30 Thoughtful Gifts Under $50 That They’ll Genuinely Love

Gift-giving is more than just an exchange of items; it’s a real love language that can show someone how much you care and how well you know them. To receive a gift that feels so true to who you are can really make someone feel seen and loved, and for that reason, I’ll always love the holiday season when gift exchanges are ‘a plenty. And, although I love white elephant swaps and pollyannas, my wallet usually does not—that’s what brings us to this list of the best gifts under $50.

The assumption can be made that quality, intentional gifts come with a high price tag, but I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t have to be the case. This holiday season, abandon luxe price tags that cause you to become avoidant with your credit card statement come January without having to succumb to inexpensive gifts that feel cheap thanks to the below gift guide of all of our favorite items across beauty, style, fitness, health, and home below $50. This curated list keeps cost in mind while still making sure everything included is a gift someone will be excited to receive and will last for many holiday seasons to come—happy budget gifting!

Best gifts under $50, at a glance:

Philosophy Holiday Edition Shower Gel, $16Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly, $16Turbie Twist Hair Bands (Set of 4), $28Baggu Standard Set of 3, $42Snoop on the Stoop Plush Figurine, $25

Beauty and style gifts under $50

By Rosie Jane Chill + Easy Gift Set — $40.00

Everyone can use some more chill and easy vibes around the holidays, so why not give it to them in this limited-edition gift set from By Rosie Jane? The aromatherapeutic body milk, wash, and oil are scented in a relaxing peppermint, mandarin, and cypress scent, so they can chill the f*** out. For $40, it’s a fabulous gift they’ll love unwinding with in the midst of the holiday bustle.

Tita Star Nipple Covers — $24.00

Nip slips happen, it’s something every woman has likely unwillingly experienced and would like to avoid in the future. Give the gift of nipple security with these adorably shaped reusable nipple covers that can be worn up to 20 times and lay so flat on the skin that no one will ever know they’re there (although the variety of colors and cheeky designs will undoubtedly make whoever you gift these want to show them off!).

Crown Affair Dry Shampoo — $42.00

The holy grail of dry shampoos, gifting Crown Affair’s signature powder formula is equivalent to gifting the essence of luxury. Its dreamy scent and unique application process of this dry shampoo will make it a beauty product that whoever you gift it to will reach for every day.

Turbie Twist Hair Bands (Set of 4) — $28.00

These machine-washable hair bands are perfect for sliding on while you’re washing your face or applying a mask (hint: toss one of your favorite face masks in to complete the gift!). Plus, each set of four is available as a colorful variety pack.

Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly — $16.00

Tower 28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly is the creme de la creme of lip glosses. Super juicy, yet not sticky, this gloss deserves a spot in every stocking this holiday season. Our favorite shade is the “iced” version of the brand’s bestselling reddish-pink XOXO colorway because of its extra sparkle.

Philosophy Holiday Edition Shower Gel — $16.00

Philosophy’s holiday collection of  shower gels makes a perfect seasonal gift for just about anyone. Choose from a variety of cheery scents, like Christmas Cookie, Peppermint Stick, or Marzipan Dreams—plus, you can buy more than one without breaching that $50 limit!

Baggu Standard Set of 3 Reusable Bags — $42.00

If you’re still opting for disposable bags every time you go shopping, WYD? Baggu’s colorful prints and adorable collabs with the likes of the Peanuts, Hello Kitty and Friends, Keith Haring, and more offer an ultra-personal option for each serious shopper in your life and make these reusable bags an accessory that brings a little bit of extra joy to your day.

Vici Dazzle Me Embellished Teardrop Earrings — $34.00

Stud-style statement earrings with enough sparkles to make them NYE-ready, but not too much that they’re wearable every day—need we say more?

Soft Services Buffing Bar — $28.00

These exfoliating body bars completely transform bumpy, keratosis pilaris-prone skin by revealing soft skin after each use. Reviewers claim that both the original buffing bar and green banana scent smell heavenly, so you can’t go wrong here.

Topo Designs Mini Quick Pack — $49.00

We don’t know how you can fit so much stuff into this sling bag, but you can. It’s basically the Mary Poppins bag of hip-packs that comes in a slew of playful color block patterns to make sure you have everything you ever need close to your chest.

Kulfi Zari Eyes Cream Eyeshadow — $30.00

I rarely wear eye makeup past mascara because I’m intimidated by the range of options included in palettes but absolutely love these one-pot, creamy eyeshadows. Even when applied solely with my finger, I feel like I had the help of a makeup artist because of how beautifully this formula sits for an extended period of time.

Health and fitness gifts

On Performance Mid Sock — $22.00

I ran a full marathon in these socks and didn’t get a single blister; needless to say, I’ll wear them on every run I take from here on out. I know gifting socks doesn’t have the sexiest rap, but trust me when I say you need these for every athletic pursuit, now and forever.

Skratch Labs Hydration Variety Pack — $36.00

Hydration mixes from Skratch are not too salty and not too sweet, which makes them jussstttt right. Single packets make them easy to toss into gym bags and running vests for peak hydration no matter how hard the workout.

Goodr Mach G Sunglasses — $35.00

If you’re looking for sports sunglasses, but aren’t a fan of sports sunglasses, these lifestyle-inspired frames have technical features that keep them in place during cardio while keeping you looking cute as ever, and for an insanely good price point. Should this specific frame not feel like a fit for your face, Goodr has other styles of sunglasses and they all fall below $50.

Pro-Tec The Orb Massage Ball — $20.00

Foam rollers are clunky and awkward to store, and massage guns are a hefty financial investment. This little massage ball works out knots in a flash; its sub-$50 price tag makes it a great recovery tool for a great price.

SPIbelt Running Belt — $27.00

Pockets on women’s clothing are basically nonexistent, so having a belt that doesn’t bounce even when stuffed with the holy trinity of a phone, keys, and wallet is a game-changer for walks, runs, and everything in between.

Bink Day Bottle (27 oz.) — $38.00

For the girlies who can’t leave home without their emotional support water bottles, this glass vessel is perfect. It’s wrapped in a protective silicone sleeve so you don’t need to worry about it breaking ever, and it’s just really, really cute which is reason enough to buy. Available in 18 colors.

Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves — $35.00

These light gloves are the perfect addition to your cold-weather arsenal, whether Nordic skiing, trail running, or running errands, your hands stay warm thanks to thermo-regulating technology. The grid fleece is soft, stretchy, and breathable, while the suede overlay on the palms provides added durability and grip; not to mention, touchscreen compatibility.

Classpass Gift Card

Most fitness studios in major cities can be found on ClassPass making it a no-brainer gift for the fitness-obsessed friend who can’t commit to one form of exercise. Classes and services like yoga, HIIT, pilates, massages, haircuts, and more can be booked at new and long-time favorite partners of the app.

Home gifts

Snoop on the Stoop Plush Figurine — $25.00

The Elf on the Shelf had a good run, but there’s a new (considerably less creepy) holiday figurine in town: Snoop on the Stoop. This Snoop Dogg figurine is the perfect random gift to make someone smile, especially if they loved watching Snoop consistently steal the show during the Paris Olympics. He comes with shades, a chain, and a tee—because why not?

Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Binder — $40.00

I received this recipe book earlier this year and it was one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever been given to date; it comes with blank recipe cards that can be filled with recipes from family and friends making it an heirloom gift that anyone with a heart will cherish forever.

Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass — $16.00

The charm bracelets of glassware, these viral juice glasses from Anthropologie have a pattern that will work in the kitchen of almost everyone on your list this year.

Bodum Electric Kettle — $49.00

Any kitchen appliance that promises hot tea at the flip of a switch while adding a joyful pop of color to your counter is one that I plan to gift the picky homemakers in my life this year.

Addie 2025 Tea Towel Calendar — $35.00

I’m a sucker for a thoughtful keepsake and this 2025 calendar tea towel is both thoughtful and functional; check and check! It can be used in the kitchen or displayed as an art piece—we love a dynamic gift.

Luno Camping String Lights — $40.00

These 20-inch rechargeable string lights are sold for camping, but I use them everywhere; when decorating for dinner parties, during cozy movie nights, and to bring an extra element of homeyness to outdoor adventures.

Abbode Embroidered Pillowcase — $42.00

When in doubt, a customized gift is well-received. Abbode has a range of on-trend machine-stitched icons and a handful of fonts you can choose from to have embroidered onto a pillowcase that will be a favorite under the tree. Available in standard and King-size options.

Vacation Pool Boy Candle — $34.00

Seasonal depression is no joke, so having elements of lighter and brighter seasons in your home during colder months can make such a difference.

The Good Hurt Fuego Hot Sauce Emergency Kit — $15.00

This gift’s name is a little counterintuitive: The Good Hurt Emergency Kit won’t save you from spice, it will cause it. Heat-lovers will appreciate this set of four tiny-yet-mighty sauces they can keep in their bag (a la Beyoncé) for whenever they’re seeking a little added kick.

Cyddup Rechargeable Table Lamp — $30.00

I recently got this little lamp for my bathroom vanity so I don’t need to turn on the bright, overhead light each time I go in and out. The soft glow gives off a comforting vibe and I’m free to move it anywhere in my apartment since it’s cordless.

HyzaPhix Manual Citrus Juicer Fish — $10.00

The holiday season is all for giving people the gifts they’d never buy for themselves, right? While it’s not an essential kitchen tool, this single-slice citrus squeezer brings the feeling of restaurant quality right into the home of whoever it’s going to.