Small Valentines Gift Ideas Under $30 

Valentine’s Day is a fun holiday, but not one that needs to break the bank. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are small and thoughtful. It isn’t about spending a ton of money (hello, we are still trying to rebound from Christmas), but just saying “I thought of you and wanted to show my love.”  Whether you’re shopping for your husband or your children, here are some creative, small Valentines gift ideas that are under $30 and still say, I love you. 

{Related Post: 7 Inexpensive At Home Date Night Activities You’ll Love}

Inexpensive Valentine’s Gifts for Your Husband

His favorite treats, but elevated. Either find his favorite treats from a “fancier” place or package his favorites in a special way. 

His favorite six-pack or a nice bottle of his preferred beer (or wine):  grab a local IPA or go to Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods and find a specialty beer that you think he’d like. 

His favorite candy bar or snack: If you’ve got a chocolate lover on your hands, grab some chocolate that he will love. Don’t limit yourself to the common cash register finds. Grab a Tony’s or Ghirardelli. 

You’re not limited to these ideas. Does he have an affinity for hot sauce? Find one that has rave reviews. Maybe he loves beef jerky, and has been eyeing a new brand (or you want to grab this Wagyu Jerky that has great reviews). Grab it for him! These small indulgences show that you pay attention to the little things he loves.  

Find cozy comfort items that he’ll wear: One of my husband’s favorite gifts that he didn’t think he’d love so much was the lounge pants I bought him for Christmas one year. Shop at places like Marshalls or TJ Maxx for great finds under $30.  

Support his hobby: You don’t have to get a new golf club, but what about new golf gloves? New golf balls? Any small hobby-related gift that supports what he loves to do. 

Other V-Day Gift Ideas

• A bestselling book in a genre he enjoys
• A cozy hoodie or favorite sports team gear
• Tickets to a local event or experience together
• Wireless phone charger or tech accessories
• Nice coffee beans or a specialty tea collection

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Kids

For younger children, below are a few ideas that they will love.

Age-appropriate books: If you have little ones, get a cute little Valentine’s Day themed book to read to them for the month! If your kids are a little older, find a popular book in the genre they like. Add a little note about why you chose the book for your little reader.

Crafts or art supplies: If you have a budding artist, you can find a cute craft at Target or Five Below for them to work on. They’ll love the opportunity to tap into their creative side. Crafts don’t usually cost a lot of money, so you’ll probably come in well under the $30 mark. Check out this cute little trinket box for your child to paint!

Special snacks they choose. Take them to the store and let them pick out a few special treats they don’t normally get. The act of choosing together can be as meaningful as the gift itself. You can make a little movie charcuterie and finish the night with a movie, popcorn, and all the little treats.

Stuffed animals or small toys. You know your child’s current obsession better than anyone. A small dinosaur figurine, a squishy toy, or a cute stuffed animal in their favorite color hits differently when it’s chosen specifically for them.

Teenage Gift Ideas

Below is a list of ideas that you can find under $30. Great stores to find deals include TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. 

For Teenage Boys:

• Stanley or Owala water bottle in their favorite color (there are 30 to choose from!)
• Wireless earbuds (budget brands like Skullcandy or JLab)
• Graphic t-shirt from their favorite band, game, or brand
• Nike or Adidas athletic socks (fun patterns or team colors)
• Portable phone charger/power bank
• Gaming accessories: controller grips, gaming mouse pad, LED lights
• Cologne sampler set (Axe, Old Spice, or department store brands)
• Sports equipment: basketball, football, or gear for their sport
• Funko Pop figure from a favorite show/game

For Teenage Girls:

• Skincare set from BYOMA, The Ordinary, or e.l.f.
• Makeup essentials: mascara, lip gloss set, or eyeshadow palette, or Touchland sanitizer
• Cozy oversized sweatshirt or blanket hoodie
• Phone accessories: cute case, pop socket, or phone ring
• Bath & Body Works candles or body care set
• Hair accessories: claw clips, scrunchies, headbands
• Jewelry: dainty necklace, stackable rings, or hoop earrings (not real gold)
• Owala water bottle
• Polaroid film refill for instant cameras

Tips for Making Small Gifts Feel Special

While you’re not spending more than $30 on your gift, you can make it feel like a million dollars with the way you present your gift. Here are some ways to elevate your small gifts, so your recipient feels special.

• Wrap each item individually rather than putting everything in one bag. Multiple packages create more excitement.
• Write a specific note with each gift explaining why you chose it.
• Create a scavenger hunt where they find gifts hidden around the house or find the one gift. If you like this idea, I have a post on 5 Creative Ways to Show Your Kids You Love This Valentine’s Day. 
• Present gifts at unexpected times throughout the day rather than all at once.
• Use festive Valentine’s bags, tissue paper, or ribbons to make even small items feel special.
• Assemble a basket with small but mighty themed gifts that go together to tell a story.

Valentine’s Gifting 

What makes a Valentine’s gift special isn’t the price tag, but the thought behind it. Choosing a gift that reflects who your husband or kids really are, what they genuinely love, and how you actually “see” them, is what matters. A small token becomes a great treasure.

Give yourself permission to keep it simple and thoughtful. It’s the perfect holiday to set that type of tone!