With birthdays, holidays, friends and family.. gift giving can be a real strain on your wallet. I always felt challenged each year around Christmas trying to find gifts for the important people in my life, while doing so on a budget. Even with coupons and sales it's too often that we over spend on gifts where we do not need too. Next time you're preparing to get a gift for a friend or loved one take into consideration these 5 gift ideas that will cost you only $5 or less!
1.) Bake a gift. Like to bake? With ingredients you probably have on hand (or can pick up for under $5) you can bake your loved one or friend a Birthday Cake, Cookies, Cupcakes, Breads, etc. If you know they love chocolate then incorporate this into your creation!
2.) Cook for them. With ingredients you have on hand and maybe a few things for under $5 from the grocery store (take your coupons!) you can make your loved one or friend a fabulous meal. You can make breakfast, lunch or dinner and you can focus the meal on their favorite dishes. Check out recipes online and experiment before hand!
3.) Write a poem. This would suit the more intimate relationships or even parent/child. Write a nice poem and print it on card stock. Buy a cheap frame from the dollar store or Walmart and frame the poem for your loved one.
4.) Hunt online for free & cheap deals. A while back Mixbook was offering a really awesome free deal where you could get a 5×7 photo book absolutely free with 30 or something photos. I believe the book was hard back too. You just paid shipping of about $5. If you have a friend or loved one who enjoys photography you could use this type of deal to your advantage. Also if you have a friend with children consider using their images for the book or other endless ideas depending on the occasion.
5.) Shop Yard Sales, Thrift Stores, Flea Markets, and Good Will. There is a lot of treasures to be found in thrift stores and at yard sales/estate sales. My mom is a lover of all things antique, knickknacks and just off the wall random trinkets.. you know what I mean. 
Often times when you head to a yard sale (*Tip go right before closing to get the best deals (around 2pm) ) you can pick up such items for much less than $5 allowing you to purchase multiple items if you want! Does your friend love scarves? There is a plethora of scarves at my local thrift stores it's insane! Just think about what your friend or loved one likes and you can probably find something to do with that at one of these stores and places.
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