9 Genius Group Gift Ideas (All 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:
“I need to find something to give the women in my church group. There are 119 women to buy for and I’m hoping to stay around $1 for each person. Any suggestions? Have you seen any great deals on anything that might work?“
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 9 budget-friendly group gift ideas…
1. A notebook and pen set is just $0.58 per person and will come in handy.
- Paper Journal Lined Pocket Notebooks 24-Pack $9.99 – just 42¢ each OR Kraft Paper Notebook Journals 24-Pack $19.39 – just 81¢ each
- Gel Pens 120-Pack $18.99 w/ digital coupon (reg. $21.99) – just 16¢ each
Gifting idea as low as 57¢ with one notebook + one gel pen.
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.
- Starbucks White Disposable Hot Paper Cup 50-Pack $57 shipped – just $1.14 each OR Non-Branded Frappuccino Cups 100-Pack $18.47 (reg. $21.99) – just 18¢ each
- Christmas Green White Straws 50-Pack $6.99 – just 14¢ each
- Hershey’s Kisses, Rolos, Werther’s Originals, or Reese’s $4.69+ – as low as 15¢ per serving
Gifting idea as low as 50¢ with one clear cup, one lid, one straw + a few candies.
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!
Hip Tip: We have tons of easy gift-wrapping ideas for all your holiday gifts.
3. Winter Survival Kit will be just what everyone didn’t know they needed.
- Nature’s Bees Cocoa Butter Lip Balm 24-Pack $18.88 w/ S&S – just 79¢ each OR AZEN Lip Balms 60-Pack $19.56 w/ S&S – just 33¢ each
- Jergen’s Travel-Sized Hand Lotion 24-Pack $14.06 w/ S&S & digital coupon (reg. $30.48) – just 59¢ each OR BERGMAN KELLY Travel Size Lotion 100-Pack $33.29 w/ S&S – just 37¢ each
- Bulk Christmas Tissue Packs 120-Count $26.99 – just 23¢ each
Gifting idea as low as 93¢ with one lip balm, one hand lotion, and one tissue travel pack.
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!
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- Emery Boards 300-Pack $7.99 – just 3¢ each
- Foam Toe Separators 24-Pack $5.99 – just 25¢ each
- Shany Assorted Nail Polish 24-Pack $36.26 shipped – just $1.51 each OR Nicole Miller Nail Polish Set 24-Pack $17.99 – $1.29 each
Gifting idea as low as $1.57 with one emery board, one foam toe separator, and one nail polish.
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.
- White Matte & Glossy Ornaments 12-Pack $18.99 – just $1.58 each OR Clear Bubble Shatterproof Ornaments $4.99 – just 31¢ each
- Black Vinyl 6-feet $5.10 – just 4¢ each (about 2 feet per 24 ornaments)
- Decorative Ribbon 30-Yards $11.99 – just 7¢ each (about 6″ per ribbon)
Gifting idea as low as 42¢ per ornament.
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.
- Clear Votive Holders 96-Pack $41.94 – just 44¢ each OR Gold Mercury Glass Votives 72-Pack $66.99 – just 93¢ each
- Battery-Operated Tea Lights 100-Pack $25.99 (reg. $26.99) – just 26¢ each OR Unscented Wax Tea Light Candles 200-Pack $23.98 – just 12¢ each
Gifting idea as low as 56¢ with one candle holder and 1 tea light candle.
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!
Hip Tip: Consider checking Facebook Marketplace for brides who are reselling “like-new” bulk tea lights from their wedding to spend even less!
7. Our compact mirror gift ideas are great for a group of teachers.
- Compact Mirror 6-Pack – $9.99 – just $1.67 each OR Round Compact Mirrors 36-Pack $16.49 (reg. $24.99) – just 46¢ each
Gifting idea as low as 46¢ for a compact mirror and note.
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.
- 20 Live Succulent Plants – $27.35 – just $1.37 each
- Mini White Clay Pots 72-Pack – $35.99 – just 50¢ each
Gifting idea as low as $1.87 for a potted live plant.
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 $1.87! 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.
- Dermal Sheet Mask Set 78-Pack $46.99 – just 60¢ each
- Stash Chamomile Ginger Herbal Tea 180-Pack $32.69 – just 18¢ each
Gifting idea as low as 78¢ with a face mask and tea bag.
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:
- Unscrew the spray top from a glass bottle.
- Add 10 drops of essential oil to the bottle
- Add a few drops of vodka (helps blend the oil and give a longer-lasting scent)
- Fill the rest of the way with water, leaving a little room at the top.
- Securely screw on the spray top and gently shake to blend the oil.
- 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…
- Saavy Handcrafted Soap Assorted Scents 10-Pack $18.99 – just $1.58 each
- Shappy Soap Saver Bags 8-Pack $13.99 – just $1.75 each OR Exfoliating Soap Savers 40-Pack $23.99 – just 60¢ each
Gifting idea as low as $2.18 with a soap and a soap saver bag.
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.
Love these ideas! Always looking for affordable holiday gifts for the ancillary staff at my kids’ school. Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed this post, txgirl!
Along the same line, does anyone have inexpensive ideas for a take home “midnight snack” for wedding guests? I’m planning and paying for most of our daughters wedding and want it to be cute and unique.
Hey Angela,
After reading your question I had an idea pop into my head! Maybe you could create a sign that says forget me “knots” and have some donut knots/holes set out for people to take.
“Forget me nots” signify true love and symbolizes fidelity and being truthful to someone you love. It couldn’t be more fitting for a wedding. 🥰 Plus, donuts tend to be pretty inexpensive.
Angela. Pick a couple of the bride and grooms favorite snacks and label ‘Her favorite’ ‘His favorite’. Or perhaps a food item that’s unique to the location/area (candy, chips, pretzels). Granola bars, bottles of water, ect…
Mini bottles of wine and small baby bell cheese and maybe some chocolate
I’ve seen take out boxes and let the guest take their share of leftover cookies from the cookie table. They had stickers on them and were cute.
It’s a time commitment, but I know someone that makes up batches of homemade cinnamon rolls in round cake pans that recipients can keep frozen until they are ready to be baked.
As for snacks after the wedding, popcorn comes to mind. Could br plain, flavored, or made in to balls. Make a sweet and savory party mix and put it in individual bags. I’ve seen homemade fudge before too.
The cinnamon roll idea sounds great! Does she give them each a whole batch? Do you leave them in the pan when given?
Such a great score! 🙌🎉Thanks for sharing with us, Patricia!
I know it’s too late for this year, but after the holiday keep an eye out for 75% or 90% off sales and you can make something really impressive and spend practically nothing. Only drawback is that you have to store it for a year.
YES! Such a great tip, Kim! ❤️🎉 Thanks for taking the time to mention the after Christmas clearance! I need to keep this in mind too!
Lottery scratch offs are fun gifts.
we hired a photo booth so people can take pictures home for keep sakes. it was the best decision and cost effective over buying crud. good luck and the guests loved it.
How fun! Thanks for sharing! SO glad to hear that was such a hit! 🙌🎉❤️
Love these ideas thanks
So glad you enjoyed our ideas, Lisa! Thank you for stopping by to leave a sweet comment. ❤️ Happy group gifting! 🎁
great ideas!!!