We know the pandemic hasn’t been kind to everyone’s bank account, so we’ll provide a range of price points — under $25, $50, and $100. We also have something for you to consider if your budget is bigger. And, if your budget is closer to zero, scroll to the end for three free ideas for gifts you can give that any student or young adult might appreciate.
Gifts for $25 or less
Gifts for $50 or less
Gifts for $100 or less
Able to spend more? Here’s a versatile gift idea for less than $500
Free gifts: Non-commercial, non-tech things to share
Although gadgets are good, we know that often the best gifts don’t come from a store. Or maybe after living through nearly two years of the coronavirus pandemic, your budget is tight. Whatever the reason, consider any of these free gift ideas: With a 300 watt output, the company says the River Mini can recharge or run 99% of household devices, including phones, tablets, or laptops. It has two 120 volt wall-style outlets, a DC car-style outlet, three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a wireless charging pad.
Calm
Unfortunately, the holiday season isn’t always a joyous time for everyone. Calm, a digital app, offers a free trial with unlimited access to mental health tools and resources. If they love it, they’ll be able to upgrade to a premium paid version, which adds guided meditations, a catalog of calming nature sounds, sleep stories for kids, and regularly updated content.
Personalized music playlist
People over the age of 25 may fondly remember when creating and sharing a mix CD or even cassette tape was a popular gift and pastime. Why not recreate that magic in the modern era? Streaming services like Spotify allow you to create and share playlists right from your phone, so this suggestion is not only free but easy to do on the fly and the sly for last-minute gifters.
Regifting
Did someone give you sports memorabilia, video gaming accessories, or something else that you and your household just didn’t love? Consider regifting. In addition to being free, if the item is in new or very gently used condition (bonus if you have the original packaging), you’ll experience the job of decluttering your home and seeing someone else enjoy something you don’t couldn’t use. Etiquette experts say regifting is OK if you follow a few rules.
