The 50 Best Gifts Under $30 To Grab Before Christmas

“When shopping on a budget, a good rule of thumb is to look for a ‘nice version’ of something that’s within that budget—in this case, kitchen utensils. GIR kitchen tools are quality and super functional, plus this cute confetti mini set is totally giftable.” —Karen Tietjen, senior updates editor

“I’ve been avoiding buying champagne flutes because they only have one use and my NYC apartment needs multitasking products. I love that I can use these for all sorts of drinks, not just bubbly.” —Dana Holmes, branded content editor

“I’ve always loved the sweet simplicity of the Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume and now I can easily take it with me on the go with this Daisy Drops set. It comes with 30 single-dose capsules that deliver just the right about of floral fragrance—perfect for when you’re traveling and need an instant pick-me-up.”—Jennifer Ferrise, special projects editor

“Priced so cheap, Apple AirTags make a great high-tech gift that virtually anyone can find some use for. You can attach them to anything you worry about losing—your luggage, backpack, even your wallet or TV remote, and then zero on them using the Find My app on your iPhone. You can make your AirTag play an audible tone when you get really close, and you only need to worry about swapping out the battery about once a year.” —Dave Johnson, deputy editor

“There are those purists who would never deign to open a bottle of wine with anything but a waiter’s corkscrew, and then there are the gadget people. This electric wine opener is for both of them! It’s impossible not to get addicted to the ease with which this little contraption (smaller than those Buick-size Rabbits from back in the day), opens a bottle. Literally as easy as pressing a button. I gave my dad one last year, and he hasn’t stopped talking about it since.” —Jenny Rosenstrach, NYT bestselling author of Dinner: A Love Story

“I bought this for a one-year-old’s birthday gift and it has gotten rave reviews. This lo-fi toy is excellent screen-free and guilt-free entertainment for extended periods during road trips or at restaurants.” —Dana Holmes, branded content editor

“This stalwart Anker battery provides a slim, stylish companion for any smartphone and has enough juice to charge a phone at least two times. Its convenient size makes it easy to hold the charger and phone in hand at the same time, or to slip it into a pocket. This makes a great affordable stocking stuffer, as does its upgraded version.” —Melissa Perenson, tech editor

“With this little gadget, you can transform any electrical outlet into a ‘smart outlet’ that lets you control whatever is connected to it from your smartphone. Simply insert an Amazon Smart Plug into an outlet, then plug in any device that you want to turn on and off remotely, such as a lamp, fan or appliance. You can also control the device using voice commands via an Echo Smart speaker or the Alexa mobile app. Use the app to set up routines or schedules for when the plugged-in device should automatically turn on or off. This is an easy, low-cost way to start transforming anyone’s home into a smart home.” —Jason Rich, tech writer

“Plants are a creative, thoughtful gift to give (or send to) hard-to-buy-for recipients. If you’re on a budget, BWH has an assortment of greenery for as little as $10, including easy care, pet friendly and more exotic rare species. This Florida-based company delivers nationwide, and while you can expect to pay $10 to $15 for shipping, you can easily keep the total cost under $30, depending on the plant you choose.” —Karen Tietjen, senior updates editor