50 Gifts Under $50 For The 2021 Holiday Season

‘Tis the damn season! Every year, I drive myself to the brink curating gift guides for you guys in an effort to help your holiday shopping feel painless, effortless, and fun. The secret, though, is that I get 90% of my own shopping done while creating these guides, so it’s truly a joyous win-win for all!

Although this year’s 2021 gift guides are labeled, it’s merely for organization. No matter who you’re buying for, browse all six lists to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list and keep your mind open! Happy shopping!

The 50 under $50 list is my favorite one to curate every year by far. There are just so many affordable and fun options out there to share with you guys, and I typically end up buying half the list for myself! Let’s dive in.

Glossier Lip Gloss: This makes the list almost yearly. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer and, if you get it in the clear color, no one can disagree with it. I’m partial to the red tint, but that’s just me.
Laneige All Nighter Set: This little gift set from Sephora comes with a full-size of their OG sleep mask in Berry, and two sample sizes of their holiday scents, Gingerbread and Peppermint.
Paint Chip Calendar: One of my best friends gets this every year for their kitchen and hangs it on the fridge and this year, I followed suit. I love that it’s a big calendar the whole family can see and keep up with in one general space, and that the design is simple but colorful! A very cute gift for your organized, colorful friend.
Wine Vacuum + Stoppers: There probably will never be a year you don’t see this on the 50 under $50 list. It’s the perfect inexpensive and incredibly useful gift! If you’re not planning on finishing that bottle of wine in one night, you simply plop a stopper in the top, then use the vacuum to get the extra air out, keeping it fresher longer!
Shopping List Notepad: Sometimes I use my Notes app for my grocery list, but typically I write it down on this adorable freaking pad. It’s magnetic so it lives on the fridge and makes jotting down your list super simple. Just tear off your completed list and head to the store!
Plush Throw Blanket: Not the Barefoot Dreams shit. Screw that blanket. This one has been a bestseller at Nordstrom for years because it’s that incredible. My best friend got me one 3 years ago and I still use it weekly. Love that it comes in so many colors, too!
Nécessaire: You may not want to get them a full set, but just the body wash itself is a wonderful gift (especially because it doubles as bubble bath). Also, if you’re really close to the recipient, the deodorant is fabulous!
MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo or Rebel: If you weren’t paying attention to my IG during #rubywoogate, you probably aren’t laughing right now, and that’s okay. Ruby Woo is a stunning red that looks good on literally everyone, and Rebel is a moody plum that is perfect for the holiday season!
Dazzle Dry Mini Kit: I’ve been giving myself at-home manicures since COVID arrived, and I’ve done so with Dazzle Dry and Dazzle Dry only. It’s long-lasting and a lot cheaper than going to the salon. The mini kits are the perfect stocking stuffer for a friend who is a manicure aficionado!
Boy Smells Slow Burn candle: I’m not Musgraves obsessed, BUT I do love the song “Slow Burn” and I LOVE any candle Boy Smells makes, so I imagine this smells like heaven.
Girlfriend Collective belt bag: I use this every.single.day. It’s my bag, period. I’ll switch to a legit purse if we’re going out, but other than that, this is it. It hold SO MUCH and you can wear it cross-body or as a true fanny pack, your choice. I’m obsessed.
Travel Makeup Case: This makeup case completely changed my travel game. It’s phenomenal and makes me wonder how I got away with throwing my makeup into random baggies all along!
Aquis Hair Towel: I mean. It’s just the perfect hair towel? If you know of anyone in your life who is still wrapping their wet hair up in a regular ole towel, do them a favor and gift them one of these this year!
Bala Hand Weights: These have been around for a minute and I’ve ignored them. However, with this boxing challenge I’m doing, I’m realizing that it could be even better for me and more effective if I threw some of these on. You can wear them around your wrists or ankles, and they add just 1-2 extra pounds of resistance to someone’s walk or workout for extra results. Plus, all the colors they come in are marvelous!
Book Light: I got this for myself so I could read in bed without disturbing Z, and I really love it. You can keep just one light on or both, and the brightness is adjustable! I like that it fits around your neck instead of clips onto the book itself. Personal preference.
Skinnytaste Make Ahead Meal Prep cookbook: You knew this was gonna show up. Get a copy for everyone in your life who likes to cook and loves simple, tasty, healthy food. Please.
Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Glass: Z’s sister gifted two of these to us this summer, and they’re amazing. They’re double walled and vacuum insulated and a whole lot better than drinking from a random plastic cup or tumbler you have laying around. It’s perfect to fill with wine and go on a little wine walk, and they’re even better for traveling!
How to Drink Wine book: And speaking of wine, if someone you know is journeying into the wide world of wine and eager to learn what they like and why they like it, this book is the perfect gift. It’s insanely informative and really well written, too. Easy to read and you will finish it and feel like a baby somm, for real.
Appointed Yearly Task Planner: Gift anyone anything from Appointed who has an appreciation for beautiful, minimalist design, and they’ll be thrilled. But the yearly task planner is the best daily/weekly/monthly agenda ever and you can get it monogrammed! Use code EMMASTHING10 for 10% off your order.
Black Metal Apple Watch Band: There’s no end to the number of unique and fun watch bands you can find, but I just ordered this one for myself for a blacked out, classy look and LOVE IT. Maybe you know someone who would love it, too!
Confetti Loaf Pan: I found this beauty at World Market and cannot wait to bake so much bread in it. I am a sucker for anything sprinkles or confetti, and for anything that makes baking more fun than it already is!
Double Under Wonder Speed Rope: For the athletes in your life, I’ve had my custom jump rope from Double Under Wonder for years now, and love it so so much. You can pick the rope color, handle colors, and enter your height so it’s the perfect length. Highly recommend if you’re gifting someone who would use and appreciate!
Hollywood Gold Frame: This is random, but I saw it on Anthro.com and was like “Yes.” I love the vintage vibe of it and imagine the right picture would look perfect inside of it.
Mini Horoscope Book: When isn’t a horoscope-centric gift a good idea? These little mini books all about the signs are so cute and personal. An ideal stocking stuffer!
Acrylic Pill Coasters: I mean. CAN YOU EVEN? I’m beyond obsessed.
Sherpa Slippers: I found these on my own hunt for slippers. The furry slide slippers from Amazon that I pushed so hard last year have fallen apart, and it’s time for an upgrade. Slip into some sherpa!
Simple Modern Water Bottle: I know cute water bottles are a dime a dozen these days, but I truly love this one so much? My sister has one and encourage me to get it, so I did and can honestly say I drink so much more water because of it. It keeps it cold for hours, I love the sleek/slim design, and the straw makes all the difference in the world. It’s also available in a ton of colors!
Open-Ended Gold Hoops: I adore this style of hoop so much. They come in a few different sizes, so choose the ones that your recipient would love and wear the most!
Hand-Dipped Gold Handle Mug: I spotted these at World Market and really had to have a serious conversation with myself why I specifically don’t need them, but how great they are in general. I love the black one, personally. Just a really pretty set for your really pretty friend who loves coffee!
Velvet Pearl Headbands: These will never be out of style, IMO. They are the perfect fall/winter hair accessory and always classy. I just got a dark green one and am OBSESSED. A pack of these is a great gift for fashionistas!
Custom Quote Frame: For our first dating anniversary, I ordered one of these with the text Zac sent me that set up our first date. It came out so perfectly and hangs in our kitchen now. A really great gift idea if you have a special quote or exchange you want memorialized!
Madewell Fleck Socks: I just adore these socks! They definitely play into my confetti and sprinkles obsession, that’s for sure. I have these and wear them often and love that they’re still being sold at Madewell, meaning they’re a staple because they’re so popular!
Body Talk book: We all struggle with our self image. It’s just how it is. If you know someone who’s extra struggling, though, this book from Katie Sturino is magnificent, a fun read, and very uplifting.
3-in-1 Phone, AirPod, and Apple Watch Charger: If you know someone with all three, this is a game changer. It’s by my bedside, and I bring it with me on every trip we take! It’s fantastic.
Grow Lights and Color Cords: If they’re a #plantzaddy or #plantmom and are determined to keep live plants inside the house like Z, he uses these exact grow lights and got fun and funky with the hanging cords by ordering colors of his choice from Colorcord.com! Could be a super fun, super thoughtful gift.
Target Sweater: I adore this sweater. It’s a random thing to list on this guide, but I figure SOMEONE reading this will love it as much as I do or know someone who would. It’s just so cool and abstract and looks comfy AF?! I’m very into it. It’s like designer but not at all.
Winter PJ Set: I have the short version of this set and love it, so I imagine the long version is just as cute and cozy!
Houdini Cocktail Shaker: Cocktail shakers are a dime a dozen, BUT this one is pretty fantastic. No, it’s not gold plated or especially aesthetically pleasing by any means, but I LOVE that it requires no disassembly to pour your drink. You shake it all up, then flip the lid to pour it out. IDK, I love it and think it’s genius.
Emerald-Cut Drop Earrings: I found these on Amazon and was and am very pleased with myself. They look way more expensive than they are and are a great everyday earring, but can also be dressed up with the right look!
Lock Your Fucking Door keychain: My mom got this for me last year, and it’s perfect. If you know someone who has door-locking issues (be it the front door or car door), this helps. Trust me. I’m a case study.
Harry Potter Spatulas: Are you gifting a Harry Potter stan who also happens to love cooking and baking? May I suggest getting them one (or all) of these perfect Hogwarts House spatulas? It’s sure to make their culinary creations that much more magical.
Puffy Glasses Sleeve: How cute is this?!? Hard cases can be incredible annoying and bulky, so when I saw these on ban.do, I was like OKAY CUTE.
Puffy Laptop Sleeve: Same thing here! I love all the color options and that they offer a straightforward all-black one.
Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette: I have this and love it. If you’re looking for a glamorous stocking stuffer for a beauty-obsessed friend or family member, this palette has all the nudes and pops of shimmer one could ever need!
Laura Mercier’s Caviar Eyeshadow stick: Another amazing option for the beauty queens is one of Laura Mercier’s Caviar eyeshadow sticks. These are perfect for the minimalist who loves makeup but likes to keep things very simple and easy. They’re available in a bunch of colors, too!
Nécessaire Hand Cream: For the holidays, Nécessaire is offering a 2 for 1 with their hand cream for just $30. I love this stuff so much. It’s like all the rest of their products—clean, simple, and effective. Nothing fancy and no outrageous scents.
Suede Headband: I have this in the mustard yellow and love it. If you’re stuck on what to gift your friend who dies for hair accessories and actually looks good in them, this is a great option. It’s also available in blue, a tan/neutral, and a pretty mint green.
Everyday Oil: You can buy the unscented or naturally scented one. Either way, it’s amazing. I use it mostly on my upper arms for my Keratosis Pilaris, but it’s the kind of luxurious oil you can use all over for extra moisture. It’s really lovely.
Custom Dog Collar: Both of our dogs will be getting one of these this year. Having all their info ON their collar is genius and makes me feel 100x safer if they were to ever run off or get lost!
Wine-Chilling Wands: For when you forget to chill the wine beforehand or if it’s not cold enough for the person drinking it, these wine-chilling wands from Williams-Sonoma are so smart?! I love the look of them and feel like they’d very much come in handy in the right situation.