20 DIY Gift Ideas Under $5 That Still Feel Thoughtful
By Kelly ยท Updated 2026-10-16
When you're thanking a teacher, two aides, a coach and three best friends, costs add up. Prices below are rough US estimates per gift, assuming you already have crayons and a printer.
Almost free (paper and ink)
| Fill-in thank-you card | $0.15 |
| Coupon book (cover + 8 coupons) | $0.30 |
| Colored gift tag | $0.02 |
| Handprint keepsake card | $0.20 |
| Drawing in a paper frame | $0.15 |
| Doodle bookmark | $0.05 |
| Folded paper star garland | $0.25 |
Under $2
| Pencil + "you're sharp" tag | $0.60 |
| Seed packet + "thanks for helping me grow" tag | $1.25 |
| Candy bar with a kid-drawn wrapper | $1.50 |
| Cocoa mix in a decorated cup | $1.75 |
| Sticker sheet they chose | $1.00 |
| Friendship bracelet (string) | $0.40 |
Under $5
| Small plant in a painted pot | $4.50 |
| Notepad with a decorated cover | $2.50 |
| Mug filled with tea bags | $4.00 |
| Fancy pens tied with ribbon | $3.50 |
| Mini frame with a class photo | $3.00 |
| Card + coupons + tags as a mini kit | $0.50 |
| Hand sanitizer with a custom tag | $1.50 |
Notice the last row: a printed mini kit costs less than a candy bar and gets the biggest reaction.