25 Amazing Gift Ideas Under $25
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We all have a loved one who never wants any fuss. “Don't buy me anything,” they say. But you know them better than that. The trick is to get something that doesn’t cost much, just to show you’re thinking of them. They don’t want to be lavished with expensive stuff, but they do like to feel appreciated. The best way to pick a gift that shows your affection is to choose something that matches your giftee’s interests. Here, we’ve hand-tested and curated 25 items for gifting, each of them under $25. This holiday season, you can make a statement without making a fuss.
Be sure to check out our many other gift guides, including Gifts for Coffee Lovers and Gifts for Outdoorsy People.
Updated December 2024: We've added a utility knife, some cozy socks, and a squishy cube to this gift guide. We've also updated prices and links throughout and removed a few items.
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Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano also contributed to this guide.
- Photograph: Amazon
For the Side Hustler
How to Stay Productive When the World Is EndingHow do we stay productive and somehow make enough money to pay both student loans and rent, and also have time to meal plan and make perfectly executed TikTok videos (to get that sweet internet fame money!) when the world is effectively going to hell all around us?
This book by satire site Reductress made us laugh, a lot. Inside this guide, your giftee will find helpful lists like “How to Focus on Remote Work When the Woman in your Wallpaper Keeps Begging You to Free Her,” and “How to Resist Monetizing Your Hobby by Being Bad at It.”
- Photograph: Amazon
For the Perpetual Phone Dropper
Spigen MagSafe iPhone CasesIt's hard to say no to a brand-new phone case. If your loved one has an iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16, then you'll want to make sure they have a MagSafe case. These cases have a magnetic array that allows MagSafe accessories to stick to them just as strongly as if there was no case at all. We like Spigen cases because they're affordable, have nice clicky buttons, and easy access to the mute switch.
- Photograph: Squishmallows
For Creature Comforts
SquishmallowsWho doesn't love giant squishy, marshmallow-like creatures? Squishmallows are everywhere these days, and there are innumerable designs to choose from. I'm particularly fond of Kent the Chameleon—you just want to poke his little tummy—but there are narwhals, gnomes, dinosaurs, and so many more to choose from. Prices vary by ’mallow.
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For the Perpetually Tardy
Casio Illuminator Digital WatchThis one's always running late. That one's always asking the time. Drop a hint for less than $25 by getting them this retro-fabulous digital watch. It's great for runners, since it’s lightweight, water- and sweat-resistant, and has a stopwatch function. It comes in an array of colors, and includes a lithium battery that can last years. What more do they need?
- Photograph: Amazon
For the Pepperhead
Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce 3-PackEvery hot-sauce aficionado knows that savory dishes like potatoes, pizza, sandwiches, tacos, and omelets aren't just good eatin'. They're also a delivery mechanism for the fiery, oozing lava that is their favorite bottled sauce. If you know somebody whose brain is wired this way, get them a three-pack of scorching sauces from the venerable Belizean brand Marie Sharp's. This trio of tongue-torturing toppings represents the hotter end of Sharp's line. It includes three 10-ounce bottles of the company's most habanero-forward concoctions, and the assortment includes a bottle of the greatest and most flavorful habanero sauce on the planet: Belizean Heat.
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For the Tinkerer
iFixit JimmyIf your loved one is perpetually disassembling, hacking, and messing with their electronics, this is something they’ll surely wish you had gotten them long ago. The Jimmy tool from our friends at iFixit has a thin strip of steel on the tip that can be used to wedge, pry, or shimmy open just about anything. It’s also useful for scraping stickers and paint from areas that need adjusting or repair. It's a must-have for DIY types.
★ Alternative: Less for tinkerers and more for people that are frequently opening boxes, we also love this Slice Ceramic Blade ($13), which is safe to use and has an ergonomic design.
- Photograph: Brass Monkey
For the Trivia Master
Brass Monkey TriviaIf your giftee is obsessed with trivia, they might appreciate the unique questions Brass Monkey puts together. Some are a little too obscure, but former reviewer Medea Giordano appreciated that she didn't run into any that she'd seen before. Other packs tend to blend together after a while.
We tried the Truly Terrifying and Delightfully Useless trivia packs, which ask questions like “How long is New Zealand's Ninety Mile Beach?” (Hint: It isn't 90 miles). Other sets (also available at link below) include Trivial Drinking Trivia, Junk Food and Food Food Trivia, and Incredibly Pointless Trivia.
- Photograph: Amazon
For the Faithfully Wired
Panasonic ErgoFit EarbudsIf they’re still plugging in their headphones—and also still always losing them—get them a pair of these in-ears from Panasonic. They sound pretty dang good for around 10 bucks, and they’re comfortable, with soft ear-hugging tips. If not, we've picked out a bunch of other affordable headphones and earbuds.
- Photograph: Oxo
For the Tea Sipper
Oxo Brew Tea Infuser BasketGet this handy little infuser for your tea-sipping loved one. The basket is made of stainless steel mesh that’s finely perforated to reduce sediment and keep brews extra-clear. Spoon in some loose-leaf tea, pop the lid on, then drop the basket directly into whatever vessel you’re brewing in. The design is narrow enough to fit into just about any mug, but it also works for brewing in wide-mouth vacuum bottles and more traditional tea servers.
A pair of tabs on the side rest on the lip of the mug to keep the basket suspended in the hot water for more thorough steeping, and they’re silicone-coated to keep them from getting too hot to touch. When tea time arrives, take off the lid and flip it lid upside-down on your countertop, where it holds the wet basket and catches any drips. Read our Best Tea Accessories guide for more options.
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For the Notetaker
Field Notes National Parks SeriesFor the notebook geek in your life (yes, they exist). These well-appointed, 48-page notebooks from the venerable Field Notes brand come with covers that pay homage to our National Parks. Each three-pack features a trio of unique covers, which respectively celebrate a different park, and you can pick which three-pack you buy. The notebooks are also heavier and prettier than the typical pocket scribbler. If your loved one cherishes paper goods, and especially Field Notes, this is the gift to get. If they're more of a planner, check out our Best Paper Planners guide for some ideas.
- Photograph: Miir
For the Coffee Nut
MiiR 12-Ounce TumblerWe test an unbelievable number of travel mugs here at WIRED. It seems like every brand is making one these days. However, I find myself returning to this simple and elegant tumbler from Miir, or as it's known in my house, “old reliable.” The vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel chamber keeps 12 ounces of java comfortably hot all morning, and the press-on lid is easy to manage, with a rubber ring that keeps it just snug enough. A powder coating adds a dash of color and a grippy texture. The shape is perfect too, somewhere between a ’70s-era Ikea mug and a paper coffee cup.
If your giftee likes to take their coffee with them on morning walks, they'll love this.
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For the Ego-Tripper
Atumtek 40-Inch Selfie StickWe’d never encourage using a selfie stick. But those selfie-takers! So insistent. If they yearn to selfie, they should selfie with this. It has a telescoping neck and a Bluetooth shutter trigger remote, plus it can double as a tripod. They may even want to thank you by squeezing you into the frame to turn that selfie into a groupie. But don’t count on it.
- Photograph: Opinel
For the Wayfarer
Opinel No. 9 Pocket KnifeThis 3-inch folding carbon steel blade is the best pocket knife you can buy on the internet for less than $25. The classic design with the hardwood handle and locking safety collar hails from Chambéry, France. The blade stays astonishingly sharp for years. Use it to carve a block of cheese, slice a pear, and extract the gel from leaves of aloe vera. Just be sure to wash and dry the blade after each use. We have a whole list of outdoorsy gift recommendations worth checking out.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
For the Practical
Milwaukee Fastback Utility KnifeI don't think I've made a better purchase under $25 than the Milwaukee Fastback. Push a button to manually flip out the blade one-handed—I have unboxed probably close to a hundred packages with it, and it stayed sharp for quite a while. When the blade gets dull, you can easily swap it out with replacements ($7) without the need for another tool. You can even store four spare blades within the tool itself so you won't have to head back to the tool closet. There's also a handy wire stripper, and a gut hook to cut a cable without opening the blade up. Oh, and a belt clip so you can feel extra cool. The all-metal body looks no worse for wear despite more than a year of use. —Julian Chokkattu
- Photograph: Lomography
For the Film Buff
Lomography Simple Use Reusable Film CameraThis looks like a disposable camera, but it's actually an inexpensive and reusable pocket cam. Even better, it comes loaded with a roll of one of Lomography's dreamy, retro-inspired films. This one is stuffed with LomoChrome Metropolis, a film stock that produces desaturated, contrast-heavy images. When that's done, the camera will take any roll of 35-mm film, from Lomography or from Walgreens.
The flash also has a spindle to hold a colorful gel over the bulb, so your photo fanatic can capture shots that look moody and unique without resorting to digital tricks.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
For the Fidgeter
Needoh Nice CubeThe Needoh Nice Cube is a strange but satisfying squishy square. No matter how you stretch it or squish it, it always eventually bounces back to its square shape. It has a nice resistance. It's squishy, but not too squishy. The available colors are visually pleasing—if you purchase a single, the color is random, but you can also get a three-pack (for just over $25) which includes blue, purple, and pink. The 2.25-inch cube is big in my hands, which is nice, since a lot of squishes are too small to be truly stimulating. The outside doesn't collect grime too quickly in my experience, and it's easy to rinse off if it gets grody. If your giftee is constantly playing with fidgets, they'll appreciate this gooey cube.
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- Photograph: Amazon
For the Writer and Artist
Tombow Mono Drawing Pen SetAs a lefty, I deign to draw, write, or do anything pertaining to ink. It smudges and smears and often leaves me embarrassed. That's where this Tombow six-piece pen set comes in. These pens dry quickly and are exceptional for anyone who draws line art (or really just likes to write with a felt tip). Plus, they're quite durable.
And if your loved one's head is always buried in a sketchbook, then they'll love the drawing pencil set from the same brand. It includes 12 cedar pencils with leads of high-density graphite that allows for more precise sharpening. Each pencil has a different hardnesses rating, from a stout 4H all the way to a supple 6B. Also included are a sharpener and a delicate eraser. Be aware that they may ask you to sit for a portrait after they open the gift.
- Photograph: Backcountry
For the Lovely Luncher
Keith Titanium ChopsticksYeah, they make an elaborate lunch every day. And yes, they usually eat it with chopsticks. The other people on their Zoom call find it borderline insufferable, but you? You think it’s just too cute. Get them these lovely titanium models. They're great for eating with or for stirring hot tea. The durability of titanium makes them absolutely indispensable on camping trips.
- Photograph: Umami Mart
For the Mayor of Flavortown
Umami Mart Umami SaltThis 2.7-ounce spice shaker contains a potent mix of sea salt, black garlic, and shiitake mushroom—three ingredients that add a dose of earthy umami to whatever's for dinner. It pairs perfectly with the flavors in Japanese dishes like donburi, onigiri, or yakisoba, but it's so addictive that your savory-loving giftee will be sprinkling piles of this stuff onto everything: popcorn, squash soup, and bagels with cream cheese.
Bonus: Umami Salt is a collaboration between two Oakland, California, small businesses (Umami Mart and Oaktown Spice Shop), so you can support the little guys while you give your loved one's grub some extra oomph.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
For the Movie Buff
W&P Popcorn PopperMicrowave popcorn is bad for you, but it tastes so good. I'm a fan of stovetop popcorn, but that can come with its own set of toils—like the time it takes to make it. This handy collapsible silicone bowl bridges the gap. It's microwave-safe and can hold up to four cups’ worth of salty, buttery goodness. The lid doubles as a measuring cup. Add your kernels, pop them in the microwave, and top with whatever seasonings you’d like.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
For the Doodler
Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Gel Pen SetThese gel pens are excellent planner accessories, but they also add a little razzle-dazzle to greeting cards and grocery lists. They write smoothly, and the colors are gorgeous. They don’t smear or smudge, and they look cool on any shade of paper. Your pen pal is going to be so pleased.
- Photograph: Amazon
For the Book-Curious
A Court of Thorns and RosesBooktok has many facets, and one of them is a huge community of readers looking for the best “spicy” books. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a great introductory young adult romantasy series filled with epic tales of fairy princesses, assassins, and yes, eventually, some spice. It's wildly popular for good reason. It's deliciously snacky and has interesting characters, fantastic worldbuilding, and four more books in the series. Just don't come yelling at me when your giftee spends the whole holiday break with their nose in a book.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
For the Bag Digger
A New Day Flap Cell Phone WalletI'm a simple woman. If you give me a bag, I'm going to fill it to its absolute maximum capacity, no matter whether or not it is necessary to schlep that much stuff around. This crossbody from Target is not like your average phone-wallet combo. It looks cute despite its nerdy predecessors, and it has enough room for exactly what I need: my cards, my phone, my lip gloss, my car keys, and one or two more odds and ends. I've never been so carefree.
For the Cozy
Fluffy Thermal Sherpa Slipper Socks (3-Pack)I've had these socks for over two years, and they're still going strong. The fluffy sherpa lining keeps my toes warm even when the weather outside is frightful, and the grippy gel circles on the soles prevent me from slipping and sliding all over my hardwood floors. There are a ton of designs available. Anyone that's usually piled under blankets with their nose buried in an activity would appreciate this gift. Check out our gifts for the perpetually cold and our slippers buying guide for more ideas.
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- Photograph: JESSICA CHOU
For the WIRED Ones
1 Year of WIRED for $5!We're cheating here, but a full year of WIRED.com unlimited access costs only $5. We recommend gifting your loved one the print issues as well, which come at no extra cost. A subscription helps fund the Gadget Lab's hard work testing phones, drones, and liquor canteens, as well as all the rest of WIRED's great original and long-form stories.
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