68 Best Cheap Gift Ideas Under $25 in 2024
Written by James Brains ; edited by Lauren Savoie Updated 2024-12-16T16:12:12Z Share icon An curved arrow pointing right. Share Facebook Email X LinkedIn Copy Link lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Article Icon A bookmark Save Read in app Dash, Amazon; Business Insider When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
It may be a cliché adage, but it’s true: Regarding gifts, it’s the thought that counts. Whether you’re on a budget or don’t want to go overboard, it’s reasonable to spend under $25. No matter who you’re shopping for, there are many great, thoughtful options.
To simplify things, we’ve curated a list of affordable finds across various categories, including fashion, food, home, beauty, tech, and everything in between. We even thought outside the box with gifts you might not have thought to give, like lottery tickets that give proceeds back to charity. From practical gifts like a handheld milk frother or a self-filtering water bottle to meaningful handcrafted art, we’ve got you (and your wallet) covered.
As the holidays approach, check the shipping details of your gifts to ensure they will arrive on time.
This gift guide includes a sponsored product that has been suggested by The Bombas. It also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*
A box of mouthwatering bonbons Bon Bon Bon Bon Bon Bon Dark Chocolate Box, available at Bon Bon Bon
The decadent Bon Bon Bon truffles will please any chocolate lover with their playful use of textures and flavors. This affordable box features flavors like Cherry Lux, High Tea, and Coffee & Donuts.
For more ideas, check out our guide to the best chocolates .
A stovetop coffee maker Amazon Imusa Aluminum Stovetop Coffee Maker, available at Amazon
A stovetop coffee maker, or moka pot, is the perfect gift for the lovers of strong coffee on your list. This one costs much less than most yet still produces rich brews. That’s why it’s the budget pick in our best stovetop espresso maker guide.
Cozy, colorful socks Bombas Bombas Women’s Calf Socks, available at Bombas
Socks are a universal gift. This colorfully patterned pick will make anyone smile. Soft but not too thick, Bombas’ Calf Socks features a honeycomb arch to help support their feet all day long.
*Sponsored by Bombas
A desktop space heater for weathering the cold months James Brains/Insider Lasko MyHeat Personal Mini Space Heater, available at Amazon
This tiny and unobtrusive heater is perfect for any desk and provides instant heat when winter temperatures dip. It’s perfect for a home office or to bring to work, giving your loved one a little added warmth. Its impressive performance earned the MyHeat a spot in our best space heaters guide.
A cute ice cream maker Amazon Dash My Mug Electric Ice Cream Maker, available at Amazon
When you give the Dash My Mug Electric Ice Cream Maker, the recipient can have a single serving of custom-made ice cream whenever they want. It’s simple to use and can also make sorbet, frozen yogurt, and gelato.
A special message from an internet celebrity Cameo Personalized video, available at Cameo
Cameo offers tons of personalized video options for under $25. You can have Santa (full disclosure: it may not be the real Santa), a cute kitten, celebrity lookalikes, and others create a personalized message for your loved one.
A must-have Taylor Swift book Amazon Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras, available at Amazon
This is the perfect gift for any Swiftie, especially those who are into fashion. “Taylor Swift Style” explores the pop star’s fashion choices throughout her illustrious career.
A personalized charcuterie board CopperFoxCompany/Etsy Copper Fox Company Personalized Charcuterie Board, available at Etsy
Simple but thoughtful, this personalized serving board adds a bit of elegance to any gathering.
An ambient moon lamp Amazon 3D Moon Lamp, available at Amazon
This realistic moon lamp brightens their room with a soothing ambient glow. Whether they use it as a subtle night light or a room accessory, they’ll have fun matching the lamp to their mood with its 16 color options.
A crock pot that’s perfect for small meals Target Crock-Pot 4.5-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, available at Target
There’s no denying the ease and handiness of a Crock-Pot, but you don’t always need to make a family-sized portion. This 4.5-quart cooker is great for small meals as well as dips — and it takes up minimal counter space.
A realistic cereal bowl candle Amazon iLikePar Cereal Bowl Scented Soy Candle, available at Amazon
This cereal bowl-shaped candle makes for a whimsical and fun decor while filling their space with a sweet French vanilla scent.
A daily journal that’s easy to keep up with Amazon The Gratitude Journal, available at Amazon
Starting a mindful habit is easy with this five-minute gratitude journal. They can jot down affirmations and moments of gratitude twice daily and feel inspired in no time.
A mini waffle maker Crystal Cox/Insider Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available at Amazon
This tiny waffle maker is perfect for single-serving breakfasts or meal prep. We ranked it our favorite miniature waffle maker in this guide . It’s compact for confined spaces, heats up in a few minutes, and has a non-stick surface that’s easy to clean.
A sparkly eyeshadow Target ColourPop Super Shock Eyeshadow, available at Target
Makeup lovers will swoon over this sparkly eyeshadow available in 15 different bright shades. Plus, ColourPop’s Super Shock formula is bouncy, blendable, and basically foolproof to apply.
A coffee mug warmer Amazon Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer, available at Amazon
The days of constantly reheating their morning cup of coffee are over. This mug warmer sits perfectly on a desk and keeps their beverage of choice warm for hours.
A reflective card game that encourages connection Target We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game, available at Target , Amazon , and Barnes & Noble
This card game is unlike any they’ve played before. Its three carefully crafted levels of questions spark connections and stimulate reflective conversations. They’ll leave the game making friends out of strangers or diving deeper into their friendships.
Unique handcrafted art Odin Parker Handmade Felt Herbs, available at Odin Parker
Whoever you gift these to doesn’t need a green thumb to keep these cute felt plants alive, making them an even sweeter, thoughtful gift. They make great decorations in the kitchen, a bedroom, or anywhere around the house.
A letterboard for lists, quotes, and milestone events Target Threshold 14″x 14″ Letterboard, available at Target
This square letter board gives birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or dinner parties a personalized touch. The light grain finish offers a sleek, modern look that matches different living spaces.
A desktop tripod and phone mount Target heyday Desktop Tripod + Phone Mount, available at Target
Whether they’re a content creator or just want a hands-free option for their smartphone, this tripod and mount will come in handy.
A towel with a design of their city West Elm Claudia Pearson City Tea Towels, available at West Elm
Brooklyn artist Claudia Pearson has illustrated everything from children’s books to New Yorker pages to tea towels. Her quirky hand-drawn city maps add a sentimental touch to any kitchen.
Flameless candles for cozy ambience Amazon Flickering Flameless Candles, available at Amazon
These flameless LED candles feature a realistic flicker effect and bring warmth and ambiance to any space.
A no-mess nail polish remover Olive & June Polish Remover Pot, available at Olive and June
Removing nail polish has never been easier with this innovative, no-mess method from Olive & June. They dip their finger into the pot and twist to fully remove the polish in seconds.
A milk frother that brings home the taste of a cafe Amazon PowerLix Milk Frother, available at Amazon and Walmart
A milk frother is an unexpectedly convenient tool to have around the house, and it can make a frothy latte or cappuccino that tastes closer to what they’d find at the café.
We’re huge fans of this one in particular and even ranked it the best handheld in our guide to the best milk frothers .
A chic bedside water carafe Amazon Sizikato Clear Green Glass Water Carafe, available at Amazon
Staying hydrated has never been so chic. This glass carafe is ideal for your bedside and comes with a cup that fits neatly on top of the bottle when not in use.
A two-pack of Momofuku soy and tamari sauce Momofuku Momofuku Soy Sauce & Tamari 2-Pack, available at Momofuku
Chef David Chang, the founder of Momofuku, did one of the best things he could for his line of restaurants: make the ingredients he uses available to purchase. This soy sauce and tamari combo pack is easy on the wallet but big on the taste buds.
An eco-friendly portable cutlery set VISParadiseGoods/Etsy VIS Paradise Goods Portable Cutlery Set, available at Etsy
Reduce their single-use plastic with this cute reusable cutlery set. Available in bright colors, it’s great for traveling, camping, or the office.
A popular overnight lip mask Sephora Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, available at Amazon and Laneige
Laneige’s hyper-successful Lip Sleeping Mask combines vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, minerals, antioxidants, and fruit extracts to form a protective layer over the lips to lock in moisture overnight.
Read our full Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask review .
A cute knit beanie Urban Outfitters Jessie Essential Ribbed Beanie, available at Urban Outfitters
Complete their winter look with this extremely warm beanie that feels as cozy as if made by grandma. This holiday season will feel a little less cold each time they step outside with this stylish beanie.
A popcorn kit for an epic movie night Amazon Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn Kit, available at Amazon
Note: Standard shipping may arrive after Christmas, but pickup is available.
Upgrade their movie night snacking with this delicious popcorn kit. It features three types of kernels and five seasoning blends, from spicy to sweet.
Bourbon vanilla extract for next-level recipes Williams Sonoma Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract, available at Amazon , Williams Sonoma , and Walmart
This richly flavored vanilla extract will amp up various recipes, from baked goods to indulgent coffee drinks.
A fun, classic word game Target Bananagrams, available at Target and Amazon
If they like Scrabble, they’ll love this word game that rewards creativity just as much as a wide vocabulary. Even better, it comes in an adorable banana-shaped pouch that’s easy to pack for trips or visits.
Trendy wine glasses to elevate dinner Crate & Barrel Hip Wine Glasses, available at Crate & Barrel
Nothing screams elegance more than a nice set of wine glasses. Crate & Barrel’s stemware styles are the perfect guests to accompany their next dinner or night in.
The self-confessional book they can burn after writing Amazon “Burn After Writing” by Sharon Jones, available at Amazon and Target
This bestseller went viral across TikTok because of its unique approach to self-reflection. With inquisitive prompts, the notebook is a giant confessional you can burn after writing. It’s also one of our favorite guided journals .
A large photo print of a meaningful memory Artifact Uprising Large Format Prints, available at Artifact Uprising
Artifact Uprising makes luxury prints at accessible prices — and they make especially thoughtful gifts that look like they should cost much more. Get one of their favorite photos printed on archival fine art paper or thoughtful cards .
Coasters made from reclaimed vinyl records Uncommon Goods Upcycled Record Coasters, available at Amazon
These upcycled coasters are made from reclaimed vinyl records and sealed against moisture. Each set includes a variety of music genres. Our firsthand testing shows they’re among the best coasters you can buy.
A travel-size duo of two cult-favorite NARS products Sephora NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil Duo, available at NARS
NARS’ velvet matte lipstick pencils are travel-sized, so your giftee can bring them on trips or easily throw them into purses and pockets for on-the-go use. The formula is non-drying and long-lasting, and these lipsticks can be used to line, define, and fill in lips with colors that range from subtle to rich.
A pure silk pillowcase that’ll tame bedhead Amazon ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, available at Amazon
Crafted from organic mulberry silk, this pillowcase is gentle and cool on hair and skin. Plus, you can choose from 36 colors to match their bedding.
A huge bottle of cold brew concentrate Amazon Javy Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, available at Amazon
The coffee lover in your life will undoubtedly appreciate this gift. Javy comes in various flavors, and its concentrated formula gives the drinker more bang and caffeine for their buck.
A hydrating lip balm set Jack Black Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Trio, available at Amazon and Jack Black
A lip balm set is a perfect gift for any beauty lover. Each flavored lip balm is infused with vitamin E and green tea and provides SPF protection.
A tie-dye kit for a fun art project Amazon Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit, available at Amazon
Tie-dye clothing continues to stick around, but they don’t have to spend a fortune on a tie-dye sweatshirt to join in on the trend. This easy kit gives them the gift of a fun passion project or a hands-on activity with friends. It comes with five colors of dye, gloves, and rubber bands.
A reusable shopping bag that comes in tons of fun colors Baggu Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag, available at Baggu
Baggu bags are popular for a reason — they come in over 40 fun prints and fold down to pretty much nothing , even though they can hold 50 pounds of stuff.
A trio of face mists for freshening up their skin Ulta Mario Badescu Spritz. Mist. Glow. Facial Spray Set, available at Ulta and Amazon
Gifting beauty products like moisturizers and foundations can be challenging because everyone has specific skin types and shades. However, face mists are your best bet if they’re obsessed with skincare and need something refreshing. We can’t get enough of Mario Badescu, and its mists are no exception. In our guide to the best face mists , you can learn more about Mario Badescu sprays.
A bedside storage essential Uncommon Goods Bedside Essentials Pocket, available at Uncommon Goods
Whether it’s remote controls, books, or reading glasses, their bedside or couch essentials will fit perfectly in this convenient felt pouch. It slides between their mattress or under their couch cushion without looking like an eyesore.
A set of three silk hair scrunchies Sephora Slipsilk Mini Scrunchies, available at Nordstrom
Silk is often used in products like headbands and pillowcases to reduce friction and breakage of hair, and these hair ties serve the same purpose. Designed to keep hair from catching, crimping, and pulling, these hair scrunchies are gentle on strands and around the wrist.
An array of spontaneous date night ideas Amazon da Vinci’s Room Mystery Date, available at Amazon
Never run out of fun and new date night ideas — and take some of the pressure off deciding on an activity.
A Disney+ subscription Alyssa Powell/Business Insider Subscription, available at Disney+
A Disney+ subscription gives you unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, “Star Wars,” National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. Read everything there is to know about Disney+ .
Herbs de Provence in a cool ceramic crock Herbes de Provence Herbes de Provence in Ceramic Crock, available at Williams Sonoma
Switch it up for the cook in your life with this tasty herb mix. The classic blend of thyme, basil, savory, fennel, and lavender hails from the South of France, and Williams Sonoma recommends using it to accent poultry, meat, sauces, and soups.
A protective phone case Nordstrom Incase Protective Cases, available at Amazon
Incase is known for its sturdy laptop cases, and its phone and AirPod cases are great for many of the same reasons. They’re lightweight, add another layer of protection, and allow for some fun personalization.
A cult-favorite clay mask that basically vacuums pores Amazon Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask, available at Target
The Aztec Clay Mask has been called “the world’s most powerful facial.” It can be mixed with water, but it works best with some apple cider vinegar.
Read our full Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask review .
Reusable straws that fold up on the go Amazon Get It Right Silicone Reusable Tumbler Straws, available at Amazon
Get It Right’s reusable straw sets come in a pretty color palette, and each pack includes carrying cases and cleaning squeegees. They can toss one set in their bag, leave one at work, and keep one in the car.
A hydrating serum that plumps and moisturizes skin Target The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, available at Target
This Hyaluronic Acid serum is a must-have product for those with dry or sensitive skin during these upcoming cold days. It deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it plumper and moisturized. It’s also one of the best products we’ve ever tested .
An approachable cookbook that’s great for hosting Amazon “Where Cooking Begins: Uncomplicated Recipes to Make You a Great Cook” by Carla Lalli Music, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
If your recipient loves to host friends for dinner, this is the cookbook to beeline it to. You can find more great options here too.
A water bottle with a built-in filter system Amazon Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle, available at Amazon and Target
The Brita water bottle has a built-in filter that can improve the taste of water by reducing its chlorine content and smell. It can replace an estimated 1,800 single-use plastic bottles each year.
A spray that protects shoes from stains Amazon Jason Markk Repel Spray, available at Amazon
This Jason Markk spray repels water and oil to keep your shoes free of stains and water spots. It’s water-based, so it’s okay to use on a variety of materials — from suede to nubuck leather to canvas and others. It sprays a fine mist that covers large areas both quickly and evenly.
A membership for unlimited reading Scribd Scribd Membership
Scribd offers unlimited access to hundreds of thousands of books, audiobooks, and magazines for less than $12 a month. If they aren’t already bibliophiles, Scribd will make them one.
Read our full Scribd membership review .
Chip-resistant vegan nail polish Target Olive & June Nail Polish, available at Target
Olive & June’s rich, chip-resistant nail polish comes in 7 colors. The formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and don’t have potentially harmful ingredients like formaldehyde or camphor, among others. It’s easy to see why we included Olive & June in our guide to the best nail polish brands .
Charitable lottery tickets LottoLove Scratch-off Donation Card, available at LottoLove
When they scratch off a card from LottoLove, they won’t win any money. Instead, they “win” a charitable prize that’s donated to someone in need. There are four possible prizes, which help provide clean water, solar light, nutritious meals, or literacy tools. To date, LottoLove and its charitable partners have impacted lives in over 60 countries.
Lip gloss that’s moisturizing and not sticky Sephora Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss, available at Sephora and Tower 28
Tower 28 makes soft lip glosses with subtle color and a non-sticky, moisturizing formula with ingredients like raspberry seed oil and rosehip oil. You can pick from 10 different colors.
Read our full Tower 28 review .
Gourmet flavored syrups for coffee, tea, and even cocktails Amazon Monin Mini Coffee Syrup (5-pack), available at Amazon
Did anyone say cocktails? Monin’s coffee collection has everything needed for café-inspired drinks, be they cocktails, lattes, coffees, or teas. It includes five syrups ranging in flavors from amaretto to Irish cream. Plus, Monin has a recycling initiative that works to improve the health of bee populations.
A trendy bucket hat Amazon The Hat Depot 300N Unisex Bucket Hat, available at Amazon
Whether you’re shopping for someone who loves bucket hats or someone who has yet to try one, this accessory is a great fashion accessory. They’ll get protection from the elements while looking stylish wherever they go.
A smart chip that helps find lost items Amazon Tile Mate, available at Amazon and Tile
How nice would it be if every time you lost something, you could find it within a few minutes? Use your smartphone to make the Tile Mate ring aloud, and you’ll be able to locate your keys or wallet using the sound.
A slip-resistant armband to keep their phone in place on a run Amazon Tribe Cell Phone Armband, available at Amazon
If you’re going to buy an armband for a runner, you’re probably going to buy this version from Tribe. It’s frequently recommended for its water-resistant and non-slip design.
A photo book with some of their best memories Artifact Uprising Custom Softcover Photo Book, available at Artifact Uprising
For a sentimental gift under $25, we recommend these beautifully designed photo books that look like personal magazines, curated by you for them.
Socks from one of the best loungewear companies online Tommy John Second Skin Casual Sock, available at Tommy John
Tommy John is responsible for some of the best loungewear and underwear online. Its socks have light compression to support blood flow, and the “comfort cuff” design means you can peel them off without finding leftover marks.
Read our full Tommy John review .
An adjustable phone stand for their desk, dinner table, or kitchen counter Amazon Lamicall Adjustable Cell Phone Stand, available at Amazon
Whether they use it as a desk accessory or to prop up their YouTube search for “how to chop onions” while they cook at home, a lightweight, adjustable phone stand comes in handy more often than you’d expect.
The best hair mask you can buy It’s a 10 It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask, available at Amazon
Perfect for color-treated, heat-styled, and otherwise damaged hair, It’s a 10’s hair mask deep-conditions strands with a blend of moisturizing ingredients like oat kernel extract, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, and linseed extract. We tout it as the best overall pick in our guide to the best hair masks .
The makeup remover tourists stock up on in French pharmacies Facebook Bioderma Sensibio H2O Makeup Remover, available at Amazon and Walgreens
Bioderma’s makeup remover is a cult favorite among makeup artists, celebrities, the average person, and the Insider Reviews team. We call it the best overall in our guide to the best makeup removers and mention it in our roundup of French pharmacy skincare products .
Tickets to an event you know they’ll appreciate StubHub/Facebook Live concert and game tickets, available at Stubhub
Is there a good concert, play, or game you think they’d love? It doesn’t have to be expensive to be impactful. Grab tickets and make a night of it — or, if you live far away, make sure they get to go with a friend or two.
James Brains Senior Reporter, Business Insider Reviews James Brains is a home and kitchen reporter and product expert with over seven years of experience in service journalism. He is passionate about providing helpful buying advice to readers based on extensive testing. Experience As a Senior Reporter for Business Insider’s Reviews team, James focuses on testing home and kitchen products. He uses his hands-on experience to write in-depth reviews and buying guides, tackling everything from air fryers and toaster ovens to air conditioners and vacuums. Before joining Business Insider in 2021, James worked as a freelance writer and ran Brains Report, his personal product review site. In addition to home and kitchen products, James also has a background in writing about tech, health, and fitness. Why you can trust James James uses his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and review methodologies for all the products he evaluates. He’s tested over 100 mattresses to write our guide to the best mattresses, even touring a mattress manufacturing facility to further enrich his expertise. Seeing how mattresses are constructed has provided key insights into what to look for and what materials and features are best for certain sleepers. James believes high-quality sleep is worth a premium, and he’s passionate about helping readers get a better night’s sleep — but he’ll always help you find a good deal on a mattress in the process. He is always on call to find the best mattress, bedding, and vaccum deals (among others) on any given day, but especially during big sale days like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Expertise Mattresses and sleep products Kitchen appliances and cookware Heating and cooling products Vacuums Education James holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State. He lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, two kids, and a kitty. When he’s not testing a new mattress or air fryer, James enjoys running the Facebook foodie group Lansing Foodies. The group has over 70,000 followers and puts on an annual Olive Burger Festival. Read more Read less You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here .
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com .
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