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30 Budget-Friendly Gifts That an Entire Family Can Enjoy Together

Buy one gift, please the whole fam!

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thehrdwood personalized cutting board uncommon goods family adventure challenges scrapbook
THEHRDWOOD / Uncommon Goods

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Dare we say, family gifts are an underutilized gift option. Oftentimes, they create an opportunity for parents and children to spend quality time together. And honestly, purchasing one family gift is a smart way to save money, especially for large families where individual gifts can add up quickly.

In curating our list of thoughtful family gifts, we looked at past best-sellers and editor favorites. We also tapped our in-house facility of Lab experts and testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute for recommendations on their favorite group gifts. Their ideas ranged from fun kitchen gadgets to outdoor tech. Whether you need a gift under $20 or want to make a big ticket purchase that'll make a statement, we have several ideas to spark some inspo.

1

Family Birthday Calendar

Amazon’s Choice
Family Birthday Calendar
Credit: Joy-Leo

Help them keep track of everyone's birthday using this cute wooden sign. "Great item, we all look at it every day to see whose birthday is next," one Amazon reviewer writes. It comes with 50 circles and 50 hearts that your loved one can write on with a permanent marker to list and hang up to 100 names and dates.

2
10,000 Amazon Shoppers Purchased Last Month

TMY Mini Bluetooth Projector

Mini Bluetooth Projector
Credit: Amazon

Now they can start hosting their own DIY movie night, thanks to this mini bluetooth projector. You can connect your phone or laptop for visuals, plus Bluetooth speakers to enhance the audio experience. It features 720P and 1080P resolution.

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3

Brilliant or BS? Trivia Party Game

Trivia Party Game

Each box includes 88 trivia questions with categories such as entertainment, food and drink, geography, sports, history and science — the challenge is for each player to convince the judge that they know the answer (even if they have no idea). Ages 14+

4
Our Lab Pros Love

Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven

Best Seller
Koda 12 Pizza Oven

Ideal for outdoor entertaining, our product testers in the Good Housekeeping Institute say this gas-powered tabletop pizza oven helps you cook nicely charred, homemade 12-inch personal pizzas.

RELATED: Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens

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5

Crack the Code Mystery Brainteaser

Crack the Code Mystery Brainteaser

If they need a new project for game night, this gripping activity will turn families of up to eight players into amateur sleuths. Everyone will have to work together to unpack the clues and solve a mystery. Choose from two pre-set games: Work Trip to China and French Tennis Championship. Ages 14+

6
Best Kitchen Gear Award Winner

bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster

2-Slice Slim Toaster

Give them the useful gift of more counter space with this super slim two-slice toaster, just wide enough for sliced bagels. Both our Good Housekeeping Lab analysts and home testers gave perfect marks to this affordable gadget, which can toast on six different settings.

RELATED: Kitchen Gear, Coffee & Tea Awards

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7

Sharper Image Electric Tabletop S'mores Maker

On Sale
Electric Tabletop S'mores Maker
Credit: Sharper Image

This kitchen gadget features an electric, flameless heater, so users can roast marshmallows indoors whenever a craving hits. In a review from our Lab experts, we noted that the spacious grill surface and four roasting forks makes this ideal for groups.

RELATED: Best S'more Makers

8

TableTopics Family Gathering: Questions to Start Great Conversations

Family Gathering: Questions to Start Great Conversations
Credit: tabletopics

These 135 cards are a fun way to get quiet teens or new guests talking with questions such as, "what music reminds you of childhood?" or "What's the biggest risk you've ever taken?" Either the person who draws the card answers, or you go around the table and each say something — there are few rules, it's just meant to foster insightful conversation. Ages 13+

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9

The Adventure Challenge Scrapbook: Family Edition

Scrapbook: Family Edition

Inside this guide, they'll find 50 easy but hilarious challenges to scratch off and complete as a family. The 30-page book also includes blank spaces to fill with photos of each challenge in action. Think: a marshmallow war, an obstacle course, etc. It's best for kids ages four to 15 and families of four to eight people.

10

Custom Face Socks

Custom Face Socks
Credit: COLORSFORU

You can put up to three family or pet faces on these socks sold in kid and adult sizes. There are also versions for moms, dads and couples to keep in mind for other gifting holidays.

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11

Custom Star Sky Map Art Print

Custom Star Sky Map Art Print

This custom print isn't just another piece of wall decor. It holds a special meaning. Each of the constellations corresponds to a date that's important to a family member, like their birthday. You can make a print with one, two, three or four constellations.

12
GH Readers Are a Fan

HonestBaby Matching Pajamas for Family

Matching Pajamas for Family

Matching pajamas are a cute way to treat everybody, adults and kids included. HonestBaby offers sizes for men, women, boys, girls and yes, babies. They even have bandanas for dogs.

RELATED: Oprah and Gayle Love These Matching Pajamas for Family Photos

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13

Handwritten Recipe Cutting Board

Handwritten Recipe Cutting Board

Choose from oak, maple or walnut wood for this customizable cutting board that can be outfit with one of your beloved family recipes. Submit an image of the handwritten recipe, and they'll do the rest. The board is available in three sizes: 8 x 12-inches, 10 x 14-inches and 12 x 16-inches.

14

Philips Hue Smart Light Strip Plus Base Kit with Plug

Best Seller
Smart Light Strip Plus Base Kit with Plug

These smart strip lights can illuminate the living room or family room in vibrant hues or an ambient glow to alert little ones that bedtime is near. The 6.5-foot light strip works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and other smart assistants to control via Bluetooth.

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15

Dearfoams Matching Family Bear Slippers

Matching Family Bear Slippers

A family man can match his little if you buy the Lil' Bear along with these Papa Bear slippers, and yes, Mama Bear can get hers as well. They're sold individually and in multiple patterns so you can customize them for any family unit.

16

Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker

EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker

If movie nights are a staple in their household, they're sure to appreciate this easy, at-home popcorn maker that pops up to 10 cups of popcorn in just three minutes. Our Lab testers also raved about the kitchen gadget's removable and dishwasher-safe parts as well as its oil-free popping process.

RELATED: The Best Popcorn Makers, Reviewed by Experts

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17

Bird Buddy Solar Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

On Sale
Solar Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

Both a learning tool and a form of entertainment, this smart bird feeder can connect to a variety of smartphones for live viewing, without disrupting hungry, winged visitors. The solar-powered feeder features artificial intelligence, which can recognize over 1,000 species of birds. Our Lab testers especially loved the feeder's camera quality and easy assembly.

RELATED: Best Smart Bird Feeders, Tested and Reviewed

18

LEGO Creator Main Street

On Sale
Creator Main Street

We like this set for a family to build together. It can make any of three different scenes — a traditional American main street, an Art Deco skyscraper or an arched marketplace. Since all three scenes can't be built simultaneously, it could be fun to build one, take it apart, then build another! Six minifigures are also included. Ages 9+

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19

Cuisinart 2-Quart Ice Cream Maker

Amazon’s Choice
2-Quart Ice Cream Maker

When our Kitchen Lab experts named this the best overall ice cream machine, they noted that it whips up two quarts of ice cream or sorbet in as little as 25 minutes. There’s little work required — an integrated motor spins the mixing paddle inside the double-insulated freezer bowl to create a frozen treat.

20

Curious Charts Commission Top 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster

Top 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster
Credit: Amazon

There are 100 films listed on this poster, and the family can scratch a square to reveal a movie icon once they've viewed it. Films include a good mix of Disney classics, action movies and feel-good coming-of-age stories like Forrest Gump.

Headshot of Cailey Lindberg
Cailey Lindberg
Commerce Editor, Gifts & Lifestyle

Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today's shopping network, Reviewed.com. 

Headshot of Kate Franke
Kate Franke
Editorial Assistant

Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!

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