The best holiday gifts under $50
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality.
Brightland The Pair
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For the homebody
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Every item on this list is an NBC Select editor-favorite brand, products we’ve written about before or highly rated top sellers from past gift guides.
One of the best Bluetooth speakers of 2024, the Anker Soundcore 2 weighs less than 1 pound and is water-resistant, according to the brand, so it’s easy to carry around to parks, beaches, vacations — you name it. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves it because of its clear sound quality despite its budget friendly price. It comes in four colors and its battery can last up to 24 hours, according to Anker.
Quince is one of our favorite brands for both bedding and apparel. This oversized scarf is made from 100% Mongolian cashmere that’s available in nine solid colors and two striped patterns. “Quince cashmere feels really well made — especially considering its price point,” says NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider, who owns many pieces from the brand (some of which she’s bought herself, others of which were sent to her from the brand). “While I haven’t tried this scarf specifically, I have a lot of Quince’s cashmere and think it’s such a great buy.”
I love Rocketbook reusable notebooks because they allow me to take physical notes without wasting paper. Each one comes with a special pen and has whiteboard-like pages for you to write on. From there your giftee can write or doodle on them before uploading their notes to Google Drive, OneNote and Dropbox. Then they can erase the pages and start over.
Everyone knows someone who’s always losing their keys, wallet or suitcase. AirTags help Apple users locate their stuff using a built-in speaker or the Find My app on their phone. Many of our editors use them and love them for their convenience, easy setup and long battery life.
I use these syrups to make cafe-quality lattes at home. They’re delicious and a lot more affordable than spending $7 on a single cup from a local coffee shop. Each Proper syrup is sweetened with straightforward, natural ingredients like cane sugar and agave, according to the brand. They’re also gluten-free, vegan and come in tons of flavors — vanilla, pumpkin spice, pistachio, lavender and salted caramel — so your recipient can recreate their favorite popular drinks.
One of our favorite gifts for coffee lovers, these coasters are made from a diatomaceous stone material that absorbs moisture and dries fast to prevent watermarks on furniture, according to the brand. “Unlike other coasters I’ve tried, these instantly absorb any condensation that drips off my glasses, keeping my table totally dry,” says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin. “They’re also practically indestructible — I’ve dropped them dozens of times and they still look perfect.” They come in a set of four in your choice of two colors (slate and sandstone).
Using two acrylic blocks that clasp together with magnetics, this picture frame’s transparent design can fit in seamlessly with many home decor and office styles. It comes in four sizes to fit both small and large photographs and are available in various packs if you want to buy in bulk. You can give them a blank frame and let them pick what memory they want to display or you can pick and print your favorite photograph to go inside with a sweet note.
“One of the most luxurious ways I’ve been able to upgrade my apartment is with this diffuser I recently received as a gift — and with all of its technological features and abilities, I would have never guessed it cost less than $50,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez.
To use it, your giftee will plug it into an open outlet and it will release up to two fragrances in regular intervals throughout the day. The interchangeable scent bottles last for up to 120 hours each, and they can connect it to their phone to adjust its intensity and set timers, according to the brand. “My favorite thing is that most of my go-to brands, like Nest and Capri Blue, are available with the Pura, so I’m still getting my favorite scents, except these last longer than most of my candles.”
With a 4.4-star rating from over 1,100 Amazon reviewers, this sunset lamp projector is a unique gift for the person who has everything. Using a color-changing LED, a rotating head and a flexible tripod, it projects a sun-mimicking circle of light onto ceilings and walls. The USB cord has a remote control so your recipient can change its mode and brightness, but it also syncs up to a phone app for more customization options.
Leatherology makes practical, polished accessories from full-grain leather — many of which are customizable. This tee holder can store up to five tees in its slots and your giftee can attach it to their golf bag via its light gold-toned clip. It comes in five colors and if you’re okay with spending a little more money, you can add custom debossed initials for an additional $15.
This adjustable cell phone stand has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 63,000 reviews on Amazon. Your giftee can place their phone on it while watching videos, reading recipes, video chatting their loved ones or charging their phone. It’s made from aluminum with grippy silicone pads and cut-outs for the charging cord, plus they can adjust the viewing angle 270 degrees.
It’s one of our go-to Mother’s Day gifts, but this photo book would also make a great holiday gift for best friends, frequent travelers or new parents. You can customize the size, cover color, foil color and interior photos to create a one-of-a-kind book filled with personal memories.
This Brightland set comes with two fruity, double-fermented vinegars: Rapture (a balsamic made from zinfandel grapes and blackberries) and Parasol (a raw champagne vinegar made from chardonnay grapes and oranges). “Brightland’s vinegars are super flavorful, so I drizzle them over salads and breads to make sure I can fully taste them,” says Malin. “The bottles they come in are also beautiful. I leave them out in my kitchen as decor.”
Handmade in Japan, these mini glass accessories give your favorite sushi lover a chic, sanitary spot to rest their chopsticks. They come in a set of five so if they want to use them when they have company, each of their guests can have one.
This recovery set comes with three lightweight massage balls to ease tension and boost post-workout recovery, according to Lululemon. They’re made from a blend of dense foam and rubber, and each ball has a different texture to massage muscles in various ways. The set also includes a mesh drawstring bag for storage and portability.
“Upgrading someone’s everyday essentials — like hand soap and sanitizer — is one of my favorite types of gifts,” says Schneider. “Aesop is a brand that always falls into that category for me. Their stuff is expensive, but it feels special so I think it’s a great option for the holidays.” This hand balm, which has a citrus, woody, herbaceous aroma, is designed to hydrate and soften dry hands and cuticles without leaving a greasy residue, according to Aesop.
NBC commerce editor Jordan Bowman loves Buck Mason T-shirts because they’re made from soft but durable cotton that holds its shape after multiple washes. “This has the perfect vintage feel,” he says. “The texture gives it a nice bit of character and the shirt drapes and hangs nicely with a classic cut. I’ve owned this tee for over two years and it’s been one of my favorites ever since.” It’s made from loose-knit cotton and comes in nine colors and six size options.
This gift box includes five 4-ounce samples of whole-bean coffee: Brazil Beleza, Colombia San Roque, Bowery Blend, Ethiopia Myth Maker and Ethiopia Yirgachefe. La Colombe’s roasting team chose each one due to its medium-light roast and sweet, fruity flavors, according to the brand. “La Colombe is by far one of my favorite coffee roasters — the coffee has tons of flavor and tastes smooth without any bitterness,” says Godio. Needless to say, it’s a thoughtful assortment for the coffee lover in your life.
I own three Echo devices — one for my kitchen, one for my bedroom and one for my office — so I can control my lights, check my calendar, set timers, play music and ask for weather updates from anywhere in my house. The 5th Gen Echo Dot, despite how compact it is, has good sound quality, in my experience. Since it’s compatible with tons of apps and products, it’ll also help your favorite techie turn their home into a smart home.
“I can wear these sunglasses on 10+ mile runs and never have to adjust them once,” says Malin. “Their lenses are polarized enough that they protect my eyes from the sun, but not so polarized that it drastically darkens my environment.” NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz also has the polarized lenses and likes how well they stay in place: “Because they’re grippy and rubberized, they never slide off my face,” he says.
“My apartment got ten times cuter when I purchased this plywood tissue box cover years ago,” says Schneider. “I’m obsessed with Dusen Dusen’s patterns — they’re always so bright and interesting; plus the box has held up extraordinarily well over the years. It still looks brand new.”
Some of the best under-eye patches, these Topicals eye masks are designed to brighten and de-puff under-eyes using niacinamide and caffeine. They have a non-slip, non-gooey texture that won’t slide around your giftee’s face, plus they’re safe for sensitive skin. This set includes six pairs.
Whether you’re shopping for a student, avid traveler, techie or organization enthusiast, you can’t go wrong with this Baggu flat pouch set. Each order includes three pouches (one small, one medium, and one large), all made from recycled nylon with zippers. You can get them in your choice of seven patterns and color combinations — all of which are machine washable.
Your giftee can attach this Away pouch to any bag so they e can easily access their cash, credit cards, keys or earbuds on the go. It’s made from leather, is available in eight colors and has a 4-inch diameter that’s compact and convenient.
The Yeti Rambler is one of our go-to reusable water bottles — though your giftee can put any drink they want in it. It’s double-wall vacuum insulated to preserve the temperature of liquids; it can keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cool, for hours, according to Yeti. It comes in three sizes and ample color options, and you can customize it with your giftee’s favorite NFL team for an additional $10 per side.
Parachute makes some of the best cozy, supportive slippers, according to our editors, Available in neutral colors, these unisex slippers are made from Turkish cotton terry and have a rubber sole that can withstand moisture, according to Parachute, so your giftee can wear them to pick up the mail and stand outside. They’re also machine-washable.
This money clip is made from titanium, giving it a durable but springy quality, according to Craighill. Its curved shape is inspired by the hairpin turn at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the brand, and it comes in bronze, silver or black.
Patagonia’s mini fanny pack is made from the same lightweight, weather-resistant recycled nylon as its weekender bag, which won an NBC Select Travel Award for best large-capacity duffel. Sold in eight colors, the mini bag has two organization pockets and an adjustable strap so that your giftee can wear it around their waist or across their chest while traveling, hiking or attending concerts.
Help your favorite travelers relive their favorite trips with these national park candles. With scents like Acadia, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Everblades, each one’s inspired by the trees, plants and flora of its named park. They’re made from soy wax with essential oils and balsa wood wicks, all in an aluminum tin with a vintage-style label.
Available in five designs and size options, this tortilla throw blanket is both functional and fun spirited. It’s made from machine-washable fleece and has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 67,000 reviews on Amazon.
This Scrabble board is compact and specifically designed for travel. It has built-in squares that hold letter pieces in place so you can use it while in a moving vehicle. “This board folds in half and fits all the pieces inside it, so it’s easy to carry during a road trip or a flight,” says Aksha Mittapalli, NBC Select editorial intern. “It’s also just a gorgeous board, with a wood case and colored squares that indicate the specific number of points it awards.”
“Within minutes of turning this warmer on, it begins to melt the wax of my candle and diffuse its scent throughout my home,” says Malin. “I find that my candles give off a much more prominent scent when I use my candle warmer instead of lighting them, and overall, they last longer. I also love that it also acts as a lamp in my home, and is a beautiful piece of decor.” This lamp has a wooden base and has an automatic shut-off function with an adjustable timer. You can also change its brightness and control how fast you want your candle to melt, according to the brand.
This 3-in-1 charger has wireless magnetic snaps to keep your tech in place when charging. “I bought myself this on Black Friday and with it, I can charge my phone, Apple watch and Airpods all at once,” says Mittapalli. “Once I’m done I can then fold it up and put it away in my desk.” All three of those devices can reach at least 50% battery after 70 minutes of charging, according to the brand.
With this 758-piece Lego plant set your giftee can build nine plants in accompanying terracotta pots. Some plants are more difficult to build than others — the tallest plant measures 6.5 inches high — so it’s a great pick for both kids and adults. The set comes with digital building instructions, too.
This hand warmer comes in eight colors and has three heat levels (up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit) to best suit their needs. Best of all: the palm-sized warmers are rechargeable via a USB-C port so your giftee can use them over and over again, whether on daily dog walks, hikes, sports tailgates or more.
I’m an e-commerce writer and editor who writes for Bustle, Food & Wine, Elite Daily, Allure, The Zoe Report and more. This is my third year writing holiday gift guides for NBC Select.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter for NBC Select who curated the gifts in this article. She chose items based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated items from brands we love.
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