In this article
The best holiday gifts are small and delightful. Anyone can pick out a big-ticket appliance or designer scarf, but there’s a real art to finding a stocking stuffer that’s affordable, thoughtful, and won’t end up in the junk pile, all while being compact enough to fit in a stocking with a bunch of other stuff. To help you locate the perfect little presents for everyone in your life (from close family members to co-workers to college friends), we’ve combed through our archive for inexpensive items recommended by Strategist staffers and other experts we’ve spoken with. And for more gift ideas for different kinds of people in your life (from birders to knitters to Formula 1 fans), find all of our curated picks here.
Food and drink
For the friend who already owns a sardine fork
Tiny Portuguese tinned fish in a box that’s beautiful enough to gift.
For the roommate who puts hot sauce on everything
If they’ve tried every spicy condiment out there, this Old Bay–flavored hot sauce will be something different.
For the chocolate maximalist
Whether they’re a kid or a kid at heart, they’ll be thrilled to receive a container full of chocolate rocks — they’re half-toy, half-candy.
For the Japanese-candy collector
These matcha-flavored biscuit cookies are a classic — they’re one of Christine Chiu’s favorite things — or you could get a bunch of different flavors and gift them a stocking full of Pocky.
For the friend with a bitter tooth
If they prefer astringent flavors, gift them a bartender-favorite bottle of orange bitters. (It’s one of the few bar items I always restock when I run out.)
Beauty and self-care
For the friend who wears full glam to the grocery
They’ll love this cult-favorite mascara. It “dramatically plumps and intensifies my lashes in every single way — it lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and curls each tiny hair,” writes Strategist contributor Jinnie Lee.
For the theater kid
If they’re bringing Macbeth energy to arguments over who gets the last pudding cup, they’ll make good use of this shortcut to fake tears. It’s recommended by actress Annie Hamilton: “Crying not only felt good, but it sure looked good,” she writes.
For the mom who’s allergic to fragrance
An olive-oil-and-mineral-salt soap with just three ingredients, perfect for those with sensitive skin who still want the fancy soap experience.
For the cousin who loves an onsen
This beautiful, aromatic Japanese incense is easy to fit in a stocking, and the faintly sandalwood-scented box it comes in can also be repurposed for next year’s gifts.
For the sister-in-law looking for a fresh start in 2023
If she’s had a tough year or just wants to cleanse her entryway energy, she’ll love these smudge sticks, which come recommended by celebrity stylist Ty Hunter.
For the friend with a fancy bathroom
A luxe toothpaste for a European-drugstore fan. According to designer Todd Snyder, mint is the best flavor: “The cinnamon is nice, but I feel like the mint is more like a toothpaste. I like the officialness of the Strong Mint.”
For the digital nomad brother-in-law
A simple concept that can be totally life-changing, these clip-on toothbrush protectors are some of our most recommended travel gifts.
For the friend who FaceTimes in a face mask
The cutest pimple patches ever created come highly recommended by two expert dermatologists we spoke with as well as our beauty writer, Rio.
For the overworked college student
An ice roller soothes skin and reduces puffiness; it’s a favorite morning ritual for many of the celebrities we’ve spoken to. (It’s also great for hangovers.)
For the Gen-Z sibling who’s on her fourth -core of the year
An oversize hair bow that could skew dark academia, coquette, or whimsigoth plus whatever aesthetic movement is coming next.
Games, toys, and art supplies
For the brother who can’t sit still
The classic pink Spalding bouncy ball (bouncing it off a wall is one of illustrator Maira Kalman’s brain-reset hacks), now in basketball form.
For the design-minded games nerd
For the kid who has dressed up as an animal five Halloweens in a row
German toy company Schleich makes durable, very realistic figurines of all kinds of animals, whether they’re a Bambi or Jurassic Park kid.
For the brother-in-law who keeps losing his AirPods
Objects that look like food are always a delightful gift. This Napa-cabbage AirPods case comes recommended by fake-food enthusiast Allison Rodman.
For the artist in the family
These double-sided colored pencils, recommended by designer Nikki Chasin for their sturdiness, will give them 24 colors to work with for the price of 12.
For the sibling whose books are full of margin notes
Gift them the pen Sofia Coppola uses to mark up the script for her upcoming Priscilla Presley biopic, Priscilla.
For Daddy’s little helper
An adorable pair of toddlers’ leather work gloves, so they can “help” with gardening and home DIY projects.
For the frequent dinner-party host
These drippy rainbow candles change color as they burn down — a fun, trippy way to mark time when dinner parties go deep into the night.
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 women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultraflattering pants, 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.
