10 holiday gift ideas: last-minute & cheap

1. Custom memes

A great gift if you have silly photos of someone! Custom memes can gently poke fun at their tendencies, likes and dislikes, or personality. See the example on the right, haha.

Here's a link to blank templates to download and customize.

2. Personalized playlist

You can include:

2. • Songs that describe them (e.g. happiness by Taylor Swift for Margaret because she's bittersweet)

   • Songs you think they’d like

   • Songs that describe your relationship with them

   • Songs that you two have enjoyed together (soundtrack of your relationship!)

Alternatively, write a message using song titles! Songs for Greenies: "Don't Go Near the Water" by the Beach Boys

3. Homemade notebook

Customize the cover with the person's favorite song lyrics, poetry stanzas, or quotes! Tying together 3+ notebooks makes for a sweet gift bundle. Plus, you can use colored card stock, recycled cereal boxes, or leftover paper and ribbons to make this gift! Tutorial here.

4. Book exchange

A great way to bond over each other’s favorite books. Any Greenie would love to receive Beth Terry’s “Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too,” if you have it!

5. Homemade bookmarks

2. • Can use dried out flowers or leaves from your own backyard! Tutorials here and here.

   • Watercolor + line art bookmark, tutorials here and here.

6. Framed art

2. • Buy (or thrift) a frame to decorate! Wooden frames from Michael's are $1-6. Note: Michael's is crowded during this time of year! Stay safe.

Art to frame:

2. • Blackout poetry using recycled texts

   • Custom sayings, inside jokes, or quotes

   • Hand drawn art — I find that line art and lettering can be a quick and thoughtful, especially if the drawing is personalized!

7. Crochet or knit

Do not be too daunted by crocheting or knitting! :) With a little time and effort, they're easy to learn and can make for kind gifts.

Consider making:

2. • A zero-waste market bag for the conscious shopper on the go!

   • A snowflake ornament for the festive child within them!

   • A cardigan for the perpetually cold family member!

There's a crocheted/knitted gift for anyone!

8. Make food-in-a-jar

2. • Cookie-in-a-jar - Cranberry oatmeal cookie recipe

   • Mug-cake-in-a-jar - Chocolate mug cake recipe

   • Brownie-in-a-jar - Brownie recipe

   • Muffin-in-a-jar - Blueberry muffin recipe

   • Hot-cocoa-in-a-jar - Recipe

If possible, try to make these recipes vegan ;)

9. Custom mug

Decorate a mug and fill it with goodies, memories, candies, etc.! Consider:

2. • Sharpie lettering

   • Nail polish marbling (if you’re up for the challenge!)

If you're at a loss for what to write, include an eco-conscious quote like this Ernest Hemingway one!

10. Audio recording

This is a catch-all category for your talents and skills! If you know how to:

2. • Play an instrument - record a song unique to the person!

   • Write poetry - record some spoken word!

   • Give top-notch pep talks - record one for your pal!

   • [insert your talent here!]

That way, if they're ever feeling down or needing a personal ASMR recording, they can listen to your gift to brighten their day.

Another fun twist: make a folder of situational pep-talks labeled "What would [your name] say?" in which you provide life advice and tips in their times of need.