Thoughtful Holiday Gifts for Less Than $25

Holiday cheer on a budget

It may be the hap-hap-happiest time of the year, but it doesn’t have to be the spendiest. Although the holiday season reliably empties the pocketbooks of parents everywhere, more families are choosing to be intentional about holiday spending. There are lots of reasons to stick to smaller gifts, whether it’s because you’re opting for one large family gift, prioritizing experiences over material presents, upping your charitable giving or sticking to an agreed-upon spending limit for extended family. But even if you’re paring down, you can still slip a pretty package or two into loved ones’ hands. These small but thoughtful gifts show that you care without breaking the bank; each gift comes in at less than $25.

Here’s to spreading holiday cheer on a sensible budget!

Self-care standouts

Brush local

Adorable, affordable and altruistic, MamaP’s handcrafted toothbrushes are made with compostable bamboo handles, recyclable nylon bristles and non-toxic paint. A portion of sales proceeds go to support worthy causes, from saving the bees to ocean conservation to LGBTQ youth services. The MamaP Equality kids bamboo toothbrush, $14 for a set of 2, is available locally at Seattle’s zero-waste grocery store Scoop Marketplace and Danger on Bainbridge Island. 

Stamp of approval

Kids love nail polish, even if parents don’t love the mess it creates. The Cool Maker Go Glam Nail Stamper (regularly priced at $24.99 on Amazon) is a compact kit that lets your polish-loving kids enjoy the nail art trend while keeping the mess to a minimum. (Ages 8 and older)

Catch and release

Sometimes coaxing a reluctant toddler into the tub means upping your bath-toy game. Munchkin Fishin’ Bath Toy ($8.99 on Amazon.com) features a working fishing pole and magnets strong enough to last through hundreds of tub sessions. (Ages 24 months and older)

Truth bomb

Bath bombs — molded balls of baking soda, citric acid and essential oils — turn tub time into an effervescent celebration of scent and color. But at $7–$10 a pop, they’re a splurge. A bath-bomb-making kit comes complete with molds, all-natural ingredients and instructions for whipping up custom spheres of fizzy fun at home. Find The Roxy Grace Company DIY Bath Bomb Kit, $24.00, on Etsy.com.

Get started with STEM

Plus one

There are lots of construction toys out there. But how many of them work for kids as young as 1, build both flat and three-dimensional creations that flex and bend, and start at just a few dollars? Made in Denmark, Plus-Plus building pieces come in one interconnecting shape that can be assembled to create flat mosaic patterns or intricate 3-D builds, from buildings and bridges to figures and faces. Plus-Plus 15-piece Big tubes are made for tiny fingers (18 months and older; $10.99); and Plus-Plus 70-plus-piece basic tubes are perfect for kids ages 5 and older ($7.99). Check the store locator on the Plus-Plus website to find a retailer near you.

On the grid

Circuit sets are a great way to introduce kids to electrical engineering concepts, but shopping for the more extensive circuit kits can trigger sticker shock (ha!). Before you spring for a big, expensive circuit set, start with Snap Circuits Beginner Electronics Exploration Kit ($24.99 on Amazon). It includes 14 parts, enough to build more than 20 projects, with extra safety features for younger engineers ages 5–9. 

Magna-tiny

If Magna-Qubix look familiar, it’s because they’re miniature cubic versions of the mega-popular (and more expensive) Magna-Tiles building toy. Pocket-size, three-dimensional building shapes with a petite price point to love, Magna-Qubix 19-piece ($19.99 on Amazon) won’t consume all your precious play space or your entire holiday toy budget. Find Magna-Qubix at Teaching Toys in Tacoma’s Proctor District or Teaching Toys, Too at Uptown Gig Harbor. (Ages 3 and older)

Inner beauty

More fun and educational than a lump of coal, geodes are ordinary-looking rocks that house sparkling crystals within. With ordinary household tools, eye protection and adult supervision, rock hounds can break geodes open to reveal their unique beauty. Magic Mouse Toys in Seattle keeps a selection of individual geodes and geode kits tucked into its science section downstairs; look for individual break-at-home geodes for $4 or Klutz Maker Lab’s Rocks, Gems & Geodes kit (ages 8 and older) for $24.99 on Amazon.

Crank up the creativity

Baby shark

If you’re looking for a gift that’s simple, doesn’t require batteries and delivers loads of play value, consider a cape. The right one can transform your child into a superhero, a storybook character or a deep-sea creature at the drop of a hat — er, hood. Add this one to your tot’s dress-up collection for hours of open-ended play. Find the Great Pretenders shark cape for $19.99 online.

Inked

Is your kid’s handwriting making you cringe? Even grade-schoolers who hate cursive enjoy practicing calligraphy, which offers a chance to hone fine motor skills and learn the (nearly) lost art of hand lettering. Compile a calligraphy kit for less than $25 with a Speedball C-Style lettering set, Speedball super black India ink and a Strathmore calligraphy writing pad, at art supply stores or on Amazon.com.

All set

If you’ve got lots of lists to check off, look for gift sets that can divide and conquer. Kid Made Modern’s set of three giant crayons are molded from 64 dazzling hues and make an impressive display. Even better, the set can be divvied up so nobody gets left out. Add a roll of craft paper and turn your kitchen counter into a family pop-up art studio. Snap up a Kid Made Modern Giant Crazy Crayon set, $19, online.

Family play

Stuck on you

Clack! is a fast-paced, picture-based game that’s simple enough for kids to play on their own, but fun for families. With just five rules and no complicated instructions, the magnetic matching and stacking game makes keeping the score simple: The tallest tower wins! The game can be played by two players or an entire brood (up to six players). Clack! by Amigo Games sells for $18.95 on FatBrainToys.com. (Ages 5 and older)

Curl up

Think you know your beagles from your bagels? Think again. This silly, surprisingly challenging game asks one simple question: Is this image a dog or a breakfast food? It’s the perfect choice for those “Let’s pick a game that won’t take all night” evenings when a good laugh is in order. Find the Beagle or Bagel? game by Blue Orange for $12.99 at OfftheWagonToys.com. (Ages 7 and older)

Picture it

A paperless, mess-free version of Pictionary that appeals to even too-cool teens? Yes, Virginia, there is such a game. The latest version of Mattel’s Pictionary lineup lets players “draw” images in the air, which then appear on a smartphone, tablet or television screen (app download required). Players can interact with their drawings and record performances with the app to relive the fun long after the holiday decorations have been stored away. Barnes & Noble stocks Pictionary Air by Mattel for $22.99. (Ages 8 and older)

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in November 2019, and updated in November 2021.