Having a huge friend group or family is never a bad thing … until gifting occasions roll around. Cheap gifts are an obvious solution, especially if you're on a budget, but you also want to make sure everyone gets something they'll love. We totally understand, so that's why we rounded up 30 cheap gift ideas that look way more expensive than they actually cost. That way, you'll get everyone a gift they enjoy without having to break your gift-spending budget.
From sentimental photo books to a luxe tea sampler to even a cute crossbody bag that can be worn pretty much everywhere, we selected plenty of great options that are the best of both worlds: thoughtful and affordable. Best of all, with all of the money you save, you can even treat yourself to something special. Here are our top cheap gifts under $25 that your recipients (and your wallet) will love.
Your favorite adventure-seeker will get a kick out of this cheap gift. This interactive, scratch-off poster features 100 must-try activities that are probably already on their figurative bucket list, but this gives your recipient a chance to see them all in one place. Every time they complete one, they can mark it by scratching off its corresponding square on the poster.
Your favorite hostess will flip out over this party-perfect set of six coasters. They'll keep tables free of unsightly water stains and stack up like a cactus to add an extra festive touch to any celebration. And, if they aren't great at plant parenting, this is a touch of green without the responsibility.
Who said that cheap gifts can't be sentimental? This customizable mini photo book is a gift they'll cherish for years to come, and it won't cost you a fortune. It'll look great on a coffee table or shelf, and chances are they'll be sharing it with all their friends.
This under-$20 kitchen appliance may seem tiny, but it'll totally change up their breakfast routine. From savory chicken and waffles to equally indulgent sweet treats, the options are truly endless. We're obsessed with this cute leopard print, too — they might even want to keep it out on the counter!
This sloth-shaped infuser will be a hit with anyone who steeps loose-leaf tea on the daily. If sloths aren't their thing, you could also opt for a hedgehog, chicken, or koala. They can stash one of these at their work desk and the other in their tea cupboard at home!
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Under $5
‘Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book’ by Sasha O’Hara
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Under $5
‘Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book’ by Sasha O’Hara
You can't exactly gift them therapy, but with this cheap gift, you can encourage them to relieve some pent-up stress.
This profanity-filled adult coloring book will make them laugh out loud and feel better during hard times. The 21 coloring pages are filled with illustrations that each have a sassy remark like, “Suck it up buttercup” and “Dance like no one attractive is watching.”
With a 4.8-star rating and over 6,500 rave reviews, this note set is a no-fail cheap gift for the most forgetful shopper you know. Those with more specialized diets can take advantage of keto and vegetarian versions, checking off as many grocery items as they wish for a successful shopping trip.
If you want a gift that will put a smile on your recipient’s face every single day, then this calendar is it. Based on the viral Instagram and Twitter accounts @WeRateDogs, each day features a different pup, accompanied by a silly rating of why he or she is such a great doggo.
We love countertop organizers that also happen to be adorable. This petite lotus-shaped container will not only sit pretty by their bathroom sink but hold up to 30 cotton swabs at a time. Plus, the cover keeps them from getting dusty or gross, which is a must in bathrooms.
Add some zen to their space with this Himalayan salt lamp. Not only does it add a nice warm glow to any room, but they can dim the lamp to their liking, helping set the ambiance in any room. Himalayan salt can also help balance the ions in the air, which can apparently help you sleep better at night.
Made with essential oils and shea butter, this lavender-scented bath bomb is just the cheap gift that your most high-strung friend needs to calm down after a long day.
Plus, the fun doesn't stop once it fizzes away. This extra-large bath bomb contains a necklace inside, so you're getting two gifts for the price of one!
A cheap gift that looks way more expensive than it actually costs is a total win. This modern, concrete vase pairs well with a single stem. It's available in two sizes and three shapes. If they aren't much of a flower person, this would also make an amazing propagation vase.
These trendy traceless hair ties won’t leave marks in her hair like traditional elastics will, but they’ll hold her hair up just as well. Her strands will stay perfectly intact, so she can avoid using damaging hot tools the next morning. They come in an array of colors, so you can choose what you think she would like best.
Tech gifts can get absurdly expensive, but the PopSocket is a cheap gift and affordable phone accessory that'll please them while keeping extra pennies in your pocket.
It grips onto the back of their device for easier holding and handling, so selfies and streaming can become more seamless, and a refillable lip balm inside ensures that their mouth always stays moisturized.
Nothing feels better than a close shave, and they’ll have you to thank for their next one with this gift. This unbelievable five-piece shave set offers plenty of value for the price. Your soon-to-be clean-shaven recipient will enjoy several full-sized essentials, including a rich shave gel with aloe, a razor handle, and a three-pack of razor cartridges — all for just $15!
Your recipient will stay super-organized thanks to all of the compartments in this handy crossbody bag. It’s not only stylish, but super functional with several zippered pockets to securely hold a phone, keys, sunnies, and whatever else they need when out and about. It also comes in 24 colors, so there’s no shortage of options.
You never know when someone will need a wine opener, pair of scissors, or screwdriver, so why not gift them those and 12 other tools? This multitool has 14 different functions, making it a useful and cheap gift.
It's a great choice for the outdoorsy person in your life or for anyone who likes to be preemptively prepared.
A bottle of vino is a nice gift, but it’s a little blah, don’t you think? This handy red wine stain remover makes for the ideal cheap gift pairing to help prevent inevitable party messes, especially for those who tend to be a bit spill-prone. Simply spray this remover, blot, rinse, and watch your wine stains disappear.
This set of five reusable grocery bags is a practical gift for the eco-friendly recipients who just can’t refuse a spontaneous Target run (or the under-$5 section)! These bags are weightless, just the right size, and fold up to fit in a bag for spur-of-the-moment use. With a variety of colors and designs to choose from, you can find the perfect set to match anyone’s personality!
Furry friends deserve a gift, too! This dog toy is a cheap gift, but it provides endless engagement for your pet. Its durable rubber formula and unpredictable bounce satisfy their need to chew while encouraging healthy play.
It can also be stuffed with their favorite treats, kibble, or peanut butter for an enticing challenge.
Elisabeth Narine is an Associate Editor at Best Products where she researches gift ideas for every occasion — her work can also be found on BuzzFeed and Forbes Vetted. When’s she not writing, she enjoys rewatching her favorite TV shows and cooking with her boyfriend.
Katherine (Katie) is the associate editor of Best Products, where she gathers unique gift ideas, tests out buzzy products, and puts too many items in her cart for research — her work can also be found on MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Oprah Daily. When she isn’t writing, you can most likely find her tending to her 50+ plants, starting a new DIY home improvement project, or playing with her puppy, Olive.
Zarah Kavarana is the contributing editor at BestProducts.com, where she spends her days hunting for shareworthy home, tech, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle finds, and resisting the urge to add them all to her cart. A Boston University journalism grad with a penchant for red wine, her hidden talents include poaching an egg and applying winged eyeliner on the subway.