9 Budget-Friendly Group Gift Ideas from Under $2 Per Person!

Here are the best and cheapest group gift ideas!

As great as giving can be, buying gifts for a whole group of people (especially all at one time) and staying on a budget can be a struggle.

Hip2Save reader, Michelle experienced this challenge last year:

When working within a tight budget, I like to combine small items into mini packages to increase the gift’s value while still keeping costs low. Having the gifts be the same, lets you purchase in bulk to take advantage of quantity discounts, making that $1 per person goal much more attainable. You can also keep your eye out year-round to score some awesome once-a-year deals.

Read on for group gift ideas that cost roughly a dollar or just a couple of dollars each to help make group gift giving (especially around the holidays) easy on the mind and easy on the wallet!

Here are 7 budget-friendly group gift ideas…

1. A notebook and pen set is just $0.58 per person and will come in handy.

This noteworthy set is perfect for keeping a daily journal, jotting notes, or doodling. Both notebook sets offer a wide variety of designs and colors so each recipient’s gift is unique! Add an extra personal touch and write a friendly note on the first page for them to see each time they open their journal!

2. Candy-filled faux Frappuccino or hot beverage group gift ideas can even be elevated with a gift card.

Find me someone who won’t say “OMG, how BRILLIANT!” about these chocolate-filled Starbucks cups… I’ll wait. 😉 This super clever packaging uses clear beverage cups, gold-foiled candies, a green straw, and an optional piece of tissue paper to complete it. Feel free to conceal a surprise inside (like a gift card) or give it as is.

While the cost of clear Starbucks cups has skyrocketed, you can still find an affordable 50-pack on Amazon. We like this idea even more since it’ll conceal whatever you decide to put in the cups making it a total surprise for your giftee!

3. Winter Survival Kit will be just what everyone didn’t know they needed.  

Cold weather means crisp, dry air—but it can leave your skin feeling dry and lips dehydrated. Soothe chapped winter skin and lips with a buttery lip balm, mini hand lotion, and a pocket-size pack of tissues to make a complete winter kit.

4. An at-home pedicure kit is a winter essential and we even have a free printable!

Give the gift of an at-home pedicure with an emery board, toe separators, and, of course, nail polish. 💅 You can even grab Lina’s FREE “For Your Mistle TOES” gift tag to complete the whole set.

5. Custom ornaments are perfect group gift ideas for anyone who loves to get a little crafty. 

DIY some Rae Dunn ornaments with holiday buzzwords or personalize them with your recipient’s name! Lina’s DIY is easy, fun, and frugal, but if you don’t own a Cricut machine, you can purchase similar decals on Etsy! You could even consider leaving them plain and printing out a cute gift tag with a sweet sentiment.

Make this DIY year-round by swapping out the ornaments and holiday words for a ring dish with their monogram or try fun words like “bling”, “love”, or “his” and “hers” if it’s for a couple.

6. Votive candles will help you spread light and joy during the best time of year. 

I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes giving candles as a gift can seem a little generic, but pair them with a glass candle holder and ribbon for a dazzling gift! ✨ Go with a battery-operated tea light for a zero-mess candle and you’ve got a gift that appears much more expensive than under a dollar!

7. Our compact mirror gift ideas are great for a group of teachers.

This gift only requires the purchase of a compact mirror set and some sweet notes from your kiddo to pair with each one. You could even consider gifting these to some coworkers with thoughtful messages on how they’ve been such a great asset to your work culture. Even if you don’t have some cardstock paper lying around, you can keep this unforgettable and unique gift idea well under $1 per person.

Head over to our compact mirror teacher gift idea post to read more about this craft.

8. Gift a small plant they can keep at work or take home. 

Plants are going to be a well-received gift by nearly anyone and it’s super simple to make. We love this pack of succulents because they’re highly rated and guaranteed to be healthy and happy. Paired with a decorative pot, this will look far more expensive than $1.61! Consider writing a cute note to go with them or create personalized name tags on cardstock for an even more personalized touch.

9. Self-care sets are great group gift ideas that will melt away the stress of the holiday season. 

Help your recipient melt away the stress of busy holiday plans with a relaxing sheet face mask and some chamomile tea. You could even go the extra mile with these group gift ideas and DIY an essential oil mister too! Great for spritzing a pillow before laying your head down.

To make the essential oil mister:

1. Unscrew the spray top from a glass bottle.
2. Add 10 drops of essential oil to the bottle
3. Add a few drops of vodka (helps blend the oil and give a longer-lasting scent)
4. Fill the rest of the way with water, leaving a little room at the top.
5. Securely screw on the spray top and gently shake to blend the oil.
6. To add even more of a personal touch, label the bottle with kraft paper tags to identify the essential oil scent!

Write a little note with some great usage ideas, like an air or fabric freshener! Feel free to switch up the scents with soothing lavender or invigorating peppermint. When it comes to buying small gifts for groups, this idea is creative and sure to be appreciated.

Willing to spend a little more? Here’s another spa-like gift idea…

Gift-giving to a large group doesn’t need to cost a fortune.

Buying small gifts for many people can always make the value seem much more than what you actually spent! With just a small budget and these clever group gift ideas, you can bring some Christmas cheer to just about anyone, no matter how many people you need to buy for.

Need more gift ideas? Head this way!