Consumer Nation

Holiday Gifts Under $10 - 2009

Published Thu, Dec 10 20098:02 AM ESTUpdated Wed, Mar 17 201011:11 PM EDT

The Year of the $10 Gift

Posted 9 Dec 2009

Price wars and saavy retailers ready to compete on price mean lots of great gifts under $10. Discount retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart have battled over who has the lowest prices on toys, books and DVDs, but this year's deals extend beyond discount stores and include items in home goods, beauty, apparel and technology.

"Stores and shoppers were caught off guard last year," said Ellen Davis, vice president of the National Retail Federation. "This year, retailers really had time on their side to plan ahead. Many of them ordered less inventory, [and] they looked for ways all year long to lower their costs so they could pass these savings along to their customers."

Here are some great gifts for men, women and kids that won’t drain your bank account.

By Krystina Gustafson

Air Hockey Table Game

Available at JCPenney Outlet stores for $9.99The tabletop game originally sold for $30. It requires two D batteries to power puffs of air, and comes with a manual scorekeeper, three pucks and two paddles.

Photo credit: JCPenney

Available at JCPenney Outlet stores for $9.99

The tabletop game originally sold for $30. It requires two D batteries to power puffs of air, and comes with a manual scorekeeper, three pucks and two paddles.

Desktop iPod Speaker

Available at The Container Store for $9.99Perfect for techies, the speaker grips flat surfaces and plugs into an iPod, iPod touch, iPhone or other MP3 player.

Photo credit: The Container Store

Available at The Container Store for $9.99

Perfect for techies, the speaker grips flat surfaces and plugs into an iPod, iPod touch, iPhone or other MP3 player.

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters

Available at Wal-Mart for $8It’s a sign of the times when the season’s hottest toy sells for less than $10. These furry, robotic rodents are at the top of so many kids’ wish lists, retailers have had trouble keeping their shelves stocked. If you have to have one, check Ebay, but you'll likely have to pay more.

Photo credit: Zhu Zhu Pets

Available at Wal-Mart for $8

It’s a sign of the times when the season’s hottest toy sells for less than $10. These furry, robotic rodents are at the top of so many kids’ wish lists, retailers have had trouble keeping their shelves stocked. If you have to have one, check Ebay, but you'll likely have to pay more.

Wine Bottle Thermometer

Available at Crate and Barrel for $8.95If you’re shopping for a wine aficionado but can’t afford to splurge on a pricey bottle, the Wine Bottle Thermometer reads the bottle’s temperature and tells owners what degree is ideal for each type of wine.

Photo credit: Crate and Barrel

Available at Crate and Barrel for $8.95

If you’re shopping for a wine aficionado but can’t afford to splurge on a pricey bottle, the Wine Bottle Thermometer reads the bottle’s temperature and tells owners what degree is ideal for each type of wine.

Fingerprint Kit

Available through for $9.95For an educational game at a low price, Home Science Tools’ Fingerprint Kit allows children to do their own detective work by using dusting powder and a magnifying glass to uncover prints. It also comes with information on the history on fingerprinting, and why prints are used for identification.

Photo credit: Home Science Tools

Available through Home Science Tools for $9.95

For an educational game at a low price, Home Science Tools’ Fingerprint Kit allows children to do their own detective work by using dusting powder and a magnifying glass to uncover prints. It also comes with information on the history on fingerprinting, and why prints are used for identification.

Madden NFL ‘10 for the iPhone

Available through for $6.99Video games tend to be big sellers over the holidays, but if you can’t afford the $50 price tag, you can order big-name titles designed for the iPhone via the App store.

Photo credit: EA Mobile

Available through EA Mobile for $6.99

Video games tend to be big sellers over the holidays, but if you can’t afford the $50 price tag, you can order big-name titles designed for the iPhone via the App store.

Target Mini Cocktail Sets

Available at Target and Target To-Go for $9.95Save money by skipping the bar and making your martinis at home. The Margaritas to Go and Martinis to Go kits both come in five flavors.

Photo credit: Target

Available at Target and Target To-Go for $9.95

Save money by skipping the bar and making your martinis at home. The Margaritas to Go and Martinis to Go kits both come in five flavors.

Every Man Jack Grooming Cube

Available at Target for $10Perfect for the man who travels, the kit includes a 2-in-1 shampoo bottle, face washing, shaving cream and face lotion. The company also designed kits for Walgreen.

Photo credit: Every Man Jack

Available at Target for $10

Perfect for the man who travels, the kit includes a 2-in-1 shampoo bottle, face washing, shaving cream and face lotion. The company also designed kits for Walgreen.

Nic’s Sticks

Available at Walgreen and for $6.99The nail polish pens are designed for quick and easy touchups for women on the go. They’re also sold at Target and Wal-Mart.

Photo credit: Nicole by OPI

Available at Walgreen and Ulta Beauty for $6.99

The nail polish pens are designed for quick and easy touchups for women on the go. They’re also sold at Target and Wal-Mart.