The Best Gifts Under $5 You Can Easily Make This Year

If you think your holiday budget is too small, then these gifts under $5 are the perfect fit for you!

When you make and give homemade gifts to others, you’re making a lasting impression that physically demonstrates your love.

A gift that comes from your heart – and is the product of your love – is better than anything store-bought.

Keep this in mind when planning the gifts you will give this year.

Because each loved one will know that your gift came from the heart and will cherish and appreciate it accordingly!

So let’s dive into these gifts under $5! Some are super easy to make and that I love!

These DIY gift ideas will help you get your crafty side going to make this season the best DIY one yet!

Plus, with these creative DIY homemade gifts, you’ll love making these great gifts that are so cheap to make!

Are you ready for a DIY gift-giving season? Let’s go!

Festive Tea Wreath

The first of the gifts under $5 is so easy to make, but can be very versatile!

I know so many people who love tea especially when the weather gets cooler. That’s why I thought these tea wreaths would make great gifts for all the tea lovers you know! And they would be so affordable!

But the great thing is this doesn’t have to be just for tea! You can use coffee sticks, trinkets like key rings, earrings, it could even be a candy wreath, snack wreath, or anything that can fit on the clothespins! How fun to start off these DIY gift ideas!

Supplies:

• Piece of cardboard cut into a large 12″ circle, and another inner circle cut out
  (Use a dinner plate and a cup saucer or salad plate as a template)
• Crafter’s Square Wooden Clothespins, 24-ct. Packs – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Christmas paper, craft paper, scrapbook paper or even fabric scraps to cover the circle (or 25¢ at Hobby Lobby)
• Washi tape, paint, paper, or fabric to cover the clothespins
• School Glue – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Bigelow Herbal Tea Assorted Teas 18 ct – $2.67 at Walmart (make sure they are individually wrapped tea bags)
• Paintbrushes
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun and glue sticks
• Scrap piece of ribbon
• Xacto Knife

Directions:

First, cut out the cardboard circle and the inner circle using a Xacto knife.

Then, cover the circle with your choice of paper or fabric and adhere it to the circle with glue.

As the circle is drying, cover the clothespins to match or coordinate with the circle with your choice of either washi tape, paint, paper, or fabric. I found some Christmas Washi Tape that fit perfectly on the clothespins.

Once those have dried or done, hot glue the clothespins to the circle aligning up the ends of the clothespins to the inner circle in a radiating fashion. I used my rotary mat with the 45-degree angle to evenly space them out.

Make sure that the holding part of the clothespins is pointing out.

Hot glue the ribbon to the back of the wreath as a holder.

Open up the tea box and add one or two to each of the clothespins.

Total Cost: As low as $3.67 each for the clothespins and tea box (if you already have glue and something to cover the circle with)!

Doily Luminaries

Nothing beats the soft flicker of candlelight especially for gifts under $5. And I love these unique doily votive holders that Spirello made but why can’t we make them even cheaper!

Supplies:

• Decorative Round Polyester Doilies 2 ct – $1 at Dollar Tree
  (Or, if you can find some cheap doilies at a thrift store, those would work great too!)
• White School Glue – $1 at Dollar Tree
• LED Votive Candle 2 pks – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Balloons
• Something to hold the ballon upside down like a plastic cup
• Paintbrush
• Paper plate or small disposable dish
• Rice or beans to weigh the cup down so it doesn’t fall over
• Tape

Directions:

First, fill the cup with about 1/2-1 cup of beans or rice to weigh the cup down. I put rice into baggies that way the rice would stay clean and I could use it later for food.

Then, blow up the balloon to the desired size to fit the doily. Tape the balloon to the cup so it stays put.

Cut slits into the doily along the edges into the center of the doily so the doily lays flat over the balloon.

Next, pour the glue in the dish or plate.

Soak the doily in the glue and then apply the doily to the bottom round part of the balloon. Smooth out any wrinkles or excess glue with the paintbrush. Make sure the edges lay flat and overlap the next piece. Add more glue to make sure the edges stick well.

Let it dry for at least 24 up to two days or until dry. Prick the balloon to release the air. Trim any dried glue from the edges.

Add a LED votive candle and WOW! Don’t you just love creative DIY homemade gifts like this?! I know I do!

Total Cost: $3 for 2 votive holders or $1.50 each!

Emergency Stash Ideas

I love how creative some people can be with simple things with gifts under $5. And this Teacher’s Emergency Stash got me to thinking just how inexpensive this gift could be!

Supplies:

• Tool Bench Hardware Plastic Compartmented Storage Case 7.125×4.875x.875-in. – $1 at Dollar Tree
  OR Jot Plastic 9-Compartment Organizer Case 7.625×6.75×2.25-in. – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Ribbon – $1 at Dollar Tree (or free if you already have some)
• (4) Bags of Individually Wrapped Candy – $1 at Dollar Tree

Directions:

First, take the sticker off the storage case. Then, open the bags of candy and add them to the storage case.

Remember, the display of the candy is part of the eye appeal!

Wrap it up with a ribbon and a card.

Total Cost: $5 or less depending on how much candy your case will hold!

Plus, the sky is the limit with this gift! Here are some other great ideas to use with these DIY gift ideas!

Hair Care:

• Mini brush
• Hair ties
• Bobby pins
• Mini Hairspray
• Scrunchies

On The Go:

• Phone charger cord
• Earbuds
• Battery charger
• Hand sanitizer
• Air Freshener Vent Clips
• Quarters for parking or vending machines
• Lip balm
• Tissues
• Little flashlight

Office Stash:

• MInts or Breath drops
• Gum
• Pain Reliever
• Small packages of cookies or crackers
• Foldable toothbrush and toothpaste
• Lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Tic Tacs
• Quarters for vending machines
• Lip balm
• Tissues
• Sticky notes
• Note Flags/Page Marking Flags

First Aid Kit:

• Bandaids
• Cotton swabs
• Ointment
• Pain Reliever
• Gauze
• Mini scissors
• Itch Ointment

Homework Helper (Great to keep in the car):

• Mini Pens
• Mini Pencils
• Note Flags/Page Marking Flags
• Sticky notes
• Erasers
• Pencil Sharpener
• Crayons
• Mini Coloring Pencils
• Scissors
• Mini Markers

If you want a larger gift, you can always choose the toolbox that Dollar Tree has! It can fit some larger items like pens, full-sized hand sanitizer bottles, and other fun items like full-sized chocolate bars. I know I would love a toolbox filled with candy. Wouldn’t you?!

Flower Petal (Antibacterial) Soaps

If you need some creative DIY homemade gifts this year, this can be a great one that is also super affordable!

Supplies:

• Tweezers
• Wax Paper
• (2) Flower Petals 300 pc – $1 at Dollar Tree ($0.33/100 petals)
• Melt and Pour glycerin soap 2 lb – $9.99 (at Hobby Lobby – use 40% off coupon or sale to get a cheaper price)
• Cellophane Bags 20 ct – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Fragrance Oil 1 oz – $3.99 (at Hobby Lobby – use 40% off coupon or sale to get a cheaper price)
• OR you can use 40 drops of Thieves or Purification Essential Oil to make them antibacterial soap petals.  (I use the Young Living brand because of their purity promise.) But this is up to you.

Directions:

Purchase flower petals and “Melt and Pour” glycerin soap and whatever scent you want to use.

This 2 lb soap bar will make 2 batches. One pound of soap (or 1/2 of this 2 lb bar) made all 300 petals plus a little leftover soap.

Melt the soap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. First, I cut 1/2 the bar of soap into little bars along the cut lines and added it to a microwave-safe glass dish. While that was melting in the microwave, I set up a double broiler so that the soap would stay melted while I was dipping the petals. I didn’t want to have to keep stopping and microwaving the soap while I was working. This worked perfectly!

Add 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil per pound of soap. Or, add your choice of essential oils to the melted soap.

Using tweezers, dip the fabric flower petals into the soap, scrap the petal against the side of the dish, and then place onto the wax paper. Allow the petals to dry.

You will have to stop frequently and scrap your tweezers down to get off the excess soap. Just add it back to the pot of melted soap.

After they have dried, peel the soap petals from the wax paper. Some of the soap may stay on the paper, but that’s okay. There is still enough on the petal to make a good lather. You can always pull off the excess soap and add it back to the melted soap pot.

Arrange these “guest soaps” in a decorative bowl or container or wrapped up in a cellophane bag.

When guests wash their hands in the bathroom, they only have to use a single petal. These soap petals also work well in the bathtub or great as on-the-go soaps, making them a dual-purpose gift for many occasions.

Total Cost: $11.98 or $2 per gift of 100 petals (makes 6 gifts)!

I love gifts under $5 that are germ killers! 😉

Muffin In A Mug Gift

While I love my low carb Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cake which is similar to a muffin in a mug, this cake in a mug master mix idea takes it to another level which is perfect for gifting! It’s a yummy consumable and one of the best gifts under $5!

Supplies:

• Angel Food Cake Mix – $2.74 at Walmart
• Chocolate Cake Mix – $1.06 at Walmart
• (3) Jars with a tight-fitting lids 16 oz – $1 at Dollar Tree
  (I found 14 oz jars at my local thrift store for 59¢ each)
• Sprinkles – $0.97 at Walmart (optional)
• Sharpie or gift tag
• Ribbon, bow, tag, or anything else to dress up the jar
• Tablespoon to add to jar 40 pc – $8.99 ($0.23/scoop – optional)

Directions:

First, add both the angel food mix and chocolate cake mix into a large bowl. Use a whisk and stir the ingredients up very well.

This recipe makes about 31 oz of the master mug mix. So if you choose a jar around 14 oz, you can make 3 gifts out of the master mix. If you choose a larger jar, then you would only be able to make 1-2 gifts out of the master mix.

I was able to put 1 & 1/2 cups of mix into each 14 oz jar making 3 gifts out of 2 boxes of cake mix.

Once you have filled your jar, add the instructions on either a gift tag or with a sharpie on the jar.

Chocolate Cake In A Mug Directions: Add 3 Tbsp. of master mix with 2 Tbsp. of water. Mix well and microwave for 1 minute. Add your toppings of choice like sprinkles, whipped cream, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, etc.

They can also customize this muffin mix to their liking by adding vanilla, an egg, or even chocolate sauce to make it more chocolatey.

Tie the sprinkles jar and a scoop to the master mix for a great gift! Both the sprinkles and the scoop are optional to keep your costs down.

Total Cost: As low as $6.80 for all the ingredients to make 3 gifts (dollar store jars & both cake mixes)! That’s just $2.27 each (this does not include the sprinkles or scoops)! 

Chalkboard Clipboard

I got this idea from this site and thought it was super cute! I also thought we can get those supplies at the Dollar Tree making this a super cheap gift!

Who doesn’t need another surface to quickly write down to-do lists or a grocery list? That’s why this gift is genius and cheap!

Supplies:

• 9″x12″ Clipboard – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Chalkboard Paint – $1 at Dollar Tree
• White Paint – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Box of Chalk – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Paintbrushes
• Painters Tape
• Pencil/Stencils
• Soda can top for hanging (hot glue gun and hot glue sticks to attach it to the back)

Directions:

First, tape off the clip part of the clipboard. Then paint the board with chalkboard paint according to the chalkboard paint directions.

Once dry, sketch the words you would like to write on the board. Paint in the words using the white paint.

Or, I found some great stencils and even stickers that you could use for this project at the Dollar Tree! I found some skinny letter stencils that worked great!

Add any other painted decorations you want and then don’t forget to attach something to hang it with on the back.

Wrap it up with a box of chalk and you have such a cute gift!

Total Cost: $4 or less if you have some of the supplies already!

I love creative DIY homemade gifts like this that are so helpful to busy mommas like me! Gifts under $5 like this are a no brainer!

Reed Diffuser

Don’t you love DIY gift ideas that make your home smell good? Me too!

Supplies:

• Recycled jars (look for ones with narrow necks)
  OR, Bud vases – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Bamboo Skewers – $1 at Dollar Tree ($0.10/10)
• Fragrance Oil 1 ct – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Baby Oil 6.5 oz – $1 at Dollar Tree
• Cellophane Bags 20 ct – $1 at Dollar Tree ($0.05/1)

The materials for a homemade reed diffuser can be purchased right at your Dollar Tree making these gifts super affordable!

Directions:

First, purchase glass bottles or containers, wooden reeds, and a favorite potpourri scent.

Decorate the bottles and containers as desired and package with reeds with the fragrance oil and baby oil.

With each diffuser bottle decorated to suit the gift recipient, it makes for a completely customized gift from the heart. Use paint, stickers, scrapbooking elements, or other decorations as your heart desires.

Depending on the size of your vase or jar or vase, instruct your gift recipient to add 1 Tablespoon of Vodka or rubbing alcohol, plus 20 drops of the fragrance oil, and the baby oil.

Total Cost Per Gift: $3.15 per reed diffuser gift!

Succulent Gifts

You all know we have a crazy plant lady amongst us, and for those who have a green thumb, these gifts under $5 are a perfect fit!

Supplies:

• Succulent in a pot – around  $3.50 at most stores (or pay a little more to get a bigger plant – $4.48 at my local Home Depot)
• Raffia, Ribbon, Burlap ribbon, Fabric scraps
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Directions: 

First, clean the outside of the pot and remove any stickers.

Wrap the burlap ribbon or fabric scraps around the pot and trim to size. Hot glue into place.

Wrap a piece of ribbon around the burlap and make a bow.

Total Cost: As high as $4.48 depending on the supplies you already have for a larger succulent!

Vintage Vase & Flowers

There’s nothing better than flowers and a pretty vase to make someone’s day. And since they are gifts under $5, I know I will be giving them more often to the ones I love and appreciate!

Whether it’s for a housewarming gift, a hostess gift, or a just because gift…flowers make people smile.

Don’t underestimate the flower power!

Supplies:

• Vintage Vase (check your thrift stores and garage sales for super cheap vases) – 99¢ at my local thrift store
• Flowers from the store – $4 (at my local Publix)
• Ribbon
• Scissors

Directions:

Dress up a plain vase with ribbon, raffia, twine, fabric remnants, lace, buttons, or anything else you think might work well for your gift.

Just remember, the smaller the neck of the vase, the fewer flowers you’ll need.

Total Cost: $5 per gift!

Lavender Sachets Or Dryer Bags

Lavender is such a soothing scent and I can’t believe how cheap and easy these sachets really are! Thanks to Jill for the idea! These make great gifts under $5!

There’s nothing like great smelling laundry when it comes out of the dryer. Or even when you pull it out of your dresser. That’s one reason why I like using these lavender sachet bags. They make the laundry smell so good!

Supplies:

• 1/4 cup – Dried Lavender 1 lb @ $12.95 ($1.62/1/4 cup)
• Organza Drawstring Bags 6 ct – $1 @ dollar store ($0.17/bag)

Directions:

Into the organza bag, add 1/4 cup of dried lavender.

Then, pull the strings closed and then knot them to make sure they are secure especially if they are going into the dryer.

Total Cost: $1.79 each per bag and 1/4 cup lavender buds or $3.58 for (2) bags!

Oatmeal Lavender Bath Soak

If you’ve ever needed gifts under $5 for the Sunday School ladies, or co-workers, this is the gift to give because it is so cheap to make!

Supplies:

• 1 cup Epsom Salts 3 lb @ $4.66 (43¢ per cup)
• 1 cup Ground Oatmeal 42 oz @ Walmart $2.46 ($0.47/cup)
• 1/4 cup Corn Starch 16 oz @ Walmart $0.92 ($0.12)
• 1 tsp Dried Lavender 1 lb @ $12.95 ($0.14)
• Scrap fabric and ribbon OR Small jar with lid – $1 (at Dollar Tree)

Directions:

To a food processor, add the Epsom salt, oatmeal, and corn starch, and blend until they are combined and the oatmeal is ground down.

Add to each jar, add 1 cup of the mixture, and 1 tsp of dried lavender. Stir the dried lavender into the soaking mixture and add the lid.

To your gift, add a note to add 1/4 cup to each bath.

Of course, this depends on the size of your jar. You may want to fill it up to the top, and therefore, add more lavender.

You can also wrap this bath soak together in some scrap fabric and pretty ribbon.

Total Cost: $20.99 (minus the jars/fabric/ribbon). This makes 10 & 1/2 cups in total or $1.16 per 1 cup of bath soak. With the jar, $2.16 total. 

I found these 14 oz jars at my local thrift store for 59¢ and added 1 & 1/2 cups of soak to the jar. Making my total $2.33 per jar.

Family Birthday Calendar

If you have a large family or even a large extended family, you know how hard it is remembering everyone’s birthdays! That’s why this Family Birthday Calender is so great and makes for some creative DIY homemade gifts this year!

Supplies:

• Craft Plywood – 1/8″ x 4″ x 12″ – $1.99 at Hobby Lobby (use 40% off coupon to get this cheaper = $1.19)
  (Or if you can find a sign at Dollar Tree about the same size, you can just paint over it.)
• Ribbon – $1 at Dollar Tree (Or free if you already have some. You’ll need about 12 feet of ribbon. Also, make sure the ribbon is thick like a gross-grain ribbon so the clothespins will not slide off.)
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Essentials Wooden Clothespins, 36-ct. Packs – $1 at Dollar Tree
• 2 – aluminum can tags for hanging
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• Fine Point marker
• Family Wood Cutout – $1.49 at Hobby Lobby
  OR Family Stencil – $3.49 at Hobby Lobby
• Letter Stencils – $1 at Dollar Tree

Please note: I had a hard time finding the Hobby Lobby plywood as they were out at both of the stores that I went to. Since I didn’t want to wait another week, I opted for a slightly higher priced piece of board that I got on clearance for $7. So this is what is in the picture.

I did do a little bit of digging on the Home Depot site and found another option for you. Just purchase a 1/4″x2’x2′ piece of sanded plywood and have them rip it into about 6″ lengths (since the true finished size is about 23 3/4″). This will give you 4 pieces of around 1/4″x6″x24″ for about $1.81 each. (Or, have them rip it into about 4″ lengths. This will give you 6 pieces at about $1.21 per piece.) Just make sure that you have enough room to add the “family” part and the letters for the months.

Directions:

First, paint the plywood your color of choice or stain. You can paint a border or anything extra you want. Just leave room for the month letters at the bottom.

Second, paint the “family” cutout a different color to contrast and stand out from the board. Glue to the board once both the board and the cutout has dried. Make sure to space it evenly in the center of the board leaving room for the month letters.

Or, you could also use stencils and paint if you are going to be making a lot of these. This will help keep your costs down too since you can reuse them and get your money’s worth. It will help keep your gifts under $5 super cheap!

Third, divide the board and space the letters for the months out evenly. Paint or use sticker letters to name out the months on the board.

Fourth, once the plywood has dried, hot glue the tags to the back of the board for hanging.

Fifth, cut 12 lengths of ribbon to 1 foot. If you have a lot of birthdays in any particular month, you may need to make the ribbon longer for those months.

Sixth, hot glue the ribbon strips to the back of the plywood spacing them out evenly depending on the size of your ribbon. If you think your ribbon will fray at the bottom, you can cut the ribbon in an upside-down v shape, or roll it up slightly and hot glue the ends.

Seventh, write down all the birthdays for the months and the names. Get this list organized by going through your gift recipients’ Facebook or Instagram feed and writing down all the birthday’s for the family. This is a sneaky way to have the gift totally done for them!

Next, for each birthday, write the date and the name of the person on the clothespin and add it to the corresponding month on the ribbon. If the ribbon you chose is too thin and the clothespins keep sliding down, you can hot glue a couple of buttons on the ribbon to keep them from sliding.

This is such a great gift for any family, but especially for large families or those who celebrate their extended family birthdays too!

Total Cost: $4.68 (plywood [used coupon], ribbon, clothespins, family wood cutout!

Check out these other ideas on how you can make your own birthday calendar!

Homemade gifts don’t have to appear pricey or professional to tug on the heartstrings of the recipient.

The gift recipient will know that you put thought and love into the gift that you created.

Handmade gifts can be significantly more meaningful than store-bought gifts.

It’s a good idea to make your own gifts even when you can afford something commercial.

So I hope you’ve enjoyed these gifts under $5! Some are super easy to make and that I love!

These DIY gift ideas will help you get your crafty side going to make this season the best DIY one yet!

Plus, with these creative DIY homemade gifts, you’ll love making these great gifts that are so cheap to make!

YOUR TURN: What other gifts under $5 are you going to make this year? Share with me in the comments below!