Economy got you down? Being tight on cash with Christmas right around the corner may put a damper on some people’s spirit, but you don’t have to let it get you down. There are plenty of incredible gift ideas that are even better than anything you could possibly buy. DIY projects, for example, result in much more meaningful gifts, and you don’t even need to be a top notch artist to make crafts that will be appreciated. Of course, for brand snobs there are also always knock-offs.
Best gift idea on the list? A stick of Secret deodorant: if you pick up the lucky winner, you might just be giving your sister a hidden diamond. And even if not, she’ll appreciate the convenience of a little hygiene gift.
This slideshow highlights some of the best gift ideas for the recession that will still leave you feeling abundant. It includes gifts that are easy on your wallet, as well as those that will help your loved ones manage their cash in the new year.
31 Creative Gift Ideas for the Recession
31
Drastic Holiday Price Cuts
Black Friday Ads Indicative of Harsh Recession
30
2 for 1 Truck Sales
Extreme Dodge Dealer Incentives
29
DIY Gifts for Geeks
From Keyboard Cufflinks to Cassette Tape Belt Buckles
28
DIY Credit Crunch Fashion
Dame Vivienne Westwood S/S 2009
27
Budget-Savvy Storage
Recycled Kitchen Gadgets As Decor
26
Faking Status With Counterfeit Cars
Knock Off Ferraris
25
USB Plug-In For Phones
Cheap Calls With MagicJack
24
DIY Custom Flip-Flops
Switchflops
23
Peel and Stick Picture Frames
Stickr Frames
22
Recycled Toy Lighting
DIY Doll Chandeliers
21
Credit Crunch T-shirts
“I Can't Afford to Heart NY”
20
Credit Crunch Cell Phones
Cricket Launches MOTO VE240
19
Fake Diamond Ring Mugs
The 2-Carat Cup
18
Cheap Tickets to Promote Albums
Metallica Surprises with $9 Concerts
17
Free Diamonds to Sell Deodorant
Secret Flawless Promotion
16
Piggy Banks With Panache
Unique Ways to Save Money Stylishly
15
Seasonal Jewelery DIYs
Autumn Acorn Crafts
14
Recycled Money Jewelry
OriginalBliss
13
Recycled TV Bars
DIY Green Liquor Storage
12
$1 Baby Monitors
iPhone App Calls You When It Detects Noise
11
Cheap High Fashion
The 'Truly Madly Deeply Karl' Tee
10
DIY Presents
Budget-Friendly Holiday Gifts
9
$10 Fair-Trade Alcohol
Sam's Club Launches ‘Neu Direction' Wine
8
$100 Laptops Now Online
Amazon.com Sells Hand-Crank Laptop
7
Gift Card Bonuses
Target Cards Come With Free Digital Camera
6
Credit Crunch Chocolate
If You Can't Beat it, Eat it!
5
Upgrading Gift Cards
Best Buy Cards Come With iPod Speakers
4
$1.75 Foreclosure Homes
Credit Crunch Hits eBay
3
Calculating Money Saved by Walking
The Taxi Walker Pedometer
2
Credit Crunch Food Certificates
Mega Restaurant Discounts
1
Credit Crunch Email Alerts
ShoppingNotes.com
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Secret Whole Body Deodorant Provides Total Odor Protection
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Remsen Redefine Aging with Beautifully Designed Everyday Goods
Exclusive Men's Grooming Kits
Harry's Launched its 'Handsomer for the Holidays' Gift Collection
Locking Lotion Bottles
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Curated Seasonal Boxes
The FabFitFun Winter Seasonal Box Boasts Essential Gift Items
Easter-Inspired Personal Care Lines
The Lush Easter Collection Boasts Fun, Non-Chocolate Treats
Wintry Hand Sanitizer Sets
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Refillable Advent Calendars
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Calming Fun-Loving Candle Collections
Unbound Glo Offers a Range of Scents That Reduce Stress
Romantic Perfumery Candle Collections
This Diptyque Valentine's Day Set is Limited-Edition
Modern Gifting Services
Fresh Sends Reinvents Flower Delivery & Gift-Giving for a New Generation
Sickness Survival Kits
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Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Affordable Holiday Gift Sets
The Body Shop Presents a Diverse Range of Holiday Gift Sets
Luxurious Men's Grooming Gift Sets
Dans Un Jardin Introduces Luxurious Men's Grooming Gift Sets
Nature-Inspired Holiday Skincare Kits
Yves Rocher Boasts Limited-Edition Holiday Kits
Fizzy Cola Fragrances
Snif's Soda Snob is a Scent that Captures the Essence of Carbonated Drinks
Affordable Genderless Fragrances
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Seasonal Personal Care Products
The Native Holiday Collection Has New and Returning Favorites
Holiday Countdown Retailer Promotions
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Self-Care Wellness Sets
Grace & Stella’s Self-Care Essentials Glow This Valentine’s Day
Heartfelt Christmas Campaigns
John Lewis Presents the Festive Gifting House Campaign
Influencer-Crafted Gin Cocktails
These Tanqueray Gin Holiday Drinks Celebrate Canadian Traditions
Biodegradable Dual-Fragrance Perfumes
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Festive Body Care Editions
Dove Introduced its Limited-Edition Holiday Treats Collection
Festive Bridal Accessory Lines
Funky Junque Embraces the Most Exciting Parts of Wedding Planning
Realistic Messy Romantic Gifts
The Messy Paper Anniversary Gift Boxes Embraces Imperfections
Nostalgic Bodycare Revivals
Lush Brought Back 45 Previously Discontinued Retro Products
Nostalgic Summer Air Fresheners
Vacation's Air Fresheners Share Scents of Fan-Favorite Products
Hangable Fragrance Tags
Born to Stand Out's Home Fragrances Enhance Interiors with Color & Scent
Burger-Shaped Bath Gifts
The Love Burger by Lush Layers Bubbly, Sudsy Surprises
Affordable Home Fragrance Collections
Dollar General Debuts a Fragrance Line with Slatkin + Co.
Festive Body Care Sets
Josie Maran’s 2024 Holiday Set Highlights Nourishing Products
Glam Bracelet-Making Kits
This Juicy Couture Bracelet Kit Features Ten Unique Charms
Creative Gift Wrap
Clash Royale's 'Gift Wrap Gift' is Unexpected
Fragrance-Inspired Candles
The Lush X Community Candles Share New Experiences of Beloved Scents
Discreet Cannabis Gift Boxes
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Dupe-Inspired Shower Gels
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Festively Seasonal Nail Polishes
The Sally Hansen Once Upon a Holiday Collection is Color-Rich
Whimsical Candle Christmas Campaigns
The Yankee Candle 'Make it More Magical' Campaign is Festive
Lavender-Scented Blankets
The Cool Calm Cotton Set by D.S. & Durga Provides Multi-Sensory Comfort
Social Shopping Apps
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Mother-Specific Self-Care Kits
The Honest Company Offers the Relaxing Self-Care Gift Kit
Relaxing Self-Care Gift Sets
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Nostalgic Bath Product Lines
Mr. Bubble Unveils Options for National Bubble Bath Day
Cinema-Inspired Lifestyle Sets
Aesop's Gift Sets Elevate Self-Care with Cinema-Inspired Elegance
Convenient Swedish Massage Gifts
The NOW Massage Offers Hassle-Free Gift Cards
Mix-and-Match Sensorial Bodycare
Jukebox's Clean-Label Soaps & Deodorants Share Nostalgic Scents
Winter Getaway Candles
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Romance-Inspired Candle Designs
Candier's You're My Favorite Candle Makes for the Perfect Gift
Affordable Holiday Gift Sets
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Festive Memory-Making Toys
Slumberkins' Yeti to Shine Helps Kids Embrace New Holiday Traditions
Personalized Pet-Inspired Ornaments
Crown & Paw Offer the Perfect Holiday Gift for Pet Lovers
Festive Film-Inspired Soaps
Dr. Squatch Ninny Scrubbins Soap is Elf-Approved
Winter-Inspired Cleaning Supplies
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Moisturizing Fragrance Sticks
Tremendous Parfum and Scentinvent Technologies Created Three Scents
Celebratory Gifting Candles
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Reformulated Skincare Rebrands
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Aromatic Beauty Gift Sets
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Beachside Home Fragrances
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Unconventional Bubble Baths
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Cookie-Scented Body Soaps
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Snif's Soda Mixers Layering Bundle Builds on a Fizzy Cola Scent
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Halloween-Themed Care Sets
Lush's Limited-Edition Bewitched Gift Set Features Five Spooky Items
Mom-Focused Beauty Gift Bundles
KAI Boasts a Range of High-Quality Skincare Bundles
Earthy Scented Candles
Lohn's Evergreen Candle Brings the Scent of Balsam Fir & Cedar Indoors
Charitable Coal Shops
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Versatile Skin Concern Gift Sets
Avène’s Holiday Gift Sets are Available in 11 Varieties
Hair Care Ornaments
The Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil Holiday Ornament is a Fun Stocking Stuffer
Comforting Artisan Popcorn Products
The Latest Popcorn Shed Products are Perfect for Gifting
Vintage-Inspired Soap Sets
The Valobra Gift Box Soap Set is Perfect for Mother's Day
Digital Experience Gifting
Memory Crate Lets Users Gift Coupons, Experiences, or Acts of Service
Eco-Conscious Self-Care Gift Sets
Fountain of Waters Presents Its Special Set of Gifts for Her
Exclusive Seasonal Scrubs
Wink's Limited-Edition Holiday Collection Brightens Patients' Spirits
Musician-Backed Holiday Candles
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Holiday Puzzle Designs
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Ready-to-Pour Cocktail Gifts
The Deko Cocktails Gift Box Pairs Signature Serves with Garnishes
Low-Cost Holiday Retailer Guides
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Charitable Advent Calendars
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Affordable Natural Fragrance Sets
AromaPassions' Discovery Sets Feature All-Natural Dupe Perfumes
Digital Retailer Gifting Options
Hallmark Gift Card Greetings Includes Over 100 Stores and Brands
Creative Promotional Gifts
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Need-Based Public Fundraising Initiatives
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Wedding-Themed Care Products
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Affordable Winter-Ready Scrubs
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QSR-Themed Christmas Ornaments
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Gifting-Ready Ginger Drink Sets
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Playful DIY Incense Holders
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Celebratory Eid Chocolate Gifts
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Festive Home Fragrances
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Gourmet Holiday Gift Shops
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Spirit-Filled Advent Calendars
Craft Gin Club Craft Gin Advent Calendars are Festive and Fun
Elegant Holiday Fragrance Gifts
This Ted Baker Fragrance Gifting Collection Arrives This Christmas
Boho Retailer Gift Guides
The Anthropologie Festive Gift Guide is Packed with Options
Digital Money Saving Tools
SaveStrike Helps Users Easily Create Wishlists To Curve Impulse Buying
Digitized Gift Lists
Wishr Features a Straightforward Interface for Seamless Gift Management
Relaxing Wellness Bundles
Saje Natural Wellness Debuts Two Special Wellness Deals for Black Friday
Pared-Back Premium Candles
The Homesick Starter Collection Shares Smaller Sizes & Simpler Notes