Last Minute Christmas Gifts (On the Cheap)

If you're anything like me EVERY Christmas, you are scrambling for some last minute easy and affordable gifts. I get it. I'm not quite sure why I do this to myself, but it happens every year. I'm pretty sure most people would qualify me as a procrastinator. I think I'm super busy, but if I'm honest, I think the real issue is that I don't prioritize my time well. Yup, that's it. Time management. Whatever, the "label" if you are looking for a few last minute gifts for under $5.00 (which I love) then look no further... run, don't walk, to the Dollar Tree.

I found this cute jar at the Dollar Tree along with gift bags, wrapping paper and tissue paper. Throw those into the mix with your friends', teachers' or co-workers' favorites and you have yourself gifts galore. My youngest has a teacher that loves fruits and nuts. Toss them into a jar with a handmade gift tag (cardboard from an Amazon box) and you have yourself a gift for about $4.00. Add some rainbow loom bracelets on tissue box card stock and you have gifts for everyone in the class (or office). WIN!

Want to add a little more zing? You guys, I found this awesome red baking dish at the Dollar Tree and it looks like it came straight out of Anthropologie. For realz. Add some fruity tea (which my oldest's teacher just happens to love) along with some of favorite colors on the tips of wooden cooking spoons and you have yourself a gift that looks like a million bucks for mere pocket change. Seriously, I think this give cost me $5.00, max.

Spoons - $2.00 at the grocery store. Painter's tape - on hand. Acrylic paint - on hand. Just tape the spoons off wherever you want the color to stop. And then paint with your friend's favorite colors.

I put bulldog clips on the ends of the spoons so that I could paint them and allow them to dry while painting the next spoon...

After you paint the handles of each spoon with acrylic paint and allow them to dry, apply a coat or two of Modge Podge. (I used matte finish for this gift.)

Allow the spoons to dry and then tie with a ribbon. I used red here because Jude's teacher's favorite color is red. (Clearly.) Once the gifts are all tied up, slip them into a gift bag (I just reuse gift bags that have been given to me - bonus of having a December birthday) and you are good to go. Gifts galore for well under $10.00. 

What are your tips and tricks for great gifts that don't break the bank? xo