Ditto on the magazine subscriptions. I have always thought these were great gifts which are hugely underrated. Most people enjoy seeing a new, unread issue of their favorite magazine right in their mailbox -- especially kids. There are tons of magazines which offer yearly subscriptions for $20 or less, all easily located online. It's a bargain and a gift that will almost always be appreciated. The trick is to pick a magazine you know the recipient will like, of course!
One of my favorite gift surprises was something I came up with to give my in-laws a few years ago, and it was very inexpensive. Mark mentioned to me that although his parents have always lived right outside of London, they never go into the city just to do any "touristy" stuff. Having grown up outside Washington, DC, I could relate to this. Locals just don't DO touristy stuff -- tourists do touristy stuff, so it just never crosses the locals' minds to try the touristy stuff out. But that doesn't mean the touristy stuff isn't worth seeing or doing.
Earlier that year when we were in London, Mark and I went on the
London Eye. It was really fun, and didn't cost a whole lot at all. So I went online to the London Eye's website and ordered two admission vouchers. I think they cost about $18 and they were valid for 12 months -- more than enough time to give my in-laws the opportunity to use them. Best of all, the London Eye enclosed the vouchers in a really attractive envelope that said, "Do Not Open Until Christmas" on it. There was no indication on the envelope that it was from the London Eye, so the surprise remained intact.
They were absolutely delighted to get this gift! It wasn't because they couldn't afford the vouchers themselves, but because despite their countless trips into London, it had never occurred to them to go on the London Eye. But now that they had the vouchers, they had a reason to go when they made one of their frequent trips into the city. They actually made a whole date out of it and had a great time.
~ Jenney