’ teachers. They cost less than $3 each. I sewed a piece of fabric into a tube. Then I filled a section with rice and lavender and sewed it. I repeated this three more times. I’ll be making about 40 more over winter break for my own school’s staff.
This year for my coworkers I stopped by a local coffee place that roasts their own coffee. They sell little 1 pot sample pouches for $1.25 in a bunch of different flavors. I picked out 3 different ones for each person and added some chocolates from our local chocolate maker.
It came out to about $6 for each person AND I felt good about supporting my local businesses.
I have shopped at Good Will type stores after Xmas and purchase Xmas plates/bowls/jars (nice glass and ceramic with holiday motif is what I looked for). I would get them for $1 or less and use them the following year! I paired those with either homemade treats or chocolates. Often found good deals on Lindt and can divide up the bigger bags or quantities you needed to order to make it a great gift. I kept track of who I do this with but it was my go to for all teacher gifts for years since those were not repeatable unless my kids had the same teacher. Hope that helps someone.
I aim for under $5. This year I did a self care kit ( we are nurses and the year has been a bit stressful). A can of Trader Joe’s simpler wine, a face mask, bath bomb, bag of chamomile tea and a few chocolates with a quote about prioritizing self care.
I always find that people, teacher’s especially, love plants. I have a rather prolific spider plant that makes babies all the time. I snip them off, root in water for a few weeks, then transfer to small planters I find on sale, at Goodwill (so long as they appear to be new), etc. I have asked the local florist for card picks that go in floral bouquets (they were happy to give me a few) and used them to add a small gift card. 2 years ago, I was able to find an orange planter at Goodwill; added a teal ribbon (school colors) and gave it my son’s 5th grade teacher with a note that said “Thanks for helping me grow this year!” on the last day of the year. I’ve been told it is still in her classroom!
Everyones ideas sound so great! This year I got individually wrapped tea bags from Republic of Tea. I got the Citizens’ Favorites Tea Bag Assortment on sale. I purchased the color changing mug from Costco. (Using cricut to stick names on the mugs) $5 to $10 gift cards from Target during the 10% cartwheel deal. I am a huge fan of the creme and cala facemasks from Marshalls (TJMaxx/Home Goods/Ross). So I will add one facemasks. I used to add chocolate and candies but this year I am going to pass.
That’s a very nice gift!
I’m clearly in the minority here. I don’t buy gifts for everyone I know. I buy gifts for family and close friends. That’s it. No teachers, no mailman, no coworkers-Quite frankly, I’m baffled as to why people need a gift for doing their job.
I do it because, for me, it’s fun to surprise and delight people! I say do whatever brings you Joy! 🤷🏻♀️🎄
I don’t gift to everyone in my life – but I DO always gift teachers. Some years it’s just a card and others it’s a treat or a gift card as well. I can’t afford to give gifts to every human I interact with and don’t find it necessary. Just my personal experience 🙂
Because most of the time they are doing much more than “their job” and putting in many many hours of unpaid overtime for your kids. -A teacher 🙂
Sometimes it’s just nice to recognize people and how hard they work, if you can. Times are tough. But even a simple written card is a beautiful thing. Teachers spend hundreds of dollars each year on their students due to no funding, learning materials, homeless kiddos, and families who have no income. I think no matter who you are or what job you do, appreciating others goes a long way.
I didn’t say I don’t show appreciation. I said I don’t buy everyone a gift. If my kids choose to make cards then I support their decision to do so. They are free to use all the craft supplies we have, but I don’t go out and buy gifts for teachers. I’m appreciative of most of kids’ teachers. I say thank you when they go out of their way to help my kids, but that is as far as I go.
Wish I would have seen this a month ago. I spent a fortune on teacher gifts. It’s been such a crazy year that I’m okay with that…for this year. I will definitely remember these ideas for next year!!
Amen!!
I wanted to add that if you decide to do handmade ornaments, I recommend looking up “Melted Crayon Ornaments” (The Sweetest Occasion had the best tutorial I found). Those ornaments do need to be made from glass, but you can find an 8-pack at Walmart for a few dollars. They are super easy to make and look amazing! Every one is unique, and you can make a bunch of them in an afternoon.
I wish I could attach a picture in these comments, but I just finished my neighbor gifts and I love how they turned out! I took BeechNut glass baby food jars, took the label/residue off, and spray painted the lids white. I then took the tops off of mini pinecone ornaments (@Walmart, 9-pack for $2) and hot glued the pinecone to the top. I then filled each jar with Hershey Kisses (FYI, 12-14 fit in each jar)! I also had some leftover holiday stickers from last year that say “Merry Christmas Neighbor” so I stuck those on the jars. Total cost: about $1/jar, mainly for the candy itself.
I have been giving gifts to my son’s teachers every year but I am passing on gifts this year. I am very disappointed with how little they have taught the kids during remote learning. I am an essential worker and I go to work everyday and when I come home, sometimes my 5th grade son tells me that he got done with school at 10:00 in the morning. Maybe some teachers are doing a good job but not all. Many of them are making extra money tutoring online. As essential workers we are putting a lot more extra effort, exposing ourselves at work with a modest pay and I expect the same from other government employees.
I bought plenty of socks and girls undies and hair ties and making no sew blankets 15 for some kids got them for $5 at joann craft store making Rice Krispies with small coat of white chocolate and dark chocolate and pretzels dip in chocolate to send to kids that have nothing – send toys bought them at Walgreens 6.99 each right now there buy 2 get 2 free – bought plenty of Halloween candy at 75% off and send it to Mexico to give away in goodie bags – to my neighbor bbw items and – I have like 300 in points at Walgreens will go and get more toys and save some of those points for after Christmas clearance for next year – thank you for the ideas and for helping us save
I have a budget of $3 for my coworkers. We can have as many as 10 people in the department but right now 8. I Xmas shop year round. 1 year they got $2.77 throw blankets from Walmart. Another year I found rollerball scented oils for the girls and ceramic pocketknives for the guys. Another year the battery operated air freshners went on clearance at my moms Walmart and there was a coupon in ea box my mom took out and used making these regularly $7 – $10 items $1!!! Paired with a “matching” $1ish candle from Ikea. Last year those as seen on tv water battery powered flashlights went on clearance at Walmart for $3 – big hit!! I year I found grow you own exotic plants on clearance at Office Depot for $3.62, reg $10 – $12 elsewhere depending on store. If I find something on clearance through out year that isnt parishable then I buy it, after any holiday sales but random times also. 40 cent candles at Kroger, $1 Dove hand lotion minipots at $1 Tree, 40 cent Xmas lotion and nail file set from Target, 10 cent 3oz hand sanitizer at Walmart, etc…this makes it easy to stay within budget well giving a thoughtful gift. My mom gives the Old Navy $1 cozy socks every year to her coworkers and they love them and even remind her ea year – not that she forgets.