When it comes to gifts, it truly is the thought that counts, not the monetary value of the item. In this gift guide, you will find low-budget, high-quality Christmas gifts under $50 for her.
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I have a terrible habit of devaluing small gifts when I’m shopping for others. I find an amazing present with a lower price tag and think, “this will work as a component of their present, but it can’t be their entire gift” or “this could be a stocking stuffer for them, but not an actual gift.” In reality, most of us already have more than we need, and what really makes a gift special is the thought put into it, not the monetary value of the present.
As I have continued to think about small gifts and holiday budgets this season, I have realized that none of my loved ones want me to break the bank Christmas shopping and that the key to making small or low-budget gifts feel special is to:
A. Make the gift personal
Making the gift personal adds a special touch and shows you really put thought into the present, which, in reality,
B. Select high-quality items
Spending $50 on several items at the dollar store and spending $50 on one great quality item is simply not the same. When shopping on a low budget, try to remember: Quality > Quantity.
and
C. Wrap the gift thoughtfully
Of course, selecting a personal gift and high-quality items will make the low-budget gift feel more special, but treating and wrapping the gift with extra care will take it to the next level. Instead of throwing the item in with another present or just stuffing it in a stocking, wrap it individually with love.
Christmas Gifts Under $50 for Her:
(1)Sentimental ornament (this one from Anthropologie)/(2)Book that relates to their interests or is in a series they are reading (this Kendra Scott book)/(3)LL Bean boat tote/(4)Coffee table book that relates to their interests (The Authentics book)/(5)New phone case (This compostable Casetify case)/(6)Jewelry dish or box (hand jewelry display)/(7)candle by MacBailey Co/(8)Charcuterie board from Bark and Brine/(9)Daily Planner/(10)Coffee mug (this one from FEED gives meals to children with your purchase)/(11)Recipe journal/(12) Pajama set/(13)Heir Raleigh jewelry/(14)Tote Bag (this one from FEED gives meals to children with your purchase)/(15)Home Decor (obsessed with all the decor and this sunburst bowl from Shoppe Smitten)/(16)Luxurious-looking games
1. Sentimental ornament
An ornament is a great affordable and easy gift to give during the holidays. Selecting an ornament that has special meaning or has to do with the recipient’s interest makes the gift much more sentimental. Anthropologie has a great selection of ornaments, but I would recommend finding something made by an artisan or from a local shop, if possible.
(Edit: I recently ordered two items from Anthropologie that did not meet my expectations. I recently checked out the ornaments at Maraluna, a small boutique that only carries sustainable and artisan-made products, and I do recommend those! I plan to go back today and pick up two!)
Shop my top ornament picks:
2. A book that relates to their interests or is by their favorite author
I know that this idea isn’t the most creative, but I truly feel that gifting a book you know someone will love is a quality present because they will actually use it and it shows that you put thought into the present. I personally receive, ask for and gift books every year.
Below are the current top-trending books (according to Barnes and Noble) + books on my wishlist as someone who is not a huge reader. I would 100% recommend shopping for books at locally owned bookstores, but if you are unable to, here are some available online:
3. The iconic ironic L.L. Bean boat and tote
When saw that some of the L.L. Bean boat and totes are under $50, I was shocked. The ironic boat and tote trend where you embroider phrases like “dum blond” and “leave me alone” has been all over TikTok this season. That trend combined with the amazing quality of these totes and the unbelievably low price point makes this a great Christmas gifts under $50 for her. Just make sure to put some thought into your phrase. Get it wrong, and they won’t carry it.
Shop LL Bean boat totes under $50:
4. Coffee table books
We all want to achieve the look of Khloe Kardashian’s book-filled coffee table without having to pay the $$$ for that many coffee table books, making them the perfect gift. Bonus points if you select a book the recipient will actually read. I received this coffee table book for Christmas last year and I love it because, under the paper cover, the actual book is a washed gray with great typography (I also love the photography inside the book).
Again, try to shop for coffee table books at local bookstores, but here are some of my coffee table book picks:
5. New phone case
A new phone case can make an old phone feel like it’s brand new. It’s like new nails- you instantly feel like a new person.
Since we use our phones on a daily basis and have our hands on them at all times, phone cases get dirty very quickly, so most of us are probably in need of a new case. It’s a great present because the person will use it (if you pick a case you know they will like and know exactly which phone they have). I personally love Casetify cases because many of them are made of recycled materials or are plant-based and biodegradable.
Shop my favorite Casetify cases under $50:
6. Jewelry holder or tray
As someone who always struggles to keep my jewelry organized, a jewelry holder or tray sounds like a great gift. And there are tons of cute ones under $50.
Shop my jewelry holder picks:
7. MacBailey Candle Co
A candle is a great option when it comes to Christmas gifts under $50 because it helps create a cozy space in your home, and it’s disposable (and re-giftable), meaning there is a low commitment to the item if the recipient doesn’t need the gift.
I am a candle snob, and the soy Christmas candles from MacBailey Candle Co are some of my favorites because they are designed in label-less, concrete, reusable vessels that fit in with nearly any home decor style and because they actually omit a scent. I recently tried out a similar candle from Target, and it is extremely sub-par.
Because MacBailey Candle Co candles are made with soy wax, they produce zero toxins, carcinogens or pollutants when burned, meaning they are better for your home and less likely to trigger allergies.
These candles are also available at Rose & Lee Co.
PSA: If you own this candle, make sure to double-check that you have put it out before leaving your home! I am obsessed with the look of the concrete vessel, but that has, unfortunately, prevented me from noticing that the flame is still lit, resulting in me leaving the candle on (don’t worry, it burnt the wick all the way down, but the flame did not escape its cement confinement).
8. Bark and Brine Boards
Hand-crafted in Cary, NC, Bark and Brine carries a variety of beautiful charcuterie boards that are made with locally sourced, upcycled wood and perfect for any hostess in your life.
I purchased the Christmas tree board, and Bark and Brine gifted me their heart board for Valentine’s Day last year! They also offer custom boards and a variety of other seasonal designs. DM them on Instagram @barkandbrineboards to purchase!
9. A daily planner
If the person you are gifting is in school, runs their own business, works a job with lots of projects or has a busy life of any kind, they would probably love a brand new planner for 2023. Planners help you stay organized when life feels hectic.
I personally love planners that have time blocking, top priority lists and super long to-do lists. The Mind Your Business planner by Nitsan Raiter is my favorite, but I’ve also heard amazing things about the By Sophia Lee planners (I’ve taken her blogging courses too, she’s a genius) and have used The Happy Planner multiple years.
10. A cute mug
I think of ornaments and mugs in the same way: they are cute, can be sentimental and everyone will use them. I love this mug by FEED because, with your purchase, 10 meals are donated to children in need, but I also found these really cute mugs:
11. A recipe journal so they can document their favorite dishes
A recipe journal is a really sweet and thoughtful present for anyone who loves to cook because they can document their favorite dishes in a book that they can keep for years to come and pass on to their children, friends or family someday.
Shop recipes journals under $50:
12. Pajamas
Nothing makes you feel more put together than sleeping in pajama sets. Matching pajamas are a simple luxury that elevates anyone’s night routine.
(Edit: I previously had an under $50 pair of pajamas from It’s Juliet included in the post. My mom ended up ordering those as an option for us, and the quality was terrible. I have since done additional research on the brand and have discovered that it is a very scammy, drop-shipping type of company disguised as a smaller brand, and I definitely do not recommend shopping with them. In the future, I will prioritize including companies I have purchased from or done deep research and seen great reviews from. It is one of my goals to only share amazing brands with you, and I am very disappointed in my oversight with this company. I promise to always include these edits when my knowledge of something changes!)
Shop pajama sets under $50:
13. Heir Raleigh Jewelry
Founded and handmade by NC State Graduate Sophie Wiseman-Floyd, Heir Raleigh is a Raleigh-based minimalistic jewelry company with THE BEST affordable, high-quality jewelry. Heir Raleigh is my top recommended jewelry brand because I have been a genuine Heir-lover for years, and I know you will love it too. I have 10+ pieces of Heir Raleigh jewelry that I literally never take off, and they are still in perfect condition. I even wear them in the shower.
Shop my favorites: Vices Bracelet, Vices Chain, Manly Vices Chain, Slinky the Snake Chain, Mini Slink Bracelet, Linen Ring, Manly Boss Blog, “Bloom” Amore Cuff.
14. A tote bag that they can carry as a purse, book bag or for grocery shopping
Tote bags have been trending for a few years now. Many people use them as book bags or everyday bags, and they are really easy gifts to give. I haven’t really been a tote bag gal before, but I am personally wanting to start a collection to use as shopping bags at the grocery store or when picking up something small shopping. I love this tote by FEED because when you shop from them, meals are donated to children in need. Here are more chic options under $50:
15. A piece of home decor
Home decor is a great gift, especially if the person you are gifting recently moved into a new home, and if you know their home decor style. My pro tip is to try and find something handmade or unexpected. I personally love home decor from Shoppe Smitten, a small business that only carries ethical and artisan-made products.
16. A luxurious board game
Board games are a great way to take a break from screens, and these vintage book game styles actually look chic when displayed in your home. Shop luxurious board games: