40 Cheap Gift Ideas That Prove You Can Give an Amazing Present for $25 and Under

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Having a huge family or friend group is never a bad thing … until gifting occasions roll around. From back-to-back birthdays to the holiday season, which seems to come around sooner than you expect every year, your wallet can start to feel the squeeze. Cheap gift ideas are an obvious solution to help you stick to your budget while making sure everyone gets something they’ll love. We totally get it and are here to help you on this cost-effective gifting journey.

With so many affordable gifting options to consider, we put together a list of the best cheap gift ideas to get you started. From the bookworm to the quiet roommate to the picky coworker, we gathered products that are fit for every personality on your shopping list. From a desktop space heater to cozy spa socks to a thought-provoking card game, you’ll be the gifting MVP with these great finds for under $25.

Cactus Coaster Set

Your favorite hostess will flip out over this party-perfect set of six coasters. They'll keep tables free of unsightly water stains and stack up like a cactus to add an extra festive touch to any celebration. And, if they aren't great at plant parenting, this is a touch of green without the responsibility.

More: 75 Stocking Stuffers That Are Small, Sweet, and a Total Steal

100 Things to Do Bucket List Scratch-Off Poster

Your favorite adventure-seeker will get a kick out of this cheap gift. This interactive, scratch-off poster features 100 must-try activities that are probably already on their figurative bucket list, but this gives your recipient a chance to see them all in one place. Every time they complete one, they can mark it by scratching off its corresponding square on the poster.

Slow Brew Sloth Tea Infuser

This sloth-shaped infuser will be a hit with anyone who steeps loose-leaf tea on the daily. If sloths aren't their thing, you could also opt for a hedgehog, chicken, or koala. They can stash one of these at their work desk and the other in their tea cupboard at home!

‘Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book’ by Sasha O’Hara

You can't exactly gift them therapy, but with this cheap gift, you can encourage them to relieve some pent-up stress.

This profanity-filled adult coloring book will make them laugh out loud and feel better during hard times. The 21 coloring pages are filled with illustrations that each have a sassy remark like, “Suck it up buttercup” and “Dance like no one attractive is watching.”

Lotus Cotton Swab Holder

We love countertop organizers that also happen to be adorable. This petite lotus-shaped container will not only sit pretty by their bathroom sink but hold up to 30 cotton swabs at a time. Plus, the cover keeps them from getting dusty or gross, which is a must in bathrooms.

Reusable Grocery Bags (Pack of 5)

This set of five reusable grocery bags is a practical gift for the eco-friendly recipients who just can’t refuse a spontaneous Target run (or the under-$5 section)! These bags are weightless, just the right size, and fold up to fit in a bag for spur-of-the-moment use.

With a variety of colors and designs to choose from, you can find the perfect set to match anyone’s personality!

Desktop Space Heater

If you know a coworker or two who’s always cold, consider this for a white elephant gift that everyone is guaranteed to fight over. This desktop space heater is lightweight, has a quiet design, and heats quickly. For safety, it auto shuts off when parts are overheated or when the unit is tipped over.

Supply Charlie Wallet

If he’s a fan of light pockets, this slim wallet makes a considerate gift for him without breaking yours. It has a fabric exterior, four card slots and comes with a rubber band to expand its capacity.

“If you are looking to upgrade your pocket game on a tight budget, consider the Herschel Charlie wallet. The amalgam of characterful design and high-quality materials the Charlie wallet brings made me feel like I’m using a pricier product — not one you can snag for $20 (or less). I was impressed by the wallet's textured finish and the attention to detail in its branding. Its RFID-shielded pockets are another feature that made me choose it over similarly priced competitors,” says our senior technology editor, Stefan Vazharov.

Book Vase

Skip the books and surprise your resident bookworm with this unique gift. Designed to look like a hardcover book, this ceramic vase features floral details, a wide mouth, and a stable base. It’ll seamlessly blend in on any bookshelf.

Pro-tip: Gift it with a bouquet of their favorite flowers for a ready-to-use gifting combo.

Pet Photo Necklace

From dog owners to cat owners, surprise the proud pet parent in your life with this under $25 gift. You can personalize this necklace with their pet’s name and a beloved favorite photo of their animal friend. It’s available in three colors — silver, gold, and rose gold.

Hella Awkward Card Game

For the friend who doesn’t mind making things awkward, this card game is the perfect gift. It features 140 questions across four categories — Real Talk, Dating, Sex, and Relationships — to help your recipient connect with their friends, family, and partner on a deeper level. Don’t worry — it includes skip cards to use when things get *too* awkward.

Golf In a Tin

If your recipient never misses their tee time, this gift for golfers allows them to enjoy a game right at their desk. It includes nine sheets with a hole, two 3-inch metal clubs for getting the perfect swing, and two metal balls. Plus, it comes in a tin, so they can fit a nine-hole game in their pocket.

Jewelry Dish 2-Piece

From her stackable rings to engraved necklaces to her favorite pearl earrings, this affordable gift is perfect for the sister who’s always leaving her jewelry around the house. This set includes two crescent-shaped trays, each made of glazed ceramic featuring an eye-catching gold rim and accents.

Spa Socks

From the husband with dry feet to the mom who deserves to be pampered, these spa socks make a thoughtful cheap gift. Each sock is made with soft yarns for comfort, is enhanced with vitamin E and lavender for moisturizing relief, and has grippers for non-slip wear.

Spiral Hair Ties

If your bestie is always in need of a hair tie, this set of eight spiral ties from Kitsch will make you their favorite. Each hair tie is waterproof, creaseless, and prevents tangling and hair breakage when it’s removed. It’s also available in colors like blonde, brunette, and transparent.

Plant Daddy Embroidered Cap

If your recipient is always watering, trimming, and fussing over their greenery, this gift for plant lovers will be fitting in more ways than one. Any plant parent will be proud to wear this embroidered cap, especially as they shop for new plants. Plus, it’s available in tons of fun colors to match their vibe.

Hello, Mask Besties 5-Piece Kit

The self-proclaimed skincare enthusiast on your gifting list will love having this mask kit in their collection. It comes with five mini versions of Peter Thomas Roth’s best selling masks that help to soothe, clarify, exfoliate, and hydrate the look of skin. With masks like cucumber gel, pumpkin enzyme, and a 24-karat gold, they’ll be able to treat their skin without burning a hole in your wallet.

Pink Nail Polish

If they practically live in their Barbie costume, keep Barbiecore alive and well with this cheap gift. Transport your beauty-obsessed recipient’s nails to Barbie Land with this hot pink crème polish from OPI. Inspired by the hit Barbie movie, it has a pearly finish that’ll sparkle as they dance the night away.

Wearable Nail Polish Bottle Holder

Give her a helping hand with this wearable nail polish holder that'll make DIY manicures way more manageable. It holds the bottle snuggly, so there's no fear of spillage while she's perfecting her mani. Pair this budget-friendly gift with some fast-drying nail drops, and you'll have a quick mani kit!

Puzzle Advent Calendar

Just because you’re on a budget, it doesn’t mean you can’t give your recipient multiple gifts. Surprise the puzzler in your circle with 12 different 80-piece puzzles as they countdown to Christmas, thanks to this advent calendar. Each puzzle features a whimsical illustration that captures the holiday season.

Men's Razor Set

Nothing feels better than a close shave, and they’ll have you to thank for their next one with this gift. This unbelievable five-piece shave set offers plenty of value for the price. Your soon-to-be clean-shaven recipient will enjoy several full-sized essentials, including a rich shave gel with aloe, a razor handle, and a three-pack of razor cartridges — all for just $15!

Honeysuckle Aromatherapy Candle

Sure, you could buy a $50 luxury candle somewhere, but this one smells just as good for a fraction of the price. Plus, it's made with soy wax, so you don't have to worry about any chemicals burning into the air. This honeysuckle-scented one is great year-round, and it's hard to beat the price at under $10.

All Out Of Grocery List Note Pad

With a 4.8-star rating and over 6,500 rave reviews, this note set is a no-fail cheap gift idea for the most forgetful shopper you know. Those with more specialized diets can take advantage of keto and vegetarian versions, checking off as many grocery items as they wish for a successful shopping trip.

WeRateDogs 2024 Calendar

If you want a gift that will put a smile on your recipient’s face every single day, then this calendar is it. Based on the viral Instagram and X accounts @WeRateDogs, each day features a different pup, accompanied by a silly rating of why he or she is such a great doggo.

Genius Movies Playing Cards

From Go Fish to Gin Rummy, these movie-themed playing cards will make every game even more fun. Each of the included 52 cards features a different movie director or star, so while you won't find a King of Diamonds in the deck, you will find Alfred Hitchcock and Spike Lee.

14-in-1 Multitool

You never know when someone will need a wine opener, pair of scissors, or screwdriver, so why not gift them those and 12 other tools? This multitool has 14 different functions, making it a useful and cheap gift.

It's a great choice for the outdoorsy person in your life or for anyone who likes to be preemptively prepared.

Multi Pocket Crossbody Bag

Your recipient will stay super-organized thanks to all of the compartments in this handy crossbody bag. It’s not only stylish but super functional, with several zippered pockets to securely hold a phone, keys, sunnies, and whatever else they need when out and about. It also comes in 24 colors, so there’s no shortage of options.

Himalayan Salt Lamp with Dimmer Cord

Add some zen to their space with this Himalayan salt lamp. Not only does it add a nice warm glow to any room, but they can dim the lamp to their liking, helping set the ambiance in any room. Himalayan salt can also help balance the ions in the air, which can apparently help you sleep better at night.

Mini Waffle Maker

This under-$20 kitchen appliance may seem tiny, but it'll totally change up their breakfast routine. From savory chicken and waffles to equally indulgent sweet treats, the options are truly endless. We're obsessed with this cute leopard print, too — they might even want to keep it out on the counter!

Tea Variety Pack

If you have a serious tea lover on your hands, set them up for sophisticated sipping with a variety pack of VAHDAM's most popular single-origin and in-house blends. Flavors like sweet cinnamon and turmeric spice will make them feel warm and cozy inside, but the set also has classic flavors like Earl Gray.

Enliven Me Lavender Bath Bomb with Necklace

Made with essential oils and shea butter, this lavender-scented bath bomb is just the cheap gift idea that your most high-strung friend needs to calm down after a long day.

Plus, the fun doesn't stop once it fizzes away. This extra-large bath bomb contains a necklace inside, so you're getting two gifts for the price of one!

Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover

A bottle of vino is a nice gift, but it’s a little blah, don’t you think? This handy red wine stain remover makes for the ideal cheap gift pairing to help prevent inevitable party messes, especially for those who tend to be a bit spill-prone. Simply spray this remover, blot, rinse, and watch your wine stains disappear.

Classic Dog Toy

Furry friends deserve a gift, too! This dog toy is a cheap gift, but it provides endless engagement for your pet. Its durable rubber formula and unpredictable bounce satisfy their need to chew while encouraging healthy play.

It can also be stuffed with their favorite treats, kibble, or peanut butter for an enticing challenge.

Facial Spray

This cult-favorite facial spray is an outrageously popular and cheap gift idea for a reason: It hydrates and refreshes tired skin, instantly giving it a fresh and dewy glow. It’s also a pleasant little pick-me-up during an afternoon slump. Just spritz this mist for a burst of energy!

Speckled White Hanging Planter

The plant parents in your life will always appreciate another planter, especially when it’s as gorgeous as this speckled one. This gift comes with two hanging planters, perfect for trailing plants like pothos or philodendrons.

If you're feeling extra generous, you could even add a live plant — Amazon sells those, too!

I’m Real Honey Nourishing Sheet Mask

Step up their self-care Sunday routine with this super-cheap gift idea. TONYMOLY's single-use sheet masks are touted for their pleasant scent, fresh feel, and mess-free application. This honey version will transform your dull skin into a healthy, moisturized daydream in just 20 minutes. Plus, it’s great for sensitive skin.

More: We Found the Best Face Masks on the Market After 164 Hours of Testing

Softcover Mini Photo Book

Who said that cheap gifts can't be sentimental? This customizable mini photo book is a gift they'll cherish for years to come, and it won't cost you a fortune. It'll look great on a coffee table or shelf, and chances are they'll be sharing it with all their friends.

Silicone Drinking Straws (Set of Six)

This is a great cheap gift idea for the friend who's trying to make greener choices with their daily drink purchases. This colorful set of six silicone straws comes with its own cleaning brush and carrying pouch, so they can enjoy their iced lattes on the go without contributing to plastic pollution.

Twisted Pearl Velvet Headband

For under $10, this adorable hair accessory will snazz up boring strands with a knotted velvet top and a surface spotted with pearls. The classic vibes of this jewel-toned green headband will upgrade any look, but there are plenty of other gorgeous colors that'll fit your friend's preferred aesthetic.

Lip Balm Phone Grip

Tech gifts can get absurdly expensive, but the PopSocket is a cheap gift and affordable phone accessory that'll please them while keeping extra pennies in your pocket.

It grips onto the back of their device for easier holding and handling, so selfies and streaming can become more seamless, and a refillable lip balm inside ensures that their mouth always stays moisturized.

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