30 Cheap Christmas Treat Gifts to Make on a Budget

Holiday gifting can get expensive fast, but making these cheap Christmas treats keeps things affordable.

We found you the cheapest sweet food gifts that don’t use a bunch of ingredients like many holiday recipes, and some use pantry staples you might already have in your kitchen.

These Christmas gift ideas will help you stay on budget while still giving something festive to everyone on your list.

Cheap Christmas Treat Gifts to Make on a Budget

1. Sugar Cookie Chex Mix

This snack mix is tossed with a sweet coating that gives it a sugar cookie flavor in every bite. This recipe makes a big batch, so it’s a great budget-friendly option.

If you’re trying to save money, don’t feel like you have to give a big portion either. A little bag tied with festive ribbon is perfect and will get you more gifts from one batch.

Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Chex Mix

2. Christmas Tree Pretzels

Made with only four ingredients, these white chocolate peppermint Christmas tree pretzels are so easy and cheap to make. People always go crazy for these, and they don’t cost much to make.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Pretzels

3. Coconut Snowball Candy Gift

These coconut snowball treats are tucked in chocolate-dipped cones for the cutest Christmas gift ever. They’re easy to bundle up for gifting and even come with free printable gift tags.

Get the Recipe: Coconut Snowball Candy Gift

4. Reindeer Brownies

These reindeer treats take simple boxed brownies and turn them into something gift-worthy on the cheap. The pretzel “antlers” are adorable!

Get the Recipe: Reindeer Brownies

5. Homemade Peanut Brittle

For just a little over $5, you can make a batch of this peanut brittle that makes around 16 servings. Talk about inexpensive! Package them in some cellophane bags or cookie tins (Dollar Tree always has some inexpensive ones).

Get the Recipe: Homemade Peanut Brittle

6. Christmas Fudge

You can never go wrong gifting fudge, and this one is so delicious. It’s easy and made with only four ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Fudge

7. Cinnamon Candy

This recipe guides you through each step so you end up with delicious cinnamon candy. Your friends and family will love this! It comes out to just about 30 cents per serving, making it one of the cheapest homemade gifts.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Candy

8. Reindeer Rolo Pretzels

Salty pretzels topped with Rolos turn into charming reindeer that are perfect for gifting. They’re cheap to make in batches and are always a favorite.

Get the Recipe: Reindeer Rolo Pretzels

9. Christmas Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

These cookies come together quickly, and using a cake mix means fewer ingredients you need to buy. The sprinkles are a festive touch.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

10. Peppermint Bark

This is so inexpensive to whip up. It breaks easily into pieces for packaging, and everyone always goes wild for peppermint bark around the holidays.

Get the Recipe: Peppermint Bark

11. Christmas Cornflake Brittle

Cornflakes and buttery caramel come together in this easy holiday treat that takes just minutes to prepare. Cornflakes are an inexpensive ingredient, and you can even use a generic brand to make the recipe even cheaper.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Cornflake Brittle

12. Christmas Popcorn

This Christmas popcorn mixes sweet and salty flavors with chocolate, candy, and sprinkles. Since popcorn kernels cost next to nothing and they make up the bulk of this recipe, the whole treat ends up being very affordable.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Popcorn

13. Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

These soft peanut butter cookies are made with cake mix and pantry staples. A chocolate kiss on top gives them that classic holiday look everyone recognizes.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

14. Christmas Marshmallow Pops

This chocolate-covered marshmallow candy cane treat is such a fun gift. Place one or two in clear gift bags and tie with festive ribbon for a treat both kids and adults will love.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Marshmallow Pops

15. Crockpot Candy

Your slow cooker turns everything into a rich candy, packed with peanuts, M&M’s, and sprinkles. It’s much cheaper to make a big batch than to buy store-bought candy for everyone.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Candy

16. Sugar Cookie Fudge

White chocolate and sprinkles come together for a fudge that tastes like a sugar cookie in fudge form. Buying only three ingredients for this recipe keeps costs low.

Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Fudge

17. Chocolate Covered Grahams

Graham crackers are covered in decadent chocolate and topped with sprinkles for a holiday treat everyone loves.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Grahams

18. Chocolate Covered Cherries

These homemade cherry cordials are way better than store-bought. The sprinkles are optional, so if you want to keep them really inexpensive, you can skip them.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Cherries

19. 2-Ingredient Caramel Fudge

Dulce de leche and white chocolate melt together to form a smooth caramel fudge that sets up beautifully. All you need for this recipe are two ingredients, so it’s extremely frugal yet tastes expensive.

Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient Caramel Fudge

20. Sugar Cookie Truffles

Sugar cookie truffles make a budget-friendly Christmas gift that still feels special and are made with only three ingredients. You can whip up a whole batch to share for not much money.

Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Truffles

21. Cranberry Jelly Candies

These cranberry jelly candies use real juice for a bright red color and a tart, sweet flavor. They look beautiful and festive packaged up, and no one will guess how inexpensive they are to make.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jelly Candies

22. Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

Coffee beans dipped in chocolate are the best gift for any coffee lover. They’re quick to make with just three ingredients, and you can easily make them ahead of time.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

23. Cool Whip Candy

Cool Whip and three other ingredients come together to make an easy treat. It’s quick to whip up in big batches without breaking the bank.

Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Candy

24. Grinch Pretzels

Sweet and salty come together in these Grinch-themed pretzels topped with chocolate and a red heart candy. They’re the perfect treats to gift to kids or adults and won’t break the bank.

Get the Recipe: Grinch Pretzels

25. Christmas Puppy Chow

Chex cereal coated in chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar gets a festive upgrade with colorful M&Ms. It’s always a crowd pleaser with everyone and making a big batch is budget-friendly.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Puppy Chow

26. Candy Cane Hearts

These minty chocolate hearts keep well and are easy to package in clear bags or little gift boxes. Plus, they’re made with only three ingredients, making them a frugal choice.

Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Hearts

27. Christmas Cracker Candy

A layer of saltine crackers, buttery toffee, and melted chocolate makes this classic Christmas candy irresistible. It’s quick to prepare and has that perfect sweet-salty crunch everyone loves.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Cracker Candy

28. Peanut Butter Fudge

This two-ingredient fudge mixes up quickly and sets into smooth, peanut butter-packed squares. It makes the best gifts for neighbors, friends, teachers, or anyone you need a little inexpensive gift for.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge

29. Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Topper

These marshmallow toppers add a chocolatey crunch and a sprinkle of peppermint to elevate any cup of cocoa. They pack well for gifting and make warm drinks feel a little more festive.

Get the Recipe: Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Topper

30. Coconut Macaroons

Five ingredients come together for chewy macaroons with plenty of coconut flavor. They’re way less to make at home than picking them up at a bakery.

Get the Recipe: Coconut Macaroons