35 Christmas Gifts Under £20 That Don't Look Cheap

A small budget is no barrier to a lovely present. The gifts people remember are the ones that feel chosen for them, and that has nothing to do with price. These 35 ideas all come in at around £20 or less, with a few homemade options that cost even less.

For friends

1. A scented candle — pick a winter scent like fig, cedar or orange.
2. A pretty mug filled with hot chocolate stirrers.
3. A paperback you loved this year, with a note inside about why.
4. A small framed photo of the two of you.
5. Fluffy socks and a face mask for a night in.
6. A mini bottle of something nice — sloe gin, a craft cider or an alcohol-free spirit.
7. A plant cutting from your own garden, potted up.

For colleagues and Secret Santa

1. Speciality coffee or loose-leaf tea.
2. A quality pen in a nice box.
3. A desk plant that copes with office light.
4. A reusable water bottle.
5. A set of fun sticky notes or a weekly desk planner.
6. Fancy biscuits or a small box of chocolates.

For more ideas in the usual £5–£15 range, see our Secret Santa gift ideas.

For teachers and nursery staff

1. A handwritten card from your child — teachers really do keep them.
2. A hand cream or lip balm set.
3. A good-quality mug (but maybe not the twentieth "best teacher" one).
4. A local bookshop voucher.
5. A small plant or a bunch of seasonal flowers.

For neighbours and the postie

1. Homemade biscuits or mince pies in a tin.
2. A jar of chutney, jam or flavoured salt.
3. A box of festive tea bags.
4. A bottle of mulled wine spice with a recipe card.

For family

1. A personalised calendar with family photos for every month.
2. A cosy hot water bottle with a knitted cover.
3. A jigsaw puzzle for Boxing Day.
4. A recipe book you write yourself with family favourites.
5. Kitchen gadgets that actually help — a good peeler, a microplane grater.
6. Seeds and a small trowel for the gardener.

Homemade gifts that cost even less

1. Infused oil or vinegar with rosemary or chilli.
2. Biscotti or shortbread in a jar with a ribbon.
3. Hand-poured candles in old teacups.
4. Bath salts with dried lavender.
5. A photo book or printed mini album.
6. Knitted or crocheted coasters.
7. Vouchers for your time — babysitting, a cooked dinner or a lift to the airport.

How to make a small gift feel generous

Wrap it beautifully. Brown paper, twine and a sprig of greenery make even a £5 present look special.

Write a real message. A handwritten tag or card turns a small gift into something personal. Our Christmas messages are a good starting point.

Pair two small things. A mug and good hot chocolate, a notebook and a pen, a candle and matches — pairs feel thoughtful.

Give a little of yourself. Homemade food, a printed photo or a promise of your time often means more than anything from a shop.