Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight.
Every year, Wirecutter’s expert journalists spend thousands of hours researching and testing items so we can recommend the very best. Many of our picks are too big, expensive, or practical to make great gifts, though. The following 50-ish gifts hit that sweet spot—more substantial than a trinket, undeniable value, with plenty of whimsy, utility, and novelty sprinkled in. Note that while we made every effort to confirm that everything in this guide is under $50, prices can dance around a bit—especially amid the holidays.
If you need other affordable-gift ideas, check out our guides to the best gifts under $10, under $25, and under $100.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSuave snacking
With dramatic sloped ends and a variegated grain, this oblong bowl is hewn from olivewood in Umbria, Italy. The medium size is an excellent value and just the right size for snacks (nuts, olives, a pile of mortadella) or even pastas and salads.
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Petite pulverizer
This extra-roomy mini chopper dices well, and the two convenient drizzle holes aid in frustration-free drizzling. But it falls short in dicing herbs.
From: The Best Food Processor
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPlant party
These small yet vigorous houseplants arrive in pleasing themed bundles, offering a simple and affordable way to expand someone’s plant family.
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Safe driving
Whether mounted on a dashboard or windshield, it’s easy to set up, it grips securely, and it has a strong magnetic mount that supports most phones in any position.
From: The Best Car Phone Mount
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTForever flowers
This set offers a bold bouquet with 15 individual stems to build and style. And they’ll never wilt.
Screen-friendly gloves
These cozy gloves have a double-layer knit design that makes typing easier and insulates better than the competition.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTMusic on the go
This excellent speaker is compact and waterproof, and available at a great price. It doesn’t get as loud as more expensive options, though.
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Indestructible watch band
This comfortable and lightweight band works for daily or active wear.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTNo more lost luggage
AirTags leverage Apple’s huge network of devices to find lost goods, and they’re impressively accurate in pinpointing an item’s precise location.
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A tiny charger
About the size of a credit card, the TravelCard Plus is one of the smallest and lightest power banks available, equipped with a powerful USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C and lightning cables, and a 3,000 mAh rated capacity.]
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPocket tripod
This tripod is light enough to take anywhere but strong enough for the heaviest smartphone and even some cameras.
Sleek knife holder
This handsome knife strip is made of strong magnets encased in wood. It keeps knives in place, but it’s gentle on blades.
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From: Small Kitchen Ideas
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTClassic French press
The Espro P3’s innovative filter consistently brews bright, grit-free coffee.
From: The Best French Press
Best travel mug
This mug offers superior heat retention, plus one-handed usability and a locking, leakproof lid, which makes it especially useful for carrying one’s mug in a bag or backpack.
From: The Best Travel Mug
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSimple waffles
This round model offers good value and produces thin, super-crispy waffles. But it has a flimsier build than more expensive options.
From: The Best Waffle Maker
Spiralize everything
Its three sharp blades produce long noodles that hold their shape and don’t break apart.
From: The Best Spiralizer
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTClever lunchbox
This adaptable, multi-compartment bento box makes packing a lunch easy (and, weirdly, more fun). They are microwave- and dishwasher-safe and come in many adorable colors, but they are not for liquidy lunches.
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Salt of the earth
The unglazed interior of this ceramic salt pig absorbs moisture, and the wide, curved opening provides easy access yet also protects salt from splashes and spills.
From: Hostess Gifts We Love
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTChichi chocolates
With perfectly executed flavors and an eye-popping array of shapes and textures, the Recchiuti Black Box is a tasty and beautiful splurge.
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Espresso press
The lightweight, compact AeroPress is the simplest way to make an excellent-tasting single cup of coffee, no electricity needed.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTClassic pepper mill
The Peugeot has been a favorite since it was introduced more than a century ago, and it’s still the best due to its ease of use, even grind, and classic look.
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From: The Best Pepper Mill
Superior cast iron
This affordable pan is lighter than a traditional cast-iron skillet and a little shallower. It’s an ideal shape for searing, roasting, and sautéing.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTInternational snacks
For a global connoisseur of nibbles, a Universal Yums subscription box offers a panoply of delightful snacks from a single country.
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Cutest vessel
Don’t be fooled: This cute enameled vessel with its chubby wooden handle isn’t just for butter. It also works as a small stovetop pot, as a bowl for soup or hot cocoa, or as a ladle or scoop.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTStuff stasher
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For minimalists, this zippered pouch holds essentials and stays put with a comfortable, stretchy band that tidily adjusts to fit most waists—no dangling tails.
From: The Best Running Belts
Deep massage
The Rush Roller’s diamond-shaped pattern of ridges addresses knots in specific muscle groups (calves, glutes, and so on) with precision.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTHangout spot
This great starter hammock is not only affordable, but at 12 ounces and 9.5 feet by 4.5 feet makes for a durable, ultralight option.
Stashable daypack
Toss this lightweight, phone-size packable bag into one’s luggage or coat pocket, and they’ll never get caught without a spare bag again.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTLight in the dark
The Spot 400 is an easy-to-use, bright-enough headlamp that provides long-lasting battery life and reliable performance, year after year.
From: The Best Headlamp
Outdoor seating
The Coleman camping chair is big, durable, and supremely comfortable.
From: The Best Camping Chairs
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSuper screwdriver
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
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Old-school thermos
Thanks to its handle, this thermos is easy to hold and pour from. It has a leakproof cap that holds a cup of coffee or tea, and it’s dishwasher-safe (if it fits in the machine).
From: The Best Thermos
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTCozy bag
This one-size-fits-many bag is roomy enough to fit layers underneath. The Sportneer is hard to wear when standing, but it’s great for all sorts of seated activities like reading and gaming.
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Weeding helper
The humble hori hori knife digs, cuts, saws, picks, and prods. This one has a durable, rust-resistant steel blade, a strong wood handle, and a synthetic-leather sheath.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTTravel companion
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Simple and solidly constructed, this three-cube set keeps your bag organized while you’re traveling.
From: The Best Packing Cubes
No more knots
Highlight
The tall memory-foam walls offer superior support, plus it is shaped to sit flush against a headrest and compresses to a manageable size.
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From: The Best Travel Pillows
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTKeep cool
This fan fits comfortably around the neck without being heavy, loud, or excessively gusty, and its battery lasts all day.
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Elegant implement
Designed in 1969, this classic cartridge pen is beautiful to behold. It’s also a delight to hold—with a comfortable hexagonal grip and a smooth writing tip.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTTrusty toothbrush
This rechargeable toothbrush has the most important features for a reasonable price: a two-minute timer with handy quadrant pacing and compatibility with the largest range of widely available replacement brush heads. It has a pressure sensor and a long-lasting battery.
Knot kneader
This curved fiberglass cane has six massage knobs that dial in pressure on hard-to-reach spots.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTJapanese paints
This set of 24 watercolor paints come in an elegant box and are made by a 117-year-old sumi ink manufacturer in Nara, Japan.
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From: Mother’s Day Gifts
Easy keyring
This simple and elegant key holder requires no prying or wrestling. The helix comes in brass, stainless, or black. Key fobs must be attached with a ring, though.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPleasingly purple
This toy offers strong vibrations, has a rechargeable battery, and comes with a 15-year warranty, all at a fraction of the price of similar models.
From: The Best Vibrators
Modern light
This sleek, seven-inch light is like a mini, modernist lighthouse. It comes in four muted colors, has a warm or cool light setting and a timer, and includes a USB charger.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTHappy-hued glasses
These delicate glasses come in several sizes and colors. They’re more breakable than tempered glassware if dropped, but since they’re made of borosilicate glass, they can be used for both hot and cold beverages.
From: The Best Drinking Glass
Subtly scented
The Apotheke Charcoal Candle has a sophisticated scent, an upscale aesthetic, and an extended burn time.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTGet the party started
This fast-paced, family-friendly card game kick-starts raucous fun. The Party edition has six all-new decks and hundreds of different categories, plus customizable blank cards for adding one’s own categories.
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From: The Best Board Games
The perfect mug
These durable and functional Japanese porcelain mugs nest for easy storage, and they come in a range of muted, coordinating tones.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTColorful coasters
Merino wool felt coasters absorb condensation and don’t stick to the bottom of glasses. They come in dozens of colors, too.
Superior slippers
These slippers are comfortable, soft, and more supportive than similarly priced slippers. They’re not made with animal products, but since synthetic fleece is less breathable than wool, they may cause sweaty feet.
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These slippers are comfortable, soft, and more supportive than similarly priced slippers. They’re not made with animal products, but since synthetic fleece is less breathable than wool, they may cause sweaty feet.
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From: The Best Slippers
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPersonalized puzzle
Enter any address and this company will create a 400-piece jigsaw puzzle map with the address at its center.
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Cute carryall
This durable tote comes with a 40-inch adjustable strap as well as top handles, giving you multiple carrying options.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSweetest fruit
These pineapples from Maui are consistently sweet and juicy, but the price makes them suitable for special occasions only.
Tiny tidier
A mini beechwood and horsehair broom set perfect for cleaning small messes like desktop crumbs. It also nests together for easy storage.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTRainbow maker
Suction this simple little machine to a sunny window, and the mini solar panel will spin the crystal, sending twinkling rainbows throughout the room.
From: Best Gifts for Mom
Bright tissue box
This brightly colored tissue box cover, from Brooklyn-based designer Dusen Dusen, has a cheerful visage on every side.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTDigital drawing pad
This is the most compatible, customizable, and precise graphics tablet that beginners can get for less than $100.
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
Meet your guide
![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/04/Samantha-Shoech.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=150)
Samantha Schoech
Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.
Mentioned above
- Our favorite food processor is, as it has been for a decade, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor. It’s a durable, no-frills kitchen workhorse.The Best Food Processor
- No matter where you want to mount it, we’ve got plenty of options to keep your phone safely in view while you’re driving.The Best Car Phone Mount
- We found five pairs of touchscreen gloves—in a range of styles and budgets—that will keep your hands toastier as you type.The Best Touchscreen Winter Gloves
- The UE Wonderboom 3 is the all-around best portable Bluetooth speaker because it sounds good and looks cool, and it’s the most rugged model we’ve tested.The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- The cheapest Apple Watch bands are uncomfortable and poorly made. We found great bands that look better, last longer, and don’t cost that much more.Apple Watch Bands We Like
- If you’re worried about losing your stuff, a Bluetooth-enabled tracker can help. We have recommendations for iPhone and Android users.The Best Bluetooth Tracker
Further reading
The 55 Best Gifts Under $25
by Samantha Schoech
We firmly believe gifts don’t have to be pricey to be stylish, useful, surprising, and delightful.
The 43 Best Gifts for Dads
by Samantha Schoech and Mari Uyehara
Whether he’s a coffee snob, a jazz enthusiast, or the rugged, outdoorsy type, these gifts for dads will make him smile.
The 50 Best Gifts Under $100
by Samantha Schoech
True delight and even a bit of luxury can be found for $100. Check out our picks.
50 Wirecutter Picks to Glow Up Your Bathroom for $50 or Less
by Wirecutter Staff
Your bathroom deserves to be the best room in your house—and with these under-$50 towels, tub trays, bidets, and more, you can make it happen on the cheap.
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