Gifts Under $50

Etsy.com handmade and vintage goods
knitfitt

Story by Cate Fitt

Published on Nov 28, 2011 in Shop

knitfitt

This time of year can be hard on someone with a limited income and a desire to give. Every advertisement urges us to buy something for the holidays. I even received a flyer promoting giving a furnace check-up as a gift. Since I haven’t been spending all year making and shopping for Christmas presents, I thought I would take a look to see what I might find for less than $50, including shipping. Etsy abounds with handmade and vintage items for the shopper on a tight budget. For this collection I have chosen things I would love to receive and would be even happier to give.

[Clockwise from top left: Fig cookies from Darn Good Cookie Company; Dog and cat friendly treats from VisuaLingual; DIY ginger ale homebrew kit from WildRoseHerbs; Mozzarella and ricotta DIY cheese kit from Urban Cheesecraft]

For the annoying person who does not want anything, food is an excellent solution. It can be shared with others and it does not stick around, taking up space.

 

[Clockwise from top: Atlas map envelopes from Keeley Behling Studios; Jewelry box flower embroidery from Windy River; Turquoise bowl with flowers from Kelim Pottery; Vintage style step stool from Circle Creek Home; Bedside bottle and cup from kitpaulson]

For the person who leads a simple life, practicality combined with beauty is a good choice.

[Clockwise from top: Recycled aluminum can helicopter from Rigor's Hanger; Severed leg catnip toy from Life with Tigers; Mini haiku book from greenchairpress; Novio en una Botella from gnomesweetgnome; "Good dog" original linocut card from AntheaArt]

For the person with a sense of humor and a love of craft, whimsy without cuteness will hit the spot.

[Clockwise from top left: Bliss bracelet from BeadsStory; Mail book from badbooks; Natural car freshener from Sam's Natural; 2012 tea towel calendar embroidery kit from curiousdoodles; Swirly pop YUMMI purse from YUMMI shop]

Sometimes an item just jumps up and flashes a friend’s name proclaiming, “I’m the one!”

Time spent thinking of a loved one who may be far away brings that person closer. Shopping on Etsy allows us to find just the right item to convey our care and best wishes!

More Shopping Posts From Cate

Cate Fitt, a.k.a. knitfitt, has been a member of Etsy since 2007 and is an experienced critic, curator and juror. She earned her MFA in fiber in 1978, later receiving an artist’s fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Through the years, she’s been a maker of one-of-a-kind hand-painted clothing, pottery, jewelry, and linocut and monotype prints. She lives in a little house close to the James River with two whippets named Moose and Peach.

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