Gift Ideas $25 and Under

Sara Fitz makes some of the most beautiful coastal-inspired goods and her notepads are some of my favorites! There’s everything from a ginger jar and a lobster to a golden lab and striped tee. The corresponding notecards are a personal favorite, too!

The queen’s recent cookbook, Modern Comfort Food, is exactly what we all need this year. This would be a great gift for anyone who’s embracing more time in the kitchen these days and loves the idea of a simple comfort meal.

Appointed (a DC-based small biz!) makes the most beautiful notebooks and I’ve had one every year for the past two or three years. J and I both use their task planner professionally and I can’t say better things about the ease of use and quality. This would be a great gift for a paper lover! (These pens are awesome, too.)

The PR team at L.L. Bean gifted me one of their fanny packs a few years ago and it’s easily been one of my most used items during quarantine. I used it pretty consistently last year too, since it’s perfect for walking the dog (or going on long walks in general) when you don’t have ample pocket space for keys, a phone, hand sanitizer, dog treats, etc. The price point is great, and it’s easy to clean in the washing machine.

There’s been a lot of buzz about Nécessaire’s body lotion and I finally tried it a few weeks ago. It’s hands down the best I’ve ever used and a little goes a long way, which makes the price worth it to me. It’s “clean” as well, and doesn’t feel sticky at all; I run warm and will wake up sweating if I’ve applied most lotions or creams to my legs before bed, and that hasn’t happened with this one. I think I’ll be repurchasing this forever!

Pretty sure these ice molds make it onto the list every year but they’re a favorite in our home! I got them for J a three years ago and both of us regularly reach for them.

On the drinks front, these are the best cocktail cherries! Most of us have likely been our own bartender for the majority of 2020 and these will seriously elevate your beverage game. They’re pricey but are the real deal. They also come in a pack of two.

This Yeti is my everyday mug; I sip on the same cup of tea for at least an hour most days, and love that it has a handle that makes it feel more like a traditional mug but also manages to keep my drink warm for so long.

These are definitely more of a stocking stuffer or supplementary gift but Old Navy makes the coziest fuzzy socks and I’ve seen them go for as low as $1! I picked up a pair last year and always reach for them in the evenings this time of year.

Hands down the best hand sanitizer I’ve ever used! It’s not greasy, it’s “clean,” and it’s made by a woman-owned small business. It’s the only hand sanitizer we’ve used since Covid started and one I’ll buy on repeat indefinitely! There’s a cute set of small ones, too.

This ornament is fun gift for the ranch lover in your life–best presented along with a pizza :)

There are so many great custom stationery options on Etsy! I especially love these, these, and these. Paper goods are a great way to support small businesses, too.

Glass cloches are a little luxury that would be perfect gifted both solo or alongside a candle. I love the classic shape of this one, and the price is great, too.

For anyone who loves blue and white: the perfect Spode coaster set, currently marked down to under $13. This would be a great hostess gift!

Tuckernuck has been my go-to source for puzzles during the pandemic, and they’re well-stocked just in time for a long winter! I have a feeling puzzles will be a popular gifting item this year and I’d recommend snagging them early if you’re in the market.

I couldn’t resist adding these adorable toddler slippers to the list. My experience shopping for young kids is limited, but these seem both cute and fun yet also fairly practical.

Pop sockets have never really appealed to me, partly because of their appearance and partly because I don’t like sticking things on my phone. But if practicality prevails, this is the prettiest one I’ve seen!

I discovered Oates Home Co. through this amazing post from Carly and knew I had to include them in this guide! Julianna and Tyler pour these non-toxic candles from their home outside Boston and in addition to their beautiful branding, their commitment to producing paraffin and phthalate-free candles stood out to me. Monaco sounds like a luxurious vacation away, and there’s no better time to indulge in a classic holiday scent.

I used to leave some of my prettier jewelry out in little dishes but got tired of them constantly collecting dust (particularly pieces that were more of a statement but didn’t get worn as often!). I have a box similar to this from West Elm but H&M Home is a treasure trove of many versatile, budget-friendly finds. There’s also a rectangular version, and I think they’d be a great gift solo or as a pair.

Another one for the kiddos! Sohp Shop launched during Covid and as an avid hand washer (pre-pandemic, too), I think this is the coolest concept to encourage little ones to wash their hands for the necessary length of time. Each soap has a toy hidden inside and the more you wash, the closer you get to discovering the surprise.