Cheap gifts for friends without looking cheap.

How do you get cheap gifts for friends without looking and feeling like a cheapskate?

The secret, at least according to us, is to focus on the quality of the gift. I know when someone asks what we want as a gift, it’s a tough question because we already have so much stuff to begin with. That’s why we prefer to focus on experiences, sentimental items, and making memories. Assuming you feel the same way, then these cheap gifts for friends will be right up your (and their alley).

Make them something

Do you have a special talent? Maybe you’re a song writer, knitter, world class chef. Whatever special skills that make you you, utilize them and make your friend something.

Something straight from the heart is one of the best cheap gifts for friends because it is so personal. Sure, maybe 6 months of Spotify would be cool. But imagine your friends’ face (and probable tears) when they hear the song YOU wrote for them.

Need some more ideas on what to make?  Check out – 50+ Handmade Gift Ideas or these Christmas Gifts You Can Make.

Go to a concert together

One of the reasons we are frugal is to have more money for experiences that we will enjoy and remember forever. While concert tickets may not sound like it fits the ‘cheap gifts for friends’ category and can be quite expensive depending on what seats you get, often times you can see a good band in a small theater, bar or club, or Amphitheater (lawn seats, FTW!).

Over the last few years we have found several bands we love playing in amphitheaters where lawn seats are around $20 each. Factor in parking (often times it’s covered) & travel expenses (fuel, food & drink) and we have made a ton of great memories for less than $100 between the two of us.

Take a class together

You’ll notice a theme on this ‘cheap gifts for friends’ list. We LOVE experiencing life. And we DOUBLE LOVE (is that a thing?) sharing those experiences with others. No doubt, you and your friend have shared interests.

Find a local class or course (something like music, dancing, pottery, home brewing, brazilian jui jitsu, etc) that you both will love and enroll in it together. You can pay if you want, but the time together will likely be enough of a gift in itself.

Go on a shopping spree

I know this does NOT sound frugal, but hear me out first. This one will take a little preparation at first but it can be fun and super frugal. First, go through your closet and pick out anything that you absolutely CANNOT live without. Place that to the side. Everything else, is fair game.

Have your friend do the same thing with their closet. Now, you can each go through each other’s remaining wardbrobes and pick out 5 (or whatever number you decide works for you) things that you love. The nice thing about this is you’re not spending any money, you’re getting rid of some stuff that you may not need or want anymore and you both get clothes that are new to you!

The best part of this is you and your friend will get to spend time together. Sharing is caring and that makes this one of the best cheap gifts for friends you can buy…or not buy.

Volunteer together

It is the season of giving, after all. Find an organization that is dear to your heart and volunteer your time together. There are a ton of groups out there that help families with food during the holidays. Animal shelters are really busy with parents who want to get their children a pet. You can sing Christmas Carols to people in a retirement community.

How could you not want to help this little guy?

There is no shortage of people that need help this time of year (or any time of year, for that matter). Give each other the gift of helping others and you’ll actually be receiving a gift yourself. Spending no money, having quality time with a friend (or two if you can get a group together), and helping others in need may be the best cheap gifts for friends you can give.

Let us know which of these ideas you like best or if you have some of your own in the comments below.

For more great frugal ideas and tips, check out some of these blogs