Gift-giving on a budget is an art. Think about the "Christmas Party" episode of The Office where Michael insists on doing a Yankee Swap with everyone's Secret Santa gifts: You don't want to pull a Michael and go way over the agreed price limit, but you also don't want to choose a gift that no one actually wants (like Phyllis' oven mitt). You've got to ride the line: cool gift, but appropriate cost.

Yes, some people possess an innate talent for thoughtful gift-giving on a budget. No matter the occasion (anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) or recipient (wife, boyfriend, teens, in-laws), they somehow nail it every time.

Then there are the not-so-intuitive gift-givers who've maybe leaned on the same scented candle or gift basket a few too many times. If you're one of those people, that's OK! Gift-giving is hard — so we've done the heavy lifting for you.

Read on for more than 30 unique gift ideas under $50 that people will actually be happy to receive, including a bunch of products we've tested and love ourselves.

a close-up of a letterfolk concert book containing a ticket stubs next to a closed concert book and a pile of paperclips

Credit: Letterfolk

A Letterfolk Concert Passport (opens in a new tab)

For concert-goers

Highly recommended by social good reporter Chase DiBenedetto, this pocket-sized journal from Letterfolk is a fun way to capture concert memories. Each entry page is filled with prompts about set lists and mid-show emotions, and accompanied by a blank page for notes and ticket stubs. Bonus: It's a little cheaper than Taylor Swift and Beyoncé tickets.

Buying Options

$10 from Amazon

a top-down view of a woman assembling the lego orchid building kit at a wooden table

Credit: LEGO

A LEGO Orchid building kit (opens in a new tab)

For LEGO masters

This bestselling kit from LEGO's Botanical Collection for adults builds into a realistic orchid with six large flowers, two newly opened buds, and a fluted pot (complete with some "bark mix" the actual plant would grow in). It contains 608 pieces, so it'll take the better part of an afternoon to assemble. No watering or pruning required!

Buying Options

$49.99 from Amazon

pieces of the wordle board game laid out on a flat surface next to its box

Credit: Hasbro

'Wordle: The Party Game' (opens in a new tab)

For boardgamers

Everyone's favorite word-guessing game is now a simple B-O-A-R-D game for two to four people. Mashable Senior Reviews Editor Miller Kern found it a little dull at times but liked that players have the option of making up their own personalized words, deeming it best for dedicated Wordlers who still have a daily streak going.

Buying Options

$19.99 from Amazon

a close-up of an apple airtag on a keyring attached to a black backpack

Credit: Apple

An Apple AirTag (opens in a new tab)

For forgetters

This quarter-sized Bluetooth tracker works seamlessly with the Find My app, which comes pre-installed on iPhones and iPads — super convenient for anyone who's already plugged into the Apple ecosystem. If an item the AirTag is attached to ever gets lost or misplaced, its owner can pull up its last-known location on their device or ask Siri to find it.

Buying Options

$29 from Amazon

a BioFace Facial Mask Maker next to pile of rolled-up towels on a white countertop

Credit: BioFace Cosmetics

A BioFace Facial Mask Maker (opens in a new tab)

For skincare gurus

The Mashable's Choice Award-winning BioFace Facial Mask Maker creates sheet masks out of leftover fruits and veggies — an incredibly easy way to reduce beauty waste *and* food waste. (Before you ask: Yes, there's a self-cleaning function.) Per Mashable contributor Michelle Rostamian, "it's great for those leaning into a simpler skincare routine."

Buying Options

$19.99 from Amazon

a top-down view of the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker, a glass of iced coffee with a striped straw, and brown sugar cubes on a rustic wood table

Credit: OXO

An OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker (opens in a new tab)

For coffee connoisseurs

Starbucks gift cards are a nice gesture, but categorically lame. The Mashable's Choice Award-winning OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a better way to gift someone their next caffeine fix: "[It] pays for itself in one or two brews, and the cold brew concentrate it produces is consistently strong, velvety smooth, and richly flavorful," wrote contributor Sam Stone.

Buying Options

$34.95 from Amazon

box art for a magic puzzle company puzzle

Credit: The Magic Puzzle Company

A Magic Puzzle Company puzzle (opens in a new tab)

For puzzle-doers

There are puzzles, and then there are Magic Puzzle Company puzzles: Each one is a beautifully illustrated, 1,000-piece feat with over 50 Easter eggs and a surprise twist at the end; don't go on PuzzleTok if you don't want spoilers. Series Three includes "The Secret Soup," "The Puzzled Patron," and "The Gnomes' Homes" (pictured).

Buying Options

$22.99 from Amazon

Credit: BaBylissPRO

A BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron (opens in a new tab)

For beauty buffs

Ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, this miniature version of BaBylissPRO's premium flat iron can get as hot as 430°F. It features the exact same titanium-ceramic plates as the standard size (only these are half an inch wide), which are designed for even heating and reducing frizz.

Buying Options

$34.99 from Amazon

a close-up of a kitten playing with a PetSafe Bolt Automatic Laser Light Cat Toy on a wooden table in front of a window

Credit: PetSafe

A PetSafe Bolt Automatic Laser Light Cat Toy (opens in a new tab)

For cat parents

For senior culture reporter Christianna Silva and their feisty cat, Colby Jack, the Mashable's Choice Award-winning PetSafe Bolt "was a godsend...It works reliably, solves a problem, turns off automatically, and is virtually hassle-free." It operates in two modes, so your recipient can control it themselves or set it to a random pattern and have their cat burn off some energy solo.

Buying Options

$21.95 from Amazon

close-ups of six a24 x joya genre candles

Credit: A24 Shop

An A24 x Joya Genre Candle (opens in a new tab)

For movie buffs

The folks behind "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Hereditary" teamed up with a Brooklyn-based fragrance studio for this collection of 10 hand-poured candles. Each sophisticated scent is inspired by a different film genre — "Horror" smells like mandarin, clove leaf, cypress, suede, and cinnamon bark, for example.

Buying Options

$48 from A24 Shop

a close-up of a man wearing a black hat from the succession merch line

Credit: HBO Shop

A 'Succession' dad hat (opens in a new tab)

For HBO stans

Got a Kendall girl or a Cousin Greg head in your life? This Waystar Royco dad hat (available in three colors) is a casual way for them to flaunt their fandom. Other "Succession" gems from the HBO merch shop include a mug with that one "Tomlette" quote and ATN News dress socks.

Buying Options

$29.95 from HBO Shop

a "sunrise" chromecast with google tv 4 on a wooden tray surrounded by a bowl, a spoon, and lime green lens flares

Credit: Google

A Chromecast with Google TV (4K) (opens in a new tab)

For Netflix binge-watchers

Mashable tech and games reporter Alex Perry said the 4K Chromecast with Google TV is still the best media player at this price point, offering a "snappy" user interface and a simple remote. (It won one of our coveted Mashable's Choice Awards upon its release in 2020.) Plug it into a TV's HDMI port for all-in-one entertainment and hands-free voice control.

Buying Options

$49.99 from Google Store

a stack of five books on a blanket next to a wicker basket

Credit: Book of the Month

A Book of the Month subscription (opens in a new tab)

For bookworms

"Book of the Month gives avid readers a way to stay up to date with new authors and books at a lower cost than buying from traditional booksellers," writes Senior Reviews Editor Miller Kern, who said the subscription service "changed my reading habits for the better." Their cheapest plan lets your recipient pick from five to seven hardcover titles each month for three months.

Buying Options

$49.99 from Book of the Month

a screenshot from the video game 'stray'

Credit: Annapurna Interactive

'Stray' (opens in a new tab)

For PlayStation gamers

Available for PS4, PS5, and PC (via Steam), "Stray" is a 2022 third-person game that follows an orange tabby cat who's trying to escape a grungy cyberpunk city — and yes, you play as the cat. Mashable tech and games reporter Alex Perry described it as a stunning sci-fi adventure "with a sweet story, endearing characters, and some truly gross art design at times (in the best way)."

Buying Options

$29.99 from Amazon

a screenshot from 'Ori and the Will of the Wisps'

Credit: Xbox Game Studios

'Ori and the Will of the Wisps' (opens in a new tab)

For Xbox gamers

The mystical sequel to 2015's "Ori and the Blind Forest" is one of the best platformers of all time, per former entertainment reporter Kellen Beck, "marrying gorgeous visuals, excellent music, a haunting story, and some of the smoothest platforming I've had the pleasure of experiencing." It first came out for Xbox One and Windows but has since been optimized for the Series X/S.

Buying Options

$29.99 from Best Buy

main art for nintendo switch online + expansion pack

Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (opens in a new tab)

For Nintendo Switch gamers

Nintendo's premium membership tier unlocks online play, libraries of classic retro games, cloud saves, and access to select DLCs. (That includes 48 additional courses for "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" and the "Happy Home Paradise" expansion for "Animal Crossing: New Horizons.") A year-long individual plan comes in just under $50, which is easily one of the best deals in gaming.

Buying Options

$49.99 from Nintendo

Credit: LIFX

A LIFX Color smart bulb (opens in a new tab)

For techies

LIFX Color smart bulbs are vibrant and easy to install — and unlike the Phililps Hue variety, they don't require a bridge or a hub to work with WiFi. Mashable contributor RJ Andersen has replaced about half the bulbs in their house with these things: "Would I recommend [LIFX bulbs] to anyone looking to tip-toe into smart lighting? Absolutely," they said.

Buying Options

$39.99 from Amazon

a close-up of a pile of shutterfly photo books

Credit: Shutterfly

A custom Shutterfly photo book (opens in a new tab)

For sentimental types

Starting around $20, Shutterfly's photo books can be personalized from top to bottom with different layouts, bindings, cover finishes, stickers, and ribbons — it's like scrapbooking on steroids. Guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any parent or significant other, if you're looking for a gift that'll speak from the heart and be cherished for years to come.

Buying Options

$19.98 from Shutterfly

a hot ones trio pack of hot sauces from heatonist

Credit: Heatonist

A Hot Ones Trio Pack (opens in a new tab)

For brave snackers

If you think your recipient can take the heat, a Hot Ones Trio Pack features samplers of the spicy sauces that celebrities try on the hit YouTube show. The Original pack (pictured) comes with five-ounce bottles of The Classic, Los Calientes, and The Last Dab XXX (godspeed), which are the first, fourth and tenth sauces in the "Hot Ones" tasting lineup, respectively.

Buying Options

$40 from Heatonist

a close-up of a woman wearing turquoise jewelry holding a stanley quencher cup on a wooden table amid potted plants

Credit: Stanley

A Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler (opens in a new tab)

For hip sippers

TikTok's favorite reusable drinking vessel is a 40-ounce, travel-friendly tumbler with a removable straw, a comfort-grip handle, and an insulated, stainless steel body that can keep drinks iced for up to 40 hours. It comes in a bunch of trendy colors, including some limited-edition ones that'll earn you some extra cool points.

Buying Options

$45 from REI

a close-up of a 12-inch lodge cast iron skillet filled with shrimp

Credit: Lodge Cast Iron

A Lodge cast iron skillet (opens in a new tab)

For home chefs

Cast iron skillets are the versatile workhorses of any kitchen — they retain heat tremendously well and can be used for almost any dish, from steak to skillet cookies. (They're also durable enough to be used over a campfire, if your recipient's into that.) Lodge's pans come pre-seasoned for immediate use and can last for decades with proper care; this 12-inch size is perfect for family dinners.

Buying Options

$29.95 from Lodge Cast Iron

a close-up of two le creuset mini round cocottes filled with a pot pie and a fruit cobbler next to a plate of pita pieces

Credit: Le Creuset

A Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte (14 fl. oz.) (opens in a new tab)

For foodies

Yes, you can gift someone a Le Creuset cocotte for less than $50 — a *very small* Le Creuset cocotte, but the point technically still stands. Made from nonstick stoneware that's safe for oven, broiler, microwave, and dishwasher use, the 14-ouncer is a nice size for individual cobblers and pot pie. It's available in six colors, including Cerise (pictured), Artichaut, Caribbean, Marseille, Oyster, and White.

Buying Options

$36 from Le Creuset

the cover of "What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People"

Credit: Clarkson Potter

'What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People' (opens in a new tab)

For bakers

From "Dessert Person" Claire Saffitz comes a new beginner-friendly cookbook with over 100 simple and efficient recipes for sweet treats. (Emphasis on "simple and efficient" — none of them require a stand mixer and only half need a hand mixer.) Entries are accompanied by beautiful retro-style photography and helpful troubleshooting tips.

Buying Options

$37.50 from Amazon

a yonanas machine in the process of making ice cream next to a pile of fruit

Credit: Yonanas

A Yonanas machine (opens in a new tab)

For ice cream lovers

The Yonanas is a borderline brilliant kitchen gadget from Dole that can successfully turn frozen fruit into a smooth, soft serve-adjacent dessert — a great gift for regular ice cream eaters who want to switch things up, *or* anyone who follows a vegan, keto, or dairy-free diet. Another Mashable Choice Award-winner, it "seriously impressed" contributor Michelle Rostamian.

Buying Options

$49.99 from Amazon

a close-up of a person in a tropical shirt pulling a dog treat out of a wild one treat pouch

Credit: Wild One

A Wild One Treat Pouch (opens in a new tab)

For dog parents

"Walkies," but make it fashion. Wild One's Treat Pouch has a hidden compartment for a roll of poop bags and adjustable carrying straps that let you wear it like a crossbody bag or a fannypack. It's available in at least five colors (depending on the season) and overall super stylish — you'd never know it was made from recycled water bottles.

Buying Options

$44 from Wild One

a close-up of brass mushrooms decorations in a potted plant

Credit: AnotherStudio

Houseplant ornaments (opens in a new tab)

For plant parents

Made by the London-based design company AnotherStudio, these miniature metal ornaments are cute accessories for houseplant pots and terrariums. If you don't think your recipient would be into the mushrooms (available in brass and stainless steel), they also come in impressively detailed animal shapes that are designed to hang from leaves and stems.

Buying Options

$14.88 from Etsy

a bloomscape propagation kit filled with leaf cuttings next to a glass pitcher of water on a wooden surface

Credit: Bloomscape

A propagation kit (opens in a new tab)

For people with green thumbs

This Bloomscape kit is a chic way to display fresh cuttings while fostering healthy root growth; each one comes with propagating instructions and a tub of TakeRoot Rooting Hormone. The stand itself is handmade by Michigan's Speckl Goods, a houseware studio that specializes in concrete terrazzo, and it comes in three custom color blends.

Buying Options

$45 from Bloomscape

a national parks fill-in poster on two clips

Credit: Parks Project

A national parks fill-in poster (opens in a new tab)

For wilderness explorers

Your recipient can use this minimalist poster to keep track of all the U.S. national parks they've been to (so far), which gives you an excellent excuse to plan some trips together. It's made and sold by the Parks Project, a brand that funds a backlogged national parks maintenance project with every purchase.

Buying Options

$25 from Parks Project

a close-up of a woman in a white shirt wearing three bala bands on her forearms

Credit: Bala

Bala Bands (opens in a new tab)

For fitness fanatics

From the makers of those chunky wrist weights come these resistance bands made from woven fabric elastic, which are designed to increase the intensity of yoga sessions, Pilates workouts, and strength training exercises. Each set includes three bands in different resistances and Instagrammable colors, plus a carrying case for taking them to the gym.

Buying Options

$35 from Bala

a close-up of a woman in an oversized denim shirt holding a black Baggu Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag

Credit: Baggu

A Baggu Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag (opens in a new tab)

For style icons

Baggu's Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag is a slightly smaller, slightly more structured version of its viral Medium Nylon Crescent Bag that comes in under our $50 price limit. It's also less of a hassle to find in stock. It's a slouchy little number made from 100% recycled materials with an adjustable quilted strap, a zippered pocket, and five color/pattern options.

Buying Options

$44 from Baggu