30 Cheap DIY Dollar Store Christmas Gift Ideas
The holidays can be such an expensive time of year, especially if you have a long list of people to buy for. Luckily, I found you guys some cheap Dollar Store Christmas gift ideas to make on a budget.
* Dollar Tree prices have increased since this post was written. While some of these gifts may not be $10 to make anymore, they are still affordable ideas you can make on a budget.
These fabulous holiday gifts look anything but cheap; no one will know you got them at the Dollar Store!
Now, let’s get to the Dollar Tree gifts, and be sure to check out my money-saving Christmas tips at the end of this post.
(THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, PLEASE READ MY DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO.)
DIY Dollar Store Cheap Christmas Gifts
1. Baking Gift Basket
GET DIRECTIONS from Savvy Honey
Anyone who loves holiday baking would love this gift. It would also be an awesome gift for the family because kids love decorating cookies!
The sprinkles inside the ornament are such a cute idea.
2. Easy Santa Belt Jar Gift
GET DIRECTIONS from Little House of Four
Wrap an old belt around a mason jar filled with treats and you have the most adorable gift! She has a super-easy way to attach the belt…take a peek!
3. Dollar Store Mugs: Cheap Christmas Gifts!!
GET DIRECTIONS from Savvy Honey, plus 4 other dollar store mug gift ideas
This is just one of five super cute Christmas Dollar Store mug ideas that are UNDER $5!!!
The themes of the other mug gifts from the dollar store are sugar and spice & everything nice, warm winter wishes, sugar plum fairy, ho ho hostess gift, and baby it’s cold outside!
Check out all five of the dollar store Christmas mugs in this post here!
4. Inexpensive Snowman Soap
GET DIRECTIONS from Down Redbud Drive
Give plain hand soap an adorable snowman makeover! Each snowman soap is only about $1.25 to make, so you can make a ton of them and not worry about breaking the bank.
Sammie also gives you a free printable of the sweet handsoap gift tags that are pictured. Either give these individually or combine them with other little gifts.
5. Dollar General Christmas Cookie Sheet Gift Idea
GET DIRECTIONS from Savvy Honey, plus 4 other Dollar Tree gift ideas
Any baker would love to receive this gift!! Everything you see here down to the ribbon is from the dollar Tree.
I wrapped this in a very clever way using two cookie sheets, read my full post for directions (plus more dollar store Christmas gift ideas)!
6. Dollar Tree Peppermint Bark Mason Jar Gift
GET DIRECTIONS HERE, plus 3 other easy $2 dollar store gifts
Fill a mason jar with pieces of already made dollar store peppermint bark. In my post, I mention a clever tip to make the peppermint bark look more homemade.
Did I mention these are only $2 to make or $3 if you add the ornament?
7. 5 Minute Oven Mitt Cheap Christmas Gift Idea
GET DIRECTIONS from This Is Our Bliss
Use an oven mitt as a “bag” to hold awesome goodies. Great for a last-minute gift for a hostess, teacher, or co-worker.
This is one of the cutest Dollar Tree Christmas gifts to make!
Be sure to check out Rachael’s tips for wrapping these and to find out exactly which cute dollar store finds she stuffed the oven mitts with.
8. Gardening Basket
GET DIRECTIONS from Savvy Honey, plus 4 other cute Dollar Tree gift baskets
This cute gift basket is perfect for the gardener on your list.
This post also has 3 other inexpensive gift baskets. The themes of these baskets are: green thumb (pictured), Oh Cozy Night, At The Car Wash, Have Yourself A Merry Spa Day, and Baking Up Some Christmas Cheer!
9. Rustic Wood Slice Tree Ornaments
GET DIRECTIONS from The Benson Street
These charming ornaments are made from wood slices and dressed up with festive designs using dollar store accents. These are so creative!
10. Spa Gift Basket
GET DIRECTIONS from Savvy Honey, plus 2 other dollar store spa gift ideas
This DIY Dollar Tree spa basket is filled with self-care goodies like lotion, bath bombs, cozy socks, and an eye mask for a relaxing spa day at home.
For a Christmas gift, choose products with festive scents and tie it all together with red and green ribbon.
11. Dish Towel & Utensil Gift
GET DIRECTIONS from Hip 2 Save
Another fun way to gift kitchen utensils is by wrapping them inside kitchen towels and potholders.
This is a must-see simple folding technique that is super clever!
12. Last Minute Christmas Mug Gift
GET DIRECTIONS from Savvy Honey plus 3 other easy cheap gift ideas
This Christmas mug gift idea is perfect for last minute shoppers. Just grab some candy and stuff it in a mug and tie a bow. It’s one of the easiest gifts ever.
13. DIY Christmas Candle
This festive candle project uses Dollar Tree supplies and makes a thoughtful, handmade gift without spending much. You can easily personalize the colors to match the recipient’s taste.
14. Snow Ball Fight Kit For Kids
GET DIRECTIONS from Tikkido
If you’re looking for a fun gift for kids that’ll keep them entertained, this snowball kit is so clever!
Make your yarn pom poms using an inexpensive pom pom maker tool that Nikki from Tikkido shows you how to use. Another option is checking out this tutorial here for making them without a tool (just in case you want to cut costs even more).
Nikki also gives you a couple of different dollar store options for wrapping your snowballs like this fun snowman box.
15. Popcorn DIY Gift Kit
GET DIRECTIONS from xoxoBella
This cute gift kit layers popcorn, M&Ms, and chocolate into a jar for a movie night treat they can make at home.
Everything in it can be grabbed at Dollar Tree, so it looks thoughtful while costing next to nothing. The cute labels are included for free to download.
16. DIY Flower Pot
GET DIRECTIONS from DIY Candy
This dotted flower pot uses just a Sharpie and basic supplies, making it a fun gift even kids can help create. It’s a cute handmade option that everyone will love.
17. DIY Marbled Nail Polish Mugs
GET DIRECTIONS from Strength and Sunshine
These mugs look impressively artistic thanks to the marbled nail polish effect, but they only take minutes to make. They’re a great personalized gift for coffee or tea drinkers on your list. You could also pick festive Christmas colors as well.
18. Glass Angel
GET DIRECTIONS from Our Crafty Mom
This glass angel craft transforms a Dollar Tree bottle into a beautiful keepsake. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make.
Read: 40 Festive DIY Christmas Gift Ideas
19. Holiday Embellished Candles
GET DIRECTIONS from Umelecky
Karen from Umelecky gave some dollar store candles a festive makeover by tying them with burlap ribbon and rosemary sprigs.
The materials she uses can all be purchased at the dollar store, with the exception of the natural element. Be sure to check out her post to find out everything she used to create this sweet little gift!
20. Hot Cocoa Mug Gift
GET DIRECTIONS from The Benson Street
This cute mug idea is filled with goodies and cocoa mix. Plus, there are even more Dollar Tree gift in a mug ideas to make too.
21. DIY Hurricane Lantern Using Picture Frames
GET DIRECTIONS from Grosgrain Fab
Once you see this hurricane lantern, you’ll be shocked at how expensive it looks. But, it is actually super cheap to make and is just dollar store frames glued together.
Seriously, I’ve seen hurricanes like this at Pottery Barn, which by the way are quite costly.
22. Christmas Sign Gift Idea
GET FREE PRINTABLES & DIRECTIONS from Crafts By Amanda
Frame Christmas wall art that your recipient can use to decorate for next year! Did I mention you can score these (plus two other) Christmas printables for free?
Go to the Dollar Tree and pick up some frames and you’ll be all set!
23. DIY Holiday Polka Dot Mugs
GET DIRECTIONS from Place Of My Taste
Grab a Sharpie and go to town creating polka dots on a plain dollar store mug. You don’t want to use any old Sharpie though, don’t forget to pick up the one that Aniko mentions in her post.
These are great to give as is, but you could also fill them with hot cocoa packets. She also has some other cute Dollar Store DIY gift ideas that are absolute must-sees!
24. Candy Cane Sleighs
GET DIRECTIONS from Princess Pinky Girl
Two candy canes turn into a sleigh stacked with wrapped candy bars for the cutest little handout gift. Everything can come from Dollar Tree, and they are perfect for teachers, coaches, and friends, or to keep on hand for last minute gifts.
25. Men’s Christmas Gift Basket
Fill a Dollar Tree basket with beef jerky, honey roasted peanuts, hot sauce, beef sticks, work gloves, men’s body wash, and a pair of socks. It is a gift any guy would actually use, and the whole thing comes to about $15.
26. Cute Handmade Gold Planters With Succulents
GET DIRECTIONS from We Lived Happily Ever After
Hannah from We Lived Happily Ever After has the cutest hack to create beautiful gold vases for succulents. Just spray paint Dollar Store glasses to create a very elegant looking vase to house your succulents.
You can find succulents that are pretty cheap or you could always use fake ones if you want.
Her tutorial is not on her site anymore, but she has a bunch of free printables on her site I know you’d love.
27. Monogrammed Candles DIY
GET DIRECTIONS From My Frugal Home
Adding a monogrammed label to Dollar Store candles makes for one very personal gift. These fabulous downloadable labels are FREE and are available in other styles!
28. Dollar Store Oven Mitt Cookie Neighbor Gift
GET DIRECTIONS from It’s Always Autumn
If you need some easy last-minute Christmas gift for your neighbors, this dollar store oven mitt idea is so quick to throw together.
Autumn also includes 16 other easy neighbor gifts like this one that are pretty inexpensive and easy to make.
Be sure to grab these free printable neighbor Christmas gift tags she made as well! This gift is perfect for neighbors or anyone who loves to bake on your list!
29. DIY Winter Accessories Storage Bins
GET DIRECTIONS from Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry
Plain plastic Dollar Store bins get a pretty makeover and fun labels to keep winter accessories organized. So if you know someone super organized (or not so organized that could use this gift), they’ll love this.
By the way, even if you don’t make this for someone else, it’s a great DIY project to get all your winter hats, scarves, and mittens organized.
30. Gold Mug DIY
GET DIRECTIONS from Classy Clutter
Another Sharpie decorated mug idea that is oh so merry and fun. Once you see this scalloped design with sequins you’ll love it!
Just follow her easy steps and you’ll be good to go! Classy Clutter also has so many other awesome DIY gift ideas here.
Easy Tips To Save Money On Christmas Presents
Always, always, always make a list!
I can’t tell you how many times I didn’t make a list and would end up missing someone, but buying someone else like three things! This will just cost you money, especially if you forget to return items.
Throw out the idea of a Christmas exchange to your extended family.
So as families get bigger, buying everyone a gift can get really expensive. A gift exchange is a cheaper alternative and still fun because you get to buy (or make a present) for someone.
Do something for someone else as your gift.
Offer to babysit someone’s kids or offer to come over and cook someone a meal. I can think of tons of couples who would rather get a night off from the kids to enjoy a movie than a gift they may never use.
These are FANTASTIC; thanks for sharing.
Thanks Stacey, glad you liked them!
just the ideas I was looking for. Thanks
Allison, you are very welcome!
Super cute!
Thanks Kenia! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Those are great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you liked them Jackie!
So cute! Love the monogrammed candles. I’ve done Sharpie mugs before, but not in gold on white. The gold on white looks so festive!
Yeah, I love the gold and white too! So thrilled you got some cute ideas!
One quick note, teachers do not want pot holders for Christmas. The scalloped mug is super cute though.
Thanks!
I’m a teacher and I would love anything my students and their families make or give me!
As a teacher, you’d rather get a mug than a potholder? Why is that? My husband’s a teacher and I used to be a teacher. I am giving personalized potholders this year. I never received them, but received countless mugs!
Thank you for these wallet saving ideas! You really gave some great ideas!
Thanks Sara! Very glad you liked liked them!
Love them, will definitely try the lanterns.
Thanks for sharing?
You are very welcome Marie. Have fun making the lantern!
Thanks for the imfo
You’re welcome!
I am on a budget for the holidays and love the oven mitt gift idea! What did you stuff them with, Annie? Thank you.
Hi Aimee. The idea was from another blogger, you can read her full post here http://www.thisisourbliss.com/2017/10/26/5-minute-holiday-hostess-gift-dollar-store-diy/ She shows you what she stuffed the oven mitt with and all the details! I love this idea too, it’s very cute (and clever). Have a good one!