Living on a college budget can be tough, especially when it comes to holiday shopping. Gifts for your friends and family can still be meaningful without also having a hefty price tag. Here are five gift ideas that are both affordable and easy to make.
Marble Mugs
Source: The Sweetest Occasion
There are several cute gift ideas that involve mugs, but marble mugs are a great way to give a gift that looks expensive when it really wasn’t. Making these luxe mugs is simple: you pour some of your favorite colored nail polishes into a disposable bowl of warm water, dip a ceramic mug into the mix, and take it out to let it dry. The result is a sleek, marble finish on a mug that could be as cheap as one dollar.
Hot Chocolate Ornaments
Source: Creme de la Crumb
The hot chocolate ornament is a gift that’s both decorative and functional. This present is as simple as buying a fillable ornament and putting hot chocolate powder and marshmallows inside. You can also add sprinkles, chocolate chips or peppermint to make it more festive. To turn it into a drink, all you have to do is pour the contents into a mug of warm milk.
Mason Jar Gifts
Filling mason jars with all of the dry ingredients needed to bake cookies or brownies is a great gift for anyone. This present is easy to make, both for the giver and the receiver. There’s also a lot of room for creativity to make it more festive and personalized.
Sharpie Design Mugs
Source: Pinterest
Another great customizable gift is a mug designed with Sharpies. This present is as easy as drawing a design or writing a message onto a ceramic mug, and sticking it into the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. The result is a great mug that can be used year round.
Homemade Bath Bombs
Source: Soap Queen
Making bath bombs at home may seem like a challenge, but it’s simple with the right materials. Measurements change based on how many are being made, but the important components are baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt and cornstarch. These are mixed into a bowl while adding in a food coloring of your choice. In a separate bowl, melted coconut oil, water and essential oils for the scent are mixed together. After slowly combining the wet and dry contents, mix until the contents have a wet sandy texture. They are then packed tightly into molds of your choosing and left to dry. This is a cheap alternative to store bought bath bombs and a creative gift for the holidays.