35 Best Gifts Under $50 to Snag Before the Holidays
Trust us, these are things we'd buy (and have bought) for our loved ones!
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When shopping for holiday gifts, I typically opt for a $50 budget per person. It’s enough money to buy a quality gift without completely emptying your wallet. That's why I put together a list of the best gift ideas under $50 to shop for this holiday season, thanks to help from experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute, as well as GH staffers and thorough Amazon reviewers.
Picks range from Quince’s affordable cashmere sweater to Baublebar’s DIY bag charm kit. These thoughtful ideas run the gamut, catering to both adults and kids, meaning you can find gifts for everyone on your list—even at the last minute. If you're shopping with a tighter budget, make sure to check out our lists of gifts under $20 and gifts under $10.
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These knot pillows are all the rage. They deviate from a standard square pillow, adding texture to a bed or sofa. Available in three sizes, 8-, 11-, and 13-inches, and an array of solid hues, they're a giftable decor piece under $20.
If you're shopping for someone you don't know very well, such as a coworker or in-law, a holiday gift basket is always a safe choice. This option from Etsy includes a mug, socks, a golden tea spoon, a wooden ornament, salted caramels, and tea.
Perfect for the person who always packs a lunch, this electric lunch box is 20-ounces in size, available in four color options, and dishwasher-safe, according to the brand. Amazon reviewers say it heats food in approximately one to two hours.
According to Google, searches for "packing cubes" have sky-rocketed this year. Our pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute recommend this 5-piece set if you want the most bang for your buck. It features cubes of various sizes with easy-to-carry top handles.
Whether they're traveling on a plane or resting at home, this silk sleep mask may be the key to quality sleep. Made from 100% mulberry silk, the cooling eye mask is said to provide wearers with total blackout, per the brand.
Shopping for luxury under $50 may seem like an impossible task, but this hand soap from renowned brand Le Labo proves different. The scent of the soap is inspired by the Buddhist temples of Japan, with notes of hinoki trees, according to the brand.
Our Senior Gifts Editor, Alyssa Guatieri, recently gifted this to her niece and loves that it's easy to use and appropriate for all ages. We think it even makes for a great family gift.
From Labubus to luxury brands, bag charms are the accessory of the year. This bag charm kit from Baublebar will allow them to create their own. The set includes 275 beads, six bases (each with two strands), and a carrying case for easy storage. Did we mention this gift also topped Oprah's Favorite Things List this year?
Socks for Christmas may be a cliché, but they're a good gift for a reason. This set from Bombas comes with three neutral pairs. Since the socks are already in a gift box, all you'll have to do is wrap it—easy peasy!
Adults and kids can enjoy this mini, portable paint kit that comes with 15 colors, a paintbrush pen, and a metal magnet clip. Note: a mini sketchbook will need to be purchased separately.
They'll never know this luxury gift was just $50, especially because it was originally listed for $148. Talk about a deal! This sweater is made of Mongolian cashmere, per the brand, and comes in a variety of neutral and bold hues.
RELATED: Best Cashmere Sweaters
Give them something they never knew they needed with this portable purse hook. They can clip it onto a sturdy surface, such as a table or bar, and hang their purse, lifting it off the sticky ground to keep close by. The hook is said to support up to 33 lbs., according to the brand.
This cologne and hand cream duo from British fragrance house Jo Malone is the perfect travel companion. He can pack it in his carry-on for business trips to ensure he smells (and feels) great. The cologne is wood-sage and sea-salt scented, and the hand cream smells of English pear and freesia.
If they're into stationery, it doesn't get better than Papier. The brand carries a range of notebooks, planners, recipe books, and more that can all be personalized, just like this colorblock hardcover notebook.
Gift your forgetful friend an Apple AirTag for the holidays to help them keep track of their most important belongings. The tracking device is easily viewable on the 'Find My' app, located on their Apple device of choice. Encourage them to add the AirTag to a wallet, keychain, or checked bag for safekeeping.
This leather makeup pouch sports a unique design that allows users to open it wide for easy viewing. The pouch features several inner pockets, ideal for organization. The bag is also available in a wide range of neutral hues.
Doubling as an activity and home decor piece, this adult LEGO set features 16 stems, two of each wildflower type. Amazon reviewers claim the set takes roughly seven hours to build, making it great for a rainy (or snowy) day.
Sleek and simple, this 2-in-1 wireless charger can juice their iPhone 12 or newer and wireless earbuds to a full charge in just over an hour, according to the brand. Double-check that they have a MagSafe case before you buy, or gift them one to go alongside it.
RELATED: Best Wireless Chargers
Instead of a standard candle, gift them one that's a little more personalized. This option from Uncommon Goods is packed with flowers, stones, herbs, and oils that are significant to their birth month.
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is said to have a lot of positive beauty benefits, such as taming hair frizz. Gift them one to try out for themselves.
Kate (she/her) is the associate editor of The Pioneer Woman Magazine. She writes features, commerce, and travel content. Kate brings nearly five years of home, food, and lifestyle experience to the role, including time as editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping. Her bylines have appeared in Woman’s Day, Food Network Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Dream Kitchens & Baths, and more. When she’s not writing, Kate can be found lazing in the park with a sudoku in hand.
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