The Under $10 Shopping Challenge

Let’s play a game: You have one more gift to buy and only ten dollars in your pocket…

What Cape Cod store do you go to and what do you buy? (PS: It’s a gift for someone you like and no gift certificates allowed). 

Is it possible to buy a nice gift such a limited budget?

The short answer: YES!

I did some driving around, a little social media research, little internet prowling and consulted with my thriftiest of friends and I have quite a list to share!

Are you ready to go shopping?

  1. 1856 Country Store has several items in the $10 and under category, some will even leave enough money left over for a bag of old fashioned penny candy! How about a cheery beeswax dipped candle that runs on batteries?
  2. Atlantic Spice in Truro or the Spice Merchant in Mashpee Commons for the cook or tea-lover on your list! A custom tea blend or a pouch of spice blends! Most are well under $10 for small bags so you can get more than one!
  3. The Brewster General Store has all kinds of charming gift ideas! How about a Cape Cod picture book?
  4. Cape Cod Feed and Supply is a hidden gem for animal lovers! You could get a suet cage with 2 blocks of suet tied up in pretty ribbon and still have enough left over to get yourself a dozen farm fresh local eggs! They also have dog and cat shampoos and treats!
  5. Country Soul in Hyannis will have your country friends covered head-to-toe! How about a cowboy sized fill-up with this giant coffee mug!
  6. For Birds Only in Falmouth has children’s bird house making kits that are perfect for the creative little nature-lover on your list!  
  7. Goose Hummock in Orleans has everything for the outdoors lover on your list. Want a gift for someone who likes to fish? How about a waterproof lure box? Or maybe a new lure?
  8. Just Picked Gifts has a wide variety of “Cape Cod” gifts as well as holiday, household goodies and novelties! I found a clever mug with its own teabag pocket for under $10!
  9. Little Beach Gallery has a beautiful selection of art from local artists. There is a wide range of prices, but these block print fish are perfect!
  10. Modern Mix in Mashpee Commons… What about SOX! Modern mix has a variety of whimsically designed socks that will make you laugh and even blush!
  11. Sativa in Harwichport has some of the best scented items around! But the unique item I fell in love with was the collection of personal journals! Some have inspirational quotes mixed in with plenty of blank pages waiting to be filled!
  12. Snow Goose Shop has many homey gifts including these embroidered kitchen towels.
  13. What about local museums? Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute has a wonderful little gift shop that has many collectables with the “WHOI” logo! How about a set of Titlist golf balls?

There were 3 areas that were so delightfully perfect, they simply needed their own category:

ART:

Everywhere! There are so many craftspeople and artists on the Cape with their own websites or in various shops! From photograph greeting cards to stained glass to jewelry to ornaments… Speaking of ornaments, you could spend $10 at your favorite craft store and buy enough materials to MAKE a personal ornament (or two… or more)!

CHOCOLATE:

The Hot Chocolate Sparrow, Ghelfi’s Candies of Cape Cod, Stage Stop Candy, The Cape Cod Chocolateir, Chatham Candy Manor (just to name a few)… A small box of hand dipped chocolates or truffles in whatever flavors you like!

WINE:

Cape Cod Package Store, Lukes, Liquor and More, Trader Joe’s, Harney’s Wine & Liquors (again, just to name a few)… You can find a quality bottle of wine for under $10 at ANY package store! Just don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are overwhelmed!

 

 

At the end of the day, the options are limitless for clever, unique and personal gifts in the $10 and under range. I think the most important thing to remember is that a gift should not be judged by its price, but by the sentiment behind the gift. Happy holidays and happy shopping!

By the way… I am always looking for thrifty shopping ideas! Send your along to me: [email protected]

About Cat Wilson

Cat Wilson is "That Girl" on Cape Country 104 – a Cape Cod native and longtime Cape radio personality. She is a passionate supporter of Military and Veteran causes on the Cape and also hosts local music spotlight program, “The Cheap Seats” on Ocean 104.7.



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