Gifts $50 and under recommended by CNBC Make It staff
You don’t always have to splurge to make a gift look thoughtful.
Some of the most appreciated gifts are items $50 or less that actually make life easier—a manicure set that’s more convenient than a trip to the salon, a weekly meal planner that actually gets used, or a pair of stylish sunglasses that won’t break the bank.
If you’re looking for gifts that fit that description—perhaps as stocking stuffers or for a Secret Santa replacement at work—here are 11 cheap but practical gifts recommended by CNBC staff.
1. Home manicure set
Price: $15 or less
I love the look of a gel manicure, but I hate the way it feels on my natural nails. These semi-cured nail strips from HeyHae are my new favorite solution. I apply these and take them for a walk to let them cure in direct sunlight (you can also put them under a UV lamp). After a few minutes they harden, so you can cut and shape them to fit your nail.
They last almost two weeks without peeling or chipping, and a little hot water and coconut oil makes them pop in no time. Their flawless designs suit my nails and wallet very well.
— Jennifer Liu, Senior Labor Reporter
2. Smudge-proof pens
Price: $17.35
I can’t write or live without Pilot’s G2 Ultra Fine Point Premium Gel Roller Pen (0.38mm). I have packs on my desk at work, in my kitchen drawer at home, and I have spare packs in every bag I own.
I buy these mostly for vanity: The pens make my curvy handwriting look neater, and the ink is smudge-proof (even for a lefty like me). It’s also very comfortable to write with, so much so that I get grumpy when I have to use another type of pen. A 12-pack lasts me all year; I use each pen until the ink runs out.
— Megan Sauer, Success Reporter
3. Weekly meal planner
Price: $17.50
After years of scribbling grocery lists on notebooks and Post-It notes, I purchased a meal planner from Rifle Paper Company on a whim. I’ve always been a believer that buying a new notebook would magically improve my life; Even though I know it’s just paper. But this pad definitely made things easier.
While visually planning my weekly meals, I can also prepare a shopping list. The perforated edges make it easy to separate the list from the rest of the page so I can hang my plan on the fridge.
Plus it’s beautiful, which doesn’t hurt to make household chores tastier.
— Emmie Martin, Money Editor
4. Gentle dog shampoo
Price: $24
I use Lagenu Oatmeal Shampoo from Pup Studio NYC for my Maltipoo and it is worth every penny. The results are at parlor level.
Natural ingredients like biotin and aloe vera are gentle enough for sensitive skin and free of harsh chemicals. His fur is soft, fluffy and smells delicious after every bath!
— Vanna Ben’Ous, Senior Editor, Contributors
5. Affordable sunglasses
Price: $25
An absolute must-have for me in the summer (or any sunny day) are Goodr sunglasses. Finding good sunglasses has always been a problem for me. They are either very expensive or have cheap, non-polarized lenses.
Goodrs are affordable, fun and stylish, and they actually stay on my head without feeling like they’re cutting off circulation to my brain.
— Zach Green, Video Producer
6. Kitchen scale
Price: $25
As someone whose job involves sitting and staring at a screen about 90% of the time, walking around the kitchen and doing something with my hands other than typing and clicking feels like an epiphany. This is probably why I find cooking and baking so therapeutic.
But the cooking process in particular also rewards precision and care. So I bought myself a kitchen scale, same thing Best pick from Wirecutter my parents and brother already had it. Now I can measure the exact number of grams of flour, sugar, and other things going into the bowl instead of hoping that what I’m scooping, flattening, or packing is close enough. It helps me get the right consistency and I feel more confident sharing the results.
— Stav Ziv, Contributors Editor
7. Foldable blanket
Price: 30 dollars
In the summer months, I take my Matador pocket blanket with me everywhere. It folds into a tarp that’s about the size of an iPhone, but large enough for two adults to sit on. Its small size makes it easy to throw in my bag and be ready to hang out at a spontaneous park or take somewhere dry to sit on during a hike. It is also extremely easy to clean.
— Emmie Martin, Money Editor
8. Neck fan on the go
Price: $32
Hot summers in New York City are bad enough, but it’s somehow even worse on subway platforms, where poor air circulation and lack of air conditioning routinely raise temperatures above 100 degrees. I finally bought a portable neck fan this summer because I was tired of commuting, and I have to say, it really works.
The model I use has a powerful and quiet motor that keeps my neck cool and my hair dry. It becomes less effective once the temperature reaches 100 degrees, but it’s still a big improvement over the handheld electric fan I’ve been using and a lot better than nothing. I use it often these days when I’m outside in the heat.
— Mike Winters, Money Reporter
9. Spiral bound planner
Price: $35
The only desk item I’m prepared to splurge on is my planner. I am very picky. I need a planner with plenty of space for my daily to-do list; A monthly calendar is not enough. It also needs to be large enough for normal handwriting and has a nice flap on top. This spiral-bound planner from Paper Source has helped me stay organized all year long.
— Sophie Caldwell, Deputy Business Reporter
10. Dry shampoo
Price: 48 dollars
When I first saw the K-18 AirWash Dry Shampoo, I balked at the price – $48 is a lot of money to spend on a hair product like this. But now that I’ve tried it, I will never go back to regular dry shampoo.
Simply put, the K-18 AirWash is magical. It feels moist when sprayed on your hair, but within about 30 seconds any oils that are there are completely gone. My hair feels fresh and clean every time I use it and it doesn’t leave a chalky residue like other dry shampoos.
It also takes a really long time. I’ve used this product every other day for months and there’s still a lot left in the bottle.
—Ashley Turner, Social Media Director
11. Fleece-lined gloves
Price: $50
After two years of searching, I finally found my Holy Grail gloves. My qualifications are twofold:
- Warm enough for hours of winter walks, especially on tiptoe.
- It’s thin enough to maintain dexterity, so I can tie my dog’s poop bags without taking off my gloves.
The Craft Sportswear ADV Lumen Hybrid Gloves have optional warm, fleece-lined glove covers, which helps them tick my first box. When I need to clean up after my dog or give him a treat, I quickly throw the glove covers into a pocket behind my hands.
An unexpected bonus: They’re available at REI so you can try them before you buy; an advantage that is often forgotten in today’s e-commerce age.
— Cameron Albert-Deitch, Success Editor
CNBC Make It independently determines what we cover and recommend in our “Value for Money” section. Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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