50 Fun Gift Ideas for $50 or Less
Shopping and gift-giving should be fun — not stressful. That’s where Travel + Leisure’s gift guides come in. We’ve made it as easy as possible for you to find the perfect gift for whomever is on your list — be it the jet-setter, the wine lover, the home decorator, the person who’s impossible to shop for because they only ever want practical items (here’s to you, dad), and yes, even the cousin you haven’t seen or talked to in years whose name you pulled for the family gift exchange.
Related: Best Men’s Travel Gifts Under $50
We’ve combed the web for fun, interesting, and useful gifts under $50, with something for everyone. Besides, it’s always a good idea to have inexpensive reserves on hand once the holiday season strikes or a handy list of go-to ideas for birthdays and special occasions. And if you happen to be shopping for someone who loves to travel, well, we’ve got you covered.
Below, our picks for pleasing even the most discerning friends and family without spending a dime over $50.
Homesick Candle
With scents inspired by locations across the country and around the world, these candles will remind you of home or of your last vacation destination. For example, with notes of pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and more, the Hawaii candle will instantly transport you to the islands. You can even personalize the candle jar with a heartfelt message for an extra $15.
To buy: homesick.com, $34
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BaubleBar Mask Chain
It looks like we’ll be wearing masks for the near future, so why not dress it up a little? These Baublebar mask chains ensure you always have your mask handy, and they look stylish with any outfit.
To buy: baublebar.com, starting at $24
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Artifact Uprising Wood Block + Prints
This wooden block display, made of reclaimed Colorado mountain beetle pine, is beautiful and simple—without taking any attention away from the real attraction: your vacation photos, of course.
To buy: artifactuprising.com, $20
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National Parks Poster Coloring Book
Adults and kids alike will love coloring in these posters from their favorite national parks. Beautiful drawings of Glacier, Yellowstone, Arches, and other national parks can be framed once they're colored in, too.
To buy: amazon.com, $21.99
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Usual Wines Six-pack
If there’s a wine lover on your list, send them a six pack of this bubbly Brut from Usual Wines. Each bottle is the equivalent of one large glass of sparkling wine, so it’s perfect for any celebration or holiday.
To buy: usualwines.com, $48
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Paravel Fold-up Belt Bag
Everyone needs a trusty belt bag, and this fold-up option from luggage brand Paravel is super lightweight and water-resistant. It’s perfect for running errands, exercising, and travel, and it’s made from seven recycled water bottles, so it’s sustainable, too.
To buy: tourparavel.com, $35
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2021 Explore the World Wall Calendar
Featuring destinations like Rome, Kyoto, and New Zealand, this wall calendar from Rifle Paper Co. serves up a dose of wanderlust for every month of 2021. It’s the perfect addition to a travel lover’s home office or bedroom.
To buy: riflepaperco.com, $26
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The Insider Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a travel necessity. Compress your clothing and organize your suitcase so you never have to dig around for a pair of socks again. This set of four from Away fits perfectly in a carry-on.
To buy: awaytravel.com, $45
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Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks
Everyone needs a great pair of super-cozy socks. These Barefoot Dreams socks are ultra soft and warm, so they’re ideal for wearing around the house.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $15
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Xenvo iPhone Camera Lens Kit Pro
It’s time to take your iPhone photos to the next level. Amazon's number 1 best-selling phone camera lens kit will upgrade any vacation photo.
To buy: amazon.com, $40
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Bartender Kit
For the friend who's looking to get into bartending, this multi-purpose set is guaranteed to impress.
To buy: amazon.com, $40
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Etched Skyline Wine Glass
These skyline-etched wine glasses will transport the wine-loving traveler to U.S. cities like New York City, Nashville, and Chicago.
To buy: uncommongoods.com, $24
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Beaches: Gray Malin
This collection of dazzling aerial shots from beaches across six continents inspires sun-drenched daydreams even on the snowiest of days. It’s the perfect gift for the wanderluster or beach bum in your life.
To buy: amazon.com, $26
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iOttie Wireless Charger
This little guy enables wireless Qi charging for a number of iPhone and Android phones, making charging easier than ever. Plus, the sleek design looks great on a desk or nightstand.
To buy: amazon.com, $30
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Cards Against Humanity
Got a joker on your list? This party game is the ultimate icebreaker. Just be warned: its content is completely NSFW.
To buy: amazon.com, $25
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UCO Hundred 100 Lumen LED Headlamp
If you need a gift for someone who loves the outdoors, we have you covered. This stylish headlamp will take their camping gear up a notch.
To buy: amazon.com, $20
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Slip Silk Scrunchies
Scrunchies are back, and these are made of silk so they’re super gentle on hair. Plus, they won’t cause any weird hair creases or ridges.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $39
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LifeStraw
This award-winning water filter is truly a must-have for any backpacker. As an alternative to iodine tablets and cumbersome pumps, it will filter up to 1,000 liters of contaminated water into drinkable form.
To buy: amazon.com, $18
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Beeropoly
Proving that there’s something for everyone, this drinking game will appeal to beer lovers, game lovers, DIY lovers, or anyone who likes to have a laugh with friends over a brew.
To buy: uncommongoods.com, $38
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Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Secrets
If you have a beauty lover on your list, impress them with this Charlotte Tilbury lip set featuring the best-selling Matte Revolution Lipstick along with other travel-friendly makeup must-haves.
To buy: charlottetilbury.com, $45
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Herbivore Botanical Beard Oil
Love a soft beard? Us, too.This beard oil keeps facial hair looking healthy and the skin underneath moisturized.
To buy: amazon.com, $20
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Lexon Mino Glossy Bluetooth Speaker
Who wouldn't want a cute and portable bluetooth speaker? This compact speaker is small enough to bring with you wherever you go.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $30
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Custom Map Cut & Prep Board
You can personalize this tempered glass board to highlight a special place — it will show three square miles around any address. Plus, when it’s not in use, this board can be displayed as a conversational piece of kitchen decor.
To buy: uncommongoods.com, starting at $50
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Claus Porto Deco Collection Large Bar Soap
The packaging on these decorative soaps is just as pretty as their designer scents. These soaps are perfect gifts any time of year, especially since we’re all constantly washing our hands now.
To buy: anthropologie.com, $27
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Drunk Elephant The Littles Head to Toe
With seven travel-size products from Drunk Elephant’s hair and body collection packed in a bag with a comb, this set is perfect for the frequent travelers or cosmetic lovers on your list.
To buy: sephora.com, $49
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Boy Smells Candle
Los Angeles-based candle company Boy Smells has some of the most unique scents out there. Hinoki Fantome is one of the brand’s most popular scents, with notes of smoking Japanese cypress, cardamom, jasmine petals, and guaiac wood.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $32
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Artifact Uprising Color Series Photo Book
A custom photo book is a touching gift that they’ll cherish forever. The Artifact Uprising Color Series Photo Books are beautiful and affordable, starting at just $20.
To buy: artifactuprising.com, starting at $20
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Briogeo Detox + Restore Kit
This award-winning duo of hair products is a self-care essential. The Scalp Revival Shampoo soothes the scalp and removes any buildup while the Don’t Despair, Repair mask will nourish dry hair — talk about a power couple.
To buy: sephora.com, $49
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Vintage National Parks Puzzle
With a design made up of vintage national parks posters and logos, this puzzle is the perfect rainy day activity. Plus, this travel-inspired puzzle will bring back fond memories of national park adventures or give you inspiration for future trips.
To buy: uncommongoods.com, $20
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Monogrammed Craft Beer Glasses
If there’s a beer lover on your list, gift them some quality monogrammed glasses. These glasses are a classy addition to any bar cart, and they’ll use them for years.
To buy: crateandbarrel.com, $38 for four
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The Studio Box Manicure Kit
This 9-piece manicure kit from Olive and June has everything you need for a perfect at-home manicure, including a nail clipper, file, buffer cube, clean-up brush and more. Plus, you can choose a polish color from the brand’s many trendy and classic shades.
To buy: oliveandjune.com, $50
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L’Occitane Hand Cream
A quality hand cream is a gift that everyone will use and love — especially since we’re all washing our hands so much right now. This highly-rated cream from L’Occitane has been a cult-favorite for years, and for good reason — it’s super rich and moisturizing.
To buy: sephora.com, $29
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Carry-on Cocktail Kit or Virtual Happy Hour Cocktail Kit
If there’s a cocktail lover on your list, gift them one of these cocktail kits. The frequent flyer can elevate their airplane drinks with the carry-on cocktail kit, while those working from home will love the virtual happy hour cocktail kit.
To buy: Carry-on Cocktail Kit, nordstrom.com, $24; Virtual Happy Hour Cocktail Kit, nordstrom.com, $24
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1,000 Places to See Before You Die Coffee Table Book
Gift your adventure loving friends and family a little armchair travel this year with this coffee table book featuring destinations all over the world. Packed with beautiful images and interesting information, this book will inspire them to plan their next bucket-list trip.
To buy: amazon.com, $40
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Slippers
Cozy feet are happy feet, and you can’t go wrong with a great pair of slippers. These highly-rated options from Nordstrom will keep your loved ones’ feet toasty all year.
To buy: L.B. Evans Darren Slipper, nordstrom.com, $49.95; Rachel Parcell Faux Fur Slipper, nordstrom.com, $29
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Patagonia Beanie
As temperatures start to drop, people will be reaching for their cold-weather accessories. This wool-blend beanie from Patagonia has a jersey-knit interior for added comfort, and the classic style will look great for years.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $45
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Hydroflask Water Bottle
Everyone loves sturdy Hydroflask water bottles, and this 32 oz. version comes with a straw lid so it’s extra convenient. Whether they take it along to stay hydrated on hikes or just drink from it while working from home, this is sure to become their new favorite water bottle.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $44.95
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Glass Travel Suitcase Ornament
For the travel lover on your list, a beautiful glass ornament depicting their favorite destination. These adorable hand blown glass suitcase-shaped ornaments depict destinations like Paris, London, New York City, and Tokyo.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $35
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W&P Design Ice Trays
For the whiskey lover, grab these unique ice trays. Ice cubes from these trays will keep their drinks cold — and looking cool — without watering them down.
To buy: Extra Large Ice Cube Tray, nordstrom.com, $12 ; Sphere Ice Tray, nordstrom.com, $17
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Haute Diggity Dog Toys
These adorable toys are the perfect gift for the dog (or dog parent) in your life. Punny designs based on favorite drinks like La Croix and champagne are sure to put a smile on the recipient’s face.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $15.95
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Sugarfina New York City Two-Piece Floral Candy Bento Box
For the person with a sweet tooth, go for this two-piece candy bento box from Sugarfina. Inside the cute NYC taxi-shaped box, you’ll find Fuji apple caramels and champagne-flavored gummy candy.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $24
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Personalized Golf Balls
For the avid golfer, personalized golf balls to use the next time they hit the links. You can add their name, a message, a fun logo, and more to these Taylormade golf balls.
To buy: taylormade.com, $39.99
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Ciao Luggage Tag
This Italy-inspired luggage tag makes the perfect stocking stuffer for globetrotters dreaming of their next trip to Rome or Florence. Plus, it makes finding luggage even easier.
To buy: anthropologie.com, $26
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Bloomscape House Plant
Bloomscape can deliver living house plants straight to your friends and family, so it’s easier than ever to brighten up their space with some fresh greenery. The hedgehog aloe is perfect for first-time plant owners.
To buy: bloomscape.com, starting at $35
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Caudalie Face Mist
Face mists are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up for dry or dehydrated skin. This grape water mist from Caudalie is a highly-rated cult-favorite among skincare lovers.
To buy: sephora.com, $10
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Disneyland Park Ceramic Travel Tumbler
This charming travel tumbler depicting Disneyland Park will remind the Disney fan on your list of all their fun trips to the theme parks. (There are options for Disney California Adventure and the Walt Disney World Parks, too!)
To buy: shopDisney.com, $24.99
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Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask
This luxurious face mask is soft and comfortable, and it’s made of 100% non-absorbent silk, so it won’t soak up any skincare products. Plus, it's a carry-on must-have for lang haul flights.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $50
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Herschel Wallet
This slim wallet looks sleek with enough pockets to hold the essentials. Plus, its RFID technology offers electronic protection.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $38
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Custom Star Map
Choose a time and place, and this Etsy seller will print a map of how the stars looked in the sky on that exact date, in that location. This thoughtful piece is ideal for your space or astrology-loving friends and family.
To buy: etsy.com, starting at $38
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Protective Keychain
This nifty keychain is sure to be on everyone’s wish list this year. Never touch another dirty button or door handle thanks to the stylus and hook on this multipurpose tool.
To buy: nordstrom.com, $18
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