Great Holiday Gifts for $10 or Less

Holiday gifts under $10 Holiday gifts don't have to empty your wallet.

And trying to think up ideas that trim the costs without limiting the fun can give you a headache. Instead, just have some fun with it, says Hillary Mendelsohn, author of "thepurplebook" series of shopping guides and founder of thepurplebook.com.

"When you're spending less, it's about using your imagination, it's about color, it's about thoughtfulness," she says.

"Gifts are meant to be thoughtful (and) not necessarily expensive," Mendelsohn says. "And this is where that comes in more than any other gift -- when you're in a pinch to spend just a small amount of money."

Looking for an inexpensive but fun gift and have no idea where to begin?

Here are nine ideas to get you started. And -- best of all -- they fit a variety of giving situations, from hostess gifts to presents for hard-to-please relatives to your Secret Santa pick at the office.

Books or glassware Think you can't find a book for $10? Check out your bookstore's bargain table, and you'll likely find some terrific selections for just about every age and interest including food, pets, sports and science.

If your giftee prefers e-books, don't forget Amazon's "Kindle Deal of the Day" and "100 Kindle Books for $3.99 or Less" or Barnes & Noble's "Nook Books Under $5 or Less."

Another great gift for neighbors, newlyweds and anyone who has just moved into a new home? Glassware.

Everyone thinks of giving stemware in sets of six or eight. But for $10, you can bestow a beautiful pair of wine glasses, highball or low-ball glasses. Or -- for anyone who enjoys a warm cup of tea, coffee or cocoa -- a beautiful pair of glass mugs.

Or you can opt for one mug and a half-pound of good coffee.

Supplies with style Even if you work at a computer 10 hours a day, sooner or later you realize you need office supplies, says Christopher Lowell, designer and author of "Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Organization," and host of the weekly Web series, "Ask Christopher."

One great gift for a co-worker or admitted workaholic is to pull together an attractive selection of much-needed supplies -- think oversized or color-coded -- and package them so the recipient can store, grab and use them easily. Post-It Notes, push pins, paper clips and scissors fit the bill.

"Find a really cool container that goes with the person's decor," Lowell says. And, from beautiful glass jars to faux Chinese takeout containers in a variety of colors -- there are a lot of options. "Really stuff this thing," Lowell says.

Gourmet cheese Got a cheese lover in your life? Give them a taste of what they love, a new variety to try or a nifty gadget.

For cheese fans, consider a half-pound of something creamy and delicious such as English Stilton or Irish Cashel Blue, says Laura Werlin, the James Beard Award-winning food writer and author of "Laura Werlin's Cheese Essentials: An Insider's Guide to Buying and Serving Cheese."

Depending on the price, you might also be able to include a jar of something sweet, such as preserves or fig compote, or something salty, such as nuts or crackers, she says.

Another great combination: a salty selection, such as blue cheese or a good Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a small jar of honey, Werlin says.

If your cheese lover has a penchant for Brie or Camembert, consider giving a whole wheel of Camembert (standard size is about 8 ounces) or a wedge of Brie, she says.

Or go for one of the cool tools. Werlin says to buy a cheese planer, a knife specifically for slicing hard cheeses, or one designed for soft cheeses. Find them online or in stores for $10 or less.

Wine You can actually get a nice bottle of wine for $10, Werlin says. The secret is to have a vendor you trust who can make a solid recommendation.

Wines in this price range include:

* Beaujolais Nouveau: Traditionally released annually in late November and consumed within the next few seasons, "this is not a wine you save, this is a wine you drink," Werlin says. "It's meant to be fun." A good one is Georges Duboeuf.

* Cava: A Spanish sparkling wine that is often affordable, Werlin says. One budget-priced selection she likes is Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut. If your budget allows, pair it with a few ounces of Manchego cheese for a gift with a Spanish theme.

* Prosecco: A popular Italian sparkling wine, "it's a good way to have bubbly without having to pay a bundle, and I know people who prefer it over Champagne," Werlin says. Zonin is a brand that is good as well as budget-priced. If you can, add a chunk of Asiago cheese for an Italian-themed gift, she says.

And one way to test if your vendor's recommendation hits the mark: Buy two bottles and sample one before you give the other, Werlin says. "In the end, there's no substitute for tasting."

Next >

Bankrate.com is the Web's leading aggregator of information on financial products including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Visit Bankrate.com to get the tools and information that can help you make the best financial decisions.