50 Unique Gifts You Can Get For Under $50
The secret to acing your holiday gift-giving is letting your freak flag fly.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are especially tricky this year and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th!)
1. A set of stackable Greek column glasses to let them know they've been a pillar in your life.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
2. "Resident Dog," a perfect coffee-table book documenting very good dogs and the homes they live in — perfect for anyone getting hit with a bad case of cabin fever.
Promising review: "Nicole has done a lovely job once again with capturing these incredible homes and the dogs. This book is the perfect gift, every page has great eye candy. Who doesn't love dogs and architecture?" —Robert T. Coscarelli
Get it from Amazon for $32.54.
3. A pair of Merrell Hydro Mocs so they can get in on 2020's hottest water shoe trend.
4. A clock with a face they simply can't be mad at, even when it's time to get out of bed for work.
Get it from Wallpaper Store for $41.
5. A Moog synth vinyl record from the '70s designed to help houseplants grow — give it to your friend with a green thumb and, at the very least, watch your friendship grow.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $28.98.
6. A multi-purpose tissue box organizer that'll make a perfect addition to their at-home desk set up.
7. Or, stick with single-function minimalism: a house-shaped tissue box to make them feel extremely ~blessed~.
Promising review: "I first spotted this at a swanky modern hotel room with all-white decor. I love how it hides an unsightly branded tissue box — it practically vanishes! It looks so cute with the tissue-y 'billow' of smoke, and is functional too. Every modern minimalist's dream." —nycgirl
Get it from Amazon for $5.
8. A corkscrew named Alessandro M. Corkscrew that'll liven up their bottle-opening experience.
Promising review: "Wow!! Opening a wine bottle is this easy? Just turning the head pulls out the cork entirely from the bottle. Highly recommended!!" —Bike lover
Get it from Amazon for $40.58+ (available in red and blue).
9. An iron candle holder if you'd describe their interior aesthetic as "mid-century monastery" or "medieval chic."
Get it from Fredericks and Mae for $50 (available in "single arm" or "double arm").
10. A sage-scented styling cream they'll agree is one of the best smelling hair products out there — subtle and earthy and fresh!
Get it from Malin and Goetz for $8+ (available in 1oz or 4oz).
11. A set of "roller coasters," the adult version of everyone's favorite childhood game in which you navigate steel balls through a maze — this version will have them navigating condensation drips from their beer.
Get it from MoMA Design Store for $24 (for a set of four).
12. A portable BBQ "suitcase" for the friend who's always in the mood for a 'dog.
Promising review: "This grill was awesome! Easy set up, compact, and sturdy. Cooked my steak perfectly, without burning it outside and leaving it raw inside. That had been my biggest worry with this. Easily big enough surface for a nice-sized steak or a couple of burgers." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $47.51+ (available in red and silver).
13. A three-tiered hanging basket to kick their boho living room (or kitchen — it's great as a fruit basket, too!) up a notch.
Promising review: "Was worried how much weight it could hold but it’s large and strong enough for heavier fruits like bananas and apples. The top basket is smaller and will not be as easy to reach so planning to find a cute plant to hang up. My apartment is compact so it’s a perfect storage addition in the corner of my kitchen. Just hanging it up makes it look more put together and gives it that home sweet home feel. I’ve seen other similar tiered fruit bowls upwards of $80+ and have paid $$$ for rattan bamboo baskets so this is a great deal for the quality. The weaving is simply a beautiful braided design." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
14. A desktop wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man they'll probably be able to learn a dance move or two from.
Promising review: "I opened the package and screamed for joy! As I placed the battery my hands were trembling with what was going to happen next! As I turned on the wacky waving inflatable tube man I knew I'd have a friend for life. Someone you can really count on cheering you up when you are feeling down. He brought me such joy I started to cry with laughter and happiness." —Robert Wurstner
Get it from Amazon for $10.86.
15. A vintage Apple monitor stand they can slip their phone into to relive simpler times on the World Wide Web.
Promising review: "This is the cutest iPhone stand I've ever seen. It's perfect for a vintage Apple fan. It is fun and functional!" —A. Mangione
Get it from Amazon for $18.98 (available in black and white).
16. A suede measuring tape that'll give your handiest friend a chance to flex harder than they ever have around the house.
Get it from SHW for $36.
17. A weave-print face mask with built-in filter pockets so they can dress for these very different times.
Type Of Fit: Elastic Ear Loops
Pocket For Filter: Yes
Fabric Type: 100% Cotton
Shipping Time: Immediately
Get it from Dusen Dusen for $20 (available in green/white and khaki/white).
Just remember — masks are not a substitute for social distancing! You should still maintain a minimum of 6 feet of distance between you and other people when possible, and continue washing your hands and avoiding touching your face. Stay safe!
You can find more options in BuzzFeed's roundup of places to buy nonmedical face masks online, and check out BuzzFeed's guide to the CDC's new face covering recommendations for more deets.
18. The revised and expanded 2020 Design Book packed with 500 of the most "innovative, influential, and enduring" products from the last five centuries — to give your design-minded friend some fine coffee-table reading.
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
19. A 2021 calendar craft kit so they can turn the year into an impressive stationary garden.
Get it from Wallpaper Store for $31.
20. A Japanese "Welcome" soap that'll certainly make for a great conversation starter in the shower...if that's a thing that exists!
Get it from The Grommet for $39 (available in white/lily scent or black/brown sugar scent).
21. The Nordic Baking Book for dipping their toes into the art of minimalist home baking with chef Magnus Nilsson as their guide.
Promising review: "Fantastic book, filled with information, explanation and technique. Author created a well thought out and superb book that covers the gamete of Scandinavian baking. Having spent time in Norway, it was a pleasure to discover recipes from my time there, especially regional ones." —Gypz
Get it from Amazon for $31.78.
22. A "meta-puzzle" — that's a puzzle with an image of a person assembling a puzzle on it — to give your jigsaw champion friend their greatest challenge yet.
Get it from Piecework Puzzles for $36.
23. A rechargeable electric lighter – it requires no flame, making it also windproof and a whole lot easier to use outside.
Promising review: "Looks cool...but most importantly, it works. It's absolutely windproof. And the charge it lets out is (or looks like) plasma...an awesome purplish zap. It's easy to charge. This would be a great survival device — you could start a lot fires on one charge. The only thing I had to get used to was not having a flame. If you're using this for cigarettes, you have to push the cigarette into the arch and move it around a little bit. After you get over that curve, it's amazing." —Ronald E. Mahler
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in six colors).
24. A pair of aerating wineglasses that'll win over even the most snobbish wine drinker in your life.
25. The Noma Guide to Fermentation, which you can be certain make for a rotten gift.
Promising review: "The Noma Guide to Fermentation doesn't just teach you 'how' to ferment, it teaches you 'why.' And the biggest why is that the ferments in this book will make your food delicious. The book starts with very easy projects like lacto-fermentation (typical recipe: fruit, salt, jar, time) on through the complexities of making shoyu, the world's most popular fermented flavor. Yes, you can make your own soy sauce! More than that, this guide gives you the foundation (the 'whys') that you can use as a jumping point to go beyond the recipes in the book to #fermentallthethings. Thank you, Rene and David, for sharing your knowledge." —AimsInBrooklyn
Get it from Amazon for $26.63.
26. A box of sushi socks that'll score you full points in presentation.
Promising review: "This was a big hit. I bought them as a present for a friend. They're hilarious and were the center of attention at dinner. The packaging and presentation were my motivation for buying and I was very pleased." —Patrick
Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (for two pairs; available in men's sizes 36-40 and 41-46 [9.5-13]).
27. A pistachio pedestal so your snack-happy friend has a place to store their discarded shells while they eat.
28. A multi-tool that'll give them a poke to take care of their household chores.
Promising review: "Surprisingly good quality. The tools are sharp and sturdy. The scissors are the best quality I've seen on these multitools." —#1Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.50.
29. An unglazed terra-cotta candle holder for a striking, minimalist centerpiece.
Get it from Food52 for $38 (available in black, terracotta, peach, and white).
30. A sheep toilet paper holder that'll also hold their guest's attention, probably.
Promising review: "After using the bathroom, my husband sought me out to inform me that he loves this product. He was so delighted, and I was surprised at his reaction to the toilet paper holder. We used to stack our TP on top of the toilet tank. This is easy to put together, and stands on floor. It holds lots of TP, and best of all, it is cute." —Murphy
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
31. A knitting bag so they can take full advantage of their lulls during lockdown.
Promising review: "I travel a great deal for work, and am always looking for a way to carry my knitting with me. This bag is an excellent solution — I no longer have to run after my yarn ball on airplanes or trains! I also appreciate that I can button it up when I'm ready to put my project back in my purse." —DrK
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $35 or find something similar on Amazon for $35.
32. A "tic-tac-trivet" — that's a tic-tac-toe board that doubles as a trivet, if you're stumped — so they can protect their beautiful tables from getting stained with cup rings while gaming.
Get it from MoMA Design Store for $40.
33. Or, a set of colorful flex coasters to instantly liven up any table.
Get them from Coming Soon for $40 (for four).
34. An LED dog leash that is sure to make any pup owner light up.
Promising review: "We have the green one and it is so excellent! Our Labradoodle is the coolest dog at the dog park and all the owners constantly comment on the leash and collar of the same color! Just charge up on the USB and press the button to indicate which level of 'flash' you want and voila! You got yourself a very trendy but safety-inducing dog leash. To address how visible this leash can be seen — we saw another dog with the leash/collar and color from at least a half mile away, it was a bright yellow. So yeah, the visibility is great with this leash/collar." —Raquel Gaitan
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 4- or 6-feet and in six colors).
35. A travel pillow for the person in your life who you'd rather not talk to when they get less than eight hours of sleep.
Promising review: "Do you have a few hours? Because I need to tell you about this neck pillow thing my wife just got me. Imagine your neck is swimming in a bowl full of noodles, unable to grasp any support through the turbulence on your flight from LAX to, say, PIT. Then, imagine, just as your neck is about to drown in the limp pasta, a hand reaches down from the heavens and baby Jesus himself wraps your supple, tired neck, barely keeping its cricoid above the surface of the linguini soak, in a velvety, form-fitting embrace. Sure, other necks in the pot are just fine...floating casually next to you, but your neck, your poor poor neck, is writing goodbye letters to its loved ones — clavicles, humeri, and the like — as it can't imagine keeping up this pace for much longer. But then, the sweet Jesus baby appears and wraps it up in what might as well be the brazier of the mighty Athena...and all troubles are forgotten.
This is how I felt when I first strapped on Trtl Neck Pillow. My weary neck works all night, sleeps all day — and knowing that Trtl has its back on red-eye flights makes all the difference. My neck has said 'sayonara' to floundering with fettuccini and 'hello' to raging with the rigatoni." —Traveled
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in four colors, as well as junior sizes or packs of two).
36. A frosted-glass salt and pepper shaker they'll probably want to leave out like it's a sculptural object (it is!).
Get it from Wallpaper Store for $36.
37. Beats Flex Earphones, because in this age of true wireless listening, a really solid par with a wire *does* feel pretty unique.
Promising review: "These are a game-changer. They come with multiple earpieces, so I tried them all on and selected the best fit. They don’t fall out of my ears or chafe. I could forget they were in, if it weren’t for the music." —katyroadpink
Get it from Amazon for $49.88 (available in black and yellow).
38. A set of multi-color balancing blocks that'll serve as equal parts therapeutic activity and eye candy.
Promising review: "Cool and I love the rustic look to the paint. I use these as fidgets in my therapy office." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $37.36.
39. Grateful Dead-inspired bath salts for when you can't just get them a box of rain.
Get it from Individual Medley for $5 (available in three colors).
40. A 16" puffy laptop sleeve so they can match their son (laptop) when they dress for the next winter storm.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $28 (available in black and pink).
41. A Roxanne Assoulin terrazzo enamel bracelet for a neutral-toned piece that'll round out their ensemble.
Get it from Moda Operandi for $22.
42. A set of sculptural pillar candles for an exceptional dinner table centerpiece (they probably won't even want to burn).
Get it from Food52 for $48 (for a set of three; available in six colors).
43. A cement planter that'll really give them a hand with the Instagram-ability of their plant setup.
Promising review: "I am really happy with my purchase. The seller protected my planter in every possible way. She put one box inside the other and all protected with bubble wrap. The planter is beautiful. You can see all the details and I can't wait to have a real little plant in it." —A. Perez
Get it from Amazon for $17.85.
44. A reusable tote to put a sophisticated and eco-friendly spin on the bodega classic.
Get it from Cooper Hewitt for $36.
45. A cap that says "art house garbage," because it's time to tell your loved one how you really feel about their Criterion Channel queue.
Get it from Movies Brand for $25.99.
46. A travel bowl for the pup owner in your life who is always on the go.
Promising review: "This travel bowl is perfect for walks, road trips, etc. It has a clip so it easily attaches to the leash or dog bag, which makes it super convenient! The perfect way to keep my pup hydrated when we’re out and about!" —Monica E.
Get it from Max Bone for $25 (available in two colors).
47. A beautiful tortoiseshell cup that may just inspire them to rip off all their cabinet doors and do open shelving.
Get it from SHW for $44.
48. A pair of Tracksmith gloves, the rare, highly-functional and stylish running glove they'll be happy to have on hand (literally) during chilly mornings.
Get them from Tracksmith for $32 (available in sizes S/M and L/XL and in four colors).
49. An hourglass cocktail glass they can use for a shot or to measure spirits — the time is now!
Get it from Coming Soon for $28 (available in four colors).
50. And a Baby Yoda Chia Pet you really can't miss with if they're a Mandalorian head.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $26.
Some reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
