6 DIY holiday gift ideas for when budgets are tight

“I make cookies because I’ve found that I can stretch a double batch to cover everyone on my list, and it only costs me the price of ingredients and the small tins that I get from the dollar store.”
—Tanya B., third-year student, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, British Columbia

“You can do $5 limits or Secret Santa-type things to limit how much money you’re spending within a group of family/friends.”
—Claire G., second-year graduate student, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario

“Something that highlights memories of your friendship or relationship—like a framed picture of your favourite photo of the two of you with a message written on the back—is a perfect thoughtful gift!”
—Jewel B., recent graduate, Villanova University, Pennsylvania

“Cross-stitch, homemade soaps, paintings, or handmade jewellery.”
—Abby T., fifth-year student, University of Rhode Island, Kingston

“Going and doing activities in order to spend quality time together instead of just giving a present. There are so many free activities available.”
—Connie O., first-year graduate student, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota

“Put together something from nature—for example, some driftwood tied into a cool ornament.”
—Sarah W., second-year graduate student, Clemson University, South Carolina

Dollar stores “are always cheap year-round, but keep an eye on the clearance section throughout the year because there are good deals! Also, if you start to get presents earlier [in the year], you will be way less stressed during the holidays.”
—Isabel G., second-year student, San Bernardino Valley College, California

“If you’re artsy, digital art can be a great present.”
—Holly C., fourth-year student, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

“[Mail] a care package with candy, a card, printed photos, etc. For DIY, it could be bracelets, upcycling a piece of clothing and gifting it to somebody, [or] watching a movie together on Netflix Party.”
—Anonymous, fourth-year student, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado

“I prefer a small gift card or donation to someone’s favourite charity.”
—Yen L., second-year graduate student, University of Maryland Global Campus, Adelphi

“Sending gift cards for something you can do together later, sending a physical card to let them know you’re thinking of them, homemade self-care gifts, and meal/dessert kits since most are cooking at home more.”
—Krysia L., fifth-year student, University of Rhode Island, Kingston

“Make [or send] cheap self-care items like candles, face masks, bath bombs, scarves, etc.”
—Brittany B., fourth-year student, University of Montana Western

“Doing a call over Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc., is always a welcome surprise for friends and loved ones alike while also costing nothing. … [T]here are numerous other services or tools geared toward electronic messages for special occasions and holidays (e.g., JibJab). [Another idea] … is creating something artistic or expressive for someone centred around a story or memory the two of you share. Crafts like this can be as cheap and easy as the maker desires, but the emphasis and value always stems from how well the result embodies or invokes that personal connection in a way no other object can.”
—Brett Y., fourth-year student, Colorado School of Mines, Golden

“Make funny videos.”
—Kelcie F., fourth-year student, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri

“More experience-based things such as an online movie night or online game night.”
—Christina R., second-year graduate student, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“Friendship bracelets are great! You can find patterns and colours that are meaningful to your relationship with that person. Fold origami hearts and write something you like/appreciate about that person in the middle of each. Postcards geared around that person’s interests/taste in art … are cheap and can either be hung as art or sent as an invitation to write each other (which is a cute way to get nice things in the mail and also helps the post office: win-win).”
—Sam P., third-year graduate student, Portland State University, Oregon

“Write someone a letter. Create a piece of art. Sing for someone or write a poem.”
—Brenda E., fourth-year graduate student, Empire State College for Graduate Studies, Saratoga Springs, New York

“There’s always the classic knit someone a hat and scarf option.”
—Ruthie J., fifth-year student, Portland State University, Oregon

“I think spending time with each other (whether online or in person) is a great way to celebrate the holidays. I personally believe the holidays are about spending time with loved ones—gifts shouldn’t be the main factor, especially if we’re all struggling!”
—Anonymous, fourth-year student, University of North Carolina Wilmington