While the holiday season sure is festive, it can be rough on your wallet, as gifts to friends and family can run very expensive. To save some cash this year, resist the urge to throw down on a pricey dinner at the best French restaurants in America or the best Japanese restaurants in America or go all-in on a day at one of the best spas in America. Instead, turn to the Internet, which is full of budget-conscious gifts, from fun tech gadgets to indulgent chocolates. These are the best gifts under $25.
Give the gift of soft skin and lips with this kit of essentials from crunchy beauty brand Burt’s Bees. Inside, find cute, travel-friendly tubes of the line’s best sellers: rich hand salve; chamomile cleansing cream; coconut foot cream; milk and honey body lotion and classic moisturizing beeswax lip balm. $9.99 at macys.com
These days, we’re all cell phone addicts, so this ultra-portable—yet surprisingly powerful—mini speaker will work for mom, dad, bro, sis or friends. Just plug the plum-sized device into your phone, tablet or computer, and revel in the rich sounds of your favorite jams, TV shows and movies. When it’s out of juice, recharge it easily using the included USB cable. $14.99 at amazon.com
Streamline the morning routine of the coffee lover in your life with this handy coffee cone, which conveniently brews a perfect mug of joe every single time—no fancy equipment required. To use, just prop it directly on your coffee cup, plop in a coffee filter, add coffee grounds and pour over boiling water. Easy-peasy. $10.95 at surlatable.com
Scarves make for great stocking-stuffers and, this season, Old Navy is offering a simple, stylish one for women. This gauzy scarf, available in either blush or gray, is shot through with festive metallic strands for extra holiday sparkle. $16.94 at oldnavy.com
This cheery, brightly colored microfiber wedge serves a double purpose: set on a desk or table, it provides a stand that will hold your smartphone while you eat or read; plus, its soft fabric scratch-lessly buffs and cleans your screen. It’s perfect for any tech addict. $14.99 at toddygear.com
Any of the clean-shaven dudes on your holiday gift list would adore this super-luxurious shaving cream from grooming experts The Art of Shaving. Rich and thick, it features coconut oil and glycerin, which lather into a smooth foam that facilitates an ultra-close, irritation-free shave. $25 at sephora.com
Really, really stumped on what to get your mother-in-law/brother/middle school buddy? Here’s a hint: we all drink water. This stylish, curvy water bottle from MIRA is a great choice for, well, pretty much anyone. It’s insulated to keep liquids hot for up to 12 hours or cold for up to 24, and comes in groovy, nature-inspired designs that mimic wood, leaves and waterfalls. $19.95 at amazon.com
The chocoholics in our lives make it easy for us: we always know what to get them on their birthdays and during the holidays. This season, indulge your favorite cocoaphile with this set of divine chocolates from master chocolatier Jacques Torres, in flavors such as pistachio-marzipan and pineapple pastis. $21 at mrchocolate.com
If there’s one snack food that’s universally loved, it’s certainly the taco. Bedazzle your favorite friend’s cell phone with this cheeky ode to the taco, an iPhone 6 case available in a rainbow of background colors that are all smattered with a friendly array of queso-loaded tacos. $17.95 at etsy.com
It’s a sure thing that around this time of year, most of us will be opening our fair share of bottles of wine, whether to celebrate with family and friends or to power through the considerable stress of the holiday season. Facilitate that process with this super-convenient electric opener, which de-corks at the touch of a button and is wireless and fully rechargeable. $19.99 at bedbathandbeyond.com
Selecting a magazine subscription for someone else isn’t the easiest task but, true its name, Real Simple makes the job, well, simple. Its engaging articles on enriching your daily life and beautifying your home appeal to a wide swath of readers and the gorgeous photography doesn’t hurt, either. Plus, a gift subscription includes a complimentary second subscription for the gift-giver! $23.88 at realsimple.com
While jewelry is a classic and much-appreciated holiday gift, it’s best to go simple when choosing a style that will suit your friend’s tastes. These delicate hoop earrings are a fail proof choice: available in either 18 carat gold or sterling silver, their tapered oval shape is both modern and timeless. $20 at urbanoutfitters.com
These days, we’re all tech junkies that demand a lot of battery power from our devices as we scroll, click, like and share. Luckily, Anker has got us covered with this slip of a portable charger, as small as a lipstick tube but super powerful. Use it to juice up your phone, tablet, music devices and more, then recharge it and repeat. $12.99 at amazon.com
There are few sights more welcome under the Christmas tree (or Hanukkah menorah) than a cozy pair of slippers to dip into as the present-opening ritual unfolds. These slippers from Dearfoams feature a cozy velour cuff and get some sturdiness from a rubber sole plus, best of all, they’re washable. $24 at jcpenney.com
With mixology being all the rage these days, more and more drinkers are getting in on shaking up cocktails from the comfort of their own homes. Encourage the budding bartender you know with this eight-piece set of basics, which include two stainless steel cocktail shakers, two types of strainers, an ice scoop, a corkscrew, a bottle opener and a stirrer. $14.99 at webstaurantstore.com
Discover Time Out original video
