Due to the economy, most people are entering this holiday season with a restricted budget, making it a little bit tougher to spend money on gifts for friends & family. For this reason, I compiled a little list of simple, inexpensive gift ideas for all ages. Even better, because they all require some thought & effort, they’re much more meaningful than most anything that could be purchased at a store. 

❄ A homemade “care package,” complete with small travel-sized bottles of the recipient’s favorite shampoo, conditioner, soap, nail polish, etc. and a few other miscellaneous items 
❄ Make your own mixes in a jar. This website contains simple, low-cost recipes for everything from cakes and muffins to bath bombs and soap. 
❄ Create a recipe book. Print out (or hand write) some of your favorite (or the recipient’s favorite) recipes and turn them into a book using a binder, scrapbook materials, etc. 
❄ Make a scrapbook complete with pictures—this is something that parents/grandparents, especially, would love. 
❄ A teacup along with a box of your favorite tea 
❄ Homemade goods like cookies, breads, and cakes are always appreciated. Find tons of delicious holiday cookie recipes here. 
❄ For someone that loves all things vintage, find your nearest antique shop or thrift store and find something both inexpensive and one of a kind 
❄ Make a “quote of the day” jar, filled with 365 inspirational quotes. Each day, the recipient will have a new one for inspiration. 
❄ Offer to invite your grandparents (or even your parents) over for one night where you cook dinner & dessert and do all of the dishes. They’ll appreciate all of your hard work! 
❄ If you know a new mother or anyone with young children, offer up one night of free babysitting. 
❄ Find giftcards to their favorite store for a reduced price on eBay 
❄ For girls & mothers especially: for only $10 (one month), send her a Birchbox filled with samples of new, high-end beauty products