Let’s be honest, money is tight this year, and the added expenses for holiday shopping can leave you feeling like you’re watching money fly out of your bank account.
Don’t worry, you can still find holiday gifts that won’t hurt your wallet! We’ve compiled a list of 20 gift ideas all under $20, so you can get presents for your loved ones while supporting local businesses and minding your budget.
Stickers and small gifts:
Stickers are the perfect gift for the creative, artsy person in your life. Maybe you even know an avid collector who needs some new decorations for their water bottle or laptop.
Turtle's Soup makes lots of stickers, including these desert-inspired designs.
Turtle's Soup has dozens of original stickers and sticker sheets, as well as bookmarks, creative socks, greeting cards, adorable washi tape, and more. And yes, they’re all priced under $20.
Not only does Juju & Moxie sell adorable stickers, but they also offer Arizona inspired tea towels for $16, lined notebooks priced at $12, and a wide array of earring designs featuring cactuses and desert landscapes for $13-$15. You can find their items for sale at Pop Cycle, 422 N. Fourth Ave.
If you want to support a good cause while doing your holiday shopping, Stickies for Kitties raises money to establish a sanctuary for disabled cats. They have dozens of kitty designs to choose from.
Cosmetics and self-care:
Who doesn’t love cosmetics, self care products, and delicious smelling candles to unwrap for the holidays?
A scented candle by Di Luna Candles that smells like the Tucson monsoon.
We can’t talk about candles and beauty products without mentioning Di Luna Candles, 2700 N Campbell Ave. In their store (which is currently decorated like a winter wonderland), you’ll find candles and wax melts for under $20, as well as a variety of shower steamers, bath salts, sheet masks, soaps and lotions.
Rosie Crocker, owner of Arizona Poppy, prepares fresh creosote shower bundles inside her shop, 150 S. Fourth Ave.
Or, check out Sonoran Rosie for organic, sustainable, herbal goods made from the plants of the Sonoran Desert. The shop sells Sonoran Soap bars for $12, made with creosote, prickly pear, aloe vera, and jojoba oil; Sonoran Bath Bombs for $14, and a cactus-and-cloud-shaped Desert Rain Soap for $12.
If makeup is what you’re looking for, the Emiliaxocosmetics vegan cosmetic line has everything you could want. Plus, it’s made right here in Tucson. For under $20 you can get shimmery lip gloss, eye shadow, neon eyeliner and more.
Bookish ideas:
For the book lover in your life, why not pick out a great paperback read from one of Tucson's local bookstores, such as Stacks Book Club, Antigone Books or Bookmans?
Or, get them a book-themed enamel pin, sticker, or keychain from "bookish maker" Rather Keen, all under $16.
Local art and prints:
Everyone needs a good coffee mug or book bag. Luckily, Brushes and Boots has nature-inspired Tucson mugs and totes for $18-20, for the person who loves Tucson as much as we do.
If you want art prints to frame and put on walls, you’ll find plenty of works at Pop Cycle, from artists like Annotated Audrey, Tracy Brown, Marcy Ellis, and Aall Forms of Life, among others.
Jos Par's designs are available on shirts, stickers, totes, hats and prints.
For wearable art, check out local artist Jos Par, who is known for the existentialism and humor in his bold pieces. You can choose from tote bags priced at $14, art prints for $20, stickers, or even graphic tees, which you might be lucky enough to get on sale.
Food and drink:
When it comes to gifts, you can’t go wrong with a good sweet treat or thoughtful tea drink.
Chile mango bon bons at Monsoon Chocolate.
Tucson’s beloved Monsoon Chocolate, 3630 E. Fort Lowell Road and 234 E. 22nd St., offers handmade chocolate delights, including chocolate bars and malt balls. There’s so many varieties, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye. Prices vary, but most bars are between $12 and $16.
Or, check out Tucson Chocolate Factory, 300 E. Congress St., for their chocolate confections, including their Chiltepin Pepper and Whiskey Sea Salt Bar, which retails at $10.50.
Pair the chocolate with any of the more than a dozen tea varieties sold by Tucson Tea Company, 5870 E. Broadway Suite 310. You’ll find chai, matcha, black, green, herbal, and Earl Grey teas, and many more.
Lavender Manor, at 347 E. Fourth St., also has their own selection of chamomile and lavender, Earl Grey and lavender, and lavender prickly pear teas to choose from. Each tin costs $10.
Jewelry:
If you're shopping for someone who's all about the accessories, you can find many adorable earring and jewelry designs from local makers.
Coy Creative’s hand-crafted jewelry pieces include several styles of earrings — including cute, festive bows — that retail for $16.
Desert and Stone also has beautiful earrings, but if you’re looking for something different, you can browse their selection of pearl, opal and saguaro bracelets, all under $20.
For the cinema lovers:
Wondering what to get the die-hard movie fanatic in your life? How about a gift card to The Loft Cinema? You can purchase them online for as little as $10 or $15, which is enough for a movie ticket and some concessions.
