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You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a gift for it to be thoughtful. And if you know where to look and what to look for, you can find plenty of budget-friendly options to delight every single person on your list. We’ve saved you the trouble of searching for something special (and affordable) with suggestions below, each of which has been handpicked by one of our discerning writers or editors or is an item we’ve written about before. And to make gifting even easier, everything here is available on Amazon.
Food and drink
For the spouse who likes their caffeine without the coffee
They’ll be able to make their own matcha lattes at home. This is the one that actress Brenda Song prefers.
For the rock-hound
Get them this cheeky pack of realistic-looking rock-shaped chocolates that are as yummy as they are fun.
For the salt fanatic
The preferred salt of many chefs and bakers for its large, delightfully crunchy, pinchable flakes and the not-too-salty savory zing it gives to everything they sprinkle it on.
For the at-home barista
Beauty and self-care
For the friend with fidgety hands
These rings stimulate certain parts of your fingers and, “according to Chinese-reflexology charts, can help with both physical and mental issues,” writes Strategist contributor Yana Shept. Plus they just feel really good.
For the friend who likes their products to be all-natural
This balm — made from shea butter, beeswax, and other natural ingredients — adds a bit of subtle color to their lips.
For the uncle who needs some help relaxing
For the traveler whose skin is always glowing
This carry-on–friendly toner has hyaluronic acid, which is great for keeping skin hydrated.
For the mellow one in the friend group
They probably don’t need any help chilling out, but you can give them some tools to make their relaxation time even better. Sen Dog of Cypress Hill calls this the “ultimate rolling paper.”
For the co-worker who’s always moisturizing
For the night owl
For the brother with razor burn
An exceptionally long-lasting tube that won’t leave skin feeling tight. “No nicks, no irritation, no accidental shearing of the epidermis like thin-sliced deli turkey,” writes Strategist contributor David Walters.
For the friend who’s trying to go plastic free
These biodegradable toothbrushes have charcoal-infused heads that help fight tooth-staining ingredients and bad breath.
For the makeup-obsessed niece
This is the best dupe of Dior’s TikTok-famous Lip Glow Oil, says Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton.
For the fashionable pal who loves color
These colorful, realistic-looking strawberry earrings are sure to earn a compliment or two.
For the person with a dewy complexion
A quick mist to the face can be a refreshing way to pause and get centered when life feels overwhelming; you probably know a friend or two who can relate. “I use it as a reset button during a tedious, overwhelming, or high-concentration day,” writes actress Tavi Gevinson.
For the friend who considers bath time sacred
This is a great tool for dry-brushing, which can help with lymphatic circulation, and comes recommended by Hailee Steinfeld.
For the neighbor who’s always complaining about cooking smells
Lighting some of this incense will fill their place with a homey, comforting fragrance. Actress Piper Perabo takes it with her when she’s traveling so she can burn it in her hotel room.
For the nomad who’s hard on their clothes
For the clumsy friend
These colorful bandages are sure to make them feel better in more ways than one.
Kitchen, office, and garden
For the friend who likes to keep it funky
This trippy mushroom nightlight changes colors every five seconds.
For the friend who likes toast with their breakfast
For the collector of clever tools
This lightweight can opener works quickly and efficiently and is beloved by many chefs for its simple, effective design. Chef Natasha Pickowicz notes that it’s the rare can opener that works well if you’re left-handed.
For the co-worker who loves a salad
A unitasker that makes it easier to get greens off stems.
For the cooking enthusiast
This manual knife-sharpener will help them keep their edge.
For the home cook with a tiny galley kitchen
A collapsible steamer basket that’s a favorite of cookbook author Carla Lalli Music.
For the chef who likes a fancy garnish
These pickled peppers are a special Basque variety that can level up their sandwiches, pizzas, and salads.
For the friend who’s still learning about wine
A device that removes all the oxygen from an open bottle so they can save leftover wine to enjoy later.
For the lefty
A pack of pens that won’t leave smudges all over them or the page.
For the aunt who loves to send handwritten notes
These pens “make anyone’s handwriting instantly look fancier,” says stationery expert Caroline Weaver.
For the bullet-journaling co-worker
Each of these Japanese highlighters is a pleasure to use because of the “unfailing juiciness, flexible tip, and the fact that it’s actually smudgeproof over water-based ink,” says Weaver.
For the brother-in-law who appreciates a good multi-tool
For the sister who likes to knit on the go
For the friend with a birding Instagram account
This mount will turn their binoculars into a smartphone lens attachment; now they won’t have to use digital zoom to snap a good pic of that elusive hummingbird.
For the husband with a desk of messy cables
The fun colors make it easier to tell cables apart.
For the planner of the family …
Kids and pets
For the new baby in the family
The colorful, interwoven loops of this teething toy keep babies mesmerized and are easy for tiny hands to grasp and manipulate. Bonus: The rattle is on the quieter side.
For the kid who won’t stop stealing your ChapStick
For the kid who likes to spend Saturdays at the zoo
Charismatic megafauna, but make it small.
For the crafty kid
These child-friendly scissors come in a variety of colors and can make wavy and saw-toothed cuts.
For the little builder
This LEGO set packs a lot of playtime into a tiny package with bricks that can transform into three different creatures.
For the kid who’s up for a game anytime
For the pencil-tapper and pen-twirler
These erasers are “like puzzles they can put together and take apart,” says Strategist writer Lauren Ro.
For the pup who loves to play fetch
This squeaky ball can keep their energetic dog entertained while they’re working from home or during a day of fetch at the dog park.
For the new pup
This rope toy is perfect for teething puppies and can help floss their teeth while they play.
For the kid who likes old-school toys
For the new kitten in the family
Books and entertainment
For the couple who love game night
This luck-based dice game is one that Strategist contributor Steven John loves to play with his wife over a glass of wine. (It’s one that kids can join in on, too.)
For the friend who loves a good mystery
A murder-mystery novel worthy of R.L. Stine’s praise.
For the friend who lives for game night
A cheeky take on the Mafia game that’s friendly to players of all skill levels.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
