27+ best gifts under $50 in 2024

When shopping for thoughtful, personalized gifts for the holidays, sometimes your budget doesn’t always align with your vision. Fortunately, there are plenty of exciting, useful gifts under $50 that are still meaningful and won’t cause you to overspend. Below, we highlight our favorite gift ideas for everyone on your list, including foodies, frequent travelers, beauty enthusiasts and fitness lovers. Best of all, none of them cost more than $50. 

SKIP AHEAD The best gifts under $50 in 2024 

The best gifts under $50 in 2024

Every item on this list is an NBC Select editor-favorite brand, products we’ve written about before or highly rated top sellers from past gift guides. 

Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

One of the best Bluetooth speakers of 2024, the Anker Soundcore 2 weighs less than 1 pound and is water-resistant, according to the brand, so it’s easy to carry around to parks, beaches, vacations — you name it. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves it because of its clear sound quality despite its budget friendly price. It comes in four colors and its battery can last up to 24 hours, according to Anker. 

Twing Acrylic Magnetic Frame

Using two acrylic blocks that clasp together with magnetics, this picture frame’s transparent design should fit in with many home decor and office styles. It comes in four sizes to fit both small and large photographs. You can give it to them blank and let them pick what memory they want to display or you can pick your favorite photograph and give it to them once you’ve set it all up.

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Scarf

Quince is one of our favorite brands for both bedding and apparel. This oversized scarf is made from 100% Mongolian cashmere that’s available in nine solid colors and two striped patterns. “Quince cashmere feels really well made — especially considering its price point,” says NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider, who owns many pieces from the brand (some of which she’s bought herself, others of which were sent to her from the brand). “While I haven’t tried this scarf specifically, I have a lot of Quince’s cashmere and think it’s such a great buy.” 

Rocketbook Core Reusable Spiral Notebook

I love Rocketbook reusable notebooks because they allow me to take physical notes without wasting paper. Each one comes with a special pen and has whiteboard-like pages for you to write on. From there your giftee can write or doodle on them before uploading their notes to Google Drive, OneNote and Dropbox. Then they can erase the pages and start over. 

Apple AirTag

Everyone knows someone who’s always losing their keys, wallet or suitcase. AirTags help Apple users locate their stuff using a built-in speaker or the Find My app on their phone. Many of our editors use them and love them for their convenience, easy setup and long battery life. 

Proper Syrup

I use these syrups to make cafe-quality lattes at home. They’re delicious and a lot more affordable than spending $7 on a single cup from a local coffee shop. Each Proper syrup is sweetened with straightforward, natural ingredients like cane sugar and agave, according to the brand. They’re also gluten-free, vegan and come in tons of flavors — vanilla, pumpkin spice, pistachio, lavender and salted caramel — so your recipient cano recreate their favorite popular drinks. 

Dorai Stone Coaster Set

One of our favorite gifts for coffee lovers, these coasters are made from a diatomaceous stone material that absorbs moisture and dries fast to prevent watermarks on furniture, according to the brand. “Unlike other coasters I’ve tried, these instantly absorb any condensation that drips off my glasses, keeping my table totally dry,” says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin. “They’re also practically indestructible — I’ve dropped them dozens of times and they still look perfect.” They come in a set of four in your choice of two colors (slate and sandstone).

Pura 4 Diffuser

“One of the most luxurious ways I’ve been able to upgrade my apartment is with this diffuser I recently received as a gift — and with all of its technological features and abilities, I would have never guessed it cost less than $50,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. 

To use it, your giftee will plug it into an open outlet and it will release up to two fragrances in regular intervals throughout the day. The interchangeable scent bottles last for up to 120 hours each, and they can connect it to their phone to adjust its intensity and set timers, according to the brand. “My favorite thing is that most of my go-to brands, like Nest and Capri Blue, are available with the Pura, so I’m still getting my favorite scents, except these last longer than most of my candles.” 

Xebkor Sunset Lamp Projector

With a 4.4-star rating from over 1,100 Amazon reviewers, this sunset lamp projector is a unique gift for the person who has everything. Using a color-changing LED, a rotating head and a flexible tripod, it projects a sun-mimicking circle of light onto ceilings and walls. The USB cord has a remote control so your recipient can change its mode and brightness, but it also syncs up to a phone app for more customization options.

Leatherology Golf Bag Tee Holder

Leatherology makes practical, polished accessories from full-grain leather — many of which are customizable. This tee holder can store up to five tees in its slots and your giftee can attach it to their golf bag via its light gold-toned clip. It comes in five colors and if you’re okay with spending a little more money, you can add custom debossed initials for an additional $15. 

Artifact Uprising Color Series Photo Book

It’s one of our go-to Mother’s Day gifts, but this photo book would also make a great holiday gift for best friends, frequent travelers or new parents. You can customize the size, cover color, foil color and interior photos to create a one-of-a-kind book filled with personal memories. 

Brightland The Pair

This Brightland set comes with two fruity, double-fermented vinegars: Rapture (a balsamic made from zinfandel grapes and blackberries) and Parasol (a raw champagne vinegar made from chardonnay grapes and oranges). “Brightland’s vinegars are super flavorful, so I drizzle them over salads and breads to make sure I can fully taste them,” says Malin. “The bottles they come in are also beautiful. I leave them out in my kitchen as decor.”

MoMA Glass Chopstick Rests

Handmade in Japan, these mini glass accessories give your favorite sushi lover a chic, sanitary spot to rest their chopsticks. They come in a set of five so if they want to use them when they have company, each of their guests can have one. 

Lululemon Release and Recover Ball Set

This recovery set comes with three lightweight massage balls to ease tension and boost post-workout recovery, according to Lululemon. They’re made from a blend of dense foam and rubber, and each ball has a different texture to massage muscles in various ways. The set also includes a mesh drawstring bag for storage and portability. 

Omoton Adjustable Cell Phone Stand

This adjustable cell phone stand has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 63,000 reviews on Amazon. Your giftee can place their phone on it while watching videos, reading recipes, video chatting their loved ones or charging their phone. It’s made from aluminum with grippy silicone pads and cut-outs for the charging cord, plus they can adjust the viewing angle 270 degrees. 

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

“Upgrading someone’s everyday essentials — like hand soap and sanitizer — is one of my favorite types of gifts,” says Schneider. “Aesop is a brand that always falls into that category for me. Their stuff is expensive, but it feels special so I think it’s a great option for the holidays.” This hand balm, which has a citrus, woody, herbaceous aroma, is designed to hydrate and soften dry hands and cuticles without leaving a greasy residue, according to Aesop. 

Buck Mason Men’s Slub Classic Tee

NBC commerce editor Jordan Bowman loves Buck Mason T-shirts because they’re made from soft but durable cotton that holds its shape after multiple washes. “This has the perfect vintage feel,” he says. “The texture gives it a nice bit of character and the shirt drapes and hangs nicely with a classic cut. I’ve owned this tee for over two years and it’s been one of my favorites ever since.” It’s made from loose-knit cotton and comes in nine colors and six size options. 

La Colombe Roaster’s Sampler

This gift box includes five 4-ounce samples of whole-bean coffee: Brazil Beleza, Colombia San Roque, Bowery Blend, Ethiopia Myth Maker and Ethiopia Yirgachefe. La Colombe’s roasting team chose each one due to its medium-light roast and sweet, fruity flavors, according to the brand. “La Colombe is by far one of my favorite coffee roasters — the coffee has tons of flavor and tastes smooth without any bitterness,” says Godio. Needless to say, it’s a thoughtful assortment for the coffee lover in your life. 

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen

I own three Echo devices — one for my kitchen, one for my bedroom and one for my office — so I can control my lights, check my calendar, set timers, play music and ask for weather updates from anywhere in my house. The 5th Gen Echo Dot, despite how compact it is, has good sound quality, in my experience. Since it’s compatible with tons of apps and products, it’ll also help your favorite techie turn their home into a smart home. 

Topicals Faded Brightening Under Eye Masks

Some of the best under-eye patches, these Topicals eye masks are designed to brighten and de-puff under-eyes using niacinamide and caffeine. They have a non-slip, non-gooey texture that won’t slide around your giftee’s face, plus they’re safe for sensitive skin. This set includes six pairs. 

Baggu Flat Pouch Set

Whether you’re shopping for a student, avid traveler, techie or organization enthusiast, you can’t go wrong with this Baggu flat pouch set. Each order includes three pouches (one small, one medium, and one large), all made from recycled nylon with zippers. You can get them in your choice of seven patterns and color combinations — all of which are machine washable. 

Away The Circle Zip Pouch

Your giftee can attach this Away pouch to any bag so they e can easily access their cash, credit cards, keys or earbuds on the go. It’s made from leather, is available in eight colors and has a 4-inch diameter that’s compact and convenient. 

Yeti Rambler 20 oz. Tumbler

The Yeti Rambler is one of our go-to reusable water bottles — though your giftee can put any drink they want in it. It’s double-wall vacuum insulated to preserve the temperature of liquids; it can keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cool, for hours, according to Yeti. It comes in three sizes and ample color options, and you can customize it with your giftee’s favorite NFL team for an additional $10 per side. 

Parachute Gender Inclusive Classic Turkish Cotton Slipper

Parachute makes some of the best cozy, supportive slippers, according to our editors, Available in neutral colors, these unisex slippers are made from Turkish cotton terry and have a rubber sole that can withstand moisture, according to Parachute, so your giftee can wear them to pick up the mail and stand outside. They’re also machine-washable. 

Craighill Station Money Clip

This money clip is made from titanium, giving it a durable but springy quality, according to Craighill. Its curved shape is inspired by the hairpin turn at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to the brand, and it comes in bronze, silver or black. 

 Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 

Patagonia’s mini fanny pack is made from the same lightweight, weather-resistant recycled nylon as its weekender bag, which won an NBC Select Travel Award for best large-capacity duffel. Sold in eight colors, the mini bag has two organization pockets and an adjustable strap so that your giftee can wear it around their waist or across their chest while traveling, hiking or attending concerts. 

National Park Candle

Help your favorite travelers relive their favorite trips with these national park candles. With scents like Acadia, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Everblades, each one’s inspired by the trees, plants and flora of its named park. They’re made from soy wax with essential oils and balsa wood wicks, all in an aluminum tin with a vintage-style label. 

Casofu Tortilla Throw Blanket

Available in five designs and size options, this tortilla throw blanket is both functional and fun spirited. It’s made from machine-washable fleece and has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 67,000 reviews on Amazon. 

Why trust NBC Select?

• I’m an e-commerce writer and editor who writes for Bustle, Food & Wine, Elite Daily, Allure, The Zoe Report and more. This is my third year writing holiday gift guides for NBC Select. 
• Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter for NBC Select who curated the gifts in this article. She chose items based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated items from brands we love.

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