21 Gifts Under $25 Worth Tucking Under the Tree (They’re That Good)
A sardine-shaped bookmark and scallop-trim napkins.
Updated Oct 16, 2023 3:15 PM
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There’s no reason the best gifts under $25 can’t punch above their weight. Things that come in small packages do all the time, right? Chihuahuas, espresso, 35mm film. (We digress.) When you’re buying in multiples or working with a budget, price point is paramount. Unfortunately, presents in the $25-and-under range often skew too cheeky or chintzy. Our picks in this category, however, deliver more than you expect when it comes to their unique quality and under-tree appeal. There’s a giant gauzy scrunchie, mother-of-pearl spoons, sardine-shaped bookmarks—and those are just the tip of the iceberg. Read on to learn about these affordable heavy hitters and more.
Tosaryu Hinoki Aroma Flakes
Forget bath bombs and bubbles. This fabric bag of locally harvested hinoki cypress from the Shimanto area of Japan’s Kochi prefecture can be steeped in water for an aromatic plunge or hung in a doorway to deodorize a room.
H&M Stoneware Mug
No matter if your caffeine of choice is tea or coffee, we’re staunch believers that you can never have too many mugs. This chunky stoneware is so affordable that we recommend packing it up with either the matching plate or a bag of local beans or leaves you know they already love.
Maison Balzac Two Volute Candles
Tapers are great to have on hand, especially as a bulk gift. But if you’re looking for something extra-special, we’ll point you in the direction of this sculptural set from Maison Balzac. Available in a variety of colors (our favorite being the sunshiny Miele), they’ll add a playful punch to an entertainer’s collection.
Hay Brown and White Check Hand Towel
This cappuccino-check hand towel is Oeko-Tex certified and 100% cotton in a terry weave, so we know it’s as absorbent as it is pretty.
AF Brass Keychain
Not all keychains are kitschy. For the person in your life who has more than a couple of keys to keep track of, this swanky brass contraption from Japan will keep everything looking tidy.
Hay Candy Stripe Wash Bag
This rip- and water-resistant bag constructed from 80% recycled plastic will keep all their cosmetic necessities safe and dry. We adore the candy-colored stripes and attached loop for easy hanging, whether for a shower spout or tree branch.
Cork Pops Green Olive Cocktail Pick Set
These dishwasher-safe stainless steel picks are as darling as they are durable. The set of six makes for an affordable fun gift for anyone you know who’s go-to drink is a dirty martini.
Jayson Home Firenze Notebooks
The sort of journal the list makers and note takers in your life will want to show off: The marbleized covers—handmade in Italy, no less—are inspired by a centuries-old technique of dipping paint into water, resulting in these vibrant patterns. Eighty blank pages await.
Revision Picasso Coasters
There are plenty of felt coasters out there, but this multicolored check from Revision offers a cheeky twist on the material. We’re smitten with these U.S.-made, hand-cut impressions of Cubist winks and smiles. Better yet, the thick wool is water- and stain resistant (and moisture absorbing!).
Room Shop Giant Organza Scrunchie
Trends these days are ’90s-centric, which means scrunchies are decidedly in. Room Shop’s giant take is the modern upgrade for your pal who always wears their hair back (or loves a statement bracelet). The gauzy nylon fabric will look like a tulle skirt for their bun or pony.
Sabre Bistrot Spreader
More than one Domino editor has this iconic French flatware brand on their holiday wish list. If you, too, know someone lusting after a set from Sabre but don’t have hundreds to shell out for a set, go for the next best thing: an under-$25 spreader with the same colorful bistro-style handle.
A Book of Birds
You don’t have to be a birder to enjoy London-based painter Humphrey Ocean’s illustrious portraits of feathered friends. “What’s not to like? Every page is a delight,” one reviewer writes. It’s sure to be a hit with Anglophiles, little ones, nature lovers, and art aficionados alike.
Anthropologie Dog Measuring Tape
A good gift idea for designers, folks with renovation plans, or those with a golden retriever. This dog-adorned measuring tape finished with a leather trim and pull is an accessory they’ll always want to have on hand. “I have four of these measuring tapes in different patterns that I have given as gifts and kept for myself. They are small, accurate, and perfect for measuring sizes,” one review writes. Another keeps theirs in their purse 24-7.
Jayson Home Shell Spoon
Know someone who’d rather be at the beach? Gift a bit of their favorite place with one of Jayson Home’s mother-of-pearl spoons, finished with either a conch or twisted auger shell handle.
Schoolhouse Scallop-Trim Napkin Set
Perhaps the cutest cocktail napkins we’ve ever laid eyes on. These simple, goes-with-anything scalloped sweeties are just $14 for a set of four, making them a perfect gift for those always looking forward to happy hour.
Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed
A master class in finding your personal style, this chic book is for the friend who is always lamenting that they have nothing to wear. It’s filled with tips and tricks on how to streamline your closet from a New York–based fashion stylist with 13 years in the industry.
Revision Sardine Bookmark
The simple sardine, now in bookmark form. Avid readers and conservas consumers will get a chuckle out of using this nifty stainless steel essential.
Mango Felt-Effect Laptop Case
Mango is a go-to for affordable streetwear, but did you know it also carries a selection of apparel for your tech? This feltlike case will protect your laptop, and built-in pockets means your giftee can keep all their work supplies, from papers to notebooks, in one place.
Papier Wave Fountain Pen
Never underestimate the value of a good pen. And trust us when we say anyone who cares for their writing utensils will adore this fountain pen from stationary source Papier. The weighty design, featuring a wavy clip, is refillable, and you can choose between a soft sage or luxe all-brass finish.
Furbish Studio Gloria Oven Mitt
Are your mom’s oven mitts looking a little worn? Replace them with this handmade kitchen staple crafted by artisans in Jaipur. We love that the print offers an elevated take on a holiday color scheme—your classic jolly trio of green, white, and red—but is fashionable enough to keep hanging from its built-in loop all year long.
Russ & Daughters Chocolate Caviar Tin
Russ & Daughters’s chocolate caviar can be sourced from Catbird, a cult-favorite jewelry retailer with surprisingly good home goods and, apparently, sweet souvenirs. This tin will run you far, far less than the real thing.