October doesn’t just mean crunchy leaves and Halloween candy, it’s also the start of the gift-giving season. Scared? Come on — we’ve rounded up the best gifts under $50, so your spooky season is filled with good spooks (haunted houses), not bad spooks (what you’re going to buy your cousin) only see once a year twice?
You may have noticed that we absolutely love the food here. Well, we’re pretty sure we’re not the only ones. Many of the gifts on this list are edible, like spicy potato chips, essential oil chocolates, and fancy pasta combos. Some of the gifts were food –be inspired, Examples include fruit skincare products and 1,000-piece breakfast-themed puzzles.
Whether you’re shopping for the perfect host, the stylish world traveler or the hard-to-impress foodie, we’re sure there’s a perfect gift for everyone. We also believe that the term “gift under $50” doesn’t necessarily mean an impersonal gift card, or another boring candle (although we do feature a cute one in this list).
We recommend you throw on your favorite flannel, grab a hot drink, and get comfortable because we’re going to make it super easy for you so you can get your holiday shopping done early and get back to your regular Leaf viewing activities.
Some favorites…
Is there anything other than the smell of freshly baked pastries? Bring a touch of retro whimsy to your baking friend’s home with this adorable cake stand candle from Anthropologie. There are a variety of colors and scents to choose from, but we think this winter forest and vanilla scent is especially perfect for the holiday season.
Not being nerdy, but we kinda like food-themed puzzles. Le Puzz’s ultra-colorful 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle is a great way to unwind and is currently our favorite way to have breakfast.
Chances are you have someone in your life who enjoys ice-cold drinks year-round (raise your hand). We love these striped glass straws as an alternative to paper straws because paper straws stick right on. They come in four different colors, so no one can make the mistake of grabbing someone else’s iced maple latte.
Tell your mom that her ancient frying pan can finally rest. This beautiful woven pan from Nordic Ware will breathe new life into baking, whether it’s autumn apple butter spice cake or Christmas gingerbread.
How do you repay that friend who always greets you with incredible snacks? Get them this chic ceramic brie baker. Think of all the herbed baked brie, lemon crab sauce and garlic confit you’ll be looking forward to next time you visit.
As foodies, we’re big fans of chocolate gifts, and this beautifully packaged plant-based date sweet dark chocolate gift set from Spring & Mulberry is on our wish list. This would be equally great for your favorite chocolate lover or a hit at a white elephant party.
For those of you who are always complaining about boring packed lunches or cookie-cutter takeout dinners, we have a solution: these three sauces from Fly By Jing. They’re rich, spicy, and sweet, so no more excuses for boring lunch friends. Our food director, Chris Morocco, loves their Chinese sauces, which include everything from dumplings to scrambled eggs.
Oxo’s fast brewer will help the caffeine lover on your list make the perfect cup of hot or iced coffee on the go. It’s very low-profile, so it can be carried around and stored easily. We’re big fans of stainless steel filter baskets, which make annoying paper filters a thing of the past.
Travel mugs are great, but we have a soft spot for a truly practical mug It seems Like a cup. We love the redesign of MiiR’s classic Camp Cup. It’s available in a variety of colors (desert tan speckled is our winner), and the extra-wide base means your gift recipient won’t have to worry about the dreaded tabletop spill.
Printfresh x Sean Taylor’s “Girls Trip” pattern is filled with adorable Easter eggs—including croissants, pina coladas, and real eggs. We love this quilted pouch that’s roomy enough to pack enough healthy snacks for the whole team on your next trip.
Skin care can be intimidating. You know what’s not scary? fruit. This six-piece fruity skincare set is fun and friendly, with ingredients like watermelon essence and avocado oil, so it’s a great starter set for the 35-year-old sibling who finally thinks they should moisturize.
As you may have heard, we believe every kitchen needs a Zojirushi electric cooktop. This small, single-switch model makes a thoughtful gift for the determined home cook with limited time and counter space.
For those of you who always tell you “the camera eats first”, these marble trays provide an elegant backdrop for food photography. Plus, they add a funky touch to the room, which means your ears will be ringing as your friends receive compliment after compliment from visitors.
San Francisco restaurant Flour + Water takes its pasta seriously (they literally wrote a book on it), but if you’re not planning a trip to San Francisco, this collaboration with Jacobsen Salt Co. is your next best thing choose. This recipe, crafted by co-chefs Ryan Pollnow and Jacobsen of Disco di Sale, is the perfect gift for the intrepid cook who wants an impressive dinner for two at home.
