Thoughtful birthday gifts

24 Amazing Gift Ideas That Don t Cost a Thing

2. “Open When” Letters

Thoughtful birthday gifts

21 Super Unique Birthday Gifts They’ll Love

Get ready to celebrate with these one-of-a-kind gifts!

on September 30, 2021

Gift cards and lotion sets are fine and all, but there’s just something about an out-of-the-box, creative birthday gift that really makes the receiver feel all the feels . You know you’ve gotten a unique gift for them when they shed a few happy tears, take a pic of your present and post it on Instagram with a heart emoji. But the thing is, thoughtful birthday presents require a decent bit of… well… thought! So we did some thinking on your behalf so that you can serve up some seriously cool birthday gifts for your girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, mom, dad, grandpa, grandma… basically the whole entire squad. Here are 30+ of the best and most unique birthday gifts for everyone on your list.

1. Chatbooks Photo Book Series

Personalized photos, and especially photo books that keep popping up in the mail, truly are the gift that keeps on giving. You really can’t go wrong here.

2. “Open When” Letters

Handwritten notes are the stuff of cheesy but addictive movies starring Leonardo DiCaprio in his 20’s. There’s just something so *Jane Austen* about opening up a note and seeing someone’s cursive or, in most people’s cases, squiggly chicken scratch. Write a series of sweet notes with weekly “open when” dates so that you can make them feel good all month long.

3. A Movie Night Basket

With most theaters closed at the moment, creating a movie night basket with the basics is sure to be a hit. Throw in a prime video gift card, blanket, popcorn, slippers, candy and more for a cute movie night.

4. Laundry/Dishwasher Pack

A little boring, but honestly sometimes practical gifts hit home more than we anticipate. A basket with laundry soap, dish soap, dish towels, bleach, and some dryer sheets will make any clean freak’s heart melt.

 5. Favorite Homemade Treat

Rice crispy treats, brownies, and chocolate cake, oh my! Who doesn’t want their favorite treat on their birthday?

6. Spa in a Jar

You may not be able to afford a full spa day, but a jar full of nail polish, face masks, nail files, moisturizer, and a face towel is the perfect way to pamper any of your friends or family members!

7. DIY Bath Salts

Bath salts are the perfect addition to any sort of pampering. A homemade version will totally take your gift giving up a notch, and you get to choose the scent!

8. Coupon Book

I think every little kid made a coupon book for mom or dad with the intent to do the dishes without asking or to give a 10 minute shoulder rub. Adjust this to whoever you are giving it to — maybe it’s a coupon for a girl’s night or for outdoor lunch at your favorite cafe.

9. Wall Tiles

Everyone wants more pictures of their family hanging up in their home and wall tiles are the simplest way to do that. Starting at just $15 a tile, simply go into the Chatbooks app, add the photos you want, crop them, and print. With the ability to be hung and rehung over and over again, this is sure to be a win.

10. Plan a Date

Everyone needs a night out, so consider thinking through every step of the evening and having a gift card for each element of the date night. Pull together all the things that you know make date night a success.

11. Accessorize

Everyone has those annoying accessories that they need but never seem to be able to find (enter bobby pins and hair ties). Creating a basket full of accessories that everyone needs will absolutely be a hit. You may also want to check out the Chatbooks app and take a peek at our photo book accessories — they are such great, simple gifts.

12. House Plants

Give them the gift of life with… a plant baby! House plants, whether they are real or faux, are always fun to receive.

13. Photo Prints

Printed photos are perfect for hanging up on the fridge, adding to a photo book, using as bookmarks, or having on your coffee table for guests to thumb through. Lucky for you, Chatbooks has got you covered.

14. Magazine Subscription

I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want a subscription of Magnolia Journal. There is something so exciting about getting a print magazine in the mailbox, amiright? Sign your bestie up for a subscription and let that gift keep giving.

15. Face Masks

And I’m not talking about the skincare kind. Everyone needs them and they are sure to be put to good use. Whether you sew them or order a few of your favorite masks, this will be a practical gift. Opt for a wacky, weird pattern to up the fun factor.

16. Hand-Painted Wall Art

Homemade gifts are always a winner, but personalizing a favorite quote or painting something with personal meaning will absolutely be a lifelong treasure.

17. Personalized Jewelry

Customize a string of alphabetical beads to create a sentimental date, spell out initials or form a favorite quote.

18. Support Local

Get them a gift card to a local boutique or a new burger joint that just opened up. What better way to celebrate such a fun day while also helping boost the local economy. A win-win!

19. Online Classes

Do they love photography ? Or maybe they’ve always wanted to try woodworking? Whatever the skillset, there’s a class for it! Find one online so that they can do it from home.

20. Recipe Book

Has your bestie been complaining about feeling like she makes the same meals over and over? Do you want to turn over a new leaf and work on some eating habits with your spouse? This is a really fun way to help each other make changes and also show that you have been paying attention to their needs. You can also do this with books about clutter, cleaning, self help, etc.

21. Family Yearbook

Looking for a gift that tugs at the heartstrings? Make a family yearbook that showcases the wins and funny moments that were the highlights for your family over the course of a year.

24 Amazing Gift Ideas That Don’t Cost a Thing

These budget-friendly gifts are just as thoughtful (if not more so) than a big-time splurge—and you don’t have to be a crafting whiz to make them.

Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications.

The best gifts aren’t always the most expensive. In fact, free (or almost free) presents usually require a bit more thought, care, and creativity than a “saw this at the mall and thought of you” gift. Giving of yourself and your time and energy will definitely be appreciated by the recipient. If you’re trying to save money or budget better, it’s a win-win.

Here are 24 free gift ideas to consider for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or any other gift-giving occasion. Even if you aren’t particularly crafty, you can pull off something special and meaningful without spending very much.

Heartfelt Free Gift Ideas

These touching gift ideas will definitely be beloved by the people who love you the best.

Write down some wonderful moments with them

Remember that time? Make sure that they do, too. Write all of your favorite memories with the recipient on small slips of paper, and place them in a pretty jar with a label like “Jar of Awesome.” Include some blank slips of paper so they can continue the tradition with new memories as you make them.

Write them some “just in case” letters

Write a series of heartfelt letters to suit different occasions, and label them—”Read this when you’re feeling blue,” or “Read this when you have something to celebrate.” You’ll be there to send just the right message at just the right moment.

Create a video tribute

Celebrate your recipient by compiling photos and asking other family members and friends to share their favorite memories and feelings about them. Edit it together (we love Tribute for the ease of collaborating and editing), and you’ll have an invaluable (and free) gift for your loved one.

Send a message to the future

Put together a time capsule and time stamp when it’ll be ready to open. This makes an especially nice (and free!) gift for the under-18 crowd. You can capture all of their current interests and passions, so the tween in your life will be able to look back at their K-POP obsession in a decade or so.

Share some mementos

Put together a little book or box with priceless artifacts—old ticket stubs, brochures, playbills, and other items from times you’ve spent together. For bonus points, include a short sentence or two about what you remember from every adventure.

(Almost) Free Gift Ideas

You may have the raw materials already around your house—but if not, these handmade gifts will be low cost, but highly prized.

Cook them something tasty

Sure, you’ll have to spring for the ingredients, but who can turn down cookies, cake, a killer homemade granola, or another special treat?

Make your own mix in a jar

Upcycle old pasta sauce jars and layer in all the dry ingredients for oatmeal cookies, hot chocolate, or another favorite treat.

Create a 21st-century mixtape

Craft a customized playlist to share with them. You can include songs that remind you of special memories, add inside jokes, or share new music you think they’ll love. If they’re old-school, you can still burn a CD, put it on a cassette, or simply share it with them via Spotify or another streaming service.

Grow them something

A pretty plant always makes a lovely gift. Just remember: You’ll need to start early if you’re growing from seed or bulbs.

DIY some art supplies

You can make play dough, slime, or even finger paints with common ingredients you probably have at home right now.

Give them some inspiration

If you have a pretty blank notebook at home, you can jazz up the cover and turn it into a gratitude journal. Use your best handwriting and adorn the pages with inspirational messages. Try a few famous positive quotes to get started.

Giving Your Time as a Gift

No one has enough time these days—and these gifts will take a few hours of your time, but earn you plenty of appreciation.

Do something nice in their name

Spend some time volunteering for a charity or organization that is especially meaningful to them. You can take a day to clean up trash in a park or on a beach, donate blood, or sign up for a shift serving others at a soup kitchen. It’s a totally free gift that will make you both feel great.

Be their sitter

Coupons good for free house-sitting, pet-sitting, or babysitting would likely be welcomed by any gift recipient.

Plan a day of (free) fun

Give a homemade gift card entitling the recipient to a fully planned day of fun. Whether you take your nephew on a tour of the best local playgrounds or treat a parent to their favorite art museum (on free admission day), there are plenty of things to do together that won’t break the bank.

Share your talents

Draw a portrait of their dog, learn to sing or play their favorite song, knit a scarf, or find another way to show how much you care.

Creative Free Gift Ideas

Whether you’re personalizing a gift you know they’ll love or creating a fun activity for a whole group, you’ll definitely win creativity points with these presents.

Showcase the family tree

Become the family genealogist and start Googling for details from the past. You can draw it out on paper and frame it for your history buff loved one.

Set up a scavenger hunt

For a great (and fun) group gift, you can send your recipients around the house, around the block, or around town with a list of tasks to complete or list of items to look for. Bonus points if you use a theme, especially if it’s objects or places that are special to you—e.g., “Take a selfie in front of our first apartment building”.

Hand down your family’s secret recipes

Does everyone want to know the secret to your chocolate chip cookies? Maybe Grandma has a killer pasta sauce recipe you know your friend would love. Write out your very best dishes on recipe cards or compile them into a booklet for the perfect gift for cooks.

DIY a family (or friend group) trivia game

Can everyone remember the name of your little brother’s imaginary friend, or which college roommate had the peach-and-mint color scheme? Write up the Qs and As and have a fun game night to see who wins bragging rights. If you’re feeling really creative, make a full-on game with a board and playing pieces, or a digital Jeopardy-style game.

Fast and Easy Free Gift Ideas

You don’t need to put in a lot of time and energy to craft these free gift ideas (but they’re still well-loved).

Give them flowers

If you have access to a garden, you can DIY a bouquet of lovely blooms. Tie them with a ribbon or a piece of twine, and you’re good to go.

Give them a pet rock

No need to splurge for a “real” pet rock when there’s probably one waiting outside your front door. All you need is a box and a link to one of the tongue-in-cheek care manuals online, and you’re in business.

Regift wisely

Shop from home, literally. You probably have something in your house that your friend or family member will love—whether it’s that vase your friend has always complimented, or a book you’ve finished that you know your sister will adore. Share generously.

Set a date

We’ve all learned just how important it is to spend time with the people you really love. So make your gift a commitment to spend time with them, whether it’s a monthly date for tea and conversation or a special weekend away with far-flung friends.

Print a favorite photo of them

Whether you make a copy of that pic of you and your BFF in full ’90s grunge mode or a recent shot of a family vacation, the photo will likely find a place of honor in their home. (And odds are, you have an extra frame or two at home you can use for it.)

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