45 Cheap and Creative Birthday Gifts For Your Best Friend

It’s that time of the year again when my best friend’s birthday is just around the corner, and I find myself pondering the perfect gift. 

Over the years, I’ve learned that the most memorable gifts aren’t always the most expensive ones, but rather those that are thoughtful and creative. 

So, I’ve put together a list of some inexpensive yet incredibly creative birthday gift ideas exclusively for you to gift your bestie.

Whether they love quirky, personalized items or practical items that they can use daily, this list has got you covered. 

These ideas are not just budget-friendly but are guaranteed to bring a smile to your bestie’s face and make their special day even more memorable!

Let’s begin.

45 Cheap and Creative Birthday Gifts For Your Best Friend

Handmade Photo Album

Create a photo album by collecting photos that capture your shared memories. Use a blank album and decorate each page with captions, stickers, or small keepsakes like ticket stubs or postcards from places you’ve visited together. This personalized album will be a cherished keepsake, showcasing the journey of your friendship.

Customized Mug

Design a mug with a special message, quote, or inside joke that only you two understand. You can use ceramic paints or markers to create your design on a plain mug, or have it professionally printed. Every morning coffee or tea will remind them of your special bond.

Baked Goods

Bake a batch of their favorite cookies, cakes, or brownies. You can personalize these treats with ingredients they love or decorate them in a unique way. Packaging them in a handmade box or tin adds an extra personal touch. It’s a sweet way to show you care.

Personalized Keychain

Craft a keychain featuring their initials, a meaningful date, or a symbol that represents something significant to them. You can use materials like leather, beads, or metal, and tools like stamping or engraving to create a truly personalized item they can carry with them every day.

DIY Jewelry

Design and create a unique piece of jewelry using materials like beads, wire, or even recycled items. Whether it’s a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings, tailor it to their style and preferences. Handmade jewelry is not only personal but can also be a stylish accessory.

Handwritten Letter or Poem

Compose a heartfelt letter or poem that expresses your appreciation for their friendship and recounts memorable moments you’ve shared. This is a deeply personal gift that can convey emotions and memories in a way that physical gifts cannot. It’s a timeless and sentimental keepsake.

Homemade Candle

Make a candle using their favorite scent and colors. You can add personal touches like embedding small items or using unique containers. Homemade candles can create a cozy atmosphere and the scent will remind them of your friendship.

Knitted Scarf or Hat

If you’re skilled in knitting or crocheting, create a scarf or hat in their favorite color or a pattern you know they would love. This thoughtful, warm, and practical gift is perfect for keeping them cozy during the colder months.

Potted Plant

Choose a succulent, herb, or small houseplant for their window sill or desk. Potted plants are a great way to bring a bit of nature indoors and can be a relaxing hobby. Add a personal touch by painting the pot or adding a cute note.

Book by their Favorite Author

Gift a book from their favorite author or a novel in a genre they enjoy. You can also include a personal note inside the cover or create a custom bookmark to go with it. It’s a thoughtful gift for a friend who loves to read.

Custom Playlist

Curate a playlist of songs that have meaning to both of you, or that you know they will enjoy. You can use streaming services to create and share the playlist. It’s a modern mixtape that can accompany them in their daily activities.

Movie Night Kit

Put together a movie night kit with popcorn, a DVD of a film they’ve been wanting to see or a gift card for a streaming service, and some cozy socks or a blanket. This kit provides everything they need for a relaxing night in.

Sketch or Painting

Create a piece of art especially for them. Whether it’s a sketch, painting, or digital art, tailor it to their interests or shared memories. This unique gift can be a beautiful addition to their home.

Thrift Store Find

Find a unique, vintage item at a thrift store that matches their style or interests. It could be anything from a retro lamp to a classic vinyl record. These finds often carry character and history that can’t be replicated.

Personalized Phone Case

Design a phone case for them, either by hand or through an online service. You can include images, designs, quotes, or anything that resonates with your friendship. It’s a practical gift that they’ll see every day.

Cooking or Baking Kit

Assemble a kit with all the ingredients needed for a special recipe you know they’d love to try. This can be for a dish you’ve enjoyed together or something they’ve always wanted to make. Include a recipe card, and consider adding a unique kitchen tool or apron to make it extra special.

Friendship Bracelet

Create a handmade friendship bracelet using colors and patterns that reflect their style or hold significance in your friendship. This could involve weaving, beading, or macramé. It’s a wearable token of your bond that they can carry with them every day.

Photo Calendar

Design a calendar featuring photos of memorable moments you’ve shared throughout the years. You can use online tools to create this personalized calendar, adding captions or important dates like anniversaries of your friendship. It’s a functional gift that keeps on giving all year round.

Tea or Coffee Sampler

Put together a selection of different teas or coffees for them to try. This could include a mix of local blends, international favorites, or even seasonal flavors. Package them attractively and include descriptions or brewing instructions for each selection.

Homemade Beauty Products

Craft beauty products like bath bombs, lip balms, or scrubs using natural ingredients. Customize them with their favorite scents and colors. This thoughtful, pampering gift is perfect for a friend who enjoys a bit of self-care.

Decorated Picture Frame

Decorate a picture frame and include a photo of the two of you. Use paint, decoupage, or other craft supplies to personalize the frame. It’s a sentimental gift that captures a moment in time.

Herbal Tea Blends

Create your own mix of loose-leaf herbal teas. Blend different herbs, flowers, and spices to make a unique tea blend that suits their taste or offers health benefits. Package it in a beautiful jar with brewing instructions.

Journal or Notebook

Gift a journal or notebook with a motivational quote on the cover. You can either buy one with a pre-printed quote or customize it yourself. This is a thoughtful gift for a friend who enjoys writing, journaling, or sketching.

Custom Tote Bag

Design a tote bag by painting or sewing a unique pattern or image onto a plain tote. This could reflect their interests, a shared joke, or a favorite design. It’s both a practical and personal gift.

Origami Art

Craft a unique piece of art using origami. This could be anything from a simple heart to a complex sculpture. Present it in a frame or as a mobile. It’s a creative and thoughtful way to show your appreciation.

Recipe Book

Compile a book of your favorite recipes, or recipes you want to try together. Include personal notes or tips with each recipe. You can design this book yourself or use online tools. It’s a great gift for a friend who loves to cook or bake.

Scented Soap

Make handmade soap with their preferred scents and colors. You can use different molds to create unique shapes. Homemade soaps are a luxurious, personal gift for friends who enjoy a bit of indulgence in their daily routine.

Personalized Puzzle

Create a puzzle out of a memorable photo of the two of you or a place you both love. This thoughtful gift is not only fun to put together but also serves as a memorable keepsake.

Seed Starting Kit

Assemble a seed starting kit for a friend who enjoys gardening. Include a variety of seeds, pots, soil, and planting instructions. You can even make biodegradable pots or include personalized garden markers.

Mix CD

Burn a CD with a selection of songs that are meaningful to your friendship or that you know they’ll enjoy. Decorate the CD cover with art or a personalized message. It’s a nostalgic and personal gift that celebrates your shared love of music.

Homemade Lip Scrub

Create a natural lip scrub using sugar and essential oils. Choose oils with scents and properties that your friend loves, like peppermint for a cooling effect or lavender for relaxation. Package it in a small, decorative jar with a personalized label.

DIY Coasters

Craft coasters using materials like cork, tile, or wood, and personalize them with photos, paintings, or unique designs. These coasters can be both functional and a wonderful reminder of shared memories or inside jokes.

Hand-painted Vase

Select a plain vase and paint it with a design or pattern that reflects your friend’s style or favorite colors. This personalized vase can be the perfect holder for their favorite flowers, adding a touch of artistry to their home.

Friendship Quote Print

Design a print with a meaningful friendship quote and frame it. You can create this digitally or hand-paint it for a more personal touch. This thoughtful gift can be a beautiful addition to their room or office.

Homemade Jam or Preserves

Make jam or preserves using fruits from your garden or local produce. Choose their favorite fruits or experiment with unique flavor combinations. Package the jam in jars with custom labels for a sweet, homemade treat.

Magnetic Photo Rope

Create a magnetic photo rope to display photos. Attach small magnets to a length of string or wire, allowing them to hang and easily swap out photos. It’s a modern and flexible way to showcase memories.

Knitted Coffee Sleeve

Knit a coffee sleeve for their daily coffee or tea. Choose yarn in their favorite color or pattern. This practical gift keeps their drink warm and their hands cool, all while being environmentally friendly.

Embroidered Handkerchief

Embroider a handkerchief with their initials or a small design that has meaning to them. This can be a delicate and thoughtful keepsake, combining practicality with a personal touch.

Custom Bookmark

Create a handmade bookmark, possibly incorporating a literary quote, unique design, or even a small piece of artwork. If your friend is a book lover, this is a thoughtful and useful gift.

Mix of Favorite Snacks

Assemble a basket of their favorite snacks. This could include a mix of homemade and store-bought items, catering to their tastes and preferences. It’s a delightful treat for a friend who loves snacking.

DIY Bath Salts

Make bath salts using Epsom salt, sea salt, and scents like lavender or eucalyptus. You can add natural coloring or dried flowers for an extra touch. Package it in a jar with a ribbon and a personalized label for a relaxing spa-like experience at home.

Hand-painted Mugs or Glasses

Paint mugs or glasses with special designs or quotes. Use paints that are safe for use on dishes to create a functional and personalized gift. Each sip they take can remind them of your friendship.

Fleece Throw Blanket

Create a fleece throw blanket, either by knitting, crocheting, or simply buying a cozy blanket within your budget. You could add personal touches like embroidery or appliqué. It’s perfect for snuggling up during movie nights or reading sessions.

Herb Growing Kit

Put together a herb growing kit with seeds of various herbs, small pots, and growing instructions. This is ideal for a friend who enjoys cooking with fresh ingredients or wants to start a small kitchen garden.

Personalized Pen

Customize a pen for a friend who loves writing or journaling. This can involve engraving their name or a meaningful quote on a high-quality pen. It’s a practical, yet personal gift that they can use daily.