Gift-giving holidays can be costly, both financially and mentally—apparel, electronics, and other baubles can add up, and coming up with a thoughtful, unique gift can take its own toll. Luckily, the gift of an activity can overcome both of these hurdles. Local activities are often inexpensive—making them great gifts on a budget—and unique, since most people give items rather than experiences.

Concert Tickets

Tickets to see a big headliner can run into the hundreds of dollars, but with a little ingenuity, you can often nab a pair of tickets to a local or even national act for less than $50. Tickets at the nonprofit music venue Club Passim cost as little as $15 each. And The Red Room at Cafe 939, the all-ages venue of the Berklee School of Music, hosts shows that run $10–$15 on average.

Historical Tour

Boston is drenched in history, but it’s easy for local residents to overlook important landmarks when they see them every day. Give the gift of a historical tour, and your loved one will gain a new appreciation for the buildings and statues they’ve stopped noticing. CityView Trolley Tours lets groups explore the city from the comfort of a trolley for around $25 per person, and the costumed guides of Cambridge Historical Tours mix history with humor during jaunts that cost $90 for a group of four—less than $23 per person.

Kayaking Trip

As full as Boston is with waterways, most of us stay landlocked year-round. A kayaking trip lets your giftee see the city from a new vantage point, taking in the skyline and city sounds while enjoying the peace of nature. A single kayak rental at Charles River Canoe & Kayak will run you $15 per hour; a double kayak is just $5 more.

Fenway Park Tour

For a budget-friendly gift, Red Sox tickets are a bit steep, but that doesn’t mean you can’t send that special someone to Fenway. Lasting about an hour and costing $18 per person, tours of the historic ballpark take place daily year-round and include visits to Pesky’s Pole and the Green Monster.

Food with a Side of Fun

A fancy dinner or a restaurant gift certificate aren’t usually budget-friendly presents, but for a beloved foodie, a gourmet gift doesn’t have to be out of your price range. A $30 gift certificate to Top of the Hub covers the price of two specialty cocktails, and brings with it stunning views of the Back Bay from 52 floors up. And Boston food tours, like the pizza and cupcake tours hosted by Best Tours Boston, offer a plethora of tastes for the price of one high-end restaurant meal.