You don’t necessarily have to splurge to make a thoughtful gift.
Some of the most appreciated gifts are items under $50 that really make life easier. Things like a manicure set that’s more convenient than going to the salon, a weekly meal planner that actually works, and stylish sunglasses that don’t cost a fortune.
If you’re looking for a gift that fits that description, whether it’s a stocking stuffer or a Secret Santa swap at work, here are 11 inexpensive yet practical items recommended by CNBC staff.
1. Manicure set you can do at home
Price: less than $15
I love the look of gel manicures, but I hate how they change the feel of my natural nails. HeyHae’s semi-cured nail strips are my new favorite solution. I apply this, go for a walk, and let it cure in direct sunlight (you can also put it under a UV lamp). It hardens after a few minutes and can be trimmed and shaped to fit your nail.
It lasted almost two weeks without peeling or chipping. It comes off quickly with hot water and coconut oil. Their fool-proof designs are perfect for my nails and purse.
— Jennifer Liu, Senior Work Reporter
2. Stain-resistant pen
Price: $17.35
You can’t write or live without Pilot’s G2 Extra-Fine Premium Gel Roller Pen (0.38 mm). I keep a pack on my desk at work, in my kitchen drawer at home, and have an extra pack in every bag I own.
I buy them mostly for vanity. My curly handwriting looks better with this pen, and the ink doesn’t smudge (even left-handed like me). It writes so well that I get annoyed when I have to use other types of pens. A 12 pack will last you all year round. Use all pens until you run out of ink.
— Megan Sauer, Success Reporter
3. Weekly Meal Planner
Price: $17.50
After years of scribbling grocery lists on notepads and post-it notes, I bought a Rifle Paper Company meal planner on a whim. I’m the type of person who believes that buying a new notebook will magically make my life better, even though I know it’s just paper. But this pad definitely made my life easier.
You can visually plan your meals for the week while creating a grocery list. Perforated edges make it easy to separate the list from the rest of the page so you can hang the plan on the fridge.
Plus, it looks beautiful, making housework more fun.
— Emmy Martin, Money Editor
4. Gentle dog shampoo
Price: $24
I use Pup Studio NYC’s Lagenu Oatmeal Shampoo for my Maltipoo and it’s worth every penny. The results are salon level.
Natural ingredients like biotin and aloe vera are gentle on sensitive skin and contain no harsh chemicals. After every bath, his fur is soft and fluffy and smells heavenly.
— Vanna Ben’Ous, Senior Editor and Contributor
5. Affordable sunglasses
Price: $25
For me, a summer (or sunny day) essential is Goodr sunglasses. Finding decent sunglasses has always been a pain for me. They are either prohibitively expensive or come with cheap non-polarized lenses.
Goodrs is affordable, fun, stylish, and actually sticks in your head without feeling like it’s cutting off circulation to your 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. Perhaps that’s why I find cooking and baking so soothing.
But bread-making in particular requires precision and care. So I bought myself a kitchen scale. This is the same top pick for wire cutters that my parents and siblings already owned. Now you can measure the exact grams of flour, sugar, or whatever you put in your bowl, instead of hoping that what you scooped, flattened, or stuffed is close enough. This will give you good consistency and allow you to share your results with more confidence.
— Stav Ziv, Contributing Editor
7. Folding blanket
Price: $30
I carry my Matador pocket blanket with me everywhere in the summer. It’s about the size of an iPhone, but when unfolded it becomes a tarp big enough for two adults to sit on. Its small size makes it easy to throw in your bag and ready to take with you for hanging out in the park or a dry place to sit while hiking. What’s more, it’s also very easy to clean.
— Emmy Martin, Money Editor
8. Neck fan that can be used on the go
Price: $32
Hot summers in New York City are bad enough, but somehow it’s even worse on a subway platform. With poor air circulation and no air conditioning, temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees. Tired of my sweaty commute, I finally got a portable neck fan this summer. I have to say it actually works.
The model I use has a powerful, quiet motor that keeps my neck cool and my hair dry. It’s less effective when the temperature gets above 100 degrees, but it’s still a huge improvement over the handheld fan I was using, and much better than nothing. Lately, I’ve been using it a lot outdoors in the hot weather.
— Mike Winters, Money Reporter
9. Spiral Bound Planner
Price: $35
One desk item I’m willing to splurge on is a planner. I’m very picky. You need a planner with enough space for your daily to-do list. A monthly calendar alone is not enough. It also needs to be large enough for regular handwriting, and a cute cover is most important. This spiral-bound planner from Paper Source has helped me stay organized all year long.
— Sophie Caldwell, Associate Work Reporter
10. Dry shampoo
Price: $48
When I first saw K-18 Airwash Dry Shampoo, I was hesitant about the price. $48 is a lot of money to spend on a hair product like that. But once you try this, you’ll never go back to regular dry shampoo.
Simply put, the K-18 AirWash is magic. When you spray it on your hair, it will feel damp, but the oil will be completely removed in about 30 seconds. My hair feels fresh and clean after every use and doesn’t leave a chalky residue like other dry shampoos.
Also, it lasts really long. I have used this product every other day for several months and there is 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 the holy grail glove. My qualifications are:
Warm enough for an hour walk in winter, especially on the fingertips. Thin enough to preserve dexterity so you can tie up your dog’s poop bag without removing your gloves.
The Craft Sportswear ADV Lumen Hybrid Gloves come with an optional mitten cover (one with a warm fleece lining) to help check that first box. When I need to clean up after my dog or give him a treat, I just slip the mitten cover into my back pocket.
Unexpected bonus: You can buy it at REI, so you can try it on before you buy. This is a perk that is often forgotten in today’s e-commerce era.
— Cameron Albert-Deitch, Success Editor
CNBC Make It independently decides what we feature and recommend in our Value for Money section. No opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations have been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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