Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Life > Experiences

6 Inexpensive Birthday Gifts to Get Your Friends

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hofstra chapter.

We all know how it goes: your friend’s birthday is coming up and you want to get them something special. Then, you check your bank account and realize you can’t afford all the things you want to get them. We have all been there before, so we compiled a list of some of the best gifts to make your friend feel special on their birthday without breaking your budget!

 

Your Favorite Book

Does your friend love to read? Or maybe needs to read more? There is no better gift than one of your favorite books. The best thing about giving a book as a gift is that it is a gift that keeps on giving. Your friend can read it over and over again and always be reminded of the gesture from you. Write a cute note in the beginning pages for a personal touch!

Cute Journal

Maybe your friend is more of a writer than a reader. A nice journal is another gift that keeps giving. Your friend can use a journal for a long time and even look back on it in the future. Give them a page of encouragement at the beginning of the journal so they can always flip to it when they need a little extra love.

Scarf

We all know that New York winter is coming whether we are ready for it or not! Help your chilly friend stay warm this winter by gifting them a scarf they can rock all season long. They will thank you for it when they have to brave the cold in between classes!

Coloring Book

Ever wish you could go back in time when school revolved around coloring in the lines? Your friend probably does too! Give your friend the gift of relaxation and the enjoyment of feeling young again, even if they’re turning one year older.

Memory Book

Everyone loves a good homemade gift. A memory book is one gift that your friend will look back on for life. All you have to do is purchase a photo book and print some of your favorite photos of the two of you and get to work on your gift. You can caption the photos with memories of that time together, as well as add ticket stubs and other mementos. This one is a little more labor-intensive but watching your friend go through it is so worth it.

Personalized Mug

If your friend is a devout coffee or tea drinker, this could be the perfect gift. Think of one of their favorite quotes, or find one yourself to motivate them or make them laugh. Then every time they are enjoying their hot beverage, they are reminded of you by your thoughtful gift!

Just remember you don’t need to spend a fortune on a birthday gift for your friend to show them how much they mean to you. They will love any gift you give them that has thought behind it, so have fun with it and don’t be afraid to get creative!

Mallory Dubay

Hofstra '20

Mallory is a senior at Hofstra studying political science. She is a lover of all things travel and food. She's a geek for many things, most notably a good podcast or documentary.