The 2021 Gift Guide: The 50 Best Gifts Under $50
by The Candidly Team
It’s that time again. But how can it really be that time again? Weren’t we just tiptoeing into 2021, all nice and slow-like?
But since the passage of time clearly has no meaning, we started our holiday shopping early, and we found so many special, interesting treasures for under $50, that’s how we decided to frame our gift guide this year. We all just scrapped by living through a pandemic. We don’t have $347 to blow on any single person’s present this year. But we still want to find treats for our loved ones that make them feel seen, and that make us seem like the most thoughtful gift-givers on earth. Because somehow, we are still making it about us!
We present, our favorite 50 gifts for under $50. Try not to buy them all for yourself. Or do. You deserve it. And listen. Some things are a hair above $50. But you get the gist…
She knows about everything before anyone. She always looks like a million bucks. And she’s intimidating to buy presents for. Here are 6 ideas she won’t hate.
Hill house the belle bow
The brand creates a certain kind of frenzy in women. Now you can borrow that frenzy and give it to someone you love. Oh, and monogram it.
Price: $50
j.Crew Medium montauk bag
And monogram this one, too. Monograms go an enormously long way even though you spent roughly 47 seconds on it.
Price: $89.50. However it’s almost always on a 40% discount so make you sure you dig through your J. Crew emails for that code.
Nécessaire The Body Ritual
Yes, it’s trendy. But my god. The suds. The scrub. The packaging.
Price: $40
Cuyana Leather AirPod Case
Her AirPods can’t just be rattling around NAKED in her purse now can they?
Price: $50
The anti-anxiety notebook
If she’s chic she has style. If she has style she’s smart. If she’s smart she has anxiety. We don’t make the rules.
Price: $38
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
Jo Malone starlit mandarin and honey Perfume
She already has a signature scent. Perhaps one for each season. But she doesn’t have this. And people will stop. her. in. the. street.
Price: $150
Isn’t it always easier to lump your SIL and your BIL into one gift? And because it’s 2 people, we’ve upped the price to $100. It’s only fair.
Aglaonema Wishes from The Sill
Getting a couple a plant is sort of a big swing. But with big swings come big rewards. This is an especially cute choice if you’re sending them gifts and can’t see them in real life. It just feels personal and loving.
Price: $28-$60
VineBox
Just….look at it. What a brilliant idea.
Price: $85
Geometric Inlay Cheese Board Platter
Everyone loves cheeseboards. It’s a scientific fact.
And this one is much cuter than some random mindless one from West Elm. One might even call it “artisan.”
Price: $90
Sunday Citizen Snug Throw in Off White
Yes. They already have some dumb throw blanket from Target. Believe us when we tell you that this blanket is so hallucinagenically soft that it almost feels WET.
And they will think of you every time they snuggle into it. As a couple. As they Netflix and chill. Ew?
Price: $98
Fulton Fish Market
No one knows how or where to buy gorgeously fresh, sushi-grade fish. Now they do. And you made it happen.
Price: Varies
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
Nespresso Inissia De'Longhi, Creamy White
We’re jealous just typing this.
Price: $139
Her house is so perfect you almost hate visiting because it makes you feel bad about your own choices.
Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life
The first book from decor-genius Shira Gill, this book is a treasure trove of soothing, minimalist ideas to transform anyone’s house into the non-cluttered, clean-lined space we all dream of but can never quite master.
Price: $21
Hay Sip Straws
This is the kind of thing no one buys for themselves. But when they have it, even a regular glass of ice water can feel like an event.
Price: $25
Beonueni 12 Inch Classic Greek Bust Statue
Is it a big, weird, wild swing? Yes. But those are the ones people remember.
Price: $39
Brightland Olive Oil
This will live prominently on any counter. Never, EVER hidden away in a cabinet.
Price: $37
Pantone Porcelain Mug
With every sip, she’ll remember that you have the best taste of anyone she knows.
Price: $37
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
scrabble luxury edition board game
A house isn’t a home until it has a prominent scrabble board.
Price: $180
One might even describe her as obsessed.
GOOPGENES Clean Nourishing Lip Balm Trio
Look. We don’t want to like Goop. In fact we want to roll our eyes at Goop. And yet. They make such good stuff and these deliciously moisturizing balms are no exception. You miiiiight add 2 to cart and get one for yourself.
Price: $42
The Nue Co Skin Filter
Is it weird to get someone a skin supplement? Maybe. But call her in 30 days. It won’t be weird when she tells you her skin is now more glowing and bright than it’s ever been in her life.
Price: $45
Maelove The Glow maker
Perhaps the over ten thousand glowing reviews of this product will convince you that gifting someone a Vitamin C serum is 100% normal and 100% something she will want.
Price: $30
Laneige All Nighter Lip Set
The next best thing to shooting a bunch of toxins into your lips with needles. But seriously. Fatter lips by morning.
Price: $30
By Terry Jewel Fantasy Baume de Rose Duo Set
Both the hand cream and the lip balm have the freshest, rosiest scent. There is no more beloved a cult brand or product than these.
Price: $38
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
Augustinus Bader The Cream, 15ml
Two words: She’ll scream.
Price: $85
Whether they’re just starting out on their culinary journey, or have a kitchen outfitted to the gills, these are all the right choice.
No Crumbs Left Marinated Onion Bowl
We have to stop ourselves from buying every, single thing from this shop. We also have to stop ourselves from spending 2-6 hours a day watching Teri’s enchanting cooking videos on Instagram.
Price: $48
Maldon Salt Bucket
We’ve put this on every gift guide we’ve ever written. And for good reason. It is, simply put, the best finishing salt there is. Thrown in THIS SALT CELLAR if you’re feeling extra generous.
Price: $18
Small Mosser Glass Cake Stand
They might use it twice a year. Except that every time they look at it, they’ll feel 87% happier.
Price: $44
Diala’s Kitchen Cookbook
We’ve made almost everything in this cookbook at this point and can verify every recipe is almost better than the last. Beginners, pros, everyone finds their new favorite dish in this sumptuous book.
Price: $24
Wooden Salad Serving Spoons
No one has truly chic salad serving spoons. Now they will.
Price: $45
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set
A full set of something is one of the most thrilling gifts anyone can receive. And this cookware is as functional as it is gorgeous.
Price: $395
Uch. Why are men so hard to buy things for? Plus it’s just less fun. But all of these ideas are winners.
Material The Serrated 6" Knife
Well lookie what we have here. Something kitcheny that wouldn’t normally be on a “dude” list. But any man worth his salt will deeply appreciate this perfect design and Japanese blade.
Price: $48
Amazon Echo Dot
Dudes like tech. We don’t make the rules.
Price: $50
Coffee Subscription From Trade
They also like anything coffee-related.
Price: $40/month for 2 bags of coffee
Printworks backgammon set
We’re also immediately buying this for ourselves, oops.
Price: $47
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
The words he will write in this notebook are magically shot into the atmosphere and stored on the cloud. We don’t know what any of those words mean but it sounds like a perfect gift for “him.”
Price: $32
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe
He will not ask for a robe. Ever. But he will wear a robe. Always.
Price: $98
You know. The ones who secretly loved having to be in lockdown.
Doratelier Santal Oil
If you know you know. If you don’t know, now you know.
Price: $19
Anthropologie Boucle Scarf
Quite simply, the softest scarf on earth. Excellent for flinging on in the morning and wearing all day, even while lounging on the couch to binge The Sopranos from the very beginning.
Price: $48
Casafina Modern Classic Ceramic Ramen Bowl Gift Set
There’s almost nothing in the world better than slurping a piping hot bowl of pork-broth ramen at home. In cozy socks. With a fire burning. Perhaps accompanied by a gruesome true-crime docuseries.
Price: $49
Vintage Bookshelf Edition Clue Game
Picture it: You’re playing Clue. Clue the movie is on in the background. You’re quoting all of Madeline Kahn’s lines. You’re sipping a homemade hot chocolate with slightly melted marshmallows. All is good.
Price: $48
McCrea's Candies Handcrafted Caramel Advent Calendar
It will be a profound challenge not to open these tiny doors and eat every candy in sight, prior to their actual date. But try we must. And look, it’s so cute!
Price: $38
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
Parachute Cloud Cotton Robe
Delicious to wear after a shower. Even better to wear over pajamas, all day, rattling around the house, possibly with used tissues in the pockets. With no plans in sight.
Price: $99
She probbbbbbbably knows your rising sign.
The Nue Co Mind Energy Fragrance
It smells juuuuust woo woo enough. And it will absolutely become her favorite scent.
Price: $30 for 10ml
Wildling Empress Gua Sha
Possibly the most “wellnessy” thing on the list. But there’s actually science behind this one. And it works.
Price: $65
Agirlvct Cotton Ball Holders
C’mon. You know you IMMEDIATELY thought of someone who would squeal upon opening these tiny, adorable yet wildly pragmatic sheep.
Price: $13
Juna Nightcap Sleep Rollerball
A happy, puffy-cloud, dreamy sleep awaits after smearing this potion on wrists and behind ears. Or splurge and get her the TRIO.
Price: $28
CapaBunga Feed Multi-Pocket Canvas Market Tote
No true wellnessy gal is complete without a weekly jaunt to the Far-Mar. Just imagine how much lacinato kale she’ll be able to shove into these various pockets!
Price: $50
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
SolaWave Advanced Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy
This at-home facial-in-your-hand will give her microcurrent and red-light therapy in one tiny little wand (ahem with the witch theme). Glowing skin of an angel is all but guaranteed.
Price: $149
If she’s not near the heat lamp, she is 100% wrapped in a blanket scarf.
Mongolian Cashmere Gloves
The coziest thing on earth. And one of the best gifts of all time.
Price: $30
Rivet Modern Glass Globe Desk Lamp
Can anything in the home be truly comfortable without the correct, soft, lighting concept? No.
Price: $50
True Botanicals Resurfacing Moisture Mask
Difficult to imagine a more hygge evening than painting on a face mask and watching The Holiday. In fact, those might be our plans for tonight. Oh, and this is one of the only masks we’ve ever tried that gives our skin an instant boost of radiance after only 20 minutes.
Price: $65
Cody Foster Vintage-Inspired Food Ornaments
Makes us want to immediately throw every single ugly “family heirloom” ornament away and start fresh with these.
Price: $16-$58
Visual Feast: Contemporary Food Photography and Styling Book
Curling up with this sumptuous book and a chai tea with snow falling softly outside sounds like some kind of dream.
Price: $60
Bonus: If Money Is No Object
UGG Scuffette II Water-Resistant Slipper
Nothing is cozy until one’s feet are cozy.
Price: $90
What’s lovely about all 5 of these gifts is that they will work for anyone. Because excellent taste always works.
Anecdote Apres Ski Candle
Those are all things that anyone in their right mind would want their house to smell like.
Price: $34
Glossier the Bath Duo
When we tell you the scent of these is intoxicating. They smell just like the Glossier body wash and it’s like Hawaii married every fruit in the world and you’ll never want to stop sniffing it.
Price: $45
Anthropologie Monogram Pendant Necklace
Feels thoughtful. Except it takes almost no thought. Hooray!
Price: $38
Belwares French Press Coffee Maker
It doesn’t matter who they are. They will instantly recognize that a French press is just a better way to drink coffee. And they will love you for it.
Price: $27-$36
Kosterina Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Set
It will feel really, really good to introduce someone to the single greatest balsamic vinegar they’ve ever tasted. Really good.
Price: $44
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
