We have been pondering what to give to our loved ones for the season and kept asking if we can do affordable holiday gift ideas under 20 dollars? We set out on a mission to dig around in the popular sites and found our answer. Yes, absolutely. You don’t need a platinum card to give something that feels special, personal, and keepsake-worthy… especially if you shop small.
Below is a cozy little gift guide focused on small businesses (including SJPics.com) that offer unique, memorable gifts for under $20. Prices are approximate and were under $20 at the time of writing, but always double-check before you check out.
1. Heirloom-Feeling Gifts: Keepsake Coins & Art from SJPics
If you want a gift that feels like it could be discovered in a treasure box years from now, S&J Pictures (SJPics.com) is a gem.
a) Limited Edition 2025 Holiday Keepsake Gift Coins
Approx. $9.99
These are laser-engraved coins in premium steel or brass, with four festive designs (Gingerbread, Ornament, Wreath, and Happy Sleigh). They’re designed as timeless keepsakes rather than throwaway trinkets, and can be gifted as:
- A stocking stuffer with a handwritten note about what you appreciate in the recipient
- A “token of the year” tradition you repeat annually
- A meaningful gift for teachers, coworkers, or clients
👉 Limited Edition 2025 Holiday Keepsake Gift Coins – S&J Pictures
These coins are highlighted in S&J’s own 2025 holiday gift guide as standout gifts for folks who love personalized, meaningful items.
b) “Rainbow on Christmas Day at Smokeys” Poster
From about $14.99
If your recipient loves travel, landscapes, or photography, SJPics also offers wall art inspired by real places, including a “Rainbow on Christmas Day at Smokeys” poster that starts under $20. It’s a beautiful way to give art on a budget, especially for someone who loves the Smoky Mountains or cozy winter scenery.
👉 Rainbow on Christmas Day at Smokeys Poster – S&J Pictures
S&J Pictures emphasizes unique designs traced back to real locations and moments, and many items include shipping in the price, which makes budgeting much easier.
Who these are perfect for:
- Collectors, history buffs, or coin lovers
- Anyone who likes “meaning over price tag”
- Folks who love travel photography, national parks, or New England / Smoky Mountain vibes
2. Cozy Self-Care & Spa-Style Gifts Under $20
a) Handmade Bath & Body Gifts from Little Flower Soap Co
This Michigan-based small business offers a “Handmade Gifts Under $20” section with thoughtful, natural products like:
- Spring Soap Gift Set (around $12): Beautifully packaged artisan soaps that feel luxurious but are totally budget-friendly.
- Shower Steamers (Menthol Peppermint) (around $18): A spa-style experience for people who don’t have time for full baths.
- Vanilla Cake “Happy Birthday” Candle (around $19.99): Fun, celebratory, and still under $20.
👉 Handmade Gifts Under $20 – Little Flower Soap Co
Gift idea combos under $20:
- Pair a single bar of artisan soap with a handwritten “self-care coupon.”
- Add a shower steamer and a note saying “Mandatory 10-minute spa break.”
b) Mojo Spa “Gifts Under $20” Collection
Mojo Spa is a women-owned small business that handcrafts bath, beauty, and self-care goodies and maintains a curated “Gifts Under $20” collection.
You’ll find items like:
- Fun, dessert-inspired soaps
- Bath bombs and scrubs
- Lip balms and mini gift sets
Who these are perfect for:
- Teachers, nurses, and caregivers
- Secret Santa exchanges at work
- Friends who love cozy nights in
3. Fair-Trade & Global-Artisan Gifts Under $20
If you want your dollars to support artisans around the world, there are great under-$20 options too.
The Village Artisan: Fair Trade Handmade Gifts Under $20
The Village Artisan curates handmade, fair-trade gifts under $20, including felt coin purses, earrings, small sculptures, and other artisan-made items.
Examples from their under-$20 collection:
- Felt coin purses
- Soapstone mini sculptures
- Colorful, hand-felted accessories
Each purchase supports international artisans and contributes to community projects like schools, clean water, and health clinics via fair-trade premiums.
👉 Fair Trade Handmade Gifts Under $20 – The Village Artisan
Who these are great for:
- Socially conscious friends
- Minimalists who prefer one meaningful object
- Teens or adults who like unique, conversation-starting accessories
4. Thoughtful “Tiny Boxes of Joy” from Etsy Small Businesses
Etsy is essentially a galaxy of small businesses, and there are countless under-$20 gift options that are still personal and memorable.
A few popular small-business gift categories under $20 include:
- Mini “hug in a box” or encouragement boxes (with tea, tiny candles, affirmations)
- Custom engraved bookmarks or keychains
- Spa sampler kits: little boxes with artisan soaps, bath salts, or lip balms
- Holiday-themed painting or craft kits for kids and adults
👉 Browsing ideas:
- Search “client gift under $20” or “handmade gifts under $20” on Etsy
- Filter by “Star Seller” or “Free shipping” to find trusted and budget-friendly shops
How to gift it thoughtfully:
- Add a personal note explaining why you chose that specific message, symbol, or design.
- For long-distance friends, choose something that ships flat and add a heartfelt letter or printed photo.
5. Bulk-Friendly Small Gifts (Teachers, Teams & Neighbors)
If you’re buying for teachers, coworkers, or a big group and still want to support small businesses, you can mix small-biz items with local finds:
- Locally made honey, coffee, or chocolate from nearby small producers (often highlighted in regional “best gifts under $20” roundups).
- Small-batch candles or wax melts from local makers (check local markets or small-biz sections on gift guides and marketplaces).
Pair those with:
- A handwritten card with a specific compliment or memory
- A $5–$10 gift card to a local café or bookstore
Even simple consumables become special when they’re locally sourced and accompanied by genuine words.
6. How to Build a “Wow, This Was Under $20?!” Gift
To keep everything under $20 and memorable, think in layers:
- Anchor item
- Example: SJPics 2025 Holiday Keepsake Coin (~$9.99)
- Or a Little Flower Soap Co soap gift (~$12)
- Tiny add-on
- A tea bag or hot cocoa packet
- A single artisan chocolate
- A sticker or small ornament from a local maker
- Personal touch
- Handwritten note or a short printed story about why you picked that design, coin, or artwork
- For SJPics coins, you could write:“This coin is a little snapshot of our 2025 memories. Let’s add one every year.”
This combo keeps you under $20 while making the gift feel like it came with its own mini storybook.
7. Quick Checklist for Affordable, Meaningful Small-Biz Gifts
When you’re browsing any small business, ask:
- Is it under $20 after tax & shipping?
- Does it feel like it could be kept or remembered for years? (coins, art, jewelry, artisan goods)
- Does it support a real maker or artisan? (small businesses, fair-trade collectives, local sellers)
- Can I add a note that turns this into a story, not just an object?
If you can say yes to those questions, you’ve basically unlocked the “delight per dollar” achievement.
In Short
You don’t need a big budget to give big-feeling gifts:
- From SJPics:
- From other small businesses:
- Handmade soaps, bath goodies, and candles under $20
- Fair-trade artisan accessories and decor under $20
- Tiny “hug in a box”–style gifts and personalized keepsakes from Etsy makers
All under $20. All from real people and small shops. All filled with more heart than any big-box doorbuster!
Happy Holidays!
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