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The Spruce
With holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries come stresses about spending money and finding the perfect gift. That's where we come in. Whether you're buying a housewarming gift, a birthday present for a friend, or a cozy robe for a partner, you don't have to spend a lot of money to find something thoughtful and sentimental.
We spent hours researching the best gifts under $50 for a loved one you want to spoil while staying on a budget, considering your recipient's interests and lifestyle, so they actually use and appreciate your present every day. Many of the presents listed here also make thoughtful last-minute gifts if your time window is as tight as your spending limit.
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Our Top Picks
Set a cozy mood with this portable tabletop fire pit that comes with roasting sticks which are perfect for any s'mores night when you have guests over. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and it's smokeless, so you won't need to worry about your clothes smelling like burning wood.
Pet parents will love receiving these customized socks for any holiday. We tried out these adorable socks with a picture of our own pet and were thoroughly impressed with the results. The picture was clear, and our pup was instantly recognizable. The entire process is very simple, and the socks themselves are surprisingly soft and comfortable.
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The Spruce
While it's not exactly high-tech, this manual foot massager from TheraFlow earned rave reviews during testing. The foot rollers make it easy to control the placement and pressure for the perfect massage every time. The massager also comes with a reflexology guide to target certain pressure points on your feet for pain relief that's personal to you. It's a great way to make your recipient feel relaxed and spoiled.
The nodes on the TheraFlow Dual Foot Roller may seem intense, so we recommend wearing socks first. PHOTO: The Spruce We like that you can move your feet manually to target exactly where you need the massage the most. PHOTO: The Spruce / Lindsay Boyers
Never lose valuable items again with an Apple AirTag. Simply set up the AirTag with your iPhone or iPad and place it with your luggage, wallet, or other important items to keep track of them on the Find My app. The built-in speaker plays a song to help you locate your purse in your apartment or look to the app for help finding far-away items such as lost luggage or missing keys.
Shopping for a book lover can be quite difficult if you're not sure what they like to read. Lucky for you, we've got just the thing that any bookworm will love—a neck reading light. This handy gadget frees up your hands for uninterrupted reading and offers three different color temperature modes (yellow, warm white, and cool white). It also includes adjustable brightness settings, so you can create the perfect reading environment tailored to your preferences.
Keep your daily cup of joe hot all morning long with this insulated French press from Coffee Gator. The vacuum-layered stainless steel keeps hot beverages hot for 60 minutes longer than a traditional mug. It also comes with a mini canister to keep your favorite beans fresh for your next caffeine fix.
For the camper in your life, we love this portable hammock from Wise Owl Outfitters. It holds up to 400 pounds, weighs only 24 ounces, and folds up neatly for easy traveling. The 9-foot straps and carabiners easily attach to trees for optimal relaxation in the great outdoors.
Any avid gardener would appreciate being gifted an adorable set of tools. Whether your recipient is a master gardener or just starting out, they'll appreciate the trowels and a cultivator that come in a convenient tote. It's perfect for both small windowsill herb gardens and larger backyard endeavors. We've got a full list of gift ideas for gardeners if you need more shopping inspo.
This adorable trinket dish adds whimsy and color to your nightstand or dresser, perfect for a birthday or anniversary. The heart-shaped stoneware dish is painted with multicolor flowers for a beautifully feminine design piece your loved one can actually use to store keys, jewelry, and other odds and ends.
Shopping for a sports lover? Look at these impressive sports coasters from Uncommon Goods. Available for six sports, the coasters showcase various balls or equipment with fun facts about the game itself. We tried the hockey coasters and loved the high-quality material, unique facts, and detailed illustrations.
The Uncommon Goods Anatomy of Sports Coasters are a stylish way to show love for your favorite sport. PHOTO: The Spruce Each pack comes with four coasters that highlight a different aspect of a specific sport. PHOTO: The Spruce
Our editor pick for a budget-friendly robe that's perfect for gifting, the Amazon Essentials full-length waffle robe, comes at a budget-friendly price while providing optimal comfort and absorbency. We love the extensive size and color range suitable for men, women, and even teens. The deep pockets and tie-closure make for a stylish look that feels just as comfortable as it looks.
The Amazon Essentials Waffle Robe gave us the perfect layer of warmth and absorbency after showering. PHOTO: The Spruce The material was a bit stiff at first, but after washing it, it instantly softened up. PHOTO: The Spruce The belt is secured by loops so it won't slip off your body. PHOTO: The Spruce
Not sure what gift to give your mother-in-law, girlfriend, or sister? You can never go wrong with luxe beauty gifts she can pamper herself with. This box includes 10 sheet masks drenched in snail mucin that will hydrate the skin, relieve redness, and lighten acne marks.
If a full-sized Dutch oven isn't in your budget, choose this Staub mini cocotte. It's adorably shaped like a tomato, so even when your chef friend isn't using it, the mini ramekin looks beautiful displayed in their kitchen.
This simple gold bracelet makes the perfect jewelry gift for a loved one that won't break the bank. BaubleBar's Initial Bracelet features gold beads with an initial of your choice. Stack first and last initials for a modern monogrammed look that remains understated and mature.
Personalized gifts show that thought went into the decision-making process and make your recipient feel special and loved. Uncommon Goods has dozens of personalized gift options for every budget, including this birth month flower grow kit. The kit comes with everything you need to grow a beautiful flower that corresponds with your recipient's birth month, including a glass jar that doubles as a vase.
If your recipient loves to entertain, gift them this gorgeous monogrammed board from Williams Sonoma. The sleek marbled board is perfect for serving charcuterie or trying out viral trends like the butter board. An initial of your choice appears on the top left of the board in classy gold brass, elevating the gift to feel personal and sentimental.
Encourage friends and family to explore new cuisines and recipes with the fan-favorite brand Fly By Jing. The triple threat features three festive flavors of delicious Sichuan sauces: Sichuan chili crisp, Zhong sauce, and Mala spice mix. There's also an exclusive spoon for impressive drizzling on new tasty creations.
This Cuisinart waffle maker is great for almost every kind of home chef: those who need to cook more, those who have almost every other kind of appliance, and those who simply love waffles. Make breakfast easier for anyone in your life with this fun, affordable, and easy-to-use kitchen staple.
For anyone who journals or writes, this Leuchtturm 1917 notebook is a great pick. The dotted lining allows for creative expression for anyone who uses it as a journal, and it comes in a variety of colors for a more personal twist.
A cozy pair of slippers makes the perfect gift all year round, and we love this budget-friendly pair from Amazon. During testing, we loved the comfortable feel of this lightweight pick, which didn't overheat our feet and maintained traction on most surfaces. Plus, the quilted design gives the slippers a high-quality look and feel without a high price tag.
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The Spruce
A video can capture every memorable moment from a wedding, vacation, or special birthday. With this unique video book, you can upload a 10-minute clip so they can relive the moment whenever they want. You can also personalize it with a favorite song or any other audio recording of your choice to add a special touch that will surely make your recipient's day.
Ensure candles with a candle care kit from Sweet Water Decor. The accessory set includes a wick cutter, wick dipper, bell snuffer, and a drawstring bag to keep everything organized. It's important to keep wicks trimmed to 1/4-inch to reduce smoke and create an even, widespread scent.
A thoughtful gift for someone who loves to cook, this recipe tin from Rifle Paper Co. is equally beautiful and functional. We got our hands on this unique gift and were blown away by the incredible organization within the high-quality and gorgeously decorated box. There are 12 dividers with helpful themes to organize your recipes and 24 detailed recipe cards to keep track of your favorite dishes. There's also plenty of room to add your own cards as your collection grows.
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This will be the perfect set for any avid coffee or tea drinker in your life. It comes with four mugs in a stunning gingham design and gold teaspoons. It will also instantly elevate any coffee or tea nook.
If your giftee has a sunrise alarm clock on their wishlist, the Vivilumens includes everything you'd want in a peaceful awakening: a sunrise wake-up light, white noise, and a minimalistic, modern appearance. Even if an alarm clock isn't on your recipient's list of needs, the Vivilumens Sunrise Clock is lovely to look at and doubles as decor.
Choosing a record for a music fan could be challenging if you aren't familiar with their preferred genre. That's why we adore this vinyl display set—it'll enable them to proudly showcase their beloved albums on their wall.
These vintage glass mugs are the perfect go-to present for those who are often packing breakfast or coffee when they're heading out for work. Since they have lids, they can be used to store overnight oats, oatmeal, yogurt, or any warm drink.
There's never a wrong time to bake your favorite desserts or try new ones. A personalized baking dish is a useful but thoughtful gift for the pastry chef in your life. You can customize the pan with a lovely phrase or your recipient's name. We think it'll be hard to decipher whether the dessert or the pan is the star of the show.
If you're stumped on gift giving, this 4L humidifier with a compatible app is perfect for any plant lover or skincare enthusiast. Named one of our top humidifiers for plants, this option offered a 32-hour runtime and an easy-to-fill design that we appreciated during testing. The affordable find can even connect to your loved one's Google Home or Amazon Alexa for extra points.
The Dreo 4-Liter Smart Humidifier has a top-fill tank for easy filling and cleaning. PHOTO: The Spruce You can track the humidity level on the control panel or on an app. PHOTO: The Spruce We like that you can easily remove the aromatherapy tray and add a few drops of essential oil. PHOTO: The Spruce
Just Enough Wines makes it easy to gift a curated selection of delicious sips without the high price. The six-pack of canned wine includes two cans of Chardonnay, two cans of rosé, and two cans of Pinot Noir—all of which adds up to two full bottles of wine.
This retro Frigidaire mini fridge is perfect for teens who tend to stow snacks and drinks in their room or for someone who needs a cool temperature space to store skincare products. Rated the best portable mini fridge in our guide, this Frigidaire is spacious enough to hold six cans, plus it's easy to carry with its built-in top handle.
Chilly temps call for cozy, warm presents for your giftee to snuggle with, like a heated blanket. Electric blankets can be pretty costly, but this Amazon best-seller is under $50 and overperformed during testing. The blanket has five reliable heat settings, so you can choose your desired level of warmth and coziness. Plus, it's machine washable as long as the remote is detached.
We found the Sunbeam Royal Ultra Heated Blanket to have an especially fast and reliable performance. PHOTO: The Spruce / Julia Fields This electric blanket boasts the simplest controls, with just one button for four heat settings. PHOTO: The Spruce / Julia Fields The fleecy polyester is lightweight and comfortable and comes in 12 colors. PHOTO: The Spruce / Julia Fields While it’s not the most design-forward, we found it nicely warm with a cozy texture. PHOTO: The Spruce / Julia Fields
We love gift baskets as a universally beloved option for any recipient. Editor-favorite Harry & David has dozens of choices at any price range, including this snack box for under $50. It's chock full of delicious treats, including sausage, cheese, Moose Munch popcorn, crackers, nuts, and hot mustard.
If your recipient loves to read, we think a gift card to pick out exciting new reads is always an awesome present. Bookshop.org sells stock from independent booksellers, so you can shop locally while conveniently buying online. We guarantee your book-loving friends will find all of the new releases and buzzy books they love.
These face masks are like a spa treatment in the comfort of your own home. Made with natural ingredients like papaya, banana, turmeric, and aloe vera, they gently exfoliate, tighten, and nourish your skin. Your loved ones and their skin will greatly appreciate this considerate and luxurious present.
Whether your recipient already owns an Amazon Fire TV Stick or not, one can never have too many streaming devices. A Fire TV Stick is a gift the whole family can enjoy. With it, you can access your favorite streaming apps in 4K and control your thermostat, smart camera, and more with your other compatible smart home devices.
There's never a wrong time to gift your boyfriend, husband, or brother a new skincare routine. This three-piece kit includes a beard and face wash, a moisturizing face gel, and an exfoliating toner. These four-ounce hair products also make for the perfect stocking stuffer. Our shopping writer, Kenedee Fowler, gifted her boyfriend the Bevel Hair Essentials Bundle last Christmas, and he loves it.
Everyone knows someone whose phone suddenly dies at the most inconvenient times. The Anker PowerCore Portable Charger will always keep phones fully charged, thanks to the included USB and USB-C ports. The power bank will provide phones with enough juice to operate, regardless of whether your recipient has an Apple or an Android.
Show some pride for your hometown with a spoon rest from Uncommon Goods shaped like your state. Buy one for your parents who never left home and wouldn't have it any other way. The spoon rests are hand-sculpted in Minnesota, designed not to wobble, and finished in food-safe glazes.
A new bath towel may seem like a silly gift at first, but anyone would love wrapping up in this cotton option from Frontgate. As the name suggests, the resort collection resembles towels you'd find at a five-star hotel, but even softer and longer. Opt for a bath towel, a set of washcloths, or a hand towel; all come in under budget. For a bit of extra dough, you can personalize the item for a sentimental touch.
Different Puzzles makes puzzles that are, well, different. The final image may not match the picture on the box perfectly, so prepare for some surprises in your scene once you finish. While these changes may be a bit too whimsical for traditional puzzlers, we think that if you're up for the challenge, you just might love the new image better than what you had before.
Settle in for a family game night with a classic board game, like this jumbo version of Monopoly. The game's giant-sized pieces are only part of what makes it awesome. Included are new rules that speed up the traditional game, so that it takes less than 30 minutes to play through the entire game. We think it's the perfect game to get the whole family together for a special occasion.
A cute and fancier alternative to a bookmark, this reading valet keeps your book open to the page you stopped on while holding your cup of morning joe, cell phone, and reading glasses. It's the perfect gift for your bookworm recipient.
When we tested this manual massager, it proved to be as effective as the other electric ones in relaxing neck and shoulder muscles. We also loved it because it doesn't require a power source or rely on a battery, which is perfect for those on the go, especially avid travelers and athletes.
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The Spruce
Everyone on your list can benefit from a high-quality tumbler that keeps their favorite beverages warm or cold all day long. The Yeti Rambler was designed with beer in mind, but it's equally suitable for taking coffee, tea, or soda on the go. The stainless-steel walls provide proper insulation, while the MagSlider lid prevents spills. The best part? It's dishwasher-safe.
Blowouts and daily styling are a breeze with the best-selling blow dry brush from Revlon. With three heat settings, the possibilities for effortless styles are endless. The barrel allows you to get closer to the root for more precise drying and more elaborate styles. Busy moms and college students alike will love how the hair product revolutionizes their haircare routine.
Bespoke Post has curated gift guides for everyone in your life, especially husbands and boyfriends who may be difficult to shop for. The site makes it easy to shop by interest, recipient, or budget. We love this best-selling Dopp kit from Line of Trade, which organizes skincare products, jewelry, or other cosmetics in one place for weekend trips or longer getaways.
Shopping for a little one? This kit from Elmer's has everything you need to make colorful, scented slime easily with a magic slime activator. Use the five glue colors, including glow-in-the-dark and glitter options, with five activators that create the slime's texture for endless combinations and experiments. Add in extra glitter or beads for even more gooey fun.
If your friend or family member doesn't already have an L.L. Bean Boat Tote, holidays and birthdays are the perfect time to gift one. The gorgeously constructed tote comes in tons of colors and sizes to fit everything they need for on to go. It's great as a school, work, or diaper bag.
Other Great Gift Options
For picky recipients, you can't go wrong with a gift card to their favorite local coffee shop, a bookstore, or a clothing boutique. It's super easy to stick to a budget when choosing an amount for a gift card. Just leave a few extra dollars to buy a card with a handwritten message.
For something a bit more personal, opt for a spa day or movie night at home. Purchase sheet masks and nail polish, or a bunch of your loved one's favorite snacks, and spend the day together doing something you love. It won't matter how much you spend. Your friend or family member will appreciate the thought put into the present and the opportunity to spend time together.
Tips on Choosing a Gift Under $50
When shopping online, look for a site where you can filter by price. This makes it so much easier to see which options are available based on how much you'd like to spend. For example, when shopping in the toy section online at Walmart, you can filter by price and even by customer rating to find highly-rated gifts within your budget.
Don't forget your recipient's lifestyle when choosing a gift. Because you're on a budget, you want to ensure your gift makes a big impact, so don't choose something they won't use. Don't gift a French press to a friend who has sworn off caffeine. Consider what they may need during this time in their life and go with that.
For example, a fun, easy-to-use skincare product might be just the gift for an 11-year-old girl about to hit puberty to teach them about self-care. Or, a friend who just moved into a new space or wants to start a garden would love the Thea Garden Tool Bag or a newly retired co-worker might enjoy a Book Nook Reading Valet to finally start tackling their reading list.
In addition to their lifestyle, consider your recipient's interests. Maybe they're learning a new hobby or have a favorite movie that you can keep in mind during the shopping process. Sometimes you won't have a good grip on someone's interests, but still feel like you need to buy a gift for them (think: your child's teacher or a boss or a doorman). In this case, go with something universal, like a candle. You can't go wrong with a candle.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a senior writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. As an expert gifter, she's spent the past three years finding the best gifts for every recipient and budget. While she loves locating the perfect gif every time, she's also mindful of sticking to a budget and knows that you don't have to spend a ton to find something special.
For this story, she researched and tested hundreds of budget-friendly gift options for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. She's also personally tested and gifted several of the items on this list including the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, Revlon One-Step Volumizer, and the Fly By Jing Chili Crisp.