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It’s called “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for a reason: the holidays are the best time to escape the 9-5 grind and enjoy time with friends and family. But until then, there are errands to run, decorations to set-up, travel plans to make, parties to plan, and mile-long to-do lists. Oh, and the never ending quest for affordable holiday gift ideas to stretch your budget a bit further than last year.
Ugh. All. The. Gifts.
Grab a peppermint mocha and relax – we’ve got you covered with 100+ affordable holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list. We’ve scoured magazines, social media, and Pinterest to create this comprehensive list of holiday gifts guaranteed to please moms, dads, husbands, wives, teens, kids, and everyone else on your list.
Looking for stocking stuffers? Check.
Need to stay under $10, $25, or $50? We’ve got you covered.
Shopping for that guy or gal who has it all? Piece of cake.
Check out the following holiday gift ideas for everyone sorted by category below and check off one more thing on your holiday to-do list!
Disclosure: Finance Superhero is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Essentials for Her
It’s the thought that counts, right? These thoughtful gifts will be sure to receive lots of use by the wife/mom/girl boss in your life.
Hair clips and ties
She can never have too many. Trust us.
Lotion
Ditto.
Jewelry
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But we’re pretty sure any and all jewelry deserves a nod.
Pajama Set
New pajamas have progressed from a common holiday rite of passage to a basic expectation for most women.
Pro tip: the softer, the better.
Slippers
Bonus points if you find a pair to match the pajamas!
Candles
When in doubt, a candle is one of the safest holiday gifts for everyone on your list. After all, how else can you make your house smell like warm apple pie without, you know, actually baking one?
Just be sure to do your homework and buy the right kind. When in doubt, opt for neutral scents like fresh linen, vanilla, or lavender.
Phone Case
That new $1,000 iPhone she just bought could use a bit of protection and pizazz. Otter Box, Spigen, and Speck are your go-to buys for both Android and Apple devices.
And if she really wants that Kate Spade case, it should also do the trick.
Pocket Journal
You can count on this as a go-to purchase year after year. Or you can opt for a journal with refillable pages.
Socks
She needs socks for all occasions – work, the gym, lazy Saturdays, and a night out. Buying online is an easy way to find the best quality women’s socks at budget-friendly prices.
Ear buds
Let’s face it – most of us lose ear buds more often than just about anything else. She’ll thank you for giving her one more pair to lose!
Check out this selection of budget ear buds, and if you’re looking for a high performing option, check out wireless ear buds
.
Gift Cards
When in doubt (or if you’re shopping for someone you don’t know very well), a gift card is always a good last resort.
Before you pay full price, check out this selection of discounted gift cards and save yourself some cash.
Affordable Holiday Gifts for Him
Think that guy in your life is hard to buy for? Crisis averted. The holiday gift ideas below will help you ditch the cliche and snag gifts he’ll love – and actually use!
Retro T-shirts

At the end of a long day of work or class, he’ll love trading in his stuffy button-down shirt for a classic, comfortable t-shirt.
And if it reminds him of childhood, even better.
Some of the most popular options include
- Stranger Things
- Atari
- 7-Up
- Star Wars Millennium Falcon (pictured left)
- Karate Kid Cobra Kai
- Nintendo
Rule of thumb to follow: the weirder, the better.
Socks
The best way to force him to trade in his old white tube socks is to replace them. And if you go for bold patterns and colors, he’ll even be able to match them up himself.
Win!
Magazine Subscriptions
When in doubt, magazine subscriptions are among the best affordable holiday gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for guy in your life.
National Geographic – It’s one of the most popular magazine subscriptions of all-time for a reason.
Popular Science – He’ll be a treasure trove of unique knowledge at the next holiday party.
Sports Illustrated – Reading about sports may cut down on the time he spends watching them – but no promises!
Men’s Health – His doctor approves.
Leather Belt
If it’s time for him to finally trade in that old cracked belt from 1998, we recommend opting for a simple and timeless design. Or go with the versatility of a reversible belt.
Slim Wallet
Few things are as uncomfortable as sitting on a bulky wallet all day long. Check out slim and secure designs like this one from Travelambo.
Beef Jerky
Let’s face it – you could just stop reading right here and be done shopping. He wouldn’t even care. Especially if you scored some candied bacon jerky.
Bacon of the Month
Really. This is a thing. My wife got it for me a few years ago, and it was amazing.
Gift Cards
No, this isn’t a cop out.
Don’t forget to check out this selection of discounted gift cards and save money.
Sunglasses
These can replace those outdated aviators that “somehow disappeared” – **wink wink.**
Watch
To be early is on time, to be on time is late, and to be late is unforgivable, right?
Trendy Butler
Especially for the fashion-challenged, Trendy Butler can be a surprisingly affordable game changer. They’ll send complete outfits directly to him
Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas for Teens (That They’ll Actually Like)
There’s no doubt about it: shopping for the teenager in your life isn’t easy. We’ve got you covered with affordable holiday gift ideas that are both a bit off the beaten track and likely to score you major cool points.
Capture the Flag REDUX
You remember the game as a kid – think upgrades, glow in the dark, and hours of fun which don’t involve opposing thumbs and screens.
The Beginning of Everything
This is one of the most popular teen books for 2018. Give it a read yourself first and talk about it together. A brief synopsis:
Varsity tennis captain Ezra Faulkner was supposed to be homecoming king, but that was before—before his girlfriend cheated on him, before a car accident shattered his leg, and before he fell in love with unpredictable new girl Cassidy Thorpe.
The Universe Has Your Back
Another book that ranks highly among virtually every affordable holiday gift ideas list we consulted, The Universe Has Your Back is a motivational read for that unmotivated teen in your life.
Oh, and it’s a New York Times bestseller.
Portable Wireless Phone Charger
If your teen is constantly running out of battery life while on the go, a portable wireless phone charger is as much a gift for you as it is for them. They’ve come way down in price since hitting the market years ago.
Amazon Alexa Echo Dot
The Echo Dot remains of the hottest items on many teens’ wish lists for a reason. It can do just about everything, from playing music, checking the weather, to turning on the lights – and more!
Ear buds
They’ll probably lose or damage expensive ear buds like Beats, so they can never have too many basic pairs.
Fleece Jacket
Most middle and high schoolers don’t have lockers large enough to hold big coats. A warm, well-lined fleece, like these from The North Face, are a great alternative.
Selfie Stick
They’re still all the rage – trust us.
Polaroid Instant Cameras
For those moments when they want their photos right away.
Catch Phrase
Every generation needs to experience this classic, clean party game. And with many different versions of Catch Phrase available today, you won’t know all of the words when you play with them!
Gifts Your Child’s Teacher Really Wants
Shopping for your child’s teacher can be tough. Dollar store trinkets don’t seem quite meaningful enough, but nobody wants to be the parent who upstages the rest of the class. Choose something in the happy middle ground from our list of affordable holiday gift ideas that teachers really hope to receive.
Store Bought Treats
During the holidays, teachers survive on carbs, coffee, and sweet confections just like the rest of us. They’ll appreciate a fine pastry, cupcake, or similar delight from a local bakery.
Gift Cards
The trite gift card makes another appearance on this list for a good reason: the gift of shopping guilt-free is cherished by all!
Pro tip – grab an assortment of gift cards in small denominations and create a gift card bouquet using a vase or basket from the dollar store.
Personal Heartfelt Letter
As a teacher, I can’t possibly keep all of the gifts I receive during the holidays. But I read and keep all of the personalized letters I receive from students in a file and read them when I’m having a rough week.
Humorous Wine Glass
If you know your child’s teacher well enough, a funny wine glass is both the perfect way to share a laugh with your teacher and apologize for your little angel’s mischievous ways.
Even if the teacher isn’t a wine drinker, the gesture will be appreciated. Trust me.
School Supplies Bouquet
More than likely, your child’s teacher is already spending big chunks of his or her paycheck to buy the supplies that students don’t have and need. This gesture will go a long way toward alleviating that burden.
Always Hot Coffee Mug
No, your child’s teacher doesn’t want yet another “World’s Greatest Teacher” coffee cup. But an insulated mug that will keep coffee hot all day long? That’s a winner.
Grading Stamps
For those moments when everyone gets an “A.”
Classic Board Games
Indoor recess – every teacher’s worst nightmare – will be a bit easier thanks to the thoughtful gift of classic board games (think Battleship, checkers, Candy Land, and Chutes and Ladders).
Water Bottle with Cap
Sure, she probably has several water bottles at home. But a new water bottle, especially one with a cap, is always a welcome gift for a teacher.
Popular Family Games For Everyone
Holiday gatherings with distant relatives are always more fun with games and activities to break the ice. Check out the hottest new games for everyone in the family.
Reverse Charades
It’s pretty hard to improve on one of the most classic games of all-time, but this just may do the trick. Instead of one person acting out in an effort to help the whole group discover the secret word, the entire group must act out the word in an effort to help one person discover the secret word.
Googly Eyes
Don a pair of vision-altering glasses and race the clock to see if you can draw a picture and help your team figure out the secret word before time runs out.
This is one sure to draw many laughs, and it is perfect for all ages.
Speak Out
One of the most unique games every created, this game challenges players to say words and phrases while wearing a mouthpiece which doesn’t allow them to close their mouths.
The game comes with 5 mouthpieces, 200 phrase cards, and a timer.
Dutch Blitz
A lighting fast card game recommended for at least four people, Dutch Blitz is a strategic and fast-paced game focused upon getting rid of your cards faster than your opponents.
The kicker? Everyone can play their cards all at once, as no turns are taken. Place cards in the center piles in sequential order before your opponents and you’re the winner.
Note: This is a family favorite year after year in our house!
Wits and Wagers
Here is your chance to outthink and outsmart the rest of the family and enjoy history’s most award-winning party game of all-time.
Even if you don’t know the answers to the trivia questions, you can still win by making a guess and placing a smart wager.
Stuff Those Stockings (And Your Wallet)
My mom always managed to fill our stockings with even more fun gifts to open even after we had opened our handful of bigger gifts. The items on the following list are great stocking stuffers to add to your list of affordable holiday gift ideas.
- Hair ties and clips
- Dental floss
- Chapstick
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Candy
- Small tools
- Zip ties
- Chip clips
- Ornaments
- Pencils
- Pens
- Crayons
- Super glue
- Reading glasses
- Lotion
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Cologne/perfume
- Gift cards
- Brush or comb
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Batteries
- Hard candy
Great list! I will be using a few of these ideas for my own Christmas shopping. Is it sad that the older I get, the more I appreciate a quality pair of socks?
Nope! I love socks myself. 🙂