Holidays & Entertaining Gift Guide 2023: 101+ Best Gift Ideas Gifts Under $50 51 Holiday Gifts for $25 or Less (That Still Feel Special) No one will know what you spent on that puzzle, bottle of wine, or pair of slippers. By Maggie Seaver Maggie Seaver Maggie Seaver is the digital health and wellness editor at Real Simple, with seven years of experience writing lifestyle and wellness content. She spends her days writing and editing stories about sleep, mental health, fitness, preventive health, nutrition, personal development, relationships, healthy habits, and beyond. She loves demystifying complicated health topics, debunking wellness fads, and sharing practical, science-backed solutions for healthy living. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 16, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Food52 The word "cheap" might not immediately bring to mind generosity, luxury, and effort—the main ingredients typically associated with a great Christmas or holiday gift—but it's time to change your frame of mind once and for all. There's no reason to go into debt to find thoughtful, heartfelt gifts for your family, friends, and kids. As long as the presents you get are chosen and given with love, there's absolutely no shame in sticking to a responsible holiday budget and giving your loved ones inexpensive gifts. Or maybe you’ve already splurged on big gifts, but still need ideas for smaller goodies, stocking stuffers, and fun add-ons. In that case, you’re in the right place. If high-quality, cheap gifts sound like an oxymoron to you, we’re excited to prove you wrong! Everything on this list of covetable goodies is $25 or less (in some cases much less), so you can find inexpensive Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers for everyone from your best friends to your little cousin. The Best White Elephant Gifts of 2022 That Everyone Will Actually Want Snow Day Monogram Ornament Affordable, adorable, and festive, to boot! There’s no more welcome Christmas gift than another sweet ornament for the tree. Find the felt snow-day-themed ornament with their initial on it to bring them instant holiday cheer, and something they can look forward to hanging on the tree every year. To Buy: $10, anthropologie.com. Buy on Anthropologie Asos White Lace-Up Sneakers Here’s the thing about white sneakers: Sooner or later they’re going to get scuffed and stained, so there’s no use splurging big on an expensive pair of white kicks. These snow-white lace-ups will be their new favorite footwear, guaranteed. To Buy: $24, asos.com. Buy on Asos The Steamery Fabric Spray Help them breathe new life into their favorite fabrics—upholstery, knits, linens, you name it—with this fresh-scented spray from The Steamery. It's perfect for reviving clothing while traveling, reducing annoying, clingy static, and spritzing the air for an instant room refresh. To Buy: $15, steamery.us. Buy on Steamery.us The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum This skincare brand is known for its knockout products with shockingly low price tags. Anyone looking to pamper their dry complexion this winter needs this handy dropper and bottle of The Ordinary’s hydrating hyaluronic acid serum. Offering a serious surge of moisture at only $14, this high-quality serum is vegan, cruelty-free, alcohol-free, and silicone-free. To Buy: From $14, theordinary.com. Buy on Theordinary.com Huron Body Wash PSA: Women aren’t the only ones who want luxurious, amazing-smelling body wash. Meet Huron, the grooming and skincare brand designed with men in mind (although it smells so good, the whole household will want to use it). No B.S., just great bath and body products that’ll make getting clean and smelling fresh something they want to do a little more often (you’re welcome.) To Buy: $14, usehuron.com. Buy on Usehuron.com Sizikato Water Carafe and Tumbler This pretty glass water carafe and tumbler duo is a grown-up addition to any bedside hydration station. Of course the carafe also functions as a sleek pitcher or vase—and there's no rule saying they can't sip a margarita from that tumbler. The glass set comes in royal blue, clear, gray, amber, or ombre blue and white. You can also get a set of two (two pitchers and two carafes) starting from $22. To Buy: $22, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Felix Doolittle Decorative Stamps felixdoolittle.com Prepare to lose track of time scrolling through the Felix Doolittle website—it's pure eye candy for lovers of stationery, labels, and notecards. Give someone a set of 36 decorative stamps in one of eight original watercolor themes by cofounder Felix Fu for just $9.50, or peruse the online shop and spend a tiny bit more on personalized return address labels, canning labels, notecards, calendars, and more. To Buy: $10, felixdoolittle.com. Buy on Felixdoolittle.com Bombas Baby Gripper Socks Look at these little baby socks. Just look at them. Keep your littlest gift recipient's feet and toes warm all winter long with this four-pack of cozy Bombas gripper-bottom socks for babies (ages 6 to 12 months). To Buy: $24, bombas.com. Buy on Bombas.com Aerolatte Milk Frother amazon.com You can help transform their daily coffee with a splash of milk into a decadent cafe au lait at home by spending less than $22 on this gift. Any coffee drinker who appreciates a velvety, steamed milk topper on their morning cup needs this battery-powered Aerolatte milk frother. It fits easily into any drawer, lasts for a long time, and will make them believe they're a bonafide barista. To Buy: $22, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Gold Leaf Bookmark anthropologie.com For the big reader in your life who's still using torn pieces of sticky notes to mark their pages, here's a small but thoughtful gift to treat them to. It's as lovely as it is functional and will make leafing through books (no pun intended) all the more pleasurable. To Buy: $18, anthropologie.com. Buy on Anthropologie Modern Sprout Seed Bomb This fun box of ready-to-plant seeds can turn anyone into a gardener. Each package includes a hand-rolled seed ball of organic, non-GMO seeds. Choose from either sage, lemon balm, coneflower, and chamomile, or mint, basil lavender, and thyme. To Buy: $7, madewell.com. Buy on Madewell.com Viski Heavy Base Crystal Martini Glasses amazon.com Stylish barware is always a welcome gift, and you don't need to spend a fortune on glasses or expensive liquor to make your contribution count. This set of minimalistic crystal martini glasses is sleek enough for photo-worthy dirty 'tinis, cosmos, gimlets, and more, plus they're easier to store (and probably less easy to break) than long-stemmed cocktail glasses. To Buy: $23, walmart.com. Buy on Walmart Neat Method Acacia Wood Turntable food52.com Two words for you: Lazy Susan. Whether they use it to store spices, oils, and condiments by the stove or place it on the table for easy family-style serving, this beautiful acacia wood turntable is a brilliant gift they'll never know was under $25. To Buy: From $23, food52.com. Buy on Food52 Nora Goes Off Script amazon.com There's a reason Nora Goes Off Script is on our list of the best books of the year. Single, divorced mom of two and romance channel script writer Nora finds herself living alongside the male lead in a movie based on her own failed marriage—that she wrote. The perfect setup for a little drama and, maybe, just maybe, a little romance. Whoever unwraps this delightful novel will devour it immediately. Who doesn't love a rom-com with a lovable female lead? To Buy: $22, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Yanser Silk Eye Mask Up their sleep mask game with a silk blindfold. Because silk is much easier on skin and hair than cotton and other materials, they'll wake up with a smooth, well-rested complexion after snoozing all night in this luxe eye mask. To Buy: $20, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Hand-Painted Floral Notepad neelyandchloe.com The sister duo behind Neely & Chloe tapped artist and friend Inslee Farris to hand-paint original designs on everything from their vegan leather vanity cases to office accessories, gift tags, and day planners. This lovely floral notepad will bring some springtime cheer to even the dullest desktop and make taking phone messages just a little bit prettier. To Buy: $20, neelyandchloe.com. Buy on Neelyandchloe.com Old Navy Hidden-Pocket Biker Shorts The number-one must-have piece of activewear at the moment is a cool pair of biker shorts, and here's a pair from Old Navy that won't break the bank. Choose from three solid neutral colors or one adorable pattern (black-and-white gingham checks). With flattering crossover detailing at the front, high-waisted fit, and hidden pocket for their phone and credit cards, it's the perfect pair for workouts, errands, or casual brunch with pals. To Buy: $20, oldnavy.gap.com. Buy on Gap.com Anomia Card Game amazon.com Breathe new life into game night with this family- and party-friendly card game that's guaranteed to bring the laughs. Players flip over cards bearing a variety of category names until two players' cards match. The matching players then have to race to say an example of the category given on their opponent's card. To Buy: $20, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Encha Matcha Green Tea amazon.com A favorite matcha tea brand here at Real Simple (and among Amazon shoppers), Encha Matcha may just help your green-tea-latte-sipping friend kick their expensive Starbucks habit to the curb once and for all. The smaller size should serve up about two weeks' worth of flavorful, warming, antioxidant-packed matcha (if they use about one teaspoon of powder a day). To Buy: $20, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon BambooWorx Matcha Tea Whisk Set amazon.com Complete their matcha-making setup with a proper bamboo whisk, scooper, and teaspoon for a truly delicious and authentic cup of green tea. To Buy: $13, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Chair Pocket Beach Towel target.com It's not like a regular beach towel—it's a cool beach towel. More specifically: It's a beach towel with pockets. Gift the pool/beach bum in your life a large, patterned towel that will dry them off, cover their lounge chair, and hold personal items while they soak up the sun or take a dip. To Buy: $20, target.com. Buy on Target Mama Teav’s Original Hot Garlic umamicart.com Give the gift of sweet-spicy-savory goodness in a jar of Mama Teav's Hot Garlic, made from a beloved family recipe. There are few things this flavor bomb of a condiment doesn't instantly improve: breakfast sandwiches, ramen noodles, salmon, veggies—the list goes on and on. To Buy: $16, umamicart.com. Buy on Umamicart.com Vintage-Inspired Harry Styles Lyrics Poster amazon.com Is there a Harry Styles fan in your house? This vintage-style poster featuring lyrics to the pop icon's 2022 single, "As It Was," is the ideal cheap gift that's easy on your wallet, but priceless to the die-hard Harry lover. To Buy: From $14, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon La Patience Vin Rouge thenaturalwineshoppe.com When it comes to holiday gifts, you can't go wrong with a bottle of wine. For something a little different this year, choose a natural red wine that's light, juicy, a little earthy, and delicious when chilled (yes, you can chill your red wine!). La Patience is a super-drinkable red blend of Carignan and Merlot grapes and comes from a family estate, whose grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides. Pair with roast chicken, pizza, or a decadent charcuterie board. To Buy: $19, thenaturalwineshopp.com. Buy on Thenaturalwineshoppe.com Dash Mini Toaster Oven crateandbarrel.com Is this not the cutest kitchen appliance you've ever seen in your life? Compact, good-looking, and useful is a winning combination, and this Dash mini toaster oven has it all. Gift anyone with a tiny apartment or dorm room this adorable (and affordable) appliance—and maybe buy one for yourself while you're at it. To Buy: $25, crateandbarrel.com. Buy on Crate & Barrel Blueland Hand Soap Starter Set blueland.com Blueland is a planet-first cleaning product company on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics in everyone's cleaning routine. High-quality hand soap is always a welcome present, so why not gift your loved one an eco-friendly option this year? Try Blueland's hand soap starter set, which comes with one reusable nine-ounce glass bottle and three refill tablets in a variety of spa-worthy scents: iris agave, perrine lemon, and lavender eucalyptus. Fill the glass bottle with water and drop in one tablet for a rich, clean, foamy hand soap that's good for you, your home, and the environment. To Buy: From $18, blueland.com. Buy on Blueland.com Siblings Wick Trimmer madewell.com Help your bestie maintain the magic of their favorite candles with an elegant wick trimmer. It may seem unnecessary, but trimming the wick before each use can reduce soot, make the candle last longer, and keep the flame burning evenly. It's a small, functional luxury they'd probably never buy for themselves. To Buy: $15, siblings.co. Buy on Siblings.co Ceremonia Scalp Massager shopbop.com There's nothing quite as pleasing as a good scalp massage (the shampoo and head rub is always the highlight of every salon appointment). At $16, this hand-held silicone shower accessory will gently massage and exfoliate their scalp while distributing suds for the deepest, most relaxing shampooing ever. To Buy: $16, shopbop.com. Buy on Shopbop.com J. Crew Tortoise Hoop Earrings jcrew.com A fun, yet neutral pair of earrings in classic tortoise shell color is a thoughtful gift that will soon become their favorite accessory in no time. They can dress up a simple white shirt or pair with a patterned blouse or dress for a nice dinner out. To Buy: $25, jcrew.com. Buy on Jcrew.com Jellycat Squiggle Kitty Stuffed Animal Another fail-proof and affordable gift for kids is a stuffed animal. This year, go for a Jellycat plushy toy, like this sweet-as-can-be bunny with the cutest little face and softest, fuzziest feel around. To Buy: $25, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Patchology All Eyes On You Kit ulta.com The self-care treat for anyone who needs a bit of pampering, this clean, cruelty-free trio of luxurious eye masks from Patchology includes hydrating, rejuvenating, and brightening eye gels to reverse dark circles, fine lines, and unwanted puffiness. To Buy: $18, ulta.com. Buy on Ulta Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set urbanoutfitters.com Heatless hairstyling is the name of the game these days. No more worrying about heat-damaged hair, packing metal tools into a suitcase, or worrying that you left the hot iron on before leaving the house. Give them a set of heatless satin curling tools from hair accessory brand Kitsch that includes one foam curling rod and two scrunchies. To Buy: $18, bedbathandbeyond.com. Buy on Bed Bath & Beyond Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Press westelm.com For the friend who gets their coffee fix over ice no matter the season, there's the Bodum cold brew coffee press. Made of stainless steel, rubber, and silicone, this attractive press makes up to 34 ounces of deliciously smooth cold-brew coffee that's not as bitter or acidic as hot-brewed coffee that's been chilled. Bonus: If they're the type to spend half their paycheck to finance a daily iced coffee habit, this budget Christmas gift will help their budget too. To Buy: $20, westelm.com. Buy on West Elm Kikkerland Earbud Cleaning Kit When was the last time they cleaned their earbuds? Actually, don't answer that. A no-brainer for podcast enthusiasts and music lovers, this pocket-size cleaning kit has 11 tools to make even the most-used earbuds spotless. To Buy: $10, kikkerland.com. Buy on Kikkerland.com Ceramic Planter With Wood Stand worldmarket.com Plant lovers will appreciate the this eye-catching, hand-crafted planter with a wood stand. Each terracotta planter is handmade and painted in Vietnam, and no two are exactly alike, offering a one-of-a-kind vessel for their favorite household plants. To Buy: $25, worldmarket.com. Buy on World Market I Dew Care Headbands Your BFF who's obsessed with skin care will love an adorable, animal-inspired headband that holds their hair back for that non-negotiable nightly routine. To Buy: $7, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Dog or Cat Kid Apron williams-sonoma.com Your little sous chef is about to be dressed to impress with their new dog- or cat-themed apron. Cookie decorating, meatball rolling, ice cream sandwich assembling—they're no match for this fun and functional kids' Christmas gift. To Buy: $25, williams-sonoma.com. Buy on Williams-Sonoma Furry Cross-Band Open-Toed Slippers amazon.com There's nothing better than opening up a pair of cozy slippers on Christmas morning. Get a pair of these oh-so-soft, faux fur slides for your family members to keep them warm and comfortable while chilling at home—their feet deserve it. To Buy: $19, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Chunky Acrylic Glasses (or Mask) Chain etsy.com For the person who's always losing track of their sunglasses or reading glasses, gift them a fun acrylic glasses chain (or two) to wear around their neck for safe keeping. They won't know how they ever survived without one. To Buy: $15, etsy.com. Buy on Etsy Silicone Avocado Huggers amazon.com The gift of fresher, greener, creamier avocados—even on day two (or three!) after slicing them—has arrived. Whoever gets this nifty gift (a glorious set of silicon avocado huggers) will be thanking their lucky stars they have you in their life to ensure the longevity of their favorite food. Plus, no more wasting plastic wrap or single-use sandwich bags to save open 'cados. To Buy: $14, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle uncommongoods.com There's been a murder—and you need to solve the puzzle to figure out whodunnit. Read the story of what happened, then literally put the pieces together, step by step. Every piece of the puzzle brings you closer to the answer—and whoever gets this gift won't be able to stop until the truth has been revealed. To Buy: $19, uncommongoods.com. Buy on Uncommon Goods Gold Agate Slice Cheese Knives Set worldmarket.com Classy, elegant, functional, and under $25? We'll take it. This pretty set of three agate slice cheese knives is a fabulous holiday-slash-housewarming gift for friends and family members. Hopefully they'll invite you over for wine and cheese very soon after receiving. To Buy: $20, worldmarket.com. Buy on World Market Aculief Wearable Headache Relief amazon.com Prepare to be profusely thanked for the gift of natural headache relief. Anyone who suffers from frequent tension headaches or migraines knows how debilitating they can be. Here's a wearable acupressure device they can place on either hand (between forefinger and thumb) to start soothing their headaches fast. To Buy: $12, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Cloth Bandana madewell.com The humble (yet adorable) bandana continues to be the MVP of embellishments. While it's always chic as a hair accessory or tied around their neck, it can function as a makeshift face covering or transition-weather scarf in a pinch without sacrificing on personal style. To Buy: $15, madewell.com. Buy on Madewell.com The Popper Microwave Bowl wandpdesign.com Their next Netflix binge deserves a fresh, hot bowl of popcorn—without the disposable bag waste. Give the movie lover in your life the gift of perfect popcorn time again with this reusable, microwavable, and collapsible bowl. To Buy: $23, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Claudia Pearson City Tea Towel westelm.com Gift your loved one a colorful tea towel (or two) that will look beautiful in their home and show off their city pride—or help bring back memories of a fantastic trip or happy life chapter. To Buy: $24, westelm.com. Buy on West Elm Bala Sliders amazon.com Odds are, someone you love is looking for ways to optimize their workouts these days, whether they're regularly hitting the gym or getting sweaty at home. A pair of sliding exercise discs will bring more intensity, core engagement, and balancing work to any fitness routine. These are a small, lightweight, and easy-to-store exercise accessory with big impact. To Buy: $12, amazon.com. Buy on Amazon Glossier Balm Dotcom glossier.com Glossier's universal skin salve might be the best (cheap) Christmas gift someone could ever receive. Pretty, practical, and long-lasting, this cult-favorite balm (shop tinted or untinted, scented or unscented) is the ultimate little gift or stocking stuffer for family members who know the importance of moisturizing. To Buy: $12, glossier.com. Buy on Glossier.com Etched Urban Map Glass Uncommon Goods A tumbler engraved with a map of their favorite urban getaway or home city is a personalized addition to your friend's barware collection. Choose from dozens of U.S. cities or gift them an assorted collection of city-scrawled glasses (each tumbler is $18). To Buy: $18, uncommongoods.com. Buy on Uncommon Goods Decorative Vines urbanoutfitters.com Help young cousins, siblings, or kids decorate their first apartment or dorm room with a string of faux vines. These verdant garlands transform any corner of their personal space into a dreamy, ivy-strung nook, perfect for studying, working remotely, or cozying up with a good book (no plant care required). To Buy: $14, urbanoutfitters.com. Buy on Urban Outfitters Monogram Mouse Pad markandgraham.com Personalize their workspace with a colorful mouse pad boldly emblazoned with their initials. Choose from five base colors and over 15 monogram fonts and styles. Working from home just got way better looking. To Buy: From $19, markandgraham.com. Buy on Markandgraham.com 24 Amazing Gift Ideas That Don't Cost a Thing Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit