Money-saving gifts that keep on giving: MoneySense’s 2024 holiday guide

By MoneySense Editors on November 22, 2024
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Looking for gifts with great value? Our editors share ideas that are thoughtful, useful and even cozy—plus they can save your friends and family money.

For a friend who’s always cold

I live in these toasty insulated booties all winter, wearing them like house slippers. Never mind that they were designed for campers and backcountry skiers—desk jockeys get cold feet, too. The booties are made of colourful nylon (blue, red or yellow) and certified-responsible duck down, and the soles are textured to help you stay upright on icy ground (or just in your kitchen). Plus, warmer feet means not turning on your office space heater every time the temperature dips. —Jaclyn Law
MEC Get Down Booties, $99.95

Five-tiered vertical garden planter filled with flowers

For the gardener with limited space

Food inflation is still uncomfortably high. This compact, five-tiered vertical planter will help your loved ones grow their own nutritious veggies and herbs at home. It creates plenty of extra growing space for small backyards and condo balconies. The planter is made of sturdy iron, and each box is six inches deep, giving plants plenty of room to take root. —J.L.
Costway Vertical Raised Garden Bed, $197.99

A young woman holds an orange cat — _{Image by Freepik}

For the pet owner who likes to travel

Boarding a dog (or, worse, two!) at a kennel while you’re on vacation can feel like you’re paying for a second hotel room night after night. A more affordable alternative is a one-year membership with TrustedHousesitters. Post your home and when you’ll be away on the app, and then choose from the user-rated applicants. They’ll care for your pets and keep an eye on the place simply for the free accommodation—no money changes hands. —Michael McCullough
TrustedHousesitters one-year membership, from $199

A Ninja Creami machine and a container of ice cream

For anyone who loves frozen treats

Delight your friends and family who love ice cream, gelato, sorbet or milkshakes by giving them a Ninja CREAMi. It whips up custom frozen desserts (with or without dairy) out of just about anything you put in it—think fruit, nuts, chocolate and even protein powder—for less than the cost of premium ice cream bars or a family trip to Dairy Queen. —J.L.
Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker, $229.99

Cover of the book From Piggy Banks to Stocks — _{Image courtesy of Maya Corbic}

For the kid who wants everything

Why wait to show the child in your life about how interest rates, inflation and the stock market all work? This 146-page book is written by Maya Corbic, who is both a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) and a CA (Chartered Accountant). She’s a mom, too, and if you follow her on instagram (@teach.kids.money), you’ll know that her kids invest in assets like exchange-traded funds (ETFs). But back to the book: It’s part textbook and part workbook, giving kids aged 13 to 18 a good sense of how investing works before they get tempted to buy crypto or anything else. —Lisa Hannam
From Piggy Banks to Stocks: The Ultimate Guide for a Young Investor (self-published, 2023), $30

For the friend who reuses wrapping paper

Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths meant to be used again and again. They come in beautiful patterns and fabrics, and they require no adhesive tape, bows or ribbons. (Here’s how to use furoshiki.) You can buy them or make your own, if you’re crafty. Plus, they make lovely gifts for the hosts of holiday parties. —J.L.
Next Chance 3-pack furoshiki, $27.99

For the take-out addict

Ordering chicken and fries week after week can add up. But you can satisfy that craving at home with a countertop air fryer. It’ll make breaded chicken and fries taste crispy like the shop down the street (and will be healthier with a lot less oil). Plus you’ll keep hearing your friends tell of successful culinary experiments: spiced cauliflower! Grilled cheese! Bacon! —M.M.
Ninja Air Fryer, $129.99

For the coffee enthusiast

No, lattes have not ruined the finances of an entire generation. Yes, there are significant cost savings to brewing your own cup of joe. A French press coffee maker is the perfect gift for the coffee aficionado who doesn’t want to compromise on taste and freshness, but who wants to forgo a daily $5 splurge (plus tip!) at the local coffee shop. With a French press, you can whip up a delicious cup in minutes—no pricey pods required. —Justin Dallaire
Lagostina stainless steel French press, $29.99

A food sealer machine and plastic sealing bags

For the bulk buyer

Even single people can consider buying food cheaply in bulk at Costco with the help of a vacuum sealer. Just portion out the chicken legs, pork chops or whatever you’ve got, package them in their own air-free pouches and store them in the freezer. They’ll stay good longer this way, helping your loved ones avoid food waste. —M.M.
FoodSaver vacuum sealer, $149.99

A phone with a screen protector shown on top

For the clumsy smartphone owner

There are cheaper screen protectors out there that might save you from having to replace your smartphone next time you drop it, but accessory-maker Zagg guarantees its see-through shields for the life of the phone. If you crack the plate, the manufacturer will replace it—all you have to pay is shipping. —M.M.
Zagg screen protectors, $39.99 and up

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About MoneySense Editors

MoneySense editors and journalists work closely with leading personal finance experts in Canada. Since 1999, our award-winning magazine has helped Canadians navigate money matters.