No matter where the $50-and-under gift falls on the hierarchy of your holiday shopping list, we’re here to make sure you have the coolest, most thoughtful, and most wow-inducing gewgaw out there, so we scoured the World Wide Web to find just that. From kooky, vintage-inspired home accents made by a heritage glassmaker to a Bluetooth speaker the size of a playing-card deck to an unexpected solution for deodorizing small spaces, these gifts will ensure that you get the Santa award this season. (We just made that up — there is no Santa award.) Click through to see the 31 best gifts we could rustle up for under $50.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Anthropologie Anais Mug
Why do mugs make such good gifts? (I ask myself this question every year as I purchase them in multiples for myself and my family members.) As vehicles for hot beverages — coffee, tea, hot toddies — they’re synonymous with comfort. They also make the perfect canvas for any design, and these serene and stackable Anthropologie examples will enhance any kitchen.
Anthropologie Anais Mug, $, available at Anthropologie
Lund London Water Bottle
Sure; the refillable, reusable water bottle is a seriously useful and necessary gift, so why not blow your recipient’s mind with one of the most beautifully designed iterations of this millennial must-have we’ve ever seen? Not only is this BPA- and phthlalate-free object the most elevated addition to any desk, tabletop, or backpack that we could envision; it’s also insulated; keeping beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for 12.
Lund London Water Bottle, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Aesop Post-Poo Drops
We know you’re making a beeline for your nearest Aesop this holiday season no matter what — at no other time of year does a $38 investment in hand wash make more sense. However, why not go for the more economical, wink-wink option? The ultra-luxe skincare line’s straightforwardly named and inarguably useful “Post-Poo Drops” will last longer and bring better vibes than that ephemeral hand soap — reviewers attest to the multi-month longevity of the stuff.
Aesop Post-Poo Drops, $, available at Aesop
West Elm Textured Marble Frame
Sure, the picture frame is a bit of a dusty present, but when the vetted and approved snapshot is positioned in a cool, kinda Memphis-y marble frame, you know that captured memory will stay front and center forever.
West Elm Textured Marble Frames, $, available at West Elm
Firebox Peekaboo Custom Face Cushion
After the Nicholas Cage version of this sequined throw pillow took the internet by storm last holiday season, innovative gag-gift retailer Firebox had the genius idea to offer a customizable version of this “peekaboo” hidden-image home accent. Simple swipe the sequins in one direction to hide or reveal the visage of your choosing. Important! You must order this questionable personalized gift by December 1 to guarantee its delivery for Christmas.
Firebox Peekaboo Sequin Custom Face Cushion, $, available at Firebox
Herbivore Botanicals Self Love Ritual Body Kit
Militantly cruelty-free and clean beauty brand Herbivore Botanicals has a plethora of earth-friendly options in its prismatic, naturally-derived collection, but we like this body-care kit for its hyper moisturizing properties (it comes with a top-rated skin oil in addition to two exfoliants) and its connotations of self-care — an absolute necessity during the hectic holiday season.
Herbivore Self Love Body Ritual Kit, $, available at Sephora
Alpaca Fingerless Gloves
The alpaca is certainly having a moment, but there’s more to this magical animal than their long necks and inquisitive faces. Their hair is hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and highly insulating, making it the perfect material for winter-friendly accessories like these hand-knit gloves.
WinterVibes Alpaca Fingerless Gloves, $, available at Etsy
Lunch! By Olivia Mack McCool
Come holiday season, we talk a lot about the elusive “gift that keeps on giving” — every single trinket seems to be vying for this illustrious title. We’d like to make the argument that Olivia Mack McCool’s is worthy of this designation. Help your loved ones save $12 to $18 dollars a day (and many, many, many plastic containers) with this weekday meal-prep cookbook — the recipes are valid for all eternity.
Dovetail Lunch!, $, available at Need Supply
Morihata Binchotan Charcoal Bits
Life stinks sometimes. Literally. But charcoal can help — it’s a low-impact natural deodorizer that draws impurities and moisture out of the air. However, given that it’s essentially burnt wood, it better look like a million bucks if you’re going to give it as a holiday gift (even if it costs a budget-friendly $23). These elegant charcoal bits (of Japanese origin, bien sur) come beautifully packaged and will lend an air of wabi-sabi cool to any home when strategically placed in the kitchen, bathrooms, and basements.
Morihata Binchotan Charcoal Purify Bits, $, available at The Dreslyn
Bloomscape Philodendron Heartleaf
Putting on my personal-opinion plant-lady hat here to inform you all that there is no better gift than a plant. It will purify the air in your home and bring a much-needed dose of life into a dim, winterized interior. While there are many among us that claim to have difficulty keeping green things alive, websites like Bloomscape, Lula’s Garden and The Sill have made it easier than ever to find the right flora and fauna for even the most light-challenged of homes.
Bloomscape Philodendron Heartleaf, $, available at Bloomscape
Hold On To Your Plants Plant Stand
The people in your life that already espouse the previously-described #plantocracynow lifestyle have their own set of problems: storage and display. You’ll find the homes of true plants freaks overflowing with verdant vines, with multiple specimens vying for the spot with the most life-giving light. Give this person what they really need: a neat, modern, handmade plant stand, so that they can make room for more plants.
Hold On To Your Plants Modern Wood Plant Stand, $, available at The Grommet
Everlane ReNew Fleece Raglan Sweatshirt
There’s nothing like a cozy something come holiday time, whether you’re giving, receiving, or just plain layering up to stay warm in front of the refrigerator. The options are kind of overwhelmingly endless, but Everlane’s fleece-y crewneck sweatshirt is made from 100% recycled polyester, which puts it at the top of our lists this season.
Everlane The ReNew Fleece Raglan Sweatshirt, $, available at Everlane
Flight 001 Travel Adapter
Yes, we know our editors have featured this nifty, color-coded global charger in basically every travel accessories story we’ve published in 2019. So why haven’t you bought one yet?! Have you seen the other yucky, confusing travel adapters out there? Charge in convenience and style from anywhere in the world with this compact, easy-on-the-eyes set. It's a must for your buds on the go.
Flight 001 5-in-1 Universal Adapter, $, available at Shopbop
Beklina Soap Rocks
When in gift-giving doubt, soap is your friend. Everyone uses it, and it’s available in every conceivable shape and size. We love the aesthetics of these mutable, geode-inspired soap “rocks”, which are so pretty that they might be the kind of gift that will stay unopened for a while — and for once, that’s not a bad thing.
Beklina Soap Rocks, $, available at Beklina
Snowe Set of Two Chef’s Aprons
Do you have a “serious cook” in your life? You know that, among many other tendencies, these types abuse the hell out of dishtowels! They’ll stalk around the kitchen with those things flung across their shoulders like superhero capes, and at the end of the night, it’s been tainted by every foodstuff under the sun. This person deserves new, luxurious linens with handy-dandy loop tabs to help them double as ad-hoc aprons.
Snowe Chef's Towel Set, $, available at Snowe
One Ocean Beauty Purifying Ocean Mist Cleanser
No matter your skin type, you probably need to remove makeup or at least wipe down your face at the end of the day. That’s why we love a universally-used staple like toner as a beauty gift — especially a clean and gentle one like One Ocean Beauty’s formula. A marine microorganism brings down inflammation, and micellar technology removes residue without totally stripping your skin. Bonus: the product is sustainably produced with recyclable packaging. A luxury gift if we ever saw one.
One Ocean Beauty Purifying Ocean Mist Cleanser, $, available at Net-A-Porter
BergHOFF Santoku Knife
The Japanese word “santoku” means “three virtues” — an indicator of its revered status as a knife-collection staple. The high-carbon steel construction and ergonomic design of this BergHOFF version make it a kitchen must-have, whether the recipient is a veteran home chef or a total chopping newbie.
Berghoff 7" Santoku Knife, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker
The coffee nerd in your life may already be in possession of one of these, but if they’re not, it’s certainly high on their lists. It has all the low-fi properties of a French press, and doubles as a chic carafe that will look Insta-ready on the countertop. We’re opting for the cork accent for maximum influencer-effect, but its available with black or red rubber grips for those with more technical taste.
Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker, $, available at Walmart
Grounds and Hounds Three Blend Starter Kit
Perhaps your beloved coffee nerd is already hopelessly overloaded with beakers, brewers, and overall gear. Well, there’s one thing that they’ll never have too much of — fresh blood. Or, um, new coffee to try. We’re huge fans of Grounds and Hounds’ signature brews — 20% of all proceeds from their fair trade, organic blends go to canine rescue efforts. And yes, we checked, their Amazon storefront is verified and open for business.
Grounds and Hounds Three Blend Starter Kit, $, available at Amazon
J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck
The turtleneck is the winter wardrobe workhorse, and no one does it better than J.Crew. They’ve revitalized their best-selling classic in colors that will stand alone or layer beautifully with your sweaters and button-downs. If this look-at-me citron isn’t your bestie’s best shade, worry not — there are a total of 14 colors to choose from. “I just purchased nine of them for the season to add to the others I have,” said reviewer Polly. (Sure, that sounds like a lot — but not when discount code “BRRR” knocks 30% off the full retail price for a limited time.)
J.Crew Tissue turtleneck, $, available at J.Crew
Soundcore Icon Mini Bluetooth Speaker
We would have suggested these itty-bitty Bluetooth speakers based on Lilliputian looks alone, but it turns out the sound quality is at direct odds with the device’s size — ie, it’s pretty top-notch, according to the nearly 40 reviews on Soundcore’s site. “Size defying sound is absolutely correct,” said reviewer Nik. “Crisp, clear highs to low-thumping bass with little to no distortion even at high volume. The sound and build quality is every bit on par with other brands that cost double and more.” Did we mention that the little dude is waterproof? Party on!
soundcore Icon Mini, $, available at Soundcore
Paravel Fold-Up Mini-Backpack
Economical, compact, and crowd-pleasing, packable nylon bags are a highly giftable item. May we suggest a chic, upmarket iteration made from recycled nylon that will surely get airtime both at home and abroad? Paravel’s “mini” version, for example, repurposes ten plastic bottles.
Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack, $, available at Paravel
Boy Smells Set of Three Votives
LA-based online shop Cara Cara is officially our best-kept holiday-season secret. The newly-launched online boutique carries all of our favorite giftable brands at off-price prices — like this three-pack of Boy Smells votives at almost 50% off. Divvy them up as stocking stuffers or gift the whole set to a lucky someone — they’ll never guess that you paid less than $30 for the whole shebang.
Boy Smells Set of 3 Candles, $, available at Cara Cara
Uncommon Goods Upcycled Patchwork Sari Robe
For those mathematicians perusing this story, yes, we cheated — this one is $50 on the nose. But we swear, it's special! Make Saturday mornings truly joyful for your loved ones with this hand-stitched robe, featuring upcycled remnants from discarded saris, sewn by hand in the textile-producing hub of Rajasthan, India. No two are exactly alike.
Uncommon Goods Upcycled Cotton Sari Robe, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Kate Spade New York Travel Jewelry Organizer
This portable jewelry case is almost too sweet to keep stuffed away in a suitcase — we bet the recipient will keep it out on display on the daily, because we’d do the same with something so cute.
kate spade new york Travel Jewelry Organizer, $, available at Zappos
Mosser Glass Bathing Lady Dish
These retro milk-glass dishes can be used for almost anything, from pills to peanuts to loose coins to jewelry. No matter what you stash in them, they’ll bring their charming old-school style to anyone’s home all year round.
Mosser Glass Bathing Lady Dish, $, available at Coming Soon
Newgate Wideboy Clock
Digital detoxes are already on everyone’s mind, and we predict that they are going to take 2020 by absolute storm. An analog alarm clock negates the need to keep your phone next to your head for wake-up purposes — and we bet your sister, bestie, or work wife would appreciate the device respite brought by this old-school time-telling contraption. (Try not to dwell on the fact that we’re living in an era where a clock represents some twisted form of self-care.)
Newgate Wideboy Clock, $, available at Brooklinen
Aromatherapy Associates Revive Polishing Body Brush
While the jury may still be out on the effectiveness of dry brushing, we bet the would-be recipient of this gift is as curious about the process as you are. Why not help the process along? Even if the receiver only dry-brushes once, unwrapping this utilitarian-but-simultaneously-luxurious objet will be a delightful process.
Aromatherapy Associates Revive Polishing Body Brush, $, available at Verishop
Parachute Home Two Tone Bath Towel
If you’re like me, your bathroom is piled high with ratty, bleach-stained towels abandoned by former roommates, purchased at dollar stores, and lifted from your childhood home. Your friends might also find themselves in this position, so help to break this cycle of crapulence by gifting them with one of Parachute Home’s luxe, tonal long-staple cotton towels.
Parachute Home Two Tone Towels, $, available at Parachute Home
Virginia Wynne Circle Stud Earring
You love jewelry and you love buying it for other people, but finding that one piece that will satisfy the eclectic tastes and styles of every woman in your life is HARD. Found: a totally customizable disc hoop earring available in the diameter of your choosing, rendered not only in brass, but also copper, sterling silver, or for those feeling feisty, solid gold.
VirginiaWynne Large Circle Stud Earrings, $, available at Etsy
Madewell Chunky Pom-Pom Beanie
This wear-everyday winter beanie that looks like it was either a.) expertly and lovingly handmade in great taste or b.) part of a spot-on vintage haul can be had for a mere $42 at Madewell. (Actually, I take that back — it’s currently $31 thanks to the temporary 25% off coupon “STARTEARLY”.)
Madewell Chunky Pom-Pom Beanie, $, available at Madewell
Opening Ceremony Massage Sandals
Sure, you could hop over to Amazon and buy these delightfully bizarre reflexology slides for less than $20; but we’ll save that tip for our stocking-stuffer story. We suggest ponying up $35 for the Opening Ceremony-sold iteration of this stimulating footwear. It comes with a satin logo-ed gift bag and the pedigree of a gift purchased at a cool New York boutique. Amazon, or an independent business? YOU decide.
Opening Ceremony Massage Sandal, $, available at Opening Ceremony
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