25 Gifts Under $20 For Bringing Cheer On A Budget
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For some, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. For others, they are incredibly stressful. A common reason why people dread the season is the numerous gifts that they feel like they need to get for their family and friends. And while it is totally okay to limit the number of people you'll get gifts for, setting a budget for each person is an easy way to take some of that stress away. "It's smart to allocate a specific dollar amount for each person you will be buying a gift for this holiday, this way you won't overspend," the managing director of Accenture, Farla Efros tells BNN Bloomberg.
However, the smaller the budget, the harder it can be to find a great and thoughtful gift. Luckily, there are amazing gifts you can buy for under $20 — and we gathered 25 that we absolutely adore (and so will anyone you gift them to)!
How we picked the gifts
We made sure that none of these gifts are over $20 at the time of writing — however, some are currently on sale which means that their prices could change in the future. Apart from the budget, we tried to find a variety of gifts for different people in your life, meaning that there's something for your parents, your siblings, your co-workers, any children or teenagers in your life, as well as numerous gifts that work for family and friends.
To find the best gifts we took a look at current product trends on social media as well as customer reviews — some of which we also mentioned specifically. We also tried to stray away from basic and boring gifts, which means that the candles and socks we included are a little bit more thoughtful than what you'd pick up at your local mall. Keep in mind that we did not include shipping prices as those can vary depending on location.
Best gift to make your mom laugh
A thoughtful gift for your mom is a lavender-scented candle. A thoughtful and funny gift for your mom is this lavender-scented candle that says "Mom's Last Nerve." It's something that is bound to make the whole family laugh. Besides, you know that a candle is one of those gifts that won't end up in the trash. "First off, the lavender scent is lovely. It's in a high-quality jar, pretty durable. And I love the sign on it," a happy customer wrote on the product's Amazon page.
You can get the Lavender Candle on Amazon for $16.99.
Best gift to make mom cry (happy tears)
If you're looking for a more sentimental gift, this Letters to My Mom booklet is a perfect holiday present. According to Chronicle Books, the set includes 12 letters that will allow you to share with your mom just how much she means to you. Some of the unique topics you'll write on include "A special memory I have of you is...," "From you I learned the importance of...," "I always think of you when...," and "One thing I'm glad we share is..."
You can buy Letters to My Mom on the Chronicle Books website for $14.95.
Best gift for a family/group
Buying something meaningful for a family or group of friends is always a challenge — especially if you want it to be under $20. Luckily, there are thoughtful gifts that are affordable and are bound to make the recipients happy. One of those is this Bee & Willow Monogram Letter Mosaic Print Mug, which is currently on sale. You can get one with the initials of each family member and pack them together as a set. Each mug has a 16-ounce capacity.
You can buy the Bee & Willow Monogram Letter Mosaic Print Mugs on the Bed Bath & Beyond website for $3.50 per cup ($7 regular price).
Best gift for the one who won't shut up about their pet
If you're a pet parent get this for yourself. And if you are looking for a gift for someone who has a pet, look no further. These custom Pet Socks are hilarious and any pet owner will adore them. All you have to do is upload a photo of their pet, and considering that pet owners post pics of their fluffy babies 24/7, that shouldn't be too hard.
You can buy a pair of Custom Face Mash Pet Socks on the Santa Socks website for $19.95.
Best gift for the one who always forgets their passwords
We've all been there — the struggle of forgetting a password and having to reset it. It's probably one of the most annoying things to happen in modern everyday life, but luckily there is an easy way to prevent this. If you know someone who has a lot of accounts (or bad memory) get them a password book. This one is medium-sized, has alphabetical tabs, and according to the seller, "stores over 480 entries of website login passwords and usernames." Of course, it is crucial to keep the book in a safe place and change the passwords frequently.
You can buy a JUBTIC Password Book on Amazon for $10.99.
Best gift for the one that doesn't skip their skincare routine, no matter what
If you're shopping for a skincare lover, get them this Origins Mask This Way 5-Mask Starter Set — trust us, they will love it. The best part about the set is that they will get to try out five different masks that target a variety of skin concerns. "I love the variety and for most, a little bit of product goes a long way," a happy shopper wrote on the Sephora website.
You can buy the Origins Mask This Way 5-Mask Starter Set on Sephora.com for $16 ($20 regular price).
Best gift for the makeup girlie who always carries her essentials
Those who regularly wear makeup — and have a lot of it — know the struggle of finding a good makeup bag. There's nothing worse than being in a rush and failing to grab that product that is sitting at the bottom of the bag. Luckily, there's a solution for that. This Drawstring Makeup Bag is the perfect gift for any makeup-obsessed person in your life. Once it's pulled apart, it lays flat which makes it super easy to see everything that's in it.
You can buy this Velvet Drawstring Makeup Bag on Etsy for $14.99.
Best gift for the one that stole your heart
Getting a gift for your significant other can often be difficult because you want it to be special — something that they will cherish and adore. This "The Night We Met" star map is the perfect unique gift that is bound to put a huge smile on their face. Since it is a digital file, you will get it to your email immediately, after which you can print it wherever you'd like — we recommend Walmart where you can pick it up in just an hour.
You can buy a "The Night We Met" Star Map on Etsy for $18.50.
Best gift for the tiny human you adore
Boggle is one of the most famous word games — it was first published in 1972 by Parker Brothers (via All About Fun and Games) and it has been popular ever since. Because it's a classic, it's one of those gifts you can never go wrong with. There are plenty of versions you can buy, but we chose the Boggle Classic Game by Hasbro Gaming. Anyone above the age of eight can play it, and it's perfect for one or more players. "Good for young ones to practice spelling — without the autocorrect in their devices," one reviewer wrote.
You can buy the Boggle Classic Game on Amazon for approximately $10.
Best gift to inspire dad's jokes
If your dad is known for his not-so-funny jokes (like every other dad out there), we've found the perfect budget-friendly gift you can buy him. Word Teasers Dad Jokes is a set of 300 jokes that will surely make your dad laugh (but only him). Of course, we have to put in a disclaimer: he will memorize these and use them regularly for years to come.
You can buy a Word Teasers Dad Jokes set on Uncommon Goods for $15.
Best gift for your office bestie
Getting something for a co-worker can be tricky — especially if you don't know them too well. One gift that works for literally anyone working in an office is a mug warmer. It is designed to keep their coffee or tea warm for hours, and it's small and easily portable. And as a bonus, it is also a great gift for students! "Absolutely amazing and absolutely necessary for a student during finals season. Not only did it keep my drinks at the perfect temperature but I felt like such an innovator using it to keep my dinner hot as I pulled an all-nighter in the library," a buyer wrote on Amazon.
You can buy the Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer for Coffee and Tea on Amazon for approximately $14.
Best gift for that boss that needs to calm down
Buying a gift for your boss is probably one of the most stressful parts of holiday shopping. While a pen is always a safe choice, you can spice things up by getting them a fun Magnetic Fidget Pen. According to the item's description, it is "not just a pen, but also a finger fidget toy." After all, if you're stressed at work imagine how stressed your boss is — they could certainly use this.
You can buy a Magnetic Fidget Pen on Amazon for $19.99.
Best gift for the TikTok-obsessed teen
If you're shopping for a teenager who spends a lot of time watching or recording TikToks, get them this DIY neon sign. Trust us, they will love the idea of having something bright in the background while they're showing off their dance moves or doing their makeup. And the fact that they can turn it into any shape or word they like makes this so much better than a pre-designed neon sign.
You can buy the Iscream Pink-Make Your Own Neon Sign at Kohl's for $13 ($32.50 regular price).
Best gift for the one that's always ahead of fashion trends
We all have that one ultra-fashionable person in our lives and let's be real — it's kind of intimidating shopping for a Christmas present for them. Because they are always on top of fashion trends, it makes it really difficult to buy them any clothing item. However, you can always get them a fancy tote bag that they can use when they're shopping. We opted for this cream-colored one because it is a classic design and a neutral color which means that it will work with anybody's style.
You can buy the ASOS DESIGN Oversized Heavyweight Cotton Tote Bag on ASOS.com for $20.
Best gift for the one who should try journaling
If you have someone in your life who is struggling mentally, a thoughtful gift to give them is a journal that will encourage them to put their feelings down. A great one is "The Mindful Life Journal" by Justin R. Adams. "I bought this book on [a] whim. I am so glad I did. It is easy, straightforward, and truly has brought mindfulness and gratitude on a daily basis," one buyer wrote in their review. Of course, letting the person know that you're there for them is something you can't put a price on — but a journal like this can provide a daily activity that can help them feel better.
You can buy "The Mindful Life Journal: Seven Minutes a Day for a Better, More Meaningful Life" by Justin R. Adams on Amazon for $9.99.
Best gift for the globetrotter in your life
A great option as a gift for anyone who travels frequently is this cute personalized passport holder and luggage tag set. It comes in four different colors and has over 10,000 positive reviews on Etsy. "Bought two for two friends for Christmas ahead of our upcoming girls' holiday. They were over the moon with them. Very happy with the quality," one buyer wrote.
You can buy the Personalized Passport Set — Passport Holder Set and Luggage Tag on Etsy for just under $18.
Best gift for the wine lover
Everyone has a wine lover in their life, and the perfect gift you can get them for the holidays is this Eparé Pocket Wine Aerator. According to the brand, the aerator "brings out the best value in everyday wine, so you're getting a tasty premium on every purchase." Per Orange Coast Winery, wine needs to be exposed to air in order to "soften the flavors and releases its aromas." A happy buyer of Eparé's aerator claims that it "adds air to wine as though it's been breathing for hours."
You can buy the Eparé Pocket Wine Aerator on the Eparé website for 19.95.
Best gift for the party girl that always has weekend plans
Party girls know the struggle of having to carry a bag to the dance floor just so that their keys and money don't get stolen or lost. If you know someone who loves a good night out, get them this set of two scrunchies with hidden pockets. "Really appreciate the size and quality of the scrunchies, the zipper is good quality and opens to just the right size pocket for some money, chapstick and other goodies to be held," a buyer pointed out.
You can buy a Hidden Pocket Scrunchies – Set of Two on Uncommon Goods for $20.
Best gift for the health nut
Anyone who is trying to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle will get excited if you gift them this set of essential oils. It contains eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, and peppermint essential oil. From cleaning to aromatherapy, there are countless ways to use essential oils, but the health nuts in your life will already know what to exactly do with each one.
You can buy the Aura Cacia Discover Essential Oils Kit on iHerb for approximately $19.
Best gift for the amateur chef
Getting a present for the kitchen lover in your life shouldn't be too difficult as there are plenty of tools and ingredients you can buy them. However, if you're on a budget we recommend getting this set of Bee's Wrap. The set features three different sizes of wraps which can be used to keep food fresh and save any leftovers. This is also a great gift for the environmentally conscious person in your life — which, to be honest, should be everyone — as the wraps are reusable.
You can buy the Assorted 3 Pack of Bee's Wrap on the Bee's Wrap website for $18.
Best gift for the astrology lover
A cute gift for someone who loves talking about zodiac signs and astrology is this custom moon phase necklace. All you have to do when purchasing is share the exact birthday of the person you plan to gift it to. From there, the Etsy store owner will do the research and find out the phase of the moon on that date to make the necklace perfectly personalized. Considering it has five-star ratings from over 1,000 buyers, this is bound to be a gift your friend will cherish forever.
You can buy a Custom Moon Phase Necklace from Etsy for approximately $19.
Best gift for the movie junkie
Everyone has that one person in their life that they turn to for movie recommendations — and we found the perfect budget-friendly gift for them. This 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster will allow them to "take a deep dive into movie magic" with 100 of the most iconic Hollywood projects. Once they watch each movie, they simply scratch it off the list. Blockbusters like "The Godfather," "Mean Girls," and "The Lion King" are only some of the options featured.
You can buy the 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster on Uncommon Goods for $15.
Best gift for the crafty artist
If you know someone who loves painting, drawing, or creating any form of visual art, this Solar Photography Kit is a great gift for them. It comes with everything that they will need to embark on a sunography journey, and who knows, maybe they will even gift you one of their pieces once they are done. "My friend absolutely loved this gift and I think it is just a really fun and interesting concept. I had never seen anything like this before, and neither had she," one buyer wrote in their review.
You can buy the Solar Photography Kit on Uncommon Goods for $14.95.
Best gift for the tech nerd
Honestly, this gift is something that most people would find useful, but especially those who always carry around multiple devices that require charging. While the cord roll is advertised as the perfect way to store cords while traveling, it can also be used on a daily to prevent cords and earphones from tangling up in one's bag. "Got this gift for my mom, whose bag was a mess of cords. She loves it," someone wrote in their review after purchasing it.
You can buy the Travel Cord Roll on Uncommon Goods for $20.
Best gift for that someone who has everything (and loves a good laugh)
Lastly, if you're genuinely struggling to get a gift for someone who seemingly has it all, get them the gift of a good laugh. This belly button cleaner is absolutely unnecessary, yet it is bound to be something they don't own yet. "Made them laugh so hard," one buyer admitted in a review. Of course, this gift isn't for everyone — but everyone has that one person who would find it hilarious.
You can buy a Belly Button Cleaner on Etsy for approximately $3.