Want some impressive Christmas gift ideas that will help save you time and money? Look no further than our list of Christmas gift ideas under $40, with something here for every family member!
Setting a budget for gifts at Christmas is a great way to stay ahead of costs, and believe it or not, a planned spend also makes the task of preparing and buying Christmas gifts a bit easier too. A budget generally encourages you to do some research first to find appropriate gifts rather than walking in or logging into a shop on a whim and wasting time wondering where on Earth to start!
As we know the pressure of Christmas shopping can be more challenging for some, our Christmas gifting gurus thought they would chip in with help for some Christmas gift ideas under $40. And when they put their heads together, our gifting gurus are pretty damn savvy too.
If you have a different budget for gifts in mind, use these Christmas gift ideas under $40 as a base to build your gifting around. Just give or take as you need. The idea of these Christmas gift ideas under $40 is to create gifting with flexible options that can also suit different demographics. So, let’s get on with our wonderful list of Christmas gift ideas under $40!
Christmas Gift Ideas Under $40 that are Perfect to Post
When you need to share the spirit of Christmas gifting through the post or parcel service and want to make the unwrapping experience more exciting than a gift card, consider some Christmas gift ideas under $40 that will travel well.
A Christmas photo frame can be covered in bubble wrap and packed flat as an easy parcel to send. Just add a voucher for your recipient to print a photo to display in the frame for the full package.
Image source: Gifts and Keepsakes
Our shatterproof Christmas baubles and personalised Christmas gifts are other amazing Christmas gift ideas under $40 that travel very well through the mail. Just package them into one of our Christmas gift boxes for added protection before sending them on their way.
Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas Under $40
Handmade and homemade Christmas gifts are a great way to stretch the dollar when you have a smaller budget. Moreover, handmade gifts can also deliver beautiful bespoke Christmas gifts that cannot be purchased elsewhere. Here are a few ideas for handmade and homemade Christmas gift ideas under $40.
Homemade Beauty Treatments
Fancy a mini-pedi or mini-mani or a self-spa treatment? I bet some of your family and friends would too. You can well and truly put together a homemade beauty treatment Christmas gift idea under $40. See some of the following ideas, completely customisable for all ages too.
In an appropriately-sized jar or gift box, add;
- an array of bath bombs, fizzers, dried flower petals and bath salts
- nail clippers, nail polish, nail file, cotton balls, nail polish remover, nail art and a mini hand cream
- a face mask treatment, lip therapy balm, a face scrub, or other skincare products
- pedicure pamper items, such as a foot scrub, soak, file, soothing cream, and even nail polish
Image source: The Merrythought, Kidspot, How to Build It
Decorate the jar or gift box with Christmas ribbon or natural twine, and finish by attaching a personalised Christmas tree decoration or name tag.
For an even more budget-friendly option, upcycle your old candle or coffee jars.
Crafty Christmas Gift Idea Under $40
Craft your gift recipient a unique Christmas gift idea under $40 that they can use over and over again. Here are a couple of ideas.
Furniture Restoration
If you are blessed with crafty talent, why not upcycle some furniture as a unique Christmas gift idea under $40. You can find all sorts of budget-friendly furniture treasures at second-hand stores and online at places such as Facebook Marketplace, local BSS Facebook pages and Gumtree. Grab yourself a furniture bargain and turn someone else’s trash into a loved ones’ treasure this Christmas.
Following are a few thrifty Christmas gift ideas:
- transform a pre-loved coffee table into a luxury ottoman
- restore an old side table into a newly-loved piece
- turn a change or side table into a quaint food or drinks cart to use on Christmas Day!
You can flex your skills and stretch your dollar further with clever furniture restorations.
Image source: The Christmas Cart, Mountain Modern Life
Creating Beautiful Gifts from your Santa Photos is a very easy Christmas gift idea under $40 that can pack some instant wow factor. Even better, it is easy enough that the kids can get involved too! Craft a special photo platter board using basic staples of an MDF craft board, some photo transfer glue, and a photo print out. Take it one step further by creating a beautiful festive collage board, filled with images and memories from past Christmases.
When your masterpiece is made, wrap it in Christmas ribbon with an oversized burlap bow and berry or floral picks for instant festiveness.
* Tip: For more crafty DIY projects, take a look at these ‘10 DIY Christmas gift ideas’.
Homemade Cooking
You can bake up an absolute load of sweet treats and tasty temptations for under $40. The below ideas provide some inspiration for homemade cooking that can be gifted individually, grouped or added to a homemade hamper.
Cook up some relishes, spreads or sauces to share with friends and family. To do the job nicely, grab some preserve jars (readily available at Kmart, Target, Big W and Spotlight) to store your preserves in. Add some decorative Christmas ribbons and Christmas picks to the jars for impressive presentation. Our personalised wooden tree decorations also look fab tied onto a large jar of homemade relish.
Present your homemade treats in our window gift boxes to make them look beautifully finished.
Image source: The Christmas Cart, Constantly Stamping, How to Build It
Homemade sweet treats are a popular Christmas gift idea under $40. As another Christmas gift idea under $40, how about making some Edible Christmas Gifts to Bake and Share. Not only do these gifts make tasty treats for your friends, but it’s also an opportunity to trial your Christmas sweets menu. Mix up an array of treats such as white Christmas, rocky road, Christmas cookies, and cute little inclusions like meringue Christmas trees too.
See the huge range of Christmas sweets recipes we have listed in our Christmas cooking articles for inspiration.
When you have baked your array of Christmas sweet treats, making sure they are covered for freshness by wrapping in cello. Then add some decorative elements like a Christmas floral, ribbon, a personalised Christmas tree decoration. For extra protection of these sweet goodies, place in a gift box, or give as is, depending on your recipient.
If you have some money to spare, add lovely Christmas serveware like a Christmas platter or Santa condiment set.
Visit our online store at The Christmas Cart to find plenty of Christmas gift ideas under $40. Find more Christmas inspiration through our Blog, with a variety of craft, cooking, gifting, and decorating articles.