34 Great Gifts Under $50 (That Seem More Expensive Than They Are)
Why, yes, you can give a stylish gift without blowing your budget
If it truly is the thought that counts, your loved ones will appreciate any token of your affection, regardless of the dent they make in your bank account. Still, you want them to actually like your gift. That’s why we were thrilled when our roster of experts on all things stylish and elegant, including etiquette experts and interior designers, along with Buy Side’s writers and editors, shared that there are plenty of exquisite finds that cost less than a tank of gas.
For the complex palate
Ghia’s non-alcoholic aperitif is an ideal base for a cocktail pairing with your meal or a nightcap when the evening is winding down. The deep-red spirit alternative has an earthy, dark cherry and grape flavor with an astringent bitterness at the end that’ll satiate Negroni lovers and more. Start with a bottle of the aperitif and allow your recipient to enjoy a new twist on cocktail hour.
For the home cooks
There are few things more romantic than cooking and sharing a meal together. The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook from America’s Test Kitchen is the perfect gift for you and your partner or to give to your favorite couple. It includes 650 recipes, all portioned for a duo, across every category from salads to desserts. The hardcover version is particularly giftable.
For the candle collector
Candles are always a hit—which means your recipient likely already has their fair share of the basics. Improve their collection with Lex Pott’s Twist Fluo candle set. Listed at 50% off at the time of publication, this package includes two of the artist’s double-headed candles, artfully twisted to form their own standing base. The bright pink might be the obvious choice for the rose-tinted holiday, but don’t sleep on the highlighter yellow or more muted purple colorways.
For the snacker
Whether you’ve traveled to Japan and want to relive the experience, or have never been and want a preview, Bokksu’s Snack Box is the perfect gift to share. It’s a monthly subscription that sends edible goodies from across Japan. The first box you’ll receive is called “Seasons of Japan,” with a bounty of sweet and savory snacks including freeze-dried strawberries with white chocolate from Nagano, fried seaweed dusted with sudachi citrus from Hiroshima, sea urchin-flavored rice crackers from Osaka and more.
For the tea lover
Here’s the tea: When Toronto-based etiquette expert Susy Fossati is looking for a piping hot cup of comfort, she reaches for Kusmi’s Tropical White, a white tea blend of mango and passion fruit. But when gifting, the founder of Avignon Etiquette prefers the brand’s variety packs “so there is something for everyone.” Brewed at a small production facility in Normandy, France, using organic ingredients derived from fruits, flowers and spices, the sips—available loose or in bags—says Fossati are “super luxurious.”
For the gaming family
It can be hard to find time to sit down for a game if your family is always on the go. The Scrabble 2-in-1 Message Board Edition is the perfect solution because it lets up to four people play the word game asynchronously thanks to magnetic letter tiles and paddles that hide them. Plus it doubles as a dry erase board for notes and keeping score.
For the fragrance aficionado
This gift set from Maison Margiela comes with 10 mini perfumes with scents that evoke different moods. By The Fireplace, for example, has notes of clove oil, chestnut accord and vanilla accord, while Beach Walk features bergamot, heliotrope and coconut milk.
For the old soul
Sugar Paper
Classic Black Monogram Note Set
Sugar Paper
Hello Boxed Set
“In a world full of digital devices, I love going ‘old-school,’” says Fossati of her appreciation for unique stationery. With elegant details like gold foil printing, hand-painted edges and hand-lined envelopes, note sets from the Los Angeles-based company Sugar Paper feel special enough to gift. “It’s excellent quality paper,” says the etiquette pro, with tasteful, beautiful designs “that really make you look twice.”
For the puzzle fiend
“We’ve hidden a little surprise in each puzzle.” That’s the cryptic message Different Puzzles sends about its jigsaw puzzles with names like Pooches Palace and Floravision. If your gift recipient has completed every other puzzle in the closet, give them one of these to try something new. Maybe they’ll even share the secret with you.
For the cable cutter
This gadget opens up a world of streaming possibilities. With a straightforward installation process, the recipient can plug and play Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix and more. “It’s one of the best tools for people to cut the cord on cable and save money,” says John Schmoll, the Omaha, Neb.-based founder of finance website Frugal Rules, of his go-to gift.
For the lunchtime brusher
Have a friend or family member who likes to brush their teeth after a meal but prefers to be somewhat conspicuous about it? Help them out with Quip’s Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush. This ADA-accepted brush is the size of a marker, and it lasts for months on a single charge. The travel cap makes it perfect for tossing in a bag or keeping at their desk.
For the scrunchie wearer
Slip’s silk pillowcases and sleep masks add a luxurious touch to your nighttime routine. But if you’re looking for a more affordable option for holiday gifting, the brand’s scrunchies are a solid pick. They’re made out of the same mulberry silk and will add a pop of color to your look while remaining gentle on your hair.
For the scotch lover
In the years since Schmoll purchased this cut crystal bar fixture, friends have been pouring on the compliments. The 750-milliliter glass decanter has a nice heft to it (weighing in at just under four pounds). And thanks to a timeless design, it’ll jazz up any bar cart without breaking the bank.
For the skincare routine maker
Skincare fans will surely appreciate this rich whipped body butter, made with soy milk and honey, as well as shea and jojoba butters. It offers lightweight yet powerful hydration all year-round, especially during the cold, dry winter months.
For the forever host
These colorful linen coasters “add so much personality onto your tablescape,” says New York-based interior designer Emma Beryl. Handcrafted in Turkey, they offer a playful spin on a classic design, explains Beryl: “It’s a fun juxtaposition to have the traditional scalloped pattern in bright neon colors.” For more ideas, check out our guide to gifts for hosts.
For the coffee drinker
A mug is a foolproof gift for any coffee or tea lover. Why not mix it up with a stylish glass version instead of the typical ceramic? This set of two mugs is made of amber glass and can accommodate both hot and cold beverages.
For the self-care devotee
Stylist and designer Charlene Roxborough raves about this facial roller, made from jade, which some believe opens the heart chakra and releases negativity. Rolled upward from chin to temple and all around the brow, “It’s perfect for depuffing,” she shares. “I love to keep it in the freezer.”
For the nail art newbie
If you know someone who loves a manicure but can never seem to find the time to make it to the salon, this set of press-on nails is an ideal solution. Each set includes 42 nails, non-damaging glue and application tools, and comes in various designs from extra-short metallic to classic French.
For the home mixologist
It’s been said that bitters are to cocktails what spices are to cooking. Angostura may be the salt and pepper, but flavored bitters can add that special something to their favorite drinks. This sampler includes five different kinds of bitters including ginger, smoked chili and mexican chocolate. Their old fashioneds will never be the same again.
For the candle aficionado
The luxury fragrance brand Diptyque has applied their signature black-and-white curve-filled design motif—created by Christiane Gautrot, one of the French company’s three founders—to everything from dishes to blankets to candle snuffers. And this objet d’art, hand-crafted by a team of master porcelain makers in Portugal, “is perfect to put on your nightstand,” says Roxborough, offering a stylish place to put your favorite candle or other trinkets.
For the home cook
Olive oil is an essential element to almost any dish, and Graza ups the game with its Drizzle and Sizzle combo pack. They’re both made from the same olives, picked at different times. The Sizzle, pressed from more mature olives, is for cooking, while the younger Drizzle is made for finishing dishes.
For the sleep deprived
New parents and frequent fliers alike will appreciate this travel-size white noise machine. With three different sound modes (bright white noise, deep white noise and gentle surf), it’ll block out everything from noisy neighbors to bustling traffic. Plus it weighs just 3.8 ounces, so it’s easy to take with you on the go.
For the spa-goer
If a massage and facial are out of budget, consider treating a loved one to this affordable indulgence. Crafted to target dullness and dryness, the body scrub exfoliates and hydrates, leaving behind the subtle scent of coconut oil and Moroccan rose. “It’s the perfect skin polish,” insists Roxborough, since it “makes you feel as if you’re at a spa.”
For the mood setter
Rather than opt for the classic choice of a candle, consider gifting a beautifully designed match cloche. The piece, which comes with 120 matches, removable cork stopper and flint striker, makes a great stocking stuffer or white elephant gift. Who wouldn’t enjoy an extra stylish way to store their matches?
For the kid at heart
There’s a reason the rise in popularity of adult coloring books over the past few years has been met with such joy—it can be incredibly soothing to revisit a beloved hobby from your youth. Elevate the practice with the set that Los Angeles-based multimedia artist Austyn Weiner calls her “art supply vice.” She also mentions that when dipped in water, they double as water colors for even more fun.
For the heat-seeker
Sichuan peppercorns provide the signature tongue-tingle found in many regional Chinese dishes. This 4-ounce bag will let home cooks explore the cuisine, or add a new element to their favorite dishes. They just have to lightly toast and then crush the peppercorns to express the flavor.
For the light sleeper
For anyone who prioritizes the ability to get some shut-eye anywhere, “this is the sleep mask,” swears Weiner. Everything from the strap to the eye cups (made of lightweight, breathable modal) is fully adjustable and designed to block out light completely. It’s also more comfortable than other masks, says Weiner, since it “allows you to open your eyes without smashing them.”
For the driver
A car mount is more or less a necessity for anyone who spends any amount of time driving. Belkin’s MagSafe mount is ideal to give to anyone who has an iPhone 12 or newer, because they can slap their phone on and magnets will hold it in place without having to fuss with tension-based arms. This one doesn’t charge, though, but if they’re plugging in to use CarPlay anyway, that won’t matter.
For beauty guru
Your brows can transform your entire face. And they’re just three expertly designed steps away from perfection with this set that Roxborough says she “swears by.” A triangular tip brow pencil shades, outlines and fills while fine point pencil adds extra definition. The finishing touch: a clear gel to hold it all in place. “No matter how your brows look,” vows Roxborough, “This kit will give you the perfect shape.”
For the iPad doodler
Sure, the Apple Pencil is a great accessory for the iPad, but it’s also pricey. Zagg’s Pro Stylus offers nearly identical functionality for less than half the price. It automatically pairs with most iPad models from the last five years, and it’s super responsive and accurate. The only features you lose are pressure sensitivity and the ability to magnetically charge on the side of the iPad Pro or Air—minor downsides that most people won’t mind.
For the amateur chef
New York City-based interior designer interior designer Becky Shea, founder of the lifestyle studio Becky Shea Design, finds the entirely handmade pieces from this upstate New York shop to be a cut above those at big box stores. Crafted from a single piece of walnut wood, they’re finished with an all-natural, homemade beeswax and coconut oil polish. The result is, in a word, “stunning,” raves Shea. She recommends pairing the 14-inch version with “a simple tea towel or a small dried flower arrangement. Your loved ones will feel all the feels.”
For the aspiring plant parent
Give the gift of a green thumb (or at least an attempt at one) with this money tree in a ceramic planter pot. The 10-inch-tall plant will add a touch of greenery to their space and it looks far more expensive than its $25 price tag.
For the remote worker
A new desk lamp will give their work from home setup a stylish upgrade. This version has an adjustable head, three levels of brightness and two USB ports, making it an extra convenient pick for people who strive for a clutter-free workspace.
—Additional reporting by Buy Side Staff