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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 friend who likes their food with a kick
Chile crisps add compelling heat and a bit of crunch to anything you put them on, and this is the one Chef Buddha Lo calls the OG and uses as a key ingredient in his sauces.
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 environmentally-conscious sibling with a sweet tooth
These chocolate bars are dairy free, vegan, and kosher and made with fair-trade, organic ingredients. In addition to listing all that — as you might expect from the soap-maker Dr. Bronner’s — the wrappers have a whimsical, colorful design that makes the chocolate look as good as it tastes.
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 aunt who loves a taste of nostalgia …
… Or unusual flavors. They won’t find these intensely floral sweets in the candy aisle of their grocery store.
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.
Beauty and self-care
For the European-drugstore fan
This British toothpaste tastes like “if Fernet-Branca were spiked with the most delicate whisper of spearmint,” writes Strategist contributor Angela Serratore.
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 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 friend with Platinum status
A travel-friendly rinse-free hand wash that’s a major upgrade from Purell.
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 sister who prefers her lashes megalong
This mascara works its magic on even the sparest, stubbiest lashes. “It lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and curls each tiny hair,” says Strategist contributor Jinnie Lee.
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
Kitchen, office, and garden gifts
For the friend who likes to keep it funky
This trippy mushroom nightlight changes colors every five seconds.
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 cooking enthusiast
This manual knife-sharpener will help them keep their edge.
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 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 aspiring gardener
These rugged yet breathable gloves have rubber-coated threads at the fingertips, which makes it possible for them to use their phone while wearing them.
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 toddler who likes to make some noise
This ingenious series offers all the delight and satisfaction you get from popping Bubble Wrap, and this edition adds a classic children’s song to the activity.
For the kid who’s not quite ready to hit the skate park
These are just as fun to play with on a desk as they are at the playground.
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 kid who loves a good puzzle
These mini-puzzles come in a range of cute and colorful designs and are just the right size to throw into a bag for a trip or to put together at home without taking over half the dining table.
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 creative who’s in a funk
Britt Frank’s book on the practices that can help us break the patterns that distract us from the things we want to do has been instrumental in helping me manage my ADHD. Maybe it’ll help them focus on writing that novel.
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.)
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.
