If you’re looking at your holiday list and thinking, “How am I supposed to afford something for everyone?” I get it.
Between family, neighbors, teachers, and co-workers, it adds up fast.
That’s why I lean into cheap Christmas food gifts every year!
They’re fun to make, you can put together a bunch at once, and people love getting something homemade.
If your budget’s tight but you still want to show you care, here are some easy ideas that don’t cost much but still feel thoughtful.
Homemade Cookies and Sweets
Cookies and sweets are my go-to when money’s tight but I still want to give something a little special.
The best part is you can use whatever you already have in the pantry, swap things around, and stretch one batch into a bunch of gifts!
Even if your baking skills aren’t Pinterest-level, nobody’s complaining about homemade treats.
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mix up some basic cookie dough, toss in a handful of chocolate chips, and scoop onto a baking sheet.
Bake until the edges look golden and let them cool before moving.
If you want soft cookies, pull them out when they still look a bit underdone.
2. Classic Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
Whip up a sugar cookie dough and roll it out on a floured counter.
Cut shapes with whatever you have (even a glass works in a pinch) and add sprinkles before baking.
Keep an eye on them so they stay nice and light.
3. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Stir together peanut butter, crushed graham crackers, and powdered sugar until it sticks together.
Roll into little balls, dunk in melted chocolate, and set them on wax paper.
Let them chill until the chocolate hardens.
4. Fudgy Brownie Bites
Make a pan of brownies using a cheap mix or a simple recipe, then slice into small squares once they’ve cooled.
Dust the tops with cocoa or powdered sugar.
Stack a few on top of each other for a cute little pile.
5. Pretzel Rods Dipped in Chocolate
Melt some chocolate chips in the microwave and dunk one end of each pretzel rod.
Shake on sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
Let them dry on a piece of parchment.
6. Rice Krispie Squares with Holiday Sprinkles
Melt marshmallows and a bit of butter in a big pot, dump in Rice Krispies, and stir until coated.
Press into a greased pan and toss on festive sprinkles while they’re still sticky.
Cut into squares after they cool.
7. Chocolate Bark with Crushed Candy Canes
Melt chocolate chips, spread onto a baking sheet, and sprinkle with crushed candy canes or whatever bits you have.
Let it set in the fridge and break it up by hand.
Store pieces in a tin or jar.
8. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, raisins, and a little cinnamon with an egg and oil or butter.
Drop spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake until they look set.
They’re chewy and smell so good coming out of the oven.
9. Homemade Caramel Corn
Pop a big batch of popcorn and spread it on a baking sheet.
Melt butter with brown sugar and pour over the popcorn, tossing everything to coat.
Bake at a low temp for a few minutes to make it crisp up.
10. Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts
Whisk egg white until foamy, toss in mixed nuts and coat with cinnamon sugar.
Spread out on a lined baking sheet and bake, stirring once or twice so they don’t stick.
Cool completely so the coating gets crunchy.
Homemade Preserves
Preserves are surprisingly cheap to make if you use fruit or veggies that are on sale or hanging out in your freezer.
You don’t need fancy equipment for most recipes, just some clean jars and a way to heat things up on the stove.
Even a tiny jar of something homemade feels extra special during the holidays.
11. Simple Strawberry Freezer Jam
Mash fresh or thawed frozen strawberries with sugar until juicy, then stir in a bit of lemon juice and instant pectin.
Spoon the jam into clean jars, pop on a lid, and let it set in the fridge.
No boiling or canning needed for this one!
12. Spiced Apple Butter
Peel and chop a bunch of apples, toss them in a pot with sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of water.
Cook on low until the apples break down, then blend until smooth.
Simmer to thicken and let it cool before scooping into jars.
13. Classic Grape Jelly
Heat grape juice with sugar in a saucepan, add powdered pectin, and bring it all to a boil.
Pour into jars while it’s still hot.
Let it cool at room temp until it sets.
14. Quick Refrigerator Pickles
Slice up cucumbers (or whatever veggie you like), stuff into jars, and cover with a hot mix of vinegar, water, salt, and sugar.
Add a garlic clove or a sprinkle of dill for more flavor.
Chill in the fridge and snack on them after a day.
15. Homemade Salsa
Chop tomatoes, onions, and peppers, then stir everything together in a bowl with lime juice, salt, and a little sugar.
Spoon into jars and keep in the fridge.
The flavors get better after a night or two.
16. Jalapeño Jelly
Chop jalapeños and simmer with sugar, vinegar, and pectin until it thickens.
Pour into small jars and let it set up as it cools.
This is perfect for loved ones who like it a bit spicy!
17. Dilled Carrots
Cut carrots into sticks and pack them into a jar with some garlic and fresh dill.
Heat vinegar, water, salt, and sugar, then pour over the carrots until they’re covered.
Close the jars and let them chill in the fridge for a few days.
18. Sweet and Spicy Pepper Relish
Dice sweet and hot peppers, cook them down with vinegar, sugar, and salt until thick and glossy.
Spoon into jars and cool before storing.
This adds a kick to sandwiches or crackers.
19. Pickled Red Onions
Slice red onions thin, then pour boiling water over them to soften a bit.
Drain and pack into jars with vinegar, a bit of sugar, and some peppercorns.
Chill in the fridge so they turn bright pink and tangy.
20. Mixed Berry Chia Jam
Mix thawed frozen berries with a bit of honey or sugar in a pot, heat until soft, then mash and stir in chia seeds.
Let it cool so it thickens up naturally.
Spoon into jars and keep in the fridge.
Homemade Seasonings
Seasoning mixes are one of those gifts that look way fancier than they cost.
You can scoop a few cheap spices into a bowl, mix them around, and suddenly you’ve got something cute and homemade.
It’s perfect when you want to stretch your budget but still give something that feels thoughtful.
21. Taco Seasoning Mix
Grab some chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a bit of salt, then toss everything into a bowl.
Give it a few slow stirs until it all looks blended.
Pour it into a little jar and tap the sides to settle it.
22. Garlic Herb Salt
Scoop some coarse salt into a bowl and sprinkle in garlic powder, dried parsley, and thyme.
Move your spoon through it until the herbs spread through the salt.
It comes together fast and looks pretty without any effort!
23. Homemade Ranch Powder
Dump dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and powdered milk into a bowl and mix it around.
Keep stirring until the little green bits look evenly scattered.
Add it to a jar and lightly shake it so it settles.
24. Chili Spice Blend
Put chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of brown sugar in a bowl.
Press any lumps out with the back of your spoon and mix slowly.
Once it looks like one smooth blend, pour it into your container.
25. Cinnamon Sugar Shaker
Pour white sugar into a bowl and add cinnamon until the color looks right to you.
Stir it around so the cinnamon moves through the sugar.
Funnel it into a shaker or small jar and tap the counter a couple times so it levels out.
26. Everything Bagel Seasoning
Mix sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and flaked salt in a bowl.
Give it a few easy stirs so the seeds move around and spread out.
Scoop it into a jar and let it settle on its own.
27. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of cloves to a small bowl and mix until it turns into one even color.
Keep stirring until nothing looks streaky.
Pour into a tiny container so it stays neat.
28. Italian Herb Blend
Grab dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder and mix them together in a bowl.
Stir a few times until it looks like one big mix of green herbs.
Spoon it into a jar and lightly shake it so it evens out.
29. BBQ Rub Mix
Add brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to a bowl and work out any sugar chunks with your spoon.
Keep mixing until the color turns smooth and even.
Pour it into your jar and tap it once or twice so it settles.
30. Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Mix dried lemon zest with black pepper, salt, and a little garlic powder.
Stir it slowly so the zest spreads through the mix.
Scoop it into a small jar and let it settle on its own.
Christmas Gifts in a Jar
Jar gifts are perfect when money’s tight because you can layer a few cheap ingredients and suddenly it looks like you spent way more time and cash than you actually did.
Most of this stuff comes right from the pantry too, so you can make a whole lineup without much effort.
They’re simple, cute, and super easy to pull off even if you’re not crafty.
31. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar
Scoop flour, sugar, and baking chips into a jar in layers so each part shows through the glass.
Tap the jar gently to settle everything without mixing it together.
Throw some red and green M&M’s on top to make it festive!
32. Brownie Mix in a Jar
Pour cocoa, sugar, flour, and a little salt into the jar one layer at a time.
Tilt the jar a bit as you go to keep the lines clean.
Finish with a layer of chocolate chips if you have some on hand.
33. Pancake Mix in a Jar
Add flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to the jar in loose layers.
Spoon each part in carefully to keep it from puffing everywhere.
Lightly tap the bottom on the counter so it levels out.
34. Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon in one bowl and spoon it into the jar.
Add a small layer of mini marshmallows on top.
Try not to squish them so they sit nicely!
35. Friendship Soup Mix
Layer dried lentils, split peas, rice, and small pasta shapes in the jar.
Add dried onion or garlic flakes if you have them.
Keep the layers tight so they don’t shift around too much.
36. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix
Add oats, brown sugar, flour, raisins, and a bit of cinnamon in layers.
Pat each layer gently with the back of your spoon to flatten it a bit.
Leave a little space at the top so nothing spills.
37. Homemade Chai Latte Mix
Stir milk powder, instant tea, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in a bowl.
Pour it into the jar and let it settle.
Add a small scoop of extra cinnamon on top for a pretty finish.
38. Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
Layer flour, sugar, and a little cinnamon in the jar, then add a separate layer of more cinnamon sugar.
Tilt the jar side to side as you fill it so the layers stay straight.
Tap the bottom once to help it level.
39. Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix
Combine flour, sugar, dried apple bits, and cinnamon in a bowl, then spoon it into the jar in soft layers.
Press down gently with your spoon so it doesn’t puff up too much.
Add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
40. Split Pea Soup Mix
Pour split peas, barley, lentils, and dried veggies into the jar in sections.
Add each layer slowly so the colors stay separate.
Fill to the top so everything sits snug.
Holiday Food Gifts That Save Money and Stress
When money’s tight, it helps to focus on gifts that come from your kitchen instead of your wallet.
You can make a whole bunch of treats without spending much, and every little jar or bag of goodies still feels warm and thoughtful.
It’s a simple way to take some of the pressure off your holiday list while still giving people something they’ll actually enjoy!
Looking for more budget gifts? Here are some more ideas:
- 40 Fabulous Budget Christmas Gifts to Give
- 50+ Cheap Christmas Gifts that Cost Under $10
- 30 Budget Christmas Basket Ideas
