Gifts under $25 quick picks
Stylish loungewear for him: All in Motion Men's Cotton Fleece Joggers
A multifunctional travel gift: Nomadix Bandana Towel
A holiday-themed lip care set: Laneige Divine Lip Duo Gift Set
A gift for the sandwich connoisseur: Lodge Rectangular Cast-Iron Grill Press LGP3
Here at Underscored, our editors spend a lot of time thinking about gifts and, humbly, we consider ourselves experts in the fine art of giving great gifts. We also know that people are feeling squeezed by rising prices, so if you need gift ideas that won’t break the bank this holiday season, we’ve got you covered!
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best gifts under $25 that are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Need more gifting help? Check out our favorite gift ideas for men, gift ideas for women, editor-loved gifts and Amazon gifts.
Best home gifts under $25
This fun fungi-themed LED light is perfect for placing in a dreary corner of their house, lighting up a hallway or using as a bathroom light to deliver soft illumination during the darkest hours of the night.
Pho, ramen or just general noodle-soup lovers will delight in this adorable bowl that also comes with chopsticks and a lid to keep your soup warm. The lid even doubles as a tray for your favorite condiments and add-ins like bean sprouts, limes or herbs.
A book is a classic gift to give the book lover in your life. But for something a little more special around the holidays, we love this hardcover painted edition of "Little Women" featuring an illustrated cover, interior designs and, of course, the classic story of the March family written by Louisa May Alcott.
There’s nothing like having a pitcher of cold brew in the fridge, and after weeks of testing, the Hario Mizudashi is our favorite. Not only does it make a smooth, flavorful brew but it’s gorgeous and easy to use.
This clear mug from MoMA Design Store shows the perfect coffee-to-milk ratios for making your favorite cappuccinos, lattes and more.
More aesthetic than your traditional measuring cups, these floral ceramic cups also nest neatly within one another for easy storing.
Best practical gifts under $25
If you know someone who keeps their car in immaculate order — or maybe someone who needs some help tidying up — this cleaning gel will pull dust and debris from every nook and cranny. Make sure to clip the on-page coupon for maximum savings.
Great for tech-heads, this Oxo cleaning brush and tip marker will make sure all their gear stays looking like it just came out of the box.
Everyone craves a good night's sleep, and this pillow spray with a blend of lavender, chamomile and vetiver promises to help you fall asleep faster so you wake up feeling ready to tackle the day's tasks.
A great gift for backcountry travelers, campers or emergency preppers, this LifeStraw filter turns water from any stream, pond or lake into suitable drinking water in an instant.
Power tools are not just for construction. This attachment set will turn their drill into a powerful cleaning tool that will have their house sparkling like never before.
Forget about those cardboard trees — car fresheners have gone very luxe. This wooden car freshener in Teak Scent will keep their car smelling gorgeously masculine for up to 30 days.
A practical gift for college students or apartment dwellers who might not have space for a full tool setup, this 38-piece kit is easy to store and much sleeker than a large toolbox.
Best jewelry gifts under $25
A simple but stunning necklace never goes out of style. Starting at just $17, you can personalize each tag with the names or initials of kids, partners, pets or anything else. It's an easy way to create a custom present without spending a fortune.
Available in multiple color combinations, this semiprecious bracelet is made with translucent beads and gold discs that make a vibrant addition to any wrist stack (though it also looks just as good solo).
We love chunky gold hoops since you can wear them with pretty much anything. Better yet, we love when we can find them at an affordable price point like this under-$20 pair from Amazon, which also come in silver and rose gold.
These pretty little stacking rings, which are available in silver, gold or rose gold, are inset with your choice of one of the 12 birthstones for a pretty, personalized gift that looks way more expensive than it is.
Best fashion gifts under $25
While these seersucker trousers are technically pajama pants, they're chic enough to style for a laid-back going out look too. Perfect for warm, humid weather, pair these pants — which come in blue, yellow and multicolored — with your favorite graphic tee and sneakers. Who knows? They might even be your new go-to travel pants.
These tortoise aviators will help any fashionista nail the retro aesthetic. And they only cost $15, so you can buy a pair for everyone you know (including yourself!).
Perfect when they want to throw their hair up but need a little more razzle-dazzle than a standard clip, this squiggle hair clip from Anthropologie comes in two metallic finishes to fit any style.
These socks, with their little heart motif on the ankle, are such a cute —and comfy — way to show someone you love them.
Pajamas are an old classic when it comes to gifts. We love this two-piece pajama set that looks way more expensive than its $25 price tag.
Plush slippers are a must for lounging around the house. We love that this top-rated pair features an open-toed design, which means they won’t feel too warm when summer rolls around.
Best travel gifts under $25
A small sling bag is a great way to keep essentials, like your phone, passport and maps, close at hand while you explore or hike a new city. This water-repellent North Face bag is crafted with recycled nylon ripstop for supreme durability and is available in several cool colors.
This multipurpose bandana is a must for adventurous travelers. The UPF 50+ fabric is quick drying and absorbent, so you can use it as a sun shield, sweat mopper or for cleaning up unexpected messes. It's a great gift for any of the outdoorsy folks in your life who might be venturing to a new national park soon.
Know someone who always overpacks? Help give them a little more bag space with these compression packing cubes, which will also help keep all their gear organized while they hop from destination to destination.
The gift of a good night’s sleep is priceless, and luckily, our favorite sleep mask is only $10 right now, so getting that deep, restorative sleep you’ve been longing for is more attainable than you think.
This adjustable clamp attaches directly to a tray table as well as desks, countertops, bedside tables and more, allowing you to watch whatever you want without having to hold your phone.
Best beauty gifts under $25
This top-rated mask promises to deep-clean pores and reveal refreshed, glowy skin in minutes, and the sleek packaging that evokes a spa-like feeling makes it fancy enough for gifting.
Body care is having a moment, and for that person obsessed with having silky soft and supple skin, this dry brush will make a great addition to their routine. Use it pre-shower to help sweep away dead skin and prime your body for deep moisture.
De-stress or wake yourself up with the help of these shower steamers. Handmade in Washington State, each bag comes with a three steamers made with essential oils like lavender, lemongrass or eucalyptus for a heaping dose of aromatherapy.
Decrease morning puffiness with the help of this facial ice roller. It's a simple tool that can help you feel refreshed on groggy mornings; cool off on hot, sticky days; or calm inflamed and irritated skin.
We're big fans of Laneige, and this set comes with two of the brand's bestsellers in festive holiday flavors. Grab the Candy Cane Glowy Lip Balm for the day and at night, slather on the Peppermint Lip Sleeping Mask for an extra dose of moisture.
A mani at home? Yes, please! Treat tired hands to some TLC with this four-step gift set. Each box comes with a sugar scrub, cream mask, massage butter and nail file. Gift all three for multiple treatments or split up the boxes among your friends and family.
We tested these press-on nails and rated them our favorite uniquely designed press-ons. They make a particularly great gift for teens and tweens who are itching to have some nail flair.
Make sure everyone stays moisturized with this cult-favorite hand cream from O’Keeffe’s. See more of our favorite hand creams here.
These hydrating masks are the perfect addition to your next at-home spa day. With ingredients like tea tree, shea butter, aloe and more, you or your gift recipient will be glowing in no time. And because there are 12 in the set, there are plenty to share with friends.
Best fun gifts under $25
A simple game you can play any time or place, this game of debatable topics will kick up some fun-loving arguments between any group of friends or family.
Even the smallest Lego sets can create beautiful keepsakes and will keep your hands and brain occupied. This Lego peacock has 355 pieces and is suitable for ages 7 and up.
This karaoke machine not only looks great but it has two mini-sized mics ideal for small hands. Though, we won't judge if an adult or two wants to jump in on the fun too.
Beautiful and functional, these playing cards pay homage to the iconic landscapes of the US national parks and are made on casino-quality cardstock for added durability.
Best hobby gifts under $25
Much like die-hard coffee lovers, matcha lovers also have a ritualistic routine for their morning brew. This ceramic bowl and whisk holder set will be a mainstay on their counter that they'll use every morning.
Cinema regulars can have a visual display of all the films they've watched with this scratch-off poster. Families can get in on the fun too with a version of this poster curated with family-friendly movies. When you gift this to someone, you'll be helping create a new movie night tradition.
Wooden and plastic golf tees don't pack much personality. Gift the golfer in your life these beer-themed tees that they won't want to leave behind on the green.
Gaiam’s extra-thick mat can help reduce stress on joints, and it also features textured ridges for added stability. Add in the under-$25 price tag and it’s no wonder this mat boasts more than 30,000 5-star ratings.
Best food gifts under $25
The Bonne Maman Advent calendar is a hit every year and for good reason. If you're looking for a smaller version, this one features eight delectable preserve spreads including classic flavors like Wild Blueberry and Apricot, as well as honey and marmalade.
Truff has long been a favorite of ours for foodie gifts. It's an excellent way to give your eggs, pizzas or sandwiches that gourmet kick. Plus, it's a lot more luxurious than a typical grocery store hot sauce for gifting purposes.
Perfect for kicking up the heat in your meals, these mini Fly By Jing spices are just what your favorite home cook needs to amp up their dishes. We also love that they don't take up too much space, so they'll be easy to store or pop into your lunch tote.
Hot honey is a perfect condiment — a little sweet, a little spicy and it goes with everything — making it a perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
Maldon salt is so chic, and this giant tub of delicate briny flakes makes a showstopping gift for just about anyone but especially for people who love to cook.
These candied cherries soaked in Luxardo marasca cherry syrup are the OG cocktail cherry. Dense and chewy with a sweet and tart flavor, they are equally tasty at in cocktails as on top of ice cream.
Best home cook gifts under $25
Bagel sandwiches are a true art form, and now making them at home just got so much easier with this egg maker. After just 60 seconds in the microwave, the bagel lover in your life will have a perfectly sized and shaped egg to throw on their morning sammie.
For making burgers and sandwiches at home, this cast-iron press was our top pick for the best manual panini press. We also love that with this, you won't need another large countertop appliance to make delicious, savory sandwiches at home.
Everything you need to prep an avocado — from slicing to pitting — in one compact, dishwasher-safe tool. It's an Underscored-reader favorite.
Got a garlic lover on your holiday shopping list? This tiny kitchen gadget makes mincing garlic a cinch. Simply toss in a few whole cloves, then roll the device along the kitchen counter for a customized chop. Less rolling results in a coarser chop, while more means a finer mince.
Let your giftee indulge in their sweet tooth with this cute mini ice cream maker. Churning up one pint at a time, it’s the perfect way to add some extra sweetness to their next movie night.