Top 10 Ideas for Gifting on a Budget

CollegeQuest
Macmillan Employee
Macmillan Employee
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Show some love without breaking the bank!

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Running out of gift ideas that work with your college budget? You can spread the love and be price-conscious with these 10 easy DIY gift ideas for all occasions:

DIY jewelry display

A picture frame, a fun print, and some hooks make an easy homemade jewelry organizer. Find some cute and creative ideas online!

Custom dry-erase board

Grab a plain dry-erase board and put it inside a picture frame, then decorate the frame or paint it with chalkboard paint. Include some fun markers or chalk to complete the perfect dorm gift!

Candy bar bouquet

Even sweeter than an old-fashioned bouquet of flowers, candy bars are sure to make them smile! Pick up some of their favorites.

Fun photo bookmarks

The perfect complement to the book on their wish-list, or as a stand-alone gift. Go with a traditional photo, or try one of fun photos for a bookmark with tassels.

DIY bath bombs

Make a batch of these homemade bath bombs for a bunch of your friends. Hot chocolate bath bombs are my favorite for the holiday season!

Dollar store gift basket

Rather than one big present, choose many things with a common theme, like relaxation or self-care! This is a fun way to surprise someone with an entire basket of treats!

Cookies/brownies/baked goods

If you have kitchen access, baked goods are an easy go-to gift idea! Make your specialty or get creative and share the love by putting the goodies in mason jars for your family and friends.

Photo collage

The perfect decoration for college dorm rooms or for relatives who miss you! Create a photo collage online and put it in a cute frame.

DIY zen garden

For the family member with the green thumb or the friend stressed about finals, this homemade zen garden is the ideal gift. Grab any glass container, some sand, and a real or fake succulent plant.


meaghan-roche-cq-authors-community-headshot.pngWRITTEN BY
Meaghan Roche
Marist College

Meaghan Roche is a rising senior at Marist College studying Journalism and Sports Communication. A native New Yorker, Meaghan is a die-hard Yankees fan and is interested in a career in writing and editing as a postgraduate, ideally in the sports field. As the Communication & College Success Editorial Intern for the summer of 2018, Meaghan is practicing how not to strike out - pun intended - at adulting.