This guide offers gift ideas for a colleague, a friend, a parent or a host. This page sorts eight picks into two bands, under $25 and under $50. Each band has a top pick and alternatives of a different type, so you can match the gift to the person rather than the price tag.
Bands are ceilings, not fixed amounts, and listings change, so check the total on the listing before you buy. Two picks sit near the top of their bands and are marked below.
Best gifts under $25
Top pick under $25: Peter Pauper Press Celestial Journal
Top pick under $25: the Celestial Journal from Peter Pauper Press, because it is a 160 page diary and notebook with the highest rating on this page, 4.9 stars.
The listing gives the title as Celestial Journal (Diary, Notebook), with a print length of 160 pages, a weight of 476 g and dimensions of about 16 by 1.8 by 21.1 cm. It holds 4.9 stars from 9,690 ratings, the most ratings of any pick in this band. It is a flat, simple gift that wraps easily and suits a thank you, a teacher, a colleague or a friend.
It suits anyone who writes, plans or doodles on paper. The honest catch: the listing does not say what paper or ruling the journal uses, and a journal suits people who write rather than every adult.
For a small treat gift: eos Vanilla Cashmere Hand Cream
For a small treat gift: the eos Vanilla Cashmere Shea Better hand cream, because it is a 74 ml hand cream made with natural shea butter and listed for 24 hour hydration.
The listing describes eos Shea Better Hand Cream in Vanilla Cashmere, with natural shea butter and 24 hour hydration. The product measures about 12 by 4 by 4 cm and weighs about 71 g, making it a small gift. It holds 4.7 stars from 9,557 ratings.
It suits a friend, a teacher or a colleague who would enjoy a small treat. The honest catch: it is a scented cream, so it works best when you know the person likes vanilla.
For a quiet evening in: Buffalo Games Mountain Retreat Puzzle
For a quiet evening in: the Buffalo Games Mountain Retreat puzzle, because it is a 1000 piece jigsaw with a full colour bonus poster and a tight interlocking fit.
The listing describes a 1000 piece jigsaw with a finished size of about 67.9 by 50.2 cm, a full colour bonus poster to help with solving, and 100% recycled paperboard. It says the pieces use trademarked Perfect Snap technology for a tight interlocking fit. It holds 4.7 stars from 2,203 ratings, and that count may be shared across the listing family.
It suits a parent, grandparent or friend who likes a slow project. The honest catch: a 1000 piece puzzle needs a table of about 68 by 50 cm and plenty of time, and it sits near the top of the under $25 band, so check the total.
For a home touch: ACITHGL Bubble Candle Set
For a home touch: the ACITHGL Bubble Candle set, because it is two soy wax cube candles with cotton wicks and a subtle scent that also work as home decor.
The listing describes high quality soy wax and cotton wicks, a refreshing and subtle scent, and trendy colours for decorating the house. Each candle weighs about 156 g and measures about 6.0 by 5.6 cm. The set holds 4.5 stars from 2,701 ratings.
It suits a host, a neighbour or a new home. The honest catch: scent is personal, so it is a casual gift rather than a signature one, and at 4.5 stars it is the lowest rated pick on this page.
Best gifts under $50
Top pick under $50: Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
Top pick under $50: the Glocusent LED neck reading light, because it wraps around the neck for hands free light over a book or knitting, with three colour temperatures and USB Type C charging.
The listing describes three colour temperature modes (3000K, 4000K and 6000K), three brightness levels with an independent switch for each head, and up to 80 hours on general reading with a single head from the included 1000 mAh rechargeable battery. It also lists a no flickering, blue light filter design, adjustable arms and a narrow 90 degree beam that the listing says will not disturb a sleeping partner. The box holds the light, a user manual, a charging cable and a bookmark. It holds 4.7 stars from 139,536 ratings.
It suits readers, knitters and anyone who reads in bed beside a partner. The honest catch: the rating count is shared across the variants of this listing, the listing says no adapter is included, and it suits readers and crafters more than everyone.
For game night: Exploding Kittens Card Game
For game night: Exploding Kittens, because it is a two to five player card game that takes about two minutes to learn and the listing says it has sold more than 10 million copies.
The listing describes a 56 card game with a box and instructions, for adults, teens and kids. You lose if you draw an Exploding Kitten, and the other cards help you avoid that. The listing names it a game of the year award winner and says it suits a family game night, a beach trip or a road trip. It holds 4.7 stars from 57,420 ratings, and that count may be shared across the listing family.
It suits families, flatmates and groups of friends. The honest catch: the humour is silly and a little cheeky, and the listing calls it a Russian roulette card game, so check it suits the person.
For everyday drinks: Simple Modern Trek Tumbler
For everyday drinks: the Simple Modern Trek tumbler with handle and straw lid, because it has double wall insulation, two straws and a tapered shape made to fit cup holders.
The listing describes a tumbler of about 890 ml made of 18/8 stainless steel with double wall insulation that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours. The straw lid comes with two straws and the listing says it prevents spills. The tapered shape with a handle is cupholder friendly, and the listing mentions a limited lifetime warranty. It holds 4.7 stars from 39,442 ratings.
It suits someone with a long commute, a desk job or a gym bag. The honest catch: at about 890 ml it is a big cup that some people find bulky for a desk.
For something sweet: Ferrero Rocher Gift Box, 24 Count
For something sweet: the Ferrero Rocher gift box of 24, because each piece wraps a whole hazelnut in smooth chocolate cream, a crisp wafer and chopped hazelnuts.
The listing describes a 24 count gift box, with milk chocolate and finely chopped hazelnuts around each piece, and says it is made for holiday gifting or sharing. The box measures about 4.2 by 21.5 by 21.8 cm and weighs about 300 g. The listing says it is peanuts free and certified kosher. It holds 4.8 stars from 23,849 ratings.
It suits a host, a colleague or a family table. The honest catch: chocolate is eaten and gone, the listing names milk chocolate and hazelnuts, and the box sits near the top of the under $50 band, so check the total.
How to choose a gift under $50
Choose for the person, not the gender
Most gifts under $50 work for anyone if they fit something the person already does. Readers get the Glocusent light, writers get the Celestial Journal, and anyone who loves a hot coffee on the go gets the Simple Modern tumbler. For more ideas aimed at one person, our gifts for women guide and gifts for men guide go further.
Under $25 or under $50
An under $25 gift suits a colleague, a teacher, a neighbour or a stocking. The under $50 band suits family, close friends and a main present. Because bands are ceilings, a pick near the top of a band, like the puzzle or the Ferrero Rocher box, can land close to the next band, so look at the total.
Make it feel like a treat
People searching for luxury gifts under $50 want something that does not look cheap. The honest answer is presentation: a hand cream, a candle set or a chocolate box in good wrapping with a handwritten note feels like a treat. The listings here do not call any pick luxury, and this page does not either.
Secret santa and group gifts
For a work or family draw, choose by the recipient's interests. Exploding Kittens, the Simple Modern tumbler and the Buffalo Games puzzle offer alternatives to scented or edible gifts. Our secret santa guide sorts picks by price cap.
Tech gifts under $50
Under $50 there is one rechargeable pick here, the Glocusent light. The listing says it charges by USB Type C and does not include an adapter, so the person needs a charger or a spare port. It suits someone who reads or knits.
Scent and food choices
Three picks are scented or edible: the eos hand cream, the ACITHGL candles and the Ferrero Rocher box. Choose them when you know the person likes vanilla, a soft candle scent or hazelnut chocolate. If you are not sure, the journal, the puzzle, the card game, the tumbler and the reading light offer alternatives to scented or edible gifts.
Combine two picks for a bigger budget
If your budget is bigger, pair a pick from each band, such as the journal with the tumbler, or the reading light with a puzzle. Choose both for interests you know.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best gifts under $50 in Australia?
Our top pick under $25 is the Peter Pauper Press Celestial Journal, and under $50 it is the Glocusent LED neck reading light. For something different, the eos Vanilla Cashmere hand cream suits a small treat gift, Exploding Kittens suits game night, and the Simple Modern tumbler suits everyday drinks.
What are good gifts under $50 for her?
The eos Vanilla Cashmere hand cream and the ACITHGL soy wax candle set suit a pamper gift, the Glocusent neck light suits a reader or knitter, and the Celestial Journal suits anyone who writes. The Ferrero Rocher box is an easy sweet treat. Choose the scented gifts only when you know her taste.
What are good gifts for him under $50?
Exploding Kittens works for a game night with mates, the Simple Modern tumbler with handle and straw lid suits a daily drink at work or in the car, and the Glocusent light suits a night reader. The Buffalo Games puzzle suits a patient puzzler. None of these picks depends on scent or size.
What are good luxury gifts under $50?
Luxury on a budget comes from presentation and a small treat. The Ferrero Rocher 24 count box and the eos Vanilla Cashmere hand cream both read as a treat, and the Celestial Journal suits a keepsake. Wrap it well and add a handwritten note. The listings do not describe any of these picks as luxury.
What are good secret santa and dirty santa gifts under $50?
Choose something that matches the recipient's interests. Exploding Kittens suits a group that enjoys card games, the Simple Modern tumbler suits everyday drinks, and the Buffalo Games puzzle suits a quiet night in. Our secret santa guide sorts picks by price cap if your group sets one.
What are good tech gifts under $50?
The Glocusent LED neck reading light is the one tech pick here. It charges by USB Type C, the listing gives up to 80 hours from a 1000 mAh battery on general reading with a single head, and it has three colour temperatures and three brightness levels per head. The listing says no adapter is included.
What can I give as a unisex gift for a bigger budget?
Bands are ceilings, so combine two picks. A Celestial Journal with a Simple Modern tumbler, or the Glocusent light with a Ferrero Rocher box, makes a fuller present when both match the recipient's interests. Check each listing’s total first, because the Buffalo Games puzzle and the Ferrero box sit near the top of their bands.
How do I make a cheap gift feel thoughtful?
Match the gift to something the person already does. The Celestial Journal suits someone who writes, the Glocusent light suits a bedtime reader and the Buffalo Games puzzle suits a quiet evening. Add a handwritten note and wrap it well, and a pick from the under $25 band reads as chosen, not grabbed.
What are good Christmas gifts under $50 in Australia?
For Christmas, choose a pick that suits the person rather than the price. The Peter Pauper Press Celestial Journal and the eos hand cream suit a stocking, the Glocusent neck reading light suits a main present for a reader, and the Ferrero Rocher box or Exploding Kittens suit a family table on the day.
