As the crisp Hudson Valley air fills with the scent of pine and the Catskills don a snowy cap, thoughts naturally turn to the holiday season. Yet this year the jingling bells might sound a tad muffled under the weight of an uncertain economy. Fear not, festive friends. Tightening belts doesn’t mean we have to tighten our hearts. In fact, there’s no better time to embrace the art of giving by finding the cheapest gifts possible. The thought is what counts, so here are six cheap gift ideas that are thoughtful enough to support local businesses while providing your gift recipient an unforgettable treat.
Catch a flick at a small-town movie theater
A corporate theater gift card for movie tickets is no innovation in thrifty gift-giving. Plus, a small popcorn’s gonna be $12. But a pair of tickets to Tinker Street Cinema is a delight you can’t grab on your way through the WalMart self-checkout surveillance cube. This Woodstock mainstay features mainstream blockbusters and edgy modern flicks alongside vintage cult classics and punk cinema, especially on “Psychotronic Tuesdays,”
Our area boasts a number of movie theaters with small-town charm. Upstate Films in Rhinebeck and its counterpart, the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties, are hotbeds of screen-borne creativity, showing the most critically acclaimed features alongside mainstream productions, peppered by screenings of classic movies and Q&As with filmmakers. Rosendale Theatre boasts similarly intimate environs and exciting special events. New Paltz Cinema offers the big hits with bargain mantinees daily and also on Tuesday & Thursday nights so your gift certificate can even last a little longer.
Give a book that matters
There’s a unique joy in gifting a used book from one of Ulster County’s many local bookstores. Each tome carries not just a story within its pages, but also a story of your relationship and personal connection with the recipient, reflected in your ability to pick something they would be excited to read. Give a book that matters
Places like The Golden Notebook in Woodstock, Inquiring Minds Bookstore in New Paltz and Saugerties, Barner Books in New Paltz, Half Moon Books and Rough Draft Bar & Books in Kingston, and Postmark Books in Rosendale (to name a few) offer a treasure trove of pre-loved books waiting to find a new home.
Selecting a book from these shelves allows you to handpick a narrative that resonates with someone you care about, reflecting your deep understanding of their interests and passions. It’s an intimate act that says, “I see you, and I know what moves you,” strengthening the bond you share.
Adding a personal inscription inside the cover elevates this gift from thoughtful to truly heartfelt. The simple act of putting pen to paper allows you to express feelings that might be hard to convey in conversation. It transforms the book into a keepsake.
In a world where digital interactions often overshadow personal touches, gifting a used book with a handwritten note rekindles the warmth of human connection in the most meaningful way.
Slay a dragon
Foundational tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a brand-new update a decade in the making. The game has never been quicker to learn. Even if you don’t identify as geek, you might find yourself getting swept away in the drama of acting out fantastical adventures, rolling dice to determine outcomes, and overcoming fierce monsters and cunning villains with a table full of friendly faces.
Several area game shops offer free and low-cost D&D sessions where both newbies and veterans are welcome and present. World’s End Comics in Kingston and Gunks Gaming Guild in New Paltz offer the most regularly scheduled sessions. Some games are one-shots that last for a few hours. Others are epic campaigns spanning months or years, and some are both intertwined.
If you’re curious, search online for videos of people playing the game, and you’ll realize anyone can jump in and have fun.
Drink to the future
There’s a special kind of joy in gifting a pay-it-forward drink to a friend at one of our many cozy coffee shops or welcoming bars — too many spots to name them all. This gesture goes beyond treating your friend to their favorite beverage. It’s an invitation to share a moment together in a community space you both appreciate. It’s a simple act that speaks volumes about your appreciation for them and the shared experiences that have deepened your friendship.
Consider calling or visiting the business ahead of time to make the necessary arrangements. While not every establishment may offer this service, many of Ulster County’s community-focused venues are more than happy to accommodate such requests.
Give the gift of spiders
We’ve all heard of gifting plants, but why don’t we all do it? Think of the myriad benefits. They’re inexpensive. They liven up any room. Who doesn’t like a plant? The gift recipient will be reminded of you every time they see or water that plant you gave them – at least until they forget to water it or give it ample sunlight and it dies. Maybe we should end the metaphor there.
But seriously, a single spider plant acquired from any of the many local nurseries can grow into gifts for the whole extended family. Grab some small plantpots and a little bit of potting soil, pop those offshoots (with roots already forming) into said soil, keeping it moist but not soggy. Within a few weeks you’ll have an easy-to-care-for botanical pal to keep your family and friends company 24/7.
The idea of gifting a plant isn’t unique, but propagating spider plants will stretch your budget as far as it can go without obligating your recipients to orchid-level plant maintenance.
When In doubt, cats
Beans Cat Cafe in New Paltz provides one of the best cheap holiday gifts on the market. It’s like offering a warm hug wrapped in fur and purrs. For just $12.50 or less per person, you can treat someone to 60 minutes of pure feline bliss — lounging with adorable cats in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
The cafe provides a unique and relaxing experience that any pet lover would cherish, combining the comfort of a local coffee shop with the therapeutic joy of interacting with friendly cats. It’s an escape into a world where the stresses of daily life melt away under the gentle kneading of a cat’s paws.
Join the family! 
