by Hannah Walton aka The Cheapskate Mom

Cheap Summer Gift Guide:

Birthdays, graduations, father's day, hostess gifts, housewarmings – gift giving runs rampant for me in the summer. As much as I love to give gifts – I simply don't have the funds anymore to give folks exactly what I would like to give them .

I've taken to the net this morning to find 20 + chic and cheap gifts you can either make or purchase on a shoestring budget …  that are all perfect for summer time giving.

1. Smores Making Kit
What says summer more than S'mores? For a tasty and cheap summer gift, consider making a s'mores kit : marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate ( hershey's or gourmet ) and some roasting sticks aka homemade twigs. Wrap it all up in a cool box like a chinese take out box or a bandana and you've got a terrific hostess gift with a summertime twist.

2. Ice Cream Sundae Toppings Kit
Using small containers – be it wedding favor containers or old pill/vitamin bottles – make an ice cream sundae kit. Buy some rainbow sprinkles, chopped nuts, chocolate jimmies, mini marshmellows – etc – and fill your tiny containers up. Print up some fancy labels or just use pretty ribbon – and maybe throw in an ice cream scoop or a ben and jerry's coupon – and you've got a show stopping summer gift for all ages!

 

 

3. Circle Kabob Skewer Set
For the grill master – what could be better than a reusable set of kabob skewers … shaped like circles. These are the perfect gift for summer – cheap (at around $12.00) , classy and totally useful.
 

 

4. Organic Fruit Popsicle Making Kit
Popsicles are so all the rage these days – so give this trendy, DIY gift on the cheap. I have seen dollar store popsicle molds – which would be an easy purchase – or you can buy an ice cube tray or if you have a bunch of Crystal-Light style containers or little plastic cups – you've got an easy popsicle stick mold. Throw in some popsicle sticks – craft stores and craft sections sell these very cheaply – a bottle of organic fruit juice and a nicely printed or handwritten recipe – check out this site for some fun recipe ideas!

5. Sea Water Hair Spritz
Hair salons literally sell Beachy hair sprays for tens of dollars – if you live near the ocean , get thee to the nearest drug store and buy a small spray bottle – then get thee to the ocean and fill said spray bottle with ocean water (or follow this sea salt recipe). Get a cute label going on and you've got a great designer feeling summery gift for the beauty maven in your life.

6. DIY Beach Tote
If you're handy with a needle and thread, whip up a fun beach tote for the beach goer in your life. I found tons of awesome totes on Pinterest – and this simple but classy tutorial from Martha Stewart is my absolute favorite!

7. Beach – y Bird House
I love giving the gift of DIY birdhouses and I absolutely love this beach themed birdhouse because it's complete with a cute surfboard out front. Perfect gift for the beach comber / birder in your life !

8. Gelato and Ice Cream Scoop
If you're going to a dinner party or housewarming party – pick up a fancy tub of gelato (the big supermarkets totally sell them these days and usually for less than five bucks) and buy a decent ice cream scoop – put them together and you've got a class act summer host gift for around ten bucks. Not bad.

9. Ice Cream in a Can Kit
If you're a coffee drinker and you've got some special kids in your life – give them this fun gift : all the ingredients to make ice cream in a can. Here's a recipe for your shopping list. Kids get to roll the ice cream and learn about science – then enjoy a yummy frozen treat after their work is done!

10. Beach Kit
Sun block, beach towel, and summer book or magazine : perfect gift for an avid beach goer / tanner. Wrap it all up in ribbon or a DIY beach tote – and you've got a thoughtful, simple gift that's just perfect for summer.

11. Citrus Coaster
If you're one of those awesome felters – make these awesome Citrus Shaped Coasters for someone special this summer. Love how bright and clean the design is.

12. Fruit
Give the simple gift of fruit this summer : buy a fresh box of blueberries or some yummy oranges – wrap them in a brown paper bag and a ribbon – and you've got a class act summer gift for the organic / naturalista in your life.

13. Monogrammed  Beach Towel
I love monogrammed everything – even though I'm more into pop art then preppy decor. If someone gave me a single or a set of monogrammed beach towels I would literally be OVER THE MOON. Love this DIY monogrammed beach towel tutorial!

14. Beach Themed Wedding Gift
For a couple getting married at the beach, what gift could be better than their names in sand with their wedding date – in a frame? Check it out.

15. Exfoliating Sand and Sea Salt Soap
Sand = Exfoliating. Sea Salt = Excellent for the skin. Soap + Sea Salt + Sand = perfect , cheap gift for a birthday, hostess or housewarming. LOVE it.

16. Lemon Sugar Scrub
A perfect present for Mom or a hostess – make a simple lemon sugar beauty scrub – Lush Cosmetics style!  Put it in a mason jar and tie with a bright yellow ribbon and you've got an incredible (ly simple) and cheap gift for someone special.

17. Lemonade Kit
Perfect for kids of all ages – what says summer better than an old-fashioned lemonade kit?? For kids, consider putting together an ADORABLE lemonade stand kit. For the grown ups , fashion together a more traditional lemonade set up!

18. Stencil Sailboat Onesie for Baby
Using the freezer paper method outline here , make a summer themed onesie for a summertime baby. Stencil a onesie, a lobster, a beach scene – anything you love that says Summer! Easy . Peasy. Cheap. Love it.

19. Using Freezer Paper and a Bib Tutorial Make Lobster Bibs
Using the same freezer paper method as above and this tutorial for adult sized bibs - make a reusable lobster bib set giftfor the lobster lover in your life. Unusual, cheap, and useful.

20.  Mason Jar Drinking Glasses
OMG – do I ever love the current trend of repurposing mason jars. Of all of the awesome mason jar projects I've seen floatin' around the web – I am in love with this idea of mason jar iced coffee / tea/ lemonade drink cups. Skip the paint for a cheaper, less toxic and easier project.

21. DIY Picnic Basket
Summer + Park + Food = Picnic!!! Make a DIY picnic basket for someone special this summer – they'll totally love this present – especially if they're the outdoorsy type For funkier folks, check out this suitcase picnic/party box. Love it.

22. Felt Picnic Basket for Kids
Perfect gift for Montessori & Waldorf kids – if you're handy with felt and thread – make a felt food picnic basket. Sure to be a HUGE hit at any birthday party I so wish I could sew.

CONVERSATION STARTER:
What awesome and cheap or DIY summer time gifts have you come up with??