6 Thoughtful, Last-Minute Gifts That Don’t Cost a Thing

A thoughtful gift can cost little to no money and still leave a lasting impact. “The best presents are ones that symbolize the connection between the giver and the receiver,” Elaine Swann, etiquette expert and founder of The Swann School of Protocol tells Apartment Therapy. “If a gift has personal meaning, it won’t matter how much you did or didn’t spend on it.”

And while a meaningful gift doesn’t have to be expensive, it could require a little thought and creativity. “Creating a thoughtful gift is really about finding a gift that you think or know that the receiver will appreciate and cherish,” Anne Chertoff, Chief Operating Officer at Beaumont Etiquette, says. “Think about what they like to do, what they collect, or what you like to do together and plan a gift that doesn’t cost a lot but means a lot.”

In search of the perfect present for a loved one but short on time and funds? From handwritten letters to personalized playlists and more, here are six last-minute gift ideas that won’t cost you a penny.

In an age of hurried texts and dashed off emails, a heartfelt note can have a profound effect on someone. “Think of a great memory you shared with the person and write it out by hand in a card or letter,” Swann says. “Express in writing what this person means to you, why you appreciate them, and some of the ways they have impacted your life. People really need positivity right now, and a beautiful, handwritten message is something tangible they can look at for encouragement.”

If you’re able to spend a little bit of money, a beautiful note card or piece of stationery can turn a handwritten message into a true keepsake. You can also customize and print your own stationery online, so you can send a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind note to someone you love for just a few bucks. 

A hand-me-down with personal meaning can make a great present for the right person. “Whether it’s a scarf you’ve had for years or a first-edition copy of a book, anything of yours that someone has coveted or commented on over time can make a wonderful gift,” Swann explains. 

The same goes for heirlooms and other significant secondhand items. “Passing along an important antique or heirloom, such as a watch or piece of jewelry, to another family member is both sentimental and free of charge,” Chertoff says. “You can include a brief note about your history with the item to make it more meaningful.”   

If you have a family member that loves to cook, consider compiling some of their favorite family recipes as a gift to them. “Traditional gifts often lose their value over time, but a collection of family recipes will only become more meaningful to the recipient over the years,” explains Dr. Mary Steffel, PhD, a holiday gift-giving expert working with Vistaprint. “They also provide the person with something that they can continue to pass down from generation to generation.”

Maybe riff on how if you don’t have a lot of recipes you love, making one—such as your favorite brownies, and then including the recipe as a card, or giving them the recipe along with a jar of the dry ingredients.

If you’re not sitting on a ton of recipes to share with someone, try baking them your favorite dish or dessert as a gift, and including the recipe on a note card. No time to cook? No worries. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a cute jar, and pass it along with the recipe for an equally thoughtful DIY-style present. 

A customized playlist filled with songs that are unique to someone is a gift that keeps on giving. “Playlists make great gifts because they’re easy to create and can be shared from a phone or computer using a music streaming app such as Pandora or Spotify,” Swann says. “Compile a playlist of songs that remind you of that person, or that evoke funny memories you have together, so they have something special to listen to whenever they’re feeling nostalgic or are in need of a quick pick-me-up.”

A picture is worth 1,000 words, which is why sentimental photos often make extraordinary gifts. “If you’re sitting on any old family photo albums, find a photo of a positive memory that you can share with another family member,” Swann advises. “You don’t have to frame it, but a handwritten note about what the photo means to you will make the gift feel more personal.” No physical photos? No problem. Swann says you can share a photo from your phone via email, along with a message about why you picked it, for a similar effect.

Instead of a pricey present, consider doing something meaningful for a loved one as a gift. “Offer to be a babysitter or pet sitter for a night or a weekend,” Chertoff says. “Or help them with something that you know they need assistance with, like reorganizing a room or closet.” If you’d like to give someone the gift of your time from afar, try a site with free customizable templates, like Canva, to send a cute IOU-style gift certificate via email.