The Best Gifts Under $50 That’ll Convince People You Actually Spent More

Substantial, stylish, and surprisingly affordable.
Morgan Bulman Avatar
gift guide collage with boxed candles, orange throw blanket, wavy wood bowl, mini basket, and brass cruet

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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 gifts under $50, 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 collaboration—all highlights of our roster.

The Best Gifts Under $50

Mole Hollow 10-Inch Taper Candles, Box of 12

Mole Hollow Candles Granny Smith Green 10-Inch Taper Candles, Box of 12, Lostine

$46

A boxed set of tapers so handsome your giftee won’t want to burn them. The Granny Smith apple–hued candles are hand-dipped and both dripless and smokeless. The crowd-pleasing kicker? Twelve of them won’t set you back more than $50.

Ro-Smit Serving Bowl

Ro-Smit Serving Plate, Goodee

$130 $45.50

If they already have spiffy dinnerware, go with a gift that will help build their stylish ceramics collection instead. This stoneware serving bowl is ethically made by Nepali artisans using clay from the Kathmandu Valley. Plus it’s dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe.

Crate & Barrel Tondo Wood Cutting Board

Tondo Wood Cutting Board, Crate & Barrel

$49

Who wants a normal cutting board when you can gift this curvy cutie from Crate & Barrel? Its large surface area and handle means the solid wood chopping block can double as a serving platter that they’ll be able to easily tote from kitchen to table and back.

Grown Alchemist Giving Body Cleanser & Cream Gift

Giving Body Cleanser & Cream Gift, Grown Alchemist

$82 $44

This duo from Grown Alchemist utilizes ingredients from nature to decongest, cleanse, and replenish moisture. The well-packaged bundle includes a body cleanser scented with chamomile, bergamot, and rose, and a body cream with hints of mandarin and rosemary leaf. Their bathroom will look spiffed up as soon as they set these two on the vanity.

Marimekko Ketunmarja Plate

Uimari Plate, Marimekko

$35

We consider a statement plate a surefire gift under $50 for holiday hosts—especially one hailing from an iconic Finnish design house. Marimekko’s Uimari plate features designer Erja Hirvi’s work, in which wavy stripes were cut out from paper before permanently patterning the surface.

Sprezz Whimsical Oil Bottle

Whimsical Oil Bottle, Sprezz

$45

Designed for Ichendorf by artist Astrid Luglio, this artful vessel is handblown from borosilicate glass. Tie the statement-making kitchen staple together with a silky ribbon and their favorite bottle of EVOO.

Cirerie de Gascogne Candles 

Cirerie de Gascogne Candles, Jayson Home

$40

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.  

Paint Anywhere Milos by Hebe Studio Paint by Numbers Framed Mini

Milos by Hebe Studio Paint by Numbers Framed Mini, Paint Anywhere

$36

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 this transportive mini print of Milos, Greece.

Oliver Bonas Pomegranate Gold Cocktail Picks

Pomegranate Gold Cocktail Picks, Oliver Bonas

$36

Elevate someone’s bar cart with this playful pomegranate cocktail set by cheeky British homewares brand Oliver Bonas.

Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life

Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life, Amazon

$37.50 $24.49

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

Ichendorf Milano Set of Tumblers, Ssense

$45

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 

Go Pouch Set, Baggu

$40

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

Simone Marbleized Stoneware Serving Platter, Crate & Barrel

$39.95

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  

Studio Simple Concrete Candleholders (Set of 2), Serax

$34

Another tabletop gift idea that won’t break the bank is 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

The Conran Shop Wavy Picture Frame, Nordstrom

$35

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-Blend Throw, H&M

$36.99

We didn’t think we’d see a wool throw make our list of the best gifts under $50, but lo and behold H&M Home has us covered. 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 

Hay Suede Oven Glove, Design Within Reach

$45 $31.50

According to one reviewer, this suede oven mitt is “stylish and functional and a workhorse in the kitchen.” Sounds like the markings of a great gift to us, especially when it’s 30% off. Another feature we appreciate is an easy hanging loop to show off the different colors on each side.  

Atelier Saucier Apéritif Fleur Royale Cocktail Napkins

Fleur Royale Cocktail Napkins, Atelier Saucier

$48

You’re all but guaranteed to make your giftee’s future happy hours happier with these embellished houndstooth cocktail napkins crafted from premium reclaimed fabric. But the beaded florals are what truly makes this four-piece set a cut above the rest.

Anthropologie x House of Hackney Cocktail Shaker

House of Hackney Cocktail Shaker, Anthropolgie

$38

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 Original EVOO & Balsamic Vinegar Duo

Original EVOO & Balsamic Vinegar Duo, Kosterina

$43.90

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. It won’t require any wrapping—the elegant bottles are beautiful enough to give with a bow tied around their necks.

Alessi Tibidabo Spaghetti Serving Fork 

Alessi Tibidabo Spaghetti Serving Fork, Amazon

$36

A big fork for big meals. If your giftee hosts family dinners, this stylish server will dish out pasta with pizzazz. One reviewer 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

Sonder & Holliday The Micro Victoria Basket No.1, Moda Operandi

$35

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

Frieling USA 18/8 Stainless Steel Teapot, Amazon

$49.95 $39.99

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 

Briught New Desk Gift Set, Papier

$45

We always appreciate chic stationery 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 

Mela Artisans Large Wooden Scalloped Bowl, Amazon

$34.99

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 compliment magnet. 

Dusen Dusen Everybody Umbrella

Dusen Dusen Everybody Umbrella, Areaware

$46

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

Mid-Century Modern Tin, Anecdote Candles

$34

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 ochre-colored label only adds to the effect. 

Giadzy Italian Happy Hour Kit

Italian Happy Hour Kit, Giadzy

$45

Our best-gifts-under-$50 list would not be complete without a Christmas gift basket. 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

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen & Yayoi Kusama, Amazon

$31.99

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

Dusen Dusen Herb Striped Napkin Set, Bight Night

$45

While napkins are not necessarily the most surprising addition to our roster of best gifts under $50, these aren’t just any old napkins. The set of mix-and-match stripes is a new style from Domino-favorite designer Dusen Dusen. Crafted from cotton, the linens are 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

Brass Oil Cruet, Hawkins New York

$38

This canonical stainless steel cruet 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.”