Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

A Unique Christmas: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Exchange

Have you heard of the popular holiday song "The Twelve Days of Christmas"? This year, my husband and I decided to try something different by exchanging gifts for 12 days leading up to Christmas. Each day has a unique theme, such as giving something soft and squishy. I will be updating this post almost every day, which is a rare occurrence, to keep you in the loop on our 12 Days of Christmas Gifts for each other. This is a great way to spice up the holiday season a unique Christmas gift exchange ideas for couples, friends and even for work. Let’s go!


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Travel Tips
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12 Days of Christmas Gifts: Daily Themes and Ideas

If you're struggling to come up with Christmas gift ideas, try this fun unique list of gift ideas. I'm also linking Affordable Amazon Gift Ideas for reference. Use these twelve categories to guide your shopping and put together a thoughtful and diverse collection of presents for your friends, family and even your coworkers:
  1. Something soft
  2. Something hard
  3. Something pointy or rough
  4. Something smooth
  5. Something small
  6. Something bigger than your hand
  7. Something made of wood
  8. Something made of metal
  9. Something long
  10. Something short
  11. Something made of plastic
  12. Something made of cotton, wool, or other textiles


Where to shop: Choosing Affordable and Fun Gifts at Daiso

For our gift-giving needs, my partner and I decided to go to our favorite store, Daiso. We enjoy browsing Daiso's wide selection of cute and functional items, ranging from stationery, home goods, kitchen tools, hardware, and gardening supplies. Most of the products are priced under $10, making it an ideal shopping destination for us. Even my husband joked that Daiso is his therapy! While we prioritize buying multi-functional items, we still indulge in cute and affordable purchases from time to time. In fact, we even found a foldable beach tent for less than $10, which was a great deal compared to the ones sold at big sports stores for $50 to $100. So, if you're looking for a bargain and a fun shopping experience, Daiso is definitely worth checking out.


How We Decided On The Gifts: Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for Him and Her

Decorating My Home Office with Functional and Aesthetic Desk Accessories

As I have started working from home, my husband has thoughtfully selected items I can use on my desk. Since I'm a huge fan of Kawaii things, he chose cute and aesthetic pieces that are still functional.


Choosing Practical Gifts to Meet His Tastes

When selecting gifts for him, practicality takes precedence over cuteness. He prefers useful items that have a purpose rather than those that are purely decorative.

Let's get into the holiday spirit with our 12 Days of Christmas Gifts!


Our Third Christmas Gift Exchange is Coming Up!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...


On our first day of Christmas Gift Exchange, I received a cute, plush penguin which I named "Maru." In Japanese, Maru means circle, and it's the perfect name for my new buddy! He'll be joining me on my blogging journey from here on out. Welcome to my world, Maru.


Gift Ideas for Him: Car Gears like a Dashboard Non-Slip Car Sheets

I gifted my husband a non-slip sheet for his car. It was the perfect solution to keeping his beloved Pikachu Iron Man figurine in place. He wasted no time taking the gift to his car. Can you believe I found the perfect gift for under $5?


12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for Wife and Husband

When it comes to gift-giving with married couples, it's not always necessary to choose expensive items. Instead, focus on choosing something that your partner will find useful and appreciate. Consider something that will remind them of your thoughtfulness and their needs.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas gift ideas

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: An Aesthetic Desk Clock

On the second day of Christmas, I was thrilled to receive a blue, cute, and aesthetic clock as my second Christmas gift this year. The color is reminiscent of the ocean and I love it! I will definitely put it on my desk. I was impressed that he was able to pick out such a great color – a pastel blue that's very pleasing to the eye.


Gift Ideas for Him: A Resizable Belt

I gave my husband a belt as he's been struggling with his old one. It never quite fit right and always moved out of place.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: A Plant Desk

On the third day of our Christmas gift exchange, my husband gave me a lovely small houseplant. He knows how much I adore plants and how having one on my desk would instantly brighten up my mood. Since my workspace doesn't receive a lot of natural light, an artificial plant is an ideal gift.



I gifted my husband an 11-in-1 tool that he can utilize during our hiking or camping trips. It's compact and versatile, making it an ideal addition to his gear collection. Plus, he won't have to bring too many tools on our next trip!


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Stress Ball

On the fourth day of our Christmas gift exchange, my husband presented me with a thoughtful and practical present – a stress ball ( Ssshhh, it’s actually a pet toy, ahahaa). It's the perfect addition to my desk, especially when my hands are tired from typing or when I need to release the tension that's been building up inside my head. It's a small item that packs a big punch, and I couldn't be happier with this handy gift.


Gift Ideas for Him: Tempura Cooking Sheet

My husband loves tempura and has always wanted to make it at home, so I bought him an oil-absorbing cooking paper or tempura cooking sheet. And yes, the sheet was smooth.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Sake Cup

On the fifth day of our Christmas gift exchange, my husband gave me a beautifully crafted Sake cup or bowl. I was delighted to learn that all of my gifts were Japan-inspired, making me even more excited about our upcoming trip to the country.


Gift Ideas for Him: Message Card

I gave him a message card since he always seemed to need something to write on. He enjoys crafting personal messages, so this is a great tool for those special occasions that require a personal touch.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Bathtub Neck Pillow


On the sixth day of our Christmas gift exchange, my husband gave me a bathtub neck pillow. Knowing my love for bubble baths and my go-to Eucalyptus Bubble Bath Wash, this gift has elevated my relaxation game. This gift will undoubtedly enhance my bathtime experience. I can't wait to hop in the tub now and enjoy the ultimate relaxation!


Gift Ideas for Him: Grill Plate

To satisfy my husband's craving for barbeque, I gifted him a grill plate. It's been a hit, as he can now indulge in his favorite food anytime. This was perfect for him because he finds cooking therapeutic, and I find eating therapeutic--a match made in heaven!


12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas for Friends

Giving a gift that matches someone's interests means a lot more than simply buying something random. For an affordable option, consider getting your friend a themed notebook. Explore www.flyingstarfishstudios.com for a variety of unique notebooks and planners, including designs inspired by coffeebobaParisKorean culture, camping, travel, gaming, dog, cat, floral themes and more. With their extensive collection, you are sure to find something that your friend will love. Give the gift of storytelling and help your loved ones write down their goals or to-do lists. By putting pen to paper, they can make those aspirations a reality.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: D
esk Storage Organizer

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave me a desk storage organizer – the ideal addition to my aesthetic office desk. Now, all my gifts are coming together, and I can use it to keep track of all his gifts to me. 
Even our little one can't resist organizing his dinosaur collection on my gift.


Gift Ideas for Him: Chopsticks

To add authenticity to our Japanese food nights at home, I gave my husband a set of wooden chopsticks for Christmas. It's the little things that can make the experience more enjoyable and meaningful.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Book Stand Organizer


On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave me a book stand organizer. As an avid reader and notebook enthusiast, my husband knew just the right gift to get me. This organizer is the perfect solution for keeping my collection tidy and within reach. I had been meaning to purchase one myself but never got around to it.


Gift Ideas for Him: Titanium Cutter

I gifted my husband a titanium cutter to assist him in his handy work going forward. I noticed that he struggled with using normal scissors when cutting certain types of paper, which resulted in an uneven cut. I hope that this special tool will alleviate his frustration and make his work easier to manage.

Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Water Jug


On the ninth day of Christmas, my love gave me a 1.2L water jug. It's a thoughtful way to encourage me to drink more water and stay hydrated.


Gift Ideas for Him: Freight Binding Belt

I gifted my husband a binding belt that he can use to stack boxes securely. It's so versatile, that he can even use it to pack our sleeping bags together when we go camping.

Gift Ideas for Him:



Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Kawaii-themed eraser


On the tenth day of Christmas, I received an adorable whale-themed eraser. Every month on our special monthsary date I like to draw my partner an artwork each month to highlight what we've done together. This cute eraser will come in handy. But it’s so cute that I might not even use it, or maybe just the bottom part – I haven't decided yet.


Gift Ideas for Him: Carabiner

As for my husband's gift, even though we recently bought a pack of carabiners for our hiking and camping gear, I gave him a special one with a ring and a screw-type, in his favorite color.



Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: Cute Set of Sticky Notes


On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave me a set of vibrant sticky notes. These are fantastic for studying and highlighting important tasks in my weekly planner.


Gift Ideas for Him: Rice Spatula

I wanted to give him a gift that would make him laugh, so I got him a rice spatula. He once said that "rice is life," so it seemed like the perfect match. The best part? This spatula can stand on its own, so he won't have to worry about where to put it anymore. He burst out laughing upon seeing the spatula - mission accomplished!


Think Unique: A Gift That Will Make Them Laugh

Gift-giving doesn't have to be so serious when it comes to our loved ones. A cute and humorous present can be just as meaningful in its own way. By showing how much we know them, we demonstrate our love and appreciation.


Inexpensive 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Gift Ideas for Her: F
luffy keychain

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave me a fluffy keychain – my absolute favorite of the bunch! It's so adorable and soft that I immediately hung it on my bag.


Gift Ideas for Him: A Black Tie

I gifted my true love a classic black tie that every man should have in his wardrobe, just as every woman should own a little black dress.


This ends our wonderful gift exchange for 12 days before Christmas. hope you had fun as much as we did,


Wrapping Up Our 12-Day Christmas Gift Exchange

The time has finally come – Christmas day is here! The past twelve days have been an incredible experience, and the daily gifts have made me feel incredibly special and loved. And that concludes our festive gift exchange! We hope that you had just as much fun as we did. Here's to the most wonderful time of the year – cheers to all! Wishing you a delightful Christmas Season! 

Have fun and be safe ^__^


Do you want more adventure?
Here is a Compilation of all my thrilling escapades over the past few years. Perhaps it's time to revisit your own bucket list and make some progress towards achieving your goals.

Where am I going next?
For my next adventure, we're thrilled to finally visit one of California's most breathtaking mountains – Mammoth Lake!

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