26 Gifts Under $25 Worth Tucking Under the Tree (They’re That Good)
Fancy plant food and dappled-ceramic bowls.
Updated Dec 12, 2022 6:41 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 can often skew too cheeky or chintzy. Our picks in this category deliver more than you expect when it comes to their unique quality and under-tree appeal.
There’s natural jasmine-scented soap that stands on one end, a fish-shaped platter just right for conservas, mod cocktail napkins—and those are just the tip of the iceberg. Read ahead for these affordable heavy hitters and more.
Salsa Grow Kit
The rewards for receiving the Salsa Grow Kit are twofold: The plant lover in your life gets a jump-start on their indoor garden while simultaneously earning bragging rights for making homegrown salsa. Multiple reviewers love the packaging and the reasonable price point, but they really appreciate the photo updates of their loved ones’ growing gardens.
Color Dept Nail Polish
Eco-friendly polish from a woman-owned business that’s bottled in a chic container? For the mani-pedi–loving pal, Color Dept’s veggie-infused (to give your nails a nutrient boost) colors—like this rich, mistletoe-inspired shade—are a no-brainer and only $10. That means you can add on the clear top coat for a $20 gift. The polish is rated 5 stars, and one commenter raves, “The perfect deep green shade for winter! Surprised I only needed one coat, too.” Plus if you happen to procrastinate when it comes to finding presents, this pair will ship for free in two days when you shop through Revolve.
Aster Catchall Dish
Help your giftee introduce some style to storage options with this glass catchall dish from Urban Outfitters. The retro-inspired rectangular silhouette paired with a puddle shape is the perfect combination to keep jewelry and other small personal items well organized.
The World of John Derian Wall Calendar 2023
Made of illustrations from antiques books, this John Derian offering is considered nostalgia in calendar form by style editor Julia Stevens. For only $16, each monthly image ushers in an individual emotion, including the joy-inducing shell drawing for June—a real reward for making it through winter.
The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior
A coffee-table–worthy surprise for any fashion devotee. Christian Dior’s “little book” is sized to fit inside a handbag and contains 128 pages packed with the iconic designer’s style tips, illustrations, and photography.
Kate Spade Vegan Leather Luggage Tag
Clad in a peppy striped pattern, this vegan leather luggage tag measures 7-by-2.6 inches and has a 4.8-star rating among Amazon reviewers, who describe it as “sturdy,” “easy to use,” and “high quality.” It comes with a paper insert for your personal info and a privacy tab to tuck it out of sight. The tag is also embellished with gold metal hardware to guarantee your giftee’s luggage won’t blend in with all the other bags on the airport carousel.
Serax Fish and Fish Glass Platter
Fish-shaped things just have a certain je ne sais quoi that makes for charming gift material. This glass herring platter was dreamed up for Serax by the avant-garde architect-designer Paola Navone.
Ichendorf Milano Watering Ball
While we’re on the topic of good-looking and budget-friendly glass creations, behold an elegant watering ball by Italian glassware company Ichendorf Milano. The thoughtful handblown design can be filled with water and inserted into the soil of a plant for extended hydration. It’s perfect for forgetful plant parents or frequent vacationers.
Anthropologie Seeing Stars Zodiac Book
On our search for the best gifts under $25, we were delighted to discover this coffee-table–worthy book that packs a personalized punch. Stella Andromeda’s Seeing Stars offers giftees a detailed guide to their zodiac sign via 112 pages of astrological history and insights. “I have bought this book now three times for three different friends, as it is truly the perfect little yet personal gift!” one reviewer raves.
Areaware Little Puzzle Thing: Shrimp
If shrimp isn’t their thing, opt for any one of Areaware’s affordable design-forward puzzles you can easily order on Amazon. Other crowd-pleasing highlights include a 70-piecer papaya and juicy hamburger.
Rachel Kozlowski Dapper Animal Works of Art Salad Plate
For animal lovers, art lovers, salad lovers, or just anyone with a good sense of humor, we offer you the gift idea of a dapper-animal plate. Designer Rachel Kozlowski created these downright delightful dinnerware pieces in collaboration with West Elm. They’re made of porcelain, can be safely stuck in the dishwasher, and are available in four different masterpiece styles.
Baudelaire Silk Sea Sponges
Here’s a thoughtful, unique gift idea: two little sea sponges that were ethically hand-harvested in the Gulf of Mexico. Touted for being “particularly soft and gentle,” the sponges can be put to use in skin-care regimens, from facial cleansing to makeup removal. “I love this. I got it as a gift, and now I’ve started gifting it to everyone. I use it to wash and exfoliate my face, and boy is it refreshing! It’s a great way to pamper yourself daily,” one pleased reviewer raves.
Corpus Natural Cleansing Bar
If status soap were a thing, then the Corpus Natural Cleansing Bar would take the gift-worthy cake. Each bar contains a hydrating and nourishing combination of extra virgin olive, marula, and squalane oils, transforming your ordinary face-cleansing routine into a luxurious experience.
Daiyo Rice Wax Candles
A refreshing twist on the more expected candle-in-a-votive gift. This colorful set of 10 is sustainably made in Japan from 100% rice bran wax dipped in vibrant dyes. The burn time for each 1.8-inch-tall stick is 15 minutes, making it the perfect accompaniment for a short meditation, yoga, or stretching session.
Anna + Nina Cocktail Napkins
Are you looking for a groovy gift idea for a groovy host? If so, we suggest a set of organic cotton napkins crafted by the cool Amsterdam-based lifestyle brand Anna + Nina.
Nopalera Cactus Soap
Since reviewers of this handmade soap call it the “best soap ever,” we figured it deserved a spot on our list of the best gifts under $25 (ever). Drawing inspiration from the nopal cactus (an ancient Mexican symbol), Nopalera’s founder, Sandra Velasquez, infuses the nourishing plant into all of her products. The Planta Futura bar boasts such skin-softening ingredients as shea butter and coconut oil. According to one reviewer, the soap has helped their dry skin and contains a great lemongrass scent that’s not overly fragrant.
Our Place Hot Grips
This one clocks in right at $25 but is worth including due to its pretty aesthetic and practical nature. The sustainably made silicone grips are designed to provide hot-pot protection for your hands and feature a custom fit with Our Place’s best-selling cookware.
Nylon Pantone Key Chain
Help them keep better track of their keys with a substantial nylon chain awash in an assortment of vibrant Pantone colors. The extra-long accessory hails from Copenhagen Design, a Danish-based company in creative partnership with the eponymous color institute.
Baby Seal Bank
Your giftee won’t find a more delightful way to store loose change than this baby seal. Made in Pertunmaa Kuortti, Finland, from molded plastic, the bank is fashioned after a classic Finnish design from the 1970s.
Bask Suncare SPF 30 Lotion
When gifting SPF lotion with a slogan like “the world’s best-feeling sunscreen,” it’s tough to misstep. This travel-size tube is said to smell like a vacation, featuring organic reef–safe ingredients reviewers claim they actually look forward to rubbing on their skin.
Jayson Home Antipasti Bowl
A dappled ceramic antipasti bowl…handmade in Puglia, Italy…for under $25?! It exists—and it’s going to look just wonderful serving up a pile of your giftee’s favorite pasta.
Quality Playing Cards
Like a really good bottle of olive oil, a really good deck of cards is something worth keeping on hand. Your giftee will appreciate this substantial pack by Misc. Goods Co. Each of the 56 playing cards is artfully crafted out of coated paper with blind embossing and gold-foil details.
Flourish Plant Food
Don’t let the hip packaging fool you: This is not a health tonic for humans—instead it’s a health tonic for their plants. A unique gift idea for your green-thumb friends and family, this naturally derived blend of nutrients and microbes promotes plant growth and flowering or fruit production.
The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories
Sometimes the best gift under $25 is simply a collection of stories. This stirring anthology of classic Christmas tales includes the work of Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, and Anton Chekhov. While the paperback version of the book is available now, the more gift-worthy hardcover is set to debut on November 8 (mark your calendar!).
Public Goods Mini Candle Set
Leave it to Public Goods to sustainably craft a $13 candle trio that’s ready to be upcycled into sleek little storage vessels post-use. Each glass votive is topped with an acacia-wood lid and comes filled with a blend of natural soy wax and essential oils. “I bought these to wrap individually as gifts. Love the look, love the smell!” one reviewer writes. Others plug the scents—lavender and vanilla, cedar and suede, and black currant—as subtle and refreshing.
CB2 Bread Basket
Whether your recipient chooses to fill this bread basin with actual gluten, fruit, or household odds and ends, it will make for an eye-catching decor piece they’ll never guess cost only $4. The basket is hand-knotted in India from durable iron wire with an elevated black finish.