Creative Holiday Gifts for $10 (or Less)

Whether times are tough or not, gift giving at Christmas does not have to blow your budget or put you into debt.

Here are ten gifts for under ten dollars. You won't be thought of as cheap, you'll become known for your gift-giving creative genius! Here are ten ideas for ten different gift-giving scenarios.

Gifts For Ten Dollars or Less

1. Ten dollars or less gift for the teenage driver - Who knows what teenagers want these days? You'll be considered cool if you go to your local gas station and pick up a $10 gas card. What teenager wouldn't want gas money?

2. Ten dollars or less gift for the book lover - Get yourself down to Half-Price Books and you can get a book or two for the book lover in your life. Many are in new condition so your reading enthusiast need never know where you bought your gift.

3. Ten dollars or less gift for the cook - Got to Walmart and buy an inexpensive cooking utensil such as a spatula, slotted spoon, cheese grater, or the like and then copy two of your favorite recipes. Wrap the utensil and the recipes and the epicurean is sure to be pleased.

4. Ten dollars or less gift for your parents or your spouse - Buy some construction paper at the drug store and create your own gift certificates. Punch two holes in the side and tie them together with decorative ribbon. For your parents, offer to clean the house, mow the yard, babysit your younger sibling, do the weekly grocery run (if you drive), etc. For your spouse, well . . . you can be as naughty or nice as you wish!

5. Ten dollars or less gift for a co-worker or friend - a coffee mug always works well for co-workers and also for friends.

6. Ten dollars or less gift for the home - Grab a decorative basket at the dollar store or a crafts store like Michaels and fill it with potpourri.

7. Ten dollars or less gift for a child - Cracker Barrel Restaurants have that nice gift shop inside and they routinely have inexpensive toys for children, some of them are unique and even go back to the day - you can find a sock monkey, a jack-in-the-box, even silly straws for less than ten dollars. It's okay to grab breakfast while you are there.

8. Ten dollars or less gift for foodies - Do you bake? Why not bake cookies, candy, homemade preserves? If you have young children they can help decorate the cookies.

9. Ten dollars or less gift your kids can give to grandparents or other relatives - Let your little Picasso or Georgia O'Keeffe paint or draw something. Find an inexpensive frame at the dollar store or on sale and you've got a unique gift sure to be cherished.

10. Ten dollars or less gift for anyone - Why not give a Christmas tree ornament or two? If you hit the after Christmas sales you can stock up on ornaments and give them as presents next year.