The Best Gifts Under $50 That’ll Convince People You Actually Spent More
Substantial, stylish, and surprisingly affordable.
Updated Oct 13, 2023 4:30 PM
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Fact: Affordable presents don’t have to skimp on style or substance; you just have to know where to look. Instead of small trinkets and stocking-stuffer doodads, the best under-$50 gifts, in our opinion, are well made, functional, and fashionable. Our favorite finds are convincingly luxe, minus the premium price tag, and will keep your holiday spending down. Below, you’ll encounter the likes of a suede oven mitt, wavy wood bowl, and Yayoi Kusama book collab—all highlights of our 26-and-counting roster.
Cirerie de Gascogne Candles
A fancy candle may seem like a no-brainer gift idea for a fragrance-loving friend, but one from the Cirerie de Gascogne collection isn’t any old glass jar of wax. Handmade in France’s Gascony region, each of the nine scents is a careful blend that speaks to the country’s landscape—Cabernet leather mushrooms, Colombard fig citrus, and truffle Manseng honey caught our eye—punctuated with a bright label that’s equal parts eye-catching and simple. The best part: They’ll be able to light the cotton wick for 40 hours of burn time.
Oliver Bonas Monochrome Marbled Salt/Pepper Mill
Kitschy salt and pepper shaker sets? Been there, done that. Elevate someone’s dinner table with this marbled stone salt and pepper mill from Oliver Bonas. Our go-to brand for unique beverage tumblers, we’re delighted to discover its serveware and kitchen tools are just as bold.
Malaika Fish in a Pond Bowl
If they already have spiffy seasoning containers, however, why not add to their ceramics collection instead? This small bowl is perfect for single snacking or serving dips. Made from 100% Egyptian clay by a master potter, Malaika’s hand-painted vessel is decorated with a fish and sealed with a lead-free glaze.
Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life
Add a touch of je ne sais quoi to your giftee’s bookshelf or coffee table with this blue-bound guide to French living. Written by American expat Ajiri Aki, the page-turner is filled with advice and detailed examples of finding the joy in simple pleasures—biting into a fresh baguette, scooping up a bouquet of flowers just because, and embracing a linen tablecloth’s inherent wrinkles—just like a European. And the sizable hardcover won’t run more than $25 (it’s currently 35% off, but even at full price, it’s under $40).
Ichendorf Milano Set of Tumblers
For glassware under $50 that doesn’t look or feel cheap, we turn to Ichendorf, a brand that’s been around since the early 1900s. This set of four stackable, dishwasher-safe tumblers by Michel Charlot comes in the perfect hint of blue. They’re a favorite of Domino editors to tap as a housewarming gift, but they’d feel just as special unwrapping around the holidays.
Baggu Go Pouch Set in Night Lights
Know someone with a big trip planned in the next year? This three-pack of cheerful color-blocked pouches is perfect for corralling makeup, toiletries, charger cords, and other essentials. Plus if their blush or lipstick happens to come loose in transit, your giftee can simply toss them in the wash to look good as new.
Crate & Barrel Simone Marbleized Stoneware Serving Platter
The marbleized serving platter, in green, blue, and ivory, is an entertainer’s dream. Despite its stoneware construction, this budget-friendly piece isn’t nearly as delicate as it looks. Plus it’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
Serax x Studio Simple Set of Two Candleholders
Another tabletop gift idea that won’t break the bank: taper holders. This concrete duo from Serax’s collaboration with Studio Simple—an atelier based in New York City—offers a unique twist on a humble material.
The Conran Shop Wavy Picture Frame
Give a personal photo a touch of whimsy with this wavy frame from the Conran Shop. A staple design store in London, the pop of color is sure to bring a smile to your giftee as much as any image tucked inside.
H&M Wool-Blend Throw
Wool throws under $50 do exist—at H&M. A well-reviewed blend of the fiber, acrylic, and polyester, this supersoft blanket will serve as more than just decor. We’re personally big fans of the bright orange, but one reviewer notes that they “gave them as Christmas gifts in ivory last year, and everyone loved them.”
Hay Suede Oven Glove
According to one reviewer, this suede oven mitt is “stylish and functional. A great workhouse in the kitchen.” Sounds like the markings of a great gift to us, especially when it’s 30% off. Another feature we appreciate: an easy hanging loop to show off the different colors on each side.
Abask Set of Six Birds Hand-Embroidered Linen Cocktail Napkins
These hand-embroidered linen napkins are guaranteed to make happy hours happier. The earthy, autumnal-inspired hues are sure to complement your giftee’s coupe or cocktail glass of choice.
Anthropologie x House of Hackney Cocktail Shaker
At-home bartenders deserve more than a simple shaker. Consider this hand-carved stainless steel and brass-coated creation, complete with House of Hackney’s maximalist flair, exclusive to Anthropologie. A braided trim, rippled bottom, and cap adorned with a furry friend is sure to become a conversation starter at your next get-together.
Kosterina The Dipping Duo Gift Set
A dashing duo of EVOO and balsamic vinegar from Greece and Italy will equip your giftee with the finishing touch for salads, sandwiches, and more. Aside from a reputation for impeccable taste, this pair has downright delicious packaging. This one won’t require any wrapping—the blue box is good enough to give as is.
Alessi Tibidabo Spaghetti Serving Fork
A big fork for big meals. If your giftee hosts family dinners, this stylish server will dish out pasta with pizzazz. Another reviewer also shared that it’s more versatile than it looks: “Brought it to crimp homemade ravioli.” Talk about a tool that can take a meal from start to finish.
Sonder & Holliday The Micro Victoria Basket No.1
We’re smitten with these miniature baskets, so much so we’re secretly adding them to our own wish lists. It’s easy to picture them as a mini purse, a cute countertop stash for herbs, or a decorative addition to a bookshelf. Handwoven by master artisans in Ghana, each is unique, differing in shape and color.
Frieling USA 18/8 Stainless Steel Teapot
A tiny teapot—what’s not to love? The 14-ounce Frieling with a built-in infuser can steep two large mugs, and the double-walled stainless steel silhouette means contents stay hot for a while.
Papier Bright New Desk Set
We always appreciate chic stationary and desk accessories, especially when a collection includes trendy sticky notes, a neon bookmark, and a really, really good pen. The seven-piece set is sold in a high-quality box, so all you have to do is add a bow or some ribbon before tucking it under the tree.
Mela Artisans Wavy Bowl
Carved by hand in India, this wavy wood bowl makes a home for fruit and veggies on a countertop or can be used as the centerpiece on a dining table. It’s scratchproof and food-safe, and reviewers echo being impressed by its quality and charm. In other words, it’s practically guaranteed to be a complement magnet.
Paint Anywhere Lush Garden by Sarah Gesek Paint by Numbers Deluxe
There’s been a TikTok-induced uptick in painting as part of self-care routines. Scoop this up for the trendsetter or craft lover—Paint Anywhere collaborates with illustrators and creators for its paint-by-number offerings. We love the idea so much that we’re coveting it for ourselves, specifically Joy Laforme’s autumnal scene in New York and Sarah Gesek’s cottagecore landscape.
Dusen Dusen Everybody Umbrella
Dusen Dusen in umbrella form. This striped sweetie is one they won’t leave behind at a restaurant—an Ellen Van Dusen design is simply too pretty to forget.
Anecdote Mid-Century Modern Candle
Design enthusiasts, particularly those drawn to furniture made with tapered legs and clean lines, will likely get a chuckle out of this candle. Even if it’s a stretch that the scent—floral and citrus top notes, woodsy base—evokes the very era it’s named for, this one is definitely a fun decor item. The bright, ochrelike label only adds to the effect.
Giadzy Italian Happy Hour Kit
Somehow, Giadzy was able to simplify the aperitivo into one packed box. Inside, your giftee will find all the fixings for a grazing-friendly board decked out with olives, toasted breadsticks, and spreads that will pair perfectly with a hunk of cheese and a bottle of wine.
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen & Yayoi Kusama
This is The Little Mermaid like you’ve never seen it. The fairy tale is illustrated with Yayoi Kusama’s interpretations of Hans Christian Andersen’s original story and feels as “whimsical and foreboding” as the story itself.
Big Night Dusen Dusen Herb Striped Napkin Set
These aren’t just any old napkins—the set of four mix-and-match stripes (new from Dusen Dusen!) are colorful and practical. Made from cotton, this is the sort of product designed to be used and enjoyed. Low-maintenance, machine washable, and offered in a punchy palette to jazz up any table, we promise your giftee will love tapping them for weeknight dinners and festive feasts alike.
Hawkins New York Brass Oil Cruet
Wrap this piece up with a fancy bottle of EVOO (or their savory liquid of choice) for a gift that’ll keep on giving. The canonical stainless steel vessel features a svelte handle for easy pouring and drizzling. “Very pretty and the stopper doesn’t fall out when pouring, like so many others,” one reviewer writes. Another adds, “The finish is gorgeous and warm.”