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Are you doing Christmas on a budget this year? Then you need to check out these ideas for free Christmas gifts. It includes where to find free Christmas gifts and ideas for free Christmas gifts for kids and adults.
I hope the list below will make it easier for you to have a more frugal Christmas. These gift ideas also include many ideas that won’t add extra clutter to the recipients home (which is a gift in itself!).
Plus, free Christmas presents can be even more meaningful and special than a gift you buy at the store.
Let’s find some Christmas freebies!
Ways to get free Christmas gifts
Finding free Christmas gifts isn’t impossible. There are actually lots of places to look for free gifts. Here are some tips for finding free items, and then a list of places I look for free items for gifts.
TIPS FOR FINDING FREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS
- Start early: finding free items takes more time so you’ll want to start looking early. Keep your eye out and pick things up throughout the year so you’ll be ready at Christmas
- Get creative: as you find free things, try to get creative and keep your mind open on how items can be repurposed and given new lift
- Communicate you’re open to hand-me-downs: casually let friends and family know that you may be interested in things if they’re purging stuff.
WHERE TO FIND FREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Buy nothing Facebook groups
Buy nothing groups are my favorite place to find free stuff and where I get my kids free gifts. Join a local buy nothing Facebook group and start watching what gets posted early. You’ll never know what you’ll find.
Local Facebook groups
People also post to local neighborhood Facebook groups when trying to get rid of things. Add some of these to your radar in addition to the buy nothing groups to cast a wider net for freebies.
Craigslist
Craiglist is still going strong and many people will post things they want to get rid of here too.
Yard sales
Yard sales are a great place to find a deal. In addition to selling things on the cheap, yard-salers are very motivated to get rid of things and often will have a free box or will throw extra items in for free when you’re buying from them
Free little libraries
Free little libraries around town will have free books that people are passing along. Check them for books that may be interesting to your gift recipient
Hand-me-downs
If you have kids, openly accept hand-me-downs when they’re offered. I’ll hang on to some hand-me-downs and gift them to my kids if the timing makes sense
Freebie websites
Sign up for free samples and free sample coupons. This strategy is especially good for kids because kids love sample size beauty products. Here are a couple website to watch: freesamples.org and https://www.heyitsfree.net/
Re-gift
Don’t feel bad about re-gifting! It is simply helping the gift find the person that will appreciate it and use it the most. I’ll also hold back gifts my kids are given if they aren’t the best fit for them for re-gifting (or giving to them later when they’re age appropriate since my kids are still very little).
Acts of service
Never underestimate the value of acts of service. I would so much rather be given 3 hours of babysitting than a physical gift.
Toy and clothes swaps
Hit up a toy or clothing swap to get free items for kids. If there isn’t one already running locally, you could organize one in your neighborhood.
Free Christmas gifts for kids
Now, let’s look at some specific ideas for free Christmas gifts for kids.
Books from a little library
Books are such a good gift for kids (even if they might not fully appreciate them…). You can get free books from
Subscription to Dolly Parton Book Club or PJ Library
Continuing on the free book theme, sign your kids up for a free subscription to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (eligibility by location) or PJ Library (eligibility for Jewish families).
These are amazing free programs that send little kids free books monthly. Plus, kids love to get mail so it’s really an awesome gift that keeps on giving.
Toys for buy nothing groups or toy swaps
Yes, you can still give toys at Christmas that are free! Watch your Facebook groups and jump when items post. You can even do an “in search of post” if you’re short on time. Or, organize a toy swap with friends as another free way to get free toys.
Hand-me-down clothes
If you’re given a bag of hand-me-downs, set aside the best of the lot to wrap up as Christmas gifts.
Coupon book of activities
A coupon book is really the perennial free gift idea. Make a cute book of your kids favorite activities and gift them the coupons to be used at their leisure.
Here are some coupon ideas to get you started:
- Dessert before dinner coupon
- Trip to the beach
- Stay up an hour after bedtime
- Invite over a friend
- Make cookies or favorite dessert
Experience gifts
There are lots of experience gifts that don’t cost a thing. Check out my list of fun experience gifts for families which includes lots of free ideas.
Favorite treats
Make a batch of their favorite treats and wrap them up like a present. Bonus idea: wrap them in a box shape that is surprising to add a little more intrigue and surprise (like an old pizza box).
Free magazine subscription
I used to covet magazine subscriptions as a kid and you can find a few freebie magazines online, like the Netflix family magazine (which includes free stickers too!).
Get-out-of-chores free cards
Similar to a coupon book, give your kid some “get out of chore” cards like a “get out of jail free” card in Monopoly. You can make them general or for specific chores.
Family keepsake
If your kids are old enough, you can use Christmas as an opportunity to pass down a family keepsake. This will be far more meaningful than a gift you get off the shelf at Target.
Coupon to host a sleepover or friends party
Give your kids the gift of time with their friends. You can give them a coupon for a sleepover, a board game party or a “make your own pizza night.”
AI generated personalized coloring books
Finally, get a little futurist and make a personalized coloring book for your child using AI. Personalizing it to their specific interests makes it more exciting and special.
Here’s an example I made for our toddler since he’s deeply into semi-trucks (and shocker… there aren’t a lot of semi-truck coloring books out there).
Free Christmas gift ideas for families and adults
Next, here are some ideas for free Christmas gifts for adults and families.
Homemade vinegar
One of my favorite homemade Christmas gift I made was homemade vinegars. The steps are simple:
- Clean and sanitize bottles (I used wine bottles)
- Fill with fun flavoring like raspberries or rosemary
- Pour in distilled white vinegar
- Let sit for at least a week before gifting
Freezable treats
I know, I know… Christmas time is already too full of sweets. But hear me out, stand out from the crowd and give treats that are freezer ready. Who wouldn’t love an easy to grab dessert waiting for them in their freezer on a night when you just need a cookie?
Cakes, cupcakes, cookie dough and sweet breads all freezer well and could make easy gifts.
Freezer meals
Similarly, giving a freezer meal is a true gift. It gives someone a night off from cooking and they can pull it out when they need it the most. It’s such a treat.
Babysitting
For families with kids, watching their kids is probably the best gift you could give them. For real, this should be number 1 on your list if you’re looking for a gift for parents. There’s nothing better.
Acts of service
There are so many acts of service that make for thoughtful and meaningful gifts. Do grandma’s grocery shopping, help with a handy project, organize your mother-in-law’s pantry. The list is really endless on possible service gifts.
DIY crafts
If you’re crafty, you could make gifts for the adults and family members in your life. I love the idea of doing crafts with family meaning, like a collage of family scrapbook items.
Curate a family stories book
We lost my dad to brain cancer a few years ago and I wish I had thought to collect more of his memories before he had aphasia. Collect your family stories now, it is a gift everyone will treasure for years and years to come.
You could do this by sending emails to family members and asking for written stories. I recommend when possible, take video too. There’s never enough video after someone is gone.
Dried flowers from your garden art
Dried flower art from your garden can make for beautiful pieces to gift. Here’s a cool list of ideas of what you can craft with dried flowers.
Car wash coupons
Give a coupon for doing a deep clean of someone’s car. You can wash the outside, and vacuum and clean the inside. It’s a treat to have a well cleaned car (especially for parents with smaller kids).
Kids keepsakes
For family members like grandparents, giving kids keepsakes or kids art is always a win. You could make cute ornaments with kids handprints or gift some of their best school art.
Make a digital family photo book
Finally, do the legwork on putting together family photos in a digital photobook. Everyone takes too many photos these days so being given a nicely curated selection of photos is a wonderful act of service.
Read more:
Don’t miss this list of fun white elephant gifts for families.
