January 13, 2025

Architectural Concepts Guide

Elevating Home Design Standards

47 Gifts Under $50 for the Design Lover

47 Gifts Under  for the Design Lover

Here at AD we like to plan ahead. And in preparation for a holiday season to remember, we’ve rounded up the best gifts under $50 for all the friends and family members on your list. Since we don’t think this year’s shopping should cost an arm and a leg, we scoured the internet for original gift ideas—including art prints, decor, and tech accessories—for keeping spirits high when budgets are low. Each item in this gift guide is under $50 (some are under $30, and some are even under $15), hopefully making budget-friendly shopping a little bit easier. And by shopping earlier, it’s easier to support small and local businesses for gifts that feel good to give. Not to mention you’ll bring a much-needed preparedness to the holiday chaos.

We’ve rounded up a list of 42 gifts to hit everyone’s wishlist, including the tough-to-shop-for folks, with options that can keep you from maxing out your credit card this season. Whether you’re shopping for mom, dad, a new homeowner, a best friend who already has everything, or a partner that can’t ever seem to keep their phone charged for your daily three-hour FaceTimes, we’ve got everything lined up.

And in our opinion, the best gifts are thoughtful gifts (that means no gift cards), so please enjoy these mindfully designed presents they’ll love no matter what your budget is.

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Best Gifts Under $15

Natural Horn Crafts Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoon

These little caviar spoons are the definition of affordable luxury—$7 looks a lot more expensive in a dish of caviar. We love the mother-of-pearl material, the playful details, and the spoon’s humble brag—unlike stainless steel, pearl doesn’t affect the flavor of caviar.

Portable Charger Power Bank

Keep their phone at 100% with this portable charger. Its slim, lightweight design holds more than a full battery charge—plus, it’s available in other fun shades like pastel blue and mint green for a pop of color. This is a great gift for that friend who’s constantly asking to borrow your iPhone charger.

Kitchen Cooking Timer Tomato

Ditch your boring phone timer for something with a lot more personality. This kitschy timer is perfect for budding or committed advocates of the Pomodoro method, or just for general timekeeping.

OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish

This burgundy is a perfect shade for the winter months—a vibrant pop of color that goes with everything and has a little holiday flair to it. We’re not mad at the light pink variety either.

Standard Baggu

With over 50 designs and patterns, it’s easy to pick up a nice Baggu tote that’ll fit any person’s taste. We like this I <3 NY bag for quick trips to the grocery store or a nice afternoon at the flea market.

Ban.do Rough Draft Mini Notebook

Here’s a cheerful mini notebook that’ll be perfect for journaling on the fly or jotting down their grocery shopping and to-do lists.

Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife

This tiny paring knife packs a punch. It’s as adept at cutting boxes as it is cutting strawberries, and even—yes, we’ve tried it—steaks. Not a great stocking stuffer, considering its razor-sharp edges, but a great budget gift—it even comes in pink! It’ll be the first knife you reach for in the drawer every time, trust us.

Capello Round Time Table Clock

Sure, you can always check the time on your phone, but there’s just something about having a real clock on your nightstand that feels more…grown-up? In addition to the affordable price, we love the sleek minimal design, built-in USB charger, and easy-to-use brightness and alarm settings.

Counter-Print Architectural Logos Book

And if you need something to stick between those bookends, we recommend picking up this unique booklet filled with architectural logos and global design elements.

Ozark Trail Camping Steel, 12-in-1 Multi Tool

We love this multitool for camping and outdoor enthusiasts, and we love Walmart for providing us with exactly what we thought we’d find on their website. This is a White Elephant gift no one is expecting to unwrap, or an especially great gag gift for your city-slicker sister who’s shaking a wrapped box this size expecting—God willing—an Apple watch.

Mini Waffle Maker

At $8, this is one of our most inexpensive gift suggestions and a perfect selection for, we think, a little chef. Not only does this make a brunch far more attainable, it ensures an unforgettable sleepover breakfast. Don’t sleep on the color options—there’s a skull-and-crossbones variation, as well as a leopard print one.

Best Gifts Under $30

Subtle Art Studios Glass Tile Coaster

The best part about Emma Chamberlain’s favorite tile coasters? The under-$20 price tag.

w&p Seal Tight Glass Bowl

You can keep their leftovers stylishly insulated with this W&P bowl in an attractive terrazzo design.

Poketo Double Wall Mug

This modern take on the classic camp mug makes our color-loving hearts sing. Made of double-walled glass, here’s a perfectly perky pick for anyone looking to add a little more pep to their morning.

Hack Your Nervous System: Anti-Anxiety Deck

For anyone you know who likes to test the fates, there’s no better gift than an attractive tarot deck—except maybe a pack of cards created solely to inspire a little calm. These 60 unique cards empower you to find a sense of stillness.

Porta Natalia Egg Cup (Set of 2)

It would seem soft-boiled eggs are really having a moment, and as a result, egg cups are more relevant than ever. We love the playful Mediterranean design of this dynamic duo.

Ramen Lunch Puzzle by Petra Eriksson

Already seen the in-flight movie? Make sure your loved ones stay entertained with this bright puzzle that brings game night on the go.

OTOTO Red Crab Spoon Rest for Kitchen

We predict this handy crustacean will become their favorite kitchen companion.

Anthropologie Emmaline Stoneware Lidded Monogram Trinket Dish

And here’s a personalized dish that can hold their daintiest keepsakes.

Nette Pear Jam Eau de Parfum Travel Spray

This little spritz of luxury is a perfect gift for your on-the-go friend. This pear jam scent will be a go-to for the jet-setter who hasn’t had time to hit hotel check-in before her first engagement—this spritz and a breath mint and she’ll be as good as new.

Hand Incense Holder

If you plan on gifting them their favorite incense, a beautiful holder is only the logical complement. This handy design will elevate any tabletop and encourage a moment or two of self-care.

Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment

The holidays definitely warrant a little indulgence, so why not gift a pack (or two!) of Levain’s famous New York cookies? This is an especially great way to send love if you can’t be there in person (or if you’re looking to treat Santa with a very luxurious Christmas cookie).

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed Beanie

This supersoft cashmere beanie should help keep their noggin warm into next year. Personally, we like this snow white color, but it’s available in 10 others also!

Bodum Caffettiera French Press

If their daily brewer is looking a little worn out, gift them this happy French press. The playful design and primary color scheme will brighten their morning and their countertop.

Ban.do Sardines Trinket Tray

Whether you want to surprise them with a dish for their special jewelry pieces or play into their quirky design sensibilities with a colorful trinket tray, an open-ended gift like this lets the giftee decide how and where to use it. (And we suspect they’ll always think fondly of you when they see it.)

LARQ Bottle Twist Top 17 oz

If you want to up the ante on your hydration, these LARQ bottles have a sleek and simple design that make them some of the best-looking water bottles on the market. They include all the portable drinkware amenities we’ve now been trained to expect—double-wall vacuum insulation made from nontoxic stainless steel, so your tea can stay warm and your cold brew can stay cold without the micro-plastics.

Cashmere-blend trouser socks

One thing you can never have too much of? Socks—specifically cashmere socks. These, from J. Crew, are one of our go-to Christmas gift ideas, and a particular favorite for their soft texture and durability. All but their dark walnut are on sale for $24.50 right now.

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

If their New Year’s resolution might have something to do with, say, a year of rest and relaxation, a silk pillowcase is a good place to start. This pillowcase is lauded on TikTok as well as Amazon’s customer reviews, which promise moisturized skin and silky hair.

Best Gifts Under $50

Google Nest Mini

The Nest Mini is much more than your average bluetooth speaker. In addition to playing their favorite music and podcasts, the small-but-mighty Mini can set timers, turn on the lights, and answer questions like ‘what’s the weather today?’ And Google Assistant can help them get organized around the house—including controlling their other smart home gadgets like lightbulbs or thermostats. This is gift-giving at its best.

Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker

You don’t have to invest hundreds of dollars in a new coffee maker for a cup of Joe that’ll delight their palette. If they can’t get enough high quality caffeine, this portable Aeropress will accompany them in hotel rooms or on road trips for a steady dose of smooth coffee.

“Brutto: A (Simple) Florentine Cookbook” by Russell Norman

For the budding or confident chef, this is a gold mine of Tuscan recipes (lauded by Stanley Tucci himself). And besides being a thoughtful gift, it’s a great way to get yourself invited over for unforgettable pastas, hunks of fresh-baked Tuscan country bread, and meringue hazelnut cookies.

Pai Iconic Duo

Skin-care girls will love this duo of Pai’s best-selling Rosehip Bioregenerate Face Oil and Anthemis Soothing Moisturiser, which work in tandem to brighten, soothe, and protect your skin barrier. The best part, though, we think, is how cute the packaging is. With no need for wrapping, it makes the perfect last-minute Secret Santa gift.

Soft Services Soap Home

This attractive ceramic tray and aluminum cover set from Soft Services will make washing up a little more glamorous.

Cantaloupe & Prawns Art Print by Maggie Cowles

We think Maggie Cowles’s delightful art prints make perfect holiday gifts for anyone on your list. Though there’s plenty to choose from, we’d opt for this delectable-looking tablescape.

Quince Organic Turkish Waffle Robe

A robe may seem like one of the more traditional Christmas gifts out there, but this lightweight waffle robe—from AD‘s favorite bedding brand Quince—is made of organic cotton, and it has more spa vibes than an L.L. Bean fleece. You can pair it with Quince’s matching organic waffle slippers and a set of nice sheet face masks for a great gift set that’ll cost you less than $75 total.

The Sill Olive Tree

The Sill’s best-selling Olive Tree makes for an unexpected, thoughtful, and still affordable gift. You can be certain no one else is giving an olive tree. And there’s something a bit romantic about an off-wish-list item, isn’t there? Pro tip: the $40 price point is for a size small in the grow pot—if you’re feeling more generous, there arethere’s three tree sizes and a variety of pot options to choose from!

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

A great gift for anyone who’s known to be on the go—this is as leakproof as they come, and retains temperature for hours. It comes in 32 color varieties so everyone can sip their steaming hot chocolate from their favorite colored canister.

Quince Mongolian Cashmere V-Neck Sweater

Or, if you want to gift them something they can wear out of the house, we think anyone would love to receive this women’s cashmere V-neck. It’s perfect as a cozy layer around the house or underneath their favorite winter coat in icy temperatures.

Tub Kit No. 1

Skin care for soaking in, this charming kit from Maude makes for a very relaxing, very design-forward bath time.

Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp

Like magic, this adorably chic lamp heats candles so your recipient can enjoy all of the scent and none of the smoke. The halogen bulb is dimmable, too, for optimal ambiance and control.

Autumn Sonata Karin Hand Towel

These unique towels, made in Portugal, are 100% cotton and come in a variety of Ikat designs inspired by storied weaving techniques. These are an excellent choice for a mother with great taste, a girlfriend with a keen eye for design, or anyone who seriously needs to upgrade those heavily stained hand towels they’ve had since college.

Sleepeasy Luxury Mulberry Silk

You know what’s cheaper and more aesthetic than blackout curtains? This 100% mulberry silk sleep mask. It also traps moisture to keep your face fresh overnight, and our commerce writer Julia Harrison swears by it for Saturday morning sleeping in.

House of Gleason Custom Cocktail Napkin

The most thoughtful gift is a monogrammed one, which signals perpetuity and preciousness. If you’re looking for a gift that lasts, these cocktail napkins certainly fit the bill. Plus at $48, a whole set of napkins still clocks in under the looming $50 wire.

Beech Wood Handle Watering Can

Upgrade a dedicated plant parent’s watering can with this very stylish option. The small size makes it perfect for an apartment, but it will likely need frequent refilling if they water all their plants at once.

Peugeot Bistro Manual Pepper Mill

This is top of our list for the best hostess gift. Peugeot actually designed the pepper mill itself in 1842 and this age-old design has been working for French bistros (and everyone else) since then. The chocolate wood is speaking to us, but it comes in about a dozen different colors in case you’re interested in a less traditional choice.

Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Brightening Sleeping Mask

And the perfect partner to that sleep mask is this eye mask from viral lip balm creator Laneige. A small gift with big impact, the peony and collagen in this eye mask work to banish dark circles, heavy under-eyes, and that general exhausted look we all tend to get before we’re finally blessed with our holiday break.

Old Fashioned Cocktail Set

If you’ve seen someone squeal over a bottle of Chartreuse or sniff their drink, we can pretty much guarantee they’ll love this. It’s also a particularly apt gift for a newly 21-year-old giftee, and might encourage them away from the Bud Light.


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