29 affordable gift ideas that are chic, functional and the opposite of cheap

5 hours ago 3

As someone who identifies as fiscally conservative, I was psyched to see myself assigned our annual overhaul of the best affordable (aka cheap) gifts.

I know that’s hard to believe, since I’m a shopping editor and all, but if this job has made me an expert in anything, it’s 1) finding a deal and 2) knowing when something is really worth the spend. News flash: a lot of things simply aren’t.

When it comes down to gift giving, especially of the budget-friendly variety, it’s all about finding that high-quality, functional item that’s sentimental enough that make it obvious you didn’t just stuff a dollar store find into a gift bag.

To find the best affordable gifts of 2025, I combed retailers’ best-seller pages, tapped my shopping editor friends, and reviewed the budget-friendly items our readers have loved throughout the years. Whether you’re shopping for your wife, husband, co-worker or run club bestie, I’m confident that there’s something in this list that they (and your bank account) will be happy to receive.

From experience gifts to DIY kits, limited edition skincare, and clothing that won’t fall apart in the wash, every item is under $100 (many are less than $50), and proof that, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot to give something that whoas.

Best affordable gift: Masterclass

A collage of Masterclass teachers with the words, Learn from The World's Best.

Learning should never end, and now they can learn from the best! Masterclass offers video-based courses taught by ‘masters’ in a respective field. Explore personal branding from Kris Jenner or how to make restaurant-quality meals from Gordan Ramsey. There are more than 200 classes to choose from and endless opportunities to expand the mind.

Best affordable gift for teens: Soundcore by Anker P20i

A pair of black earbuds and their charging case.

The Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds are a great gift for teens and any music lover on your list this holiday season. They offer sharp sound, booming bass, and super quick charging! Best of all (and my favorite part), they’re super budget-friendly.

For the person who really needs to relax: Cornbread Hemp Wellness Gummies

Can’t treat someone to a much-needed vacation? Cornbread Hemp Wellness Gummies are the next best thing. Made from USDA‑organic, Kentucky‑grown hemp flowers, they’re flavored with real fruit and offer full-spectrum hemp extract that calms frazzled nerves. Is it the same as lounging on the white beaches of Tulum, Mexico? No, but a single gummy will leave you feeling totally relaxed and ready to conquer the holiday madness.

Best affordable gift for women: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Boatneck Sweater

You can’t go wrong with cashmere, and the Mongolian Cashmere Boatneck Sweater from Quince is about as good as it gets. It’s soft, simple to style, and ethically produced. Best of all, it’s less than $100 and available in a myriad of colors to suit her taste.

Best gift for men: lululemon Soft Jersey Jogger Shorter

A man wearing pants, a jacket, hat, and carrying a duffle bag.

lululemon never disappoints if you’re seeking something functional and stylish. Its Soft Jersey Jogger Shorter is designed for casual wear, and features a brushed interior that makes them feel like your favorite soft pajamas. Along with being sweat-wicking and quick-drying, they also have ample storage, boasting pockets with a hidden sleeve for your phone and change.

Snuggly holiday pajama bottoms: Adult Holiday Flannel Pajama Pants

Everyone needs a new pair of cozy pajama pants, and who doesn’t love the ones from Hanna Andersson? The pants are made with warm sueded flannel, come in more than a dozen styles, and will easily keep you cozy all winter long.

Best gift for music lovers: Oontz Angle Solo Portable Speaker

The Oontz Angle Solo Portable Speaker may be small, but it offers a powerhouse of sound. Perfect for road trips and parties, the water-resistant device offers a wireless Bluetooth range of about 100 feet, 10 hours of play, and a surprisingly impressive base for something its size.

Socks he’ll actually want: Bonobos Soft Everyday Socks (3-Pack)

Two images, one of a dress sock, and an up close short of the sock material.

If he’s a man of discerning taste, he’ll be thrilled to receive a pair of the Bonobos Soft Everyday Socks. They’re cushioned and ventilated for comfort, plus have built-in arch support. Available in a variety of colors and prints, they’re an elevated basic he’ll be happy to have. While a single pair is only $15, we suggest splurging on a 3-pack for a reasonable $35.

Best gift for the friend who likes to cook: Brightland The Duo Olive Oils

Brightland’s The Duo can make the most basic salad or chicken breast taste gourmet. The set comes with the brand’s two most popular extra virgin olive oils: Awake, which features an herbaceous taste, and Alive, which has a peppery profile — perfect for heartier fare. A touch shy of $75, you’ll be thought of whenever they are used.

Best gift for coworker: Bedsure Knit Throw Blanket

A throw blanket on a chair surrounded by plants.

It’s always tricky when shopping for someone in your cubicle crew, so go for something universally pleasing — and needed. This cozy Besure Knit Throw Blanket was made for nights by the fire and binge-watching shows. Designed with enhanced premium and anti-static microfiber, expect snuggly softness overload. Available in two sizes, it also makes a beautiful but functional accent piece for the home.

Best gift for someone who loves coffee: Bodum Chambord French Press

A Bodum 34oz Chambord French Press Coffee Maker with bronze trim.

Who says you need to spend a lot for a nice gift? The Bodum Chambord French Press is crafted in Portugal and features a copper‑tone stainless steel frame that makes it worthy of being displayed on any kitchen countertop. Shoppers praise its delivery of strong, full-bodied coffee, as well as its ease of use.

Best gift for mom: Donpapa Women’s Slipper

If you’re thinking of gifting a pair of UGG slippers but are coughing at the price tag, grab the Donpapa Women’s Slipper instead. The celeb-loved slipper, is a popular alternative and praised for in ultra-soft and fuzzy interior. More than 20,000 customers have given them a rating on Amazon, plus they’re available in nearly a dozen colors.

Best affordable gift for teachers: The Bon Appetit Gourmet Gift Basket

Let’s be real — your kid’s teacher doesn’t need another gift card to Starbucks. The Bon Appetit Gourmet Gift Basket is far more thoughtful and packed with noshable goodies, including a Baker Brothers Brownie, Poshi Snacks Olives, classic English vanilla fudge, and Hammond’s Lemon Cake.

Best gift for sister: Baggalini Triple Zip Crossbody Bag

A black crossbody bag from the front and side with gold hardware.

For the woman who likes her bags stylish and functional, look no further than the bags at Baggallini. One of its most budget-friendly options is the Triple Zip Crossbody Bag, which features ergonomic zippers, four zippered pockets and internal organization that includes spots for your cards, makeup and more. It can be worn four different ways, including as a belt bag, and is even machine-washable. Available in a variety of colors and prints, don’t be surprised if you pick one up for yourself, too.

Best gift for grandparents Levain x Snif Candle Gift Set

A box with cookies and a boxed candle, and another image of the box contents in the upper right corner.

When we tested the cookies from Levain Bakery, we were properly impressed, and you can’t go wrong with the Levain x Snif Candle Gift Set. The limited edition set comes with four, freshly baked chewy (and large) cookies of your choosing (14 options in total), plus a Mornings at Levain candle, which smells like nuts, chocolate, sea salt — basically the bakery. As someone who has gifted goodies from the store before, I assure you, whoever receives this will have a smile on their face and a very grateful belly.

Best gift for husband: Giftory

Spice up date night with an experience from Giftory. It has thousands of options to choose from, ranging from spas to cooking, sightseeing, adventures and more. Buy a voucher in your price range (there are plenty under $100), and then gift it to your guy to book at his leisure. Trust, it will be a lot more memorable than the basic dinner and a movie thing.

The gift for boyfriend: Quince Organic Midweight French Terry Pullover Hoodie

Gift a hoodie, but make it luxurious looking. No logos, no loud colors — just clean lines, a kangaroo pocket, and French terry cloth material like his favorite bathrobe. That’s what you’ll get if you opt for this men’s hoodie from Quince, plus free shipping and the satisfying feeling that only comes when you know you’ve paid less than $50 for something that could have cost twice as much.

Best affordable tech gift: INIU Portable Charger

You don’t need to buy an Elgato Stream Deck or Valve Index VR Headset to impress your techy friend. All you need to do is gift this! The INIU Portable Charger is a bestseller at Amazon, and frankly, something everyone can use in their stocking. The powerbank can charge up to three devices at once, plus it’s smaller than the typical smartphone — no one with a gadget should be without one.

A gift for the skincare obsessed: Typology Essential Skincare Kit

A box with three Typology skincare products beside it.

“From its sleek, Instagram-worthy packaging to its carefully curated product lineup, Typology exudes an air of sophistication and allure that’s hard to ignore,” said commerce associate editor Kendall Cornish, when she reviewed the brand. Vegan and made in France, it’s sure to be a favorite of anyone who appreciates clean beauty and aesthetically pleasing packaging. Its Essential Skincare Kit includes the Organic Peppermint Hydrolate, 9-Ingredient Face Moisturizer, Radiance Serum Vitamin C 11%, and a cotton pouch for storage. But word to the wise, grab while you can. It’s limited edition and high-quality skincare, so in my opinion, worth the $95 asking price.

Best gift for girlfriend: Ana Luisa Elisa Delicate Huggie Hoops

Ana Luisa is one of my favorite affordable fine jewelry brands, and if you’re thinking of gifting something sparkly, its Elisa Delicate Huggie Hoops are a must consider. Part teardrop, part huggie, the dangling earrings are hypoallergenic, tarnish and water-resistant, and effortlessly add a dash of elegance to any outfit. An ideal gift for a girlfriend, daughter, or wife, they’re available in a gold finish (shown above), as well as silver.

Best for the sporty guy or gal: lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag with Long Strap 1L

There’s a reason why everyone is still obsessed with the lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag. Armed with multiple pockets and made with water-resistant material, it can be worn in a variety of ways and easily fits your wallet, keys, and phone. Perfect for the person on the go, it comes in lots of different color options, too.

An affordably bougie candle: Bath & Body Works Single Wick Candle in Fresh Balsam

A green ceramic candle jar with a single wick candle.

Bath & Body Works Single Wick Candles are surprisingly bougie, thanks to their ceramic jars with a ribbed design. For less than $25, they add a touch of sophistication to the most basic nightstand or coffee table. Give one in the scent Fresh Balsam. It’s fresh, herbaceous, and perfect for the holiday season.

Best affordable unique gift: The Woobles DIY Learn To Crotchet Kit Emotional Support Desk Plant

Side by side of a crochet kit, and the final product, a plant.

Have a friend who goes to paint and sips? This gift is for them. The Woobles Learn To Crochet Kit takes you stitch by stitch in building the cutest emotional support desk plants you’ve ever seen. Designed for beginners, each kit comes with everything needed to make one crochet plant character, including pre-started yarn. There’s also a step-by-step video to make the process even easier.

For the person who plans everything: Papier Future Leather Planner (2026)

Ideal for the person who already knows what they’ll be up to in the new year, the Papier Future Leather Planner will be an appreciated gift. Its soft flexi cover makes it user-friendly, too, and it can be personalized with your person’s initials.

Something for the perfume lover: Phlur Custom Travel Trio

A three-set of Phlur body sprays, and their packaging.

Phlur makes some of my favorite perfumes, so The Phlur Custom Travel Trio is one of my favorite options on this list. It comes with three travel-size body mists — each hand-selected by you! From the watery and fresh notes of Beach Skin to the spicy and sweet chords in Vanilla Smoke, there are more than a dozen options from the niche fragrance house to choose from. If you’re willing to spend a little more ($95), swap the body mist for perfumes. Or, if you really can’t decide which ones to go with, hop to Amazon, where you can find pre-made sets, ready to be wrapped and gifted.

For the person always losing things: Apple AirTag (4 Pack)

Whether you’re traveling or suffer from chronic absent-mindedness, the Apple AirTags make it easy to keep track of belongings. With a one-tap setup, precision tracking and audible alerts, it offers peace of mind for folks always on the go — with or without their essentials. Use it for keys, wallet, luggage — even pets.

Best affordable gift for teens: Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler

There’s a reason why everyone’s crazy about the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler. Offering functionality and style, its double‑wall vacuum insulation keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. The FlowState three‑position lid offers sipping customization, while its comfort grip handle makes it easy to cart around, whether you’re running to class, a boardroom, or the gym.

Best gift for daughters: LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask Midnight Minis

The LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask often makes an appearance in our roundups and gift guides, but I think this gift set is slightly better for gift-giving season. It comes with three lip masks in three holiday-inspired flavors: chocolate, caramel, and eggnog latte, plus two glow lip balms are also included.

Best affordable gift for newlyweds: Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte

Red ramekin like dishes with chocolate pudding inside.

The Mini Round Cocottes from Le Creuset up the presentation for your holiday meal. Perfect for stews, pot pies or personalized desserts, they offer superior heat retention and are non-stick for a quick cleanup when guests leave.

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