When the holidays come around, you want to get everyone on your list something thoughtful and unique. Yet, when you don’t have unlimited time and money, you need to be strategic about your shopping.
To help you best surprise all your funky friends and family, we rounded up a selection of totally special, creative gifts — each under $50 — that you can easily score online.
You’ll find small home decor, customizable treats and other memorable presents that are a little out of the box, while still being universally adored.
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How cute is this Lucky Charms-inspired bowl of cereal that’s actually a candle? Perfect for breakfast lovers or anyone into kitsch, it’s a statement piece that’s charming to look at and actually works as a functional candle.
Treat your favorite bookworm to a pair of socks resembling a book check-out card. Perfect for anyone who spends time at their local library or who can always be found falling asleep with a book resting on their chest.
“Friends” fans will immediately recognize this golden frame as the decor that adorned the peephole of Monica and Rachel’s apartment. You can get one for your own bestie to decorate their space. (Check out how good it looks on a door in review photos here and here.)
Totally new yet retro-inspired to enjoy photos, this reel viewer lets you put your special moments on an interchangeable reel that goes into classic viewer toy. It’s a great way to experience good memories and to show little ones a little bit about the past.
How it works: It’ll come with a code inside the package to redeem one reel of seven images from vendor. Once you submit the photos you want inside, the finished reel will ship within 7 to 10 business days of photo submission.
Note: We recommend you order this ASAP so it’ll arrive in time for Christmas.
If you have fond memories of eating ballpark soft-serve out of a novelty plastic baseball helmet, you can keep the good vibes going with an adorable ceramic version.
This ice cream cup holds 10.5 ounces, letting little and big sluggers alike enjoy a frosty treat from the best seat in the house. You can find this emblazoned with the logo of most MLB teams. (And if you’re committed to the plastic version, we found a 30-pack on Amazon that contains one helmet for every team.)
Need a quarter? Inspired by a pay phone sign, this iPhone case gives you a little blast from the past and a bit of whimsical pop-art fun. Find it in soft and hard case models for various iPhone sizes. (There’s even a MagSafe option.)
No, that’s not a priceless 17th-century Afghanistan rug, it’s a modern, machine-washable fleece throw blanket that’s soft and snuggly. Great for antique buffs, your boho bestie or anyone who likes an ornate pattern, this throw blanket comes in three sizes all ready for your bed or couch.
What you can’t say in words, you can say on a cookie. Write up to three lines of custom text on this box of delicious vanilla shortbread cookies that are made in the USA. Perfect for your partner with a sweet tooth or your sister with a silly sense of humor.
Anyone who knows the joy of Aldi would foam at the mouth for this adorable and hilarious quarter-holding key chain. (For the uninitiated: The beloved grocer requires a 25-cent deposit to use a shopping cart.) Rep the bargain brand and always have a coin to get a cart.
It’s an unbelievably adorable hedgehog-shaped watering can that will bring joy to anyone who gets to see it. Need we say more? Made in Indonesia, it features decorative rectangular “spikes” and a perforated snout that dispenses water.
Let the pet lover in your life represent their furry friend as though they were a celebrity. You can find this customizable T-shirt in adult sizes S-4XL and youth sizes XS-XL, printed on a Comfort Colors blank that’s available in 11 colors. On the product page, you’ll find detailed instructions from the seller for submitting photos and creating a truly one-of-a-kind shirt.
Note: this can take up to two weeks to make, so be sure to order now.
Get your loved one ready for a day-long marathon of whatever salacious program they love to watch with this cozy “Reality TV is my sport” sweatshirt. Find it in sizes S-5XL in a bunch of colors.
Got a beer-drinking golfer in your life? They’ll get a kick out of this pint glass featuring a Titleist golf ball. Crafted in Wisconsin with raw materials and packing that’s made in the USA, it’s a conversation piece that will last 18 rounds.
For the hostess with the mostest — a 100% bamboo cutting board showing off your family’s name. (Or really anything else you want it to say.) Engrave it with a special message or date for your recipient, who will love and use it for years to come.
Clip the on-page coupon for an extra 10% off at checkout.
A reusable version of an iconic diner paper cup, this ceramic tumbler gives you a taste of city life every morning. It’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe and holds 10 ounces of liquid.
Bring the stadium to your coffee table with this crafty mixed-material coaster, embedded with the floorplan of your favorite football stadium. Crafted from baltic birch with a layer of clear acrylic on top, it’s a fully functional coaster that will show off some hometown pride. Note: these take some time to deliver, so order now.
If you’re looking for an affordable, useful and fairly foolproof stocking stuffer that’s just going to make your recipient smile, we found this under-$20 artist-designed notebook at Society6. Lined or unlined, this 6-inch by 8-inch paperback journal features 70-pound text paper and two adorable cats enjoying a morning cup of joe in a “wraparound” design with different imagery on the front and back. It makes for a great present for anyone who likes to write or who still takes messages the old-fashioned way.
No truer words have ever been spoken. Gift the cat lover in your life this universal catch-all pouch that’s perfect for coins, makeup, wires and other small odds and ends. Find it in three sizes.
Have paper photos on demand with this handy, pocket-sized Bluetooth printer. It connects with your smartphone to give you physical memories of your best moments in seconds and has a 24-hour battery life. The printer is inkless but demands special paper to print, which is sold separately via the link below.
A thoughtful addition to anyone’s home office, this faux leather mouse pad comes in a bunch of great colors and can be personalized with a monogram of name written in script.
Note: This seller is actually able to create this customized mouse pad with next-day shipping!
Modeled after a 20-sided role-playing dice (mainly used in “Dungeons and Dragons”), this cheery planter is perfect for game-night lovers. Made with a 3D printer, it measures 4.3 by 3.5 inches and is available in five colors.
“Barbie” fans will love this adorable Mojo Dojo Casa House candle that’s perfectly pink and scented with rich mahogany, warm spices and vanilla.
