If you want to create a Christmas to remember on a super tight budget, you have to be incredibly resourceful. Last week I showed you which programs to join so that you can start earning gift cards fast. These programs are ones I have personally tried, and I recommend them because of their low cash outs and/or quick ways to earn points.
This week I am sharing a list of places where you can find free or low-cost gifts as well as one store that offers a wide variety of affordable items that will make great gifts for the loved ones on your Christmas list.
Where To Find Free & Low-Cost Christmas Gifts That Rock!
(Links in this post are affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking those links. See my disclosure page for more information)
I have divided up this post into five different ways and places where you can find either free or low-cost Christmas gifts. I dug deep to find all the possible ways to help you find free or very inexpensive sources of Christmas gifts that aren’t cheaply made. I want to help you give gifts your loved ones will love–not ones that will end up in next year’s white elephant gift exchange.
Point Reward Programs That Offer Gift-Worthy Items
1. Recycle Bank
If you have a magazine lover in your family, join Recycle Bank and do their environmentally friendly themed point earning tasks. Magazines subscriptions start at 160 points. There are some activities that come out worth 150 points so it won’t take long to make enough for a magazine subscription for a loved one. There is a wide variety of magazines–including those for fitness lovers, home decor lovers, celebrity news lovers, and more.
2. My Reader Rewards Club (formally called Tyndale Rewards)
If you want to surprise a book lover–young or old–with a new book, then join My Readers Rewards Club (formally called Tyndale Rewards) and follow the instructions found in this post here to earn enough points on your first day as a member to purchase a book. Books do take a few weeks to be delivered; plan accordingly.
Brand Loyalty Programs that offer Gift-Worthy Items
1. My Coke Rewards
If you have a family member who drinks Coca-Cola products, did you know that they contain points either inside the lid or in the box the cans came in that you can enter online at My Coke Rewards? Then you can cash in for special offers. The prizes are always changing, and with some prizes, you do need to pay shipping costs–like the free Shutterfly photo book codes where you will be charged shipping by Shutterfly once you make your free photo book.
2. Kellogg’s Family Rewards
After Joining Kellogg’s Family Rewards every time you buy Kellogg’s products you can upload your receipt to their website or connect your grocery store loyalty cards to your Kellogg’s Family Rewards. You can also enter free codes. The blog Money Saving Mom shares them when they are offered, and you will also get them if you sign up for the Kellogg’s Rewards email list. Rewards include Shutterfly products, magazine subscriptions, e-gift cards to Starbucks, and more.
Go here to sign up for Kellogg’s Family Rewards.
3. Pampers Rewards Points
If you buy Pampers diapers or wipes, consider joining Pamper Rewards and then enter codes found on packages of Pampers diapers and wipes into the website to earn points that you can cash in for baby toys, sippy cups, magazine subscriptions and more. You can also earn points for reviewing products. Be sure to like their Facebook page too for special offers. Money Saving Mom also shares free codes for Pamper Rewards from time to time too.
Go here to sign up for Pampers Rewards.
Places To Find Free Codes That Can Lead Inexpensive Gifts
1. Shutterfly
To benefit from free–not including the cost of shipping–items on Shutterfly, I find it best to like their FaceBook page. Under the “like” tab on their FaceBook homepage press “get notifications” so that you see when they offer free photo album codes as well as codes for free prints and more. Now, you do have to pay shipping on these deals, so they are not 100% free, but they still make very low-cost gifts. Money Saving Mom also lists free codes that are not always found on the Shutterfly FaceBook page so make sure to follow that site too.
Places For Free Samples That You Can Put In Gift Baskets
Now, when I say to put free samples in a gift basket, I am not talking about those little packets of shampoo and conditioner. The ones I like to include are the free samples of gourmet coffee, candies, chocolate, and travel sized hand lotion. I have also included travel sized Bath & Body Works products that I have gotten free with coupons (I don’t see those offered as much as they used to be, though).
My favorite basket to use isn’t a basket at all. Instead, I like using mugs like the one pictured above. I prefer a mug over a basket since it is smaller to fill and can be more readily used by the recipient than a basket
1. Moneysavingmom
Money Saving mom is my favorite source of free samples. Crystal’s team always puts up great posts about free samples of items. The site also has a weekly list of free samples.
2. Facebook pages
Companies such as Bath & Body Works often offer either coupon for free samples you can pick up in store or free samples sent by mail.
3. PINCHme
PINCHme is a website that sends out generous sized free samples. Once you sign up, they notify you by email when the next round of samples is available. They go fast, so make sure to sign up as soon as you get the email.
4. Freebies 4 Mom
Freebies 4 Mom is another great website that lists free samples as they become available.
Places where you can use sign up credit for a free or low-cost gift
1. ThredUP
ThredUp offers new sign-ups a $10 credit when they use a referral link to create an account (these words in blue are mine). Now, shipping is $5.99–but currently, you can apply credit it to it. That leaves $4 in credit to put towards a gift. Four dollars might not seem like much, but if you are shopping for baby items, you could end up with a free, new with tags item at that price point. I took some time to look around ThredUp and found that they offered new with tags infant hats, onesies, and even shoes at that price point (selection varies daily so it might take some time to find what you want).
2. Eric Condren
I hesitated to mention this one as the shipping at this store is kind of high, but then I thought if you have a stationery addict on your list, you might benefit from this option. Create an account over at Eric Condren using my referral link (these words in blue); you should be emailed a $10 off your first order code. You can use this towards a purchase. There are some $10 items at Eric Condren (including mouse pads, calendars, and notepad), though shipping is $7.95 so this won’t be a free gift. However, it could make a low-cost, high-quality stationery gift for the stationery lover on your Christmas list.
Other Posts You Might Want To Check Out For More Inexpensive Gift Ideas
- 10 Family Gifts For Under $10 That Encourage Family Togetherness And Include All Ages
- 10 Last Minute Gift Basket Ideas For Under $10
- 10 Fabulous Stocking Stuffers For Teens That Won’t Break The Bank
This post is part of the How To Plan A Christmas To Remember On A Super Tight Budget Series.
How To Plan A Christmas To Remember On A Super Tight Budget: The Series
Week One: Introduction & Our Story
Week Two: Where To Earning Gift Cards For Fast Christmas Cash
Week Three: Where To Find Free & Low-Cost Christmas Gifts That Rock! (you are here)
Week Five: Half Of What You Need For Christmas You Already Own
Week Six: Where To Resell Your Items Online For Quick Christmas Cash
Week Seven: How To Use Your Talents & Passions To Generate Christmas Cash
Week Eight: 25 Christmas Traditions For Families On Tight Budgets
Week Nine: How To Hold An ‘Eat What You Have’ Week to Help Pad the Christmas Fund.
Week Ten: 15 Websites & Apps That Will Save You Money On Your Christmas Shopping
Week Eleven: 7 Christmas Themed Swap-It Parties That Will Save You Money
Week Twelve: 22 Gifts You Can Make Using Ingredients Found In Your Kitchen
Week Thirteen: How To Give Acts Of Service Gifts People Will Really Use: No More Coupons
Week Fourteen: 6 Ways To Earn Money For Christmas All Year Long
Become A Snail Pacer
Receive a monthly newsletter full of tips for making life changes at a realistic pace.
Leave a Reply