10 Unusual and Inexpensive Gift Ideas for All Occasions!

If you're like most people, money is a little short around the holidays. Gifts can be expensive no matter what the occasion. Here are 10 unusual gift ideas that are very easy on your budget and may be remembered for years to come.

Garden Seed Kit

A garden seed kit may seem like an unusual gift at first. But gardening has become very popular lately. People like growing and preserving their own food and some feel that it is healthier to grow your own vegetables and herbs.

There are many seed catalogs and there are a lot of Internet sites that sell garden seeds. A garden seed kit will usually contain several different vegetables or herbs. Victory Seeds and the Olive Barn are two such sites. They both offer garden kits that range from small and inexpensive ($9.00) to large and pricey ($245.00). Great for all ages.

Scrape-A-Round ice scrapers

Some will call an ice scraper an unusual gift. But no matter what age you are, if you drive in the cold weather and have frost or ice on the windshield, this is a great gift! I gave Scrape-A-Round ice scrapers to my adult family members 2 years ago for Christmas. Later, they all said that this ice scraper is the best one made. It is hard plastic, circular and cuts a wide path when cleaning the car windows. On one end is a little "lid" with prickly little spikes that really get the ice to break up and the other end has a hollow cylinder that quickly scrapes the ice or frost away. It's light, durable and really reasonable to buy at approx. 3 for $15.00.

Egg Coupons

If you raise chickens for eggs or buy from someone who does, there may be a great gift in store for someone on your list. With all of the egg recalls people are nervous about buying factory farm eggs. What better than to make out coupons entitling the recipient to turn them in for a dozen eggs? I did this for a friend of mine. I made 12 coupons for her and she cashed them in as she needed them.

Blooming Bulbs

An unusual but beautiful gift is the holiday Amaryllis. You can find boxed Amaryllis in stores like Walmart or on line (just type holiday Amaryllis in search). This gift is great for seniors or people who are affected by SAD. The process of watching these bulbs grow into large plants and then bloom can chase away the winter blues. I have never paid over $20.00 for one and the closer it gets to Christmas the more likely it is you may find them on sale.

Homemade Soap

This has become a tradition. Over ten years ago I tried Bountiful Soaps and was so delighted with it that I bought them for "stocking stuffers". It was so popular that every year someone in the family buys this homemade soap for gifts. Unusual? Maybe, but this soap is made by hand with olive oil and things like cinnamon. They are large bars and at $2.75 a bar they are a great bargain!

Vehicle detailing.

This unusual gift idea is a real blessing for seniors. Getting a car detailed can be expensive and many seniors have cut back on these kinds of "luxury" items. You can either buy coupons at regular car wash establishments or you can make out coupons to the person for a car detailing every month for so many months that you do yourself. While unusual, this can be a totally inexpensive and much appreciated gift.

Worms and Bait!

The article IS about unusual gift ideas! If you know someone that is a fishing enthusiast and is also living on a strict budget, buy them coupons for worms or the bait of their choice. You can go to stores that sell worms and bait and ask for coupons for your friend. It's just another way to help someone on a very small budget continue to enjoy life!

Magazine subscriptions

Our family is big on giving magazine subscriptions. We get Countryside from Mom and we give my brother a hunting/fishing magazine. Magazines are something that people let lapse when money is tight. It may be unusual, but it's a thoughtful gift!

Bungee Cords

Bungee Cords are not thought of as a "must have" gift, until you need one! Bungee cords come in different sizes with hooks or balls on the ends. They also can be made of nylon or molded plastic. We have gotten Bungee cords as a gift and we cannot tell you how often they come in handy! You can secure a tarp over lawnmowers, snowblowers, etc., to keep them from weathering. You can secure loads in the back of a truck so that the load doesn't get damaged. We secured young trees with them so that the wind would not break them! Cheap and useful describes this unusual gift! Can be found on line or at Walmart and hardware stores.

Mirro Pressure Canner

A pressure canner, used for canning and preserving food, is an unusual gift. I am actually asking for a new one this year! I own and have used a Mirro Pressure Canner for several years and have had exceptional luck with it. People are learning that preserving their own food can help out with the food budget, get chemicals out of our food and might well be good for your health!

This may be the priciest unusual gift of the 10 but it will last for years and years. I have priced the Mirro Pressure Canner at $60.00-$80.00 dollars. If you watch your sale ads, you might find them on sale during the holiday season. So if you know of someone who raises a big garden or someone that is talking about learning how to preserve food, this might be the most unusual but most helpful gift you'll ever buy!

Hope these 10 ideas for unusual and expensive gifts have fired up your imagination and confidence!