Fun Ideas for $10 Gifts?

Updated on December 12, 2008
L.C. asks from Hermosa Beach, CA
33 answers

Some of my family members have decided we should just exchange $10 gifts. Does anyone have any fun ideas? I need gifts for an infant, 9 year old girl, 11 year old boy, cousins in their late 20s and an aunt & uncle. I could do the usual gift card, but was wondering if there were any other creative and fun ideas out there. Thanks!

2 moms found this helpful

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L.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Why not do gift baskets (or boxes). Tea or Coffee for the older folks. Mug and special teas displayed nicely in a box. For the kids you could do Hot Chocolate or S'more boxes. For the baby, there are cute toys and little outfits for under 10. Baby is the easy one.

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T.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

For the 9 & 11 year old, go to Michael's or Joanns. They have a lot of crafts & models for that price. For the 20 somethings, iTunes gift cards are great. At Target or a toy store you can find a lot of infant toys for under $10. Bath toys are great and a lot of people forget that as they grow infants & toddlers spend a lot of time in the bath. Depending on the aunt & uncle, a movie (in some cases $4 at target) in a bowl from the 99cent store with a package of microwave popcorn and their favorite candy bar is awsome. I have done this for about $8.00 for various people over the years.

Also shop Big Lots, the 99cent store and other discounters. They have a lot of name brand items for a lot less.

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L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would say a fun gift for the cousins in their late 20's would be lotto scratchers. This gift is always cheap and fun!! Plus with the economy even if someone wins $25 that's cause for excitement! :-)

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N.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

This won't work for everyone on your list, but it might work for a few people. I am putting together little gift baskets for my mom's coworkers & filling them up with .99 lotion, a 1.99 foot callus file, and .69 lip balm that has the 2009 calendar on it. I'm using Avon online & using the free ship code: FSANY

http://shop.avon.com/shop/boutique_list.asp?couponCode=&a...

http://nichiahuff.avonrepresentative.com/

2 moms found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

How about making thrm a photo album of pictures of them when they were younger. Also, go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of little things that they like. For the 20s you might get kitchen utensels and make up a little apartment kit. An infant you could by or make a cute blanket. 11 year old a blanket with what ever sport he may like? I bake a lot during the holidays. I did scripture boxes one year just get index cards and write you favorite scriptures or quotes on them and put in a cutr box. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Go to Etsy! www.etsy.com

they have TONS of handmade, unique, one of a kind "gifts" that are super duper, made by artisans or Moms or Grandparents.... really great site.

I just bought some photo charms that was only $6.00 with my kids pic's on it, for our family gifts. It is SUPER cute and nice! I got the chain to go with it.
Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=18989&section_id...

Etsy is one of my favorite sites to find special gifts from, and at great prices...

Good luck,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

For gift cards: Pizza places, ice cream parlors, bookstores, any favorite restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, mini golf, day spas, even web sites (do you have relatives who love eBay or buy clothes from certain sites, for example, such as Zappos for shoes?). When all else fails I give gift cards to Target because nearly anyone can use them but the other ideas are a little more personal. For the women, Target's a good source for cute wallets, scarves, other accessories that are not expensive. Or go to a wine store and ask their recommendations for a nice $10 wine and buy a bottle for each adult.Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hit the Crayola aisle! Fun stuff for all ages. Also, Target carries a brand of toy - not sure of the name, but boxed in light blue with dark blue writing, that are all very reasonably prices, most are around $10. They have an entire aisle for this stuff. Michaels also carries some fun holiday crafts that would be fun for some, but maybe not the older ones??? Happy Holidays!

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N.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Great idea!
I recommend your local Dollar Store. I made some really cute baskets using items from my local dollar store (and few items I already had) Ex. GIFT IDEA1: Coffee mug, Instant coffee (tea, hot cocoa), box of cookies. Great for the coffee lover, you can even include a $5 gift card to Starbucks! GIFT IDEA 2: Crayons (or markers), coloring books, pens, paper, etc. - This are not the most fun gifts for kids but it's something anyone school age could use. GIFT IDEA 3: Infants - Sippy cups / bottles, infant plates and utensils, stuffed animals or cute little toys. GIFT IDEA 4: Beauty Products or Manicure / Pedicure items (great for women). Hope this helps. Have a Great Holiday!

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T.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

gift cards to starbucks, or coffee bean are always good ideas. Candles, or even socks are great gifts! good luck. Happy Holidays.

T.

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D.E.

answers from San Diego on

Books, books, books!

:-) D.

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D.L.

answers from Reno on

Hi, L.. Walgreen's has toys that are $6.98 each and they are a buy 2, get 1 free. Some of the toys include Littlest Petshop sets (that are twice that price at Walmart and Target), remote control cars and car sets, jungle animal sets, etc. They also have some bigger remote control vehicles for $9, and some bath sets for $9. They also had fake fish bowls (the fish are magnetic so they move around) (around $6) and digital frame keychains for around $10. There are also some really cute martini sets (with two glasses and a mixer and a recipe) and hot chocolate sets that are around $10-14. Hope that helps!

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S.S.

answers from Reno on

Amazon has a $5 book section...

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

$10 will get you a book, maybe a CD or DVD or even a video game depending upon the title. For the infant - there are lots of toys. 9yr old girl - you can buy pre-teen makeup or manicure kits or even body lotions and stuff. 11yr old boy - die cast cars, or carkits. lates 20s & other - bottle of wine, gift cards, movie tickets, etc.

Make your own gift basket for a couple - 2 cans of soda, 2 candy bars, 2 movie passes !

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I reccomend Big Lots. They have TONS of inexpensive gifts. I did all my Toys for Tots shopping there. My family also does a gift exchange. It's $25 or less. I was able to pick up a great vanilla hand soap & hand lotion set for $6. You really can't go wrong there. I also picked up a small tool kit for $10 for my husbands exchange gift.

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D.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tons of toys ten bucks and under. So the kids should be easy. Infant- rattles, soft blocks, stacking toys, chew toys, balls. 9 yr old girl- check with mom first but maybe nail polish stuff, hair things, art supplies(the dollar store usually has lots of stuff), cool tote bag/purse, cool t-shirt, what are her hobbies? favorite books, sports etc- does she like Webkins?... 11 yr old boy- trading cards (fave tv show, movie, or sport?), art supplies, sports equipment, books, smart aleck (not crude though) t-shirt, find out what the latest thing to collect is...Cousins in their late 20s and Aunt and Uncle... Really I would find out what their hobbies are and focus on that... music, books, movies, games, kitchen gadgets, favorite foods...you can find almost anything...

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M.S.

answers from Honolulu on

For the older ones you can get a movie rental voucher/gift card for one free rental. While you're at the movie store buy one of the popcorn buckets and fill it with the snacks/drinks for during the movie.

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H.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Cost Plus has some excellent gifts--soaps, herb gardens, wines, toys, crafts, chocolates. They're really priced well!!

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D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I usually give $1 scratchers in a card. That way for $10 you can give 10 scratcher cards - good chance to win something! (for the older people obviously;) Good luck and Happy Holidays!

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S.Z.

answers from Reno on

Dollar stores are your friend! Stores like Target or Wal Mart are great for the ideas I have, as well. With careful shopping, you can put together a really thoughtful gift.

Babies are so easy to shop for. They'll be happy with anything you get. Put together a bag of rattles, socks, teethers, baby shampoo and such. Maybe toss in a favorite snack or a cuddly animal.

I have 3 girls, ages 22, 21 and 10. At 9, all would have been thrilled with a gift bag of hair clips, bubble bath, child friendly nail polish and lip gloss, maybe all in a small purse. They also would have loved art supplies - paint and ceramics, or a jewelry making kit, or a small jewelry type box to decorate. It's pretty easy to find school supplies, jewelry or bath stuff in a character theme she'd love - say, Hello, Kitty, Hannah Montana or High School Musical.

My son is 14; at 11, he would have enjoyed Bionicles, Pokemon cards, Legos, used video games, books (the Warriors or Artemis Fowl series) or a DVD.

For adults, you could go with practical - a food basket with their favorite crackers and cheese; pancake mix and fancy toppings; kitchen gadgets (spatula, wisk, serving spoon); a basket of bath stuff or tools you always need but can't find, like a hammer, thumbtacks, and measuring tape. You could also go indulgent - paperback novels; candles; a bargain movie and microwave popcorn; chocolate and cocoa (my favorites!) or something related to a hobby - something to add to a collection (polished rocks, nutcrackers, elephant figurines- whatever!) Put together an emergency kit - first aid, a flashlight and batteries or glow sticks.

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A.B.

answers from San Diego on

I'm having my girls make Christmas gifts. I got some small dipping bowls at Target for $3 they have different colors. Or you can use a mug. And then they are going to hot glue buttons and sequence and such around the bowl. THen cover in a sealant like Modgepadge(sp). You then have a little decorative bowl for someone.

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T.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Go to a craft store like Michaels or Jo Ann - they have so many creative gifts for so cheap. The 9 year old girl might like a latch hook rug kit (remember those?) or a stamping kit. You can make something simple for the baby, like painting block letters of his/her name for their room. For the cousins in their 20s you could get them a nice stationary kit, or some crafty project for their home. (stencils, etc.) For the 11 year old boy, you could get him/make him a fleece blanket of his favorite sports team, or if he's artistic, the sky's the limit in a craft store.

Good luck!!

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J.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have a huge family and have to buy over 30 gifts each year so I can only spend $10 for each person. Books and Movie Tickets and DVDs are good gifts under under $10. Walgreens has good inexpensive toys too. Mervyn's is having a going out of business sale. Everything is 50%-70% off and children's clothes are an additional 20% off already reduced prices. Kmart and Linens & Things are also going out of business and have big sales. If you buy anything from those stores, make sure it's the right size because they can't return it. Good Luck!

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A.L.

answers from San Diego on

For the 9 and 10 year old, they have battery powered Light Brights at Sears for that price. I bet if they never had that, that they would love it.

For the 20 year old, I would do iTunes gift certificates or something with music?

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S.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've seen digital key chains for $10 in Walgreens and other places too (for the older crowd)

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M.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello L.,

Go to your local Educational Store. Game section... cool games that kids don't even know they are learning. Tie on a bag of microwave popcorn.. My kids love the 6-pack glass bottles of "Santa" Coca Cola. Stick something fun in there like Beef Jerky and tie it at the handle.

Kids love stuff in their wallet. Get a whole bunch of Chuck E. Cheese Tokens!!!!
It will be like Pirate Money!!!

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H.A.

answers from San Diego on

Infant: cute outfit on sale, small toys that rattle/squeak/crunch, stacking blocks, foam building blocks, bath toys.

Pre-teens: movie tickets, art & craft box, one of those kits from Michael's Crafts on making slime or lip-gloss, Klutz Books, snack attack box.

Adults: A few of your favorite things in brown paper wrapping tied up with a string (one year we did health products: facial soap, lotion, chap-stick, etc. Another cooking implements: spatula, spoon, timer, towels. Yet another, snacks: chocolate, tea, chips (tried to keep items local)

Theme Ideas: Books, games, puzzles

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B.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am a big bargain shopper. I would suggest going to TJ Maxx or Ross and start by looking at their clearance items. There are some fun items in the $1 area at Target and their clearance items are great as well.

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

L.,

It is a gift card idea but I've found that pretty much everyone loves movie theater gift cards. It would work for everyone on your list but the infant. And you can find really cool infant toys for $10.

:-)T.

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

for the women in your family check out...

www.4mypurse.com

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R.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

L.,

I am a MK consultant and things that we do is fuzzy gloves with hand cream. Scarfs with lipgloss, or shaveing cream. You can get the fuzzy gloves, scarfs, lipgloss or flavor chapstick at the dollar store. We obvious use our products and we do these for our customer at $10 price point as well so I know that there are good gift out there for a reasonable price.

Good luck with the 11 year old boy. My son is 10 and it is hard for me to find inexpenisive gifts for his stocking:)

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E.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Walmart has some great cards games that are inexpensive.

I also create Mary Kay gift baskets and I have some that the 20 somethings might like.
I even have some small items that are $2.50 and up.

Crayons etc. are always great for the young ones.

____@____.com

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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was recently at Walmart and they had a lot of neat stuff with great variety for $10. Just food for thought, our family has exchanged names for years with the adults, so each is buying for only one, but everyone gets gifts for the children up to high school. Maybe the kids can exchange?? also, you might have everyone fill out what they would like, and exchange lists so you are actually buying what they want (my preference). Lots of options, hopefully helpful...Merry Christmas either way. A.

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