Holdiay gift guide from Cheap Recipe blog

If you’re looking for great gifts that don’t cost a lot of money, you’ve come to the right place. All of these gifts are fabulous – and under $20. If you haven’t completed all of your Christmas shopping yet (I know I haven’t!) check out the ideas below.

10: Homemade Salty Hot Fudge Sauce

I found this delectable recipe in The New York Times. It’s super easy to make and costs less than $5. Pour it over ice cream, mix it with warm milk for a rich hot chocolate, or just eat it shamelessly out of the jar like I do. Get the recipe here.

Salted chocolate sauce recipe

9: Wine

A nice bottle of wine makes a great gift and doesn’t cost a lot of money. If you’re looking to up the creative ante, consider giving three or more bottles of wine from around the world. A mini “wine tour”, if you will.

Wine as a gift

8: Spices

Any cook will love getting spices for a gift. Both individual spices and spice blends (pictured below) are a great option. Another popular gift idea this year is seasoned sea salts, like this homemade citrus sea salt.

Cheap Christmas gift ideas: Spices

7: Cookbooks

A good cookbook is the gift that truly keeps on giving. Just think of all the meals, dinner parties, and desserts that can come out of one cookbook! Here are some of my favorites:

My favorite cookbooks

6: Homemade Truffles

Nothing says happy holidays like homemade chocolates. Am I right? Make your own truffles at home with this easy recipe. Customize them by rolling them in a variety of toppings, like crushed candy canes, chopped pistachios or toasted coconut.

Chocolate ganache truffles recipe

5: Homemade Hot Sauce

Sweets are great, but if you’re looking for a less sugary gift to make for your loved one, consider this homemade hot sauce recipe. This sauce can be used in lieu of Tabasco or any hot pepper sauce. Be sure to wear protective gloves when working with the peppers!

Homemade Hot Sauce Recipe

4: Homemade Sugar Scrub

If you’re looking to spend less than $5 on a gift but still want to give something fun, try making your own sugar scrub. This recipe couldn’t be easier. If you’re not keen on pumpkin-scented scrub like the one in the photo below, you can certainly use other spices or scents (such as ground coffee beans, lavender, peppermint oil or vanilla). To make it especially gift-worthy, package it in a pretty jar and give an accompanying towel.

Pumpkin spice sugar scrub recipe

3: A Birchbox Subscription

Have you guys heard of Birchbox yet? Oh my gosh. It’s the coolest thing ever.

For $10 a month, you get a beautifully-wrapped package delivered to your door, filled with samples of high-end beauty products. I’ve gotten everything from fancy blue nail polish to perfume samples to night cream. Birchbox is available both for individual purchase and as a gift.

Purchase a Birchbox subscription here.

Birchbox

2: Infusion Pitcher

This is one of my favorite kitchen items! I love this pitcher because it allows you to easily infuse water with fruits or herbs, without making a mess. There is a removable fruit infusion rod that can be filled with lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, other fruit or fresh herbs. Making refreshing spa water at home has never been easier!

Buy it here:  Prodyne Fruit Infusion 93-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher

Infusion pitcher for infused water

1: Edible Gifts

In case you didn’t know, I have a whole section on my blog devoted to gift-worthy recipes. Everything from homemade graham crackers and marshmallows to these peanut butter truffles. Check it out!

Peanut butter truffles recipe