Every holiday season, I’m tasked with finding gifts for everyone—my parents, teen siblings, friends, my partner and his 14-person family—without blowing through my paycheck. It’s hard enough to find a perfect gift. Then there’s the added challenge of shopping for presents that won’t break the bank; with so many giftees on my list, I need gifts that are easy on my wallet, too. If you’re in the same boat as me, the best gifts under $20 are a boon for us both.
Even when working with a limited budget, you can still find great presents or stocking stuffers that won’t drain your bank account. Whether you’re shopping for the best gifts for a homebody, home chef, outdoor enthusiast, or someone serious about self-care, there’s something budget-friendly for every personality. Ahead, browse the 20 best gifts under $20, proof that with some searching, 20 bucks can go a long way in this economy.
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As a candle lover, I’ve become obsessed with candle warmer lamps like this one. It adds an ambient candle-like glow without creating soot or smoke, and the lightbulb warms the surface of a candle to diffuse its scent—which, in turn, prevents me from burning through my candles too quickly.
The P.F. Candle Co. incense sticks come in a selection of captivating scents—like Ojai Lavender, Sandalwood Rose, and Teakwood and Tobacco—that I can personally attest linger for several hours after burning. For $11, they make a wonderful gift everyone can enjoy.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a neat freak, this set of cable ties might be it. Neatnik co-founder Katherine DiGovianni previously told Well+Good that it’s the “perfect stocking stuffer for the organizers and techies in your life. It can be bent and twisted to bundle cords or wires together, and it comes in a pack of 20. Is it the most glamorous gift? Not so much. But it sure is practical.
I’m a longtime fan of Dusen Dusen for its fun and functional wares. These colorfully striped napkins will make a cheery addition to a table. It’s sold as a set of four and comes in multiple colors to suit a variety of preferences.
Self-care and beauty gifts
Anyone who appreciates shimmer will take a shine to the Internet-famous glitter freckle patches, which you’ve likely seen on TikTok or on Taylor Swift. Put them in your giftees stocking or White Elephant gift swap, and watch them sparkle.
Silk scrunchies aren’t just cute, they’re also kind to your hair. This set of three is made from 100 percent Mulberry silk and won’t snag, pull, or tug at strands. Luxury on a budget.
Got a skincare buff on your list? Zits get the star treatment with these pimple patches. The star-shaped hydrocolloid patches absorb fluid from blemishes, minimize inflammation, and prevent scarring. (Also, aren’t they just adorable?)
For that friend who is always getting their nails done, Glamnetics press-on nails are perfect for achieving a polished look in minutes—and look like a professional manicure. Better yet, you can select from dozens of different styles.
Style gifts
This 14-karat-gold-dipped necklace looks a lot pricier than it actually is. The sleek chain is a little over 13 inches with a two-inch extender, and it makes for an understatedly cute addition to virtually any outfit.
For glasses wearers, a protective sleeve like this pick from Baggu can keep spectacles scratch-free and out of harm’s way. It’s filled with recycled Poly-fill to safeguard against scratches and scuffs, and it’s as cute as it is functional—something which Well+Good Fitness Editor Danielle Zickl has previously confirmed.
Anyone who wears jewelry may appreciate an organizer that’s as beautiful as their baubles like this one. It features various-sized compartments lined with fabric to protect against unwanted scuffs while keeping bracelets, necklaces, and earrings neatly stowed away. Plus, it’s compact enough for travel.
Claw clips are here to stay, and a flower-shaped claw from celebrity-loved Emi Jay puts a fun spin on the ubiquitous hair accessory.
Food and drink gifts
Anything that is filled with love—like this heart-shaped bowl—is the perfect gift for a home cook. It’s microwave- and oven-safe up to 350 degrees, and it adds a touch of color to any tablescape.
Of all the nonalcoholic drinks I’ve brought to parties, Ghia isa constant crowd-pleaser. Its newest drink, Le Fizz, feels especially festive. A bubbly without the buzz, it has strawberry and orange flavors and a slightly dry finish that make it reminiscent of sparkling wine.
A cast-iron skillet is a workhorse in the kitchen. It’s suited for pan-frying, searing, roasting, and baking, and it’s stovetop- and oven-safe. With proper care, it can also last a very long time. (I’ve owned mine for years!)
Transcendence Coffee creates flavored syrups that are inspired by its founders’ upbringing. The set features the flavors of baklava and gulab jamun (my personal favorite), a South Asian dessert perfumed by cardamon, saffron, and rose water. Drizzle them in coffee, tea, or matcha for a barista-worthy treat.
Fitness gifts
One of the best gifts for yogis—or anyone who sweats a lot—is a yoga mat towel. This one is made from percent polyester to absorb sweat so the yogi in your life doesn’t have to worry about slipping and sliding during their practice.
The runner who can’t leave home without their phone, wallet, and keys will appreciate a running belt. This one has multiple compartments to keep their essentials in neat order and a slim profile that helps to avoid bulk. The best part? It’s $15.
This hydration pack will keep an outdoors person hydrated on adventures. It features a two-liter reservoir and the drinking straw has a bite valve to prevent water from leaking. Compared to a water bottle, it’s easier to drink from as you run, hike, or cycle.
Socks aren’t the most exciting gift, but a runner or outdoors enthusiast can never have too many socks. Smartwool makes some of the best out there. Made from merino wool, this is a perfect pair for colder days—it’s soft, warm, and moisture-wicking.
This Elegant Air Fryer Whips Up Delicious Dishes in Less Than 30 Minutes—and You’d Never Guess I Got It From Walmart
Photo: W+G Creative
If you’re anything like me, limited counter space in your small kitchen requires you to be very picky about what stays out to avoid clutter. When choosing what stays on display, you likely consider a few things: Most obviously—how much space will it take up? But also, how often will it be used? Is it an eyesore? When I ask myself these questions about the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer ($69), I have pretty clear answers.
It takes up less space than your average microwave, you’ll never want to stop using it, and this machine is truly gorgeous. With these qualities, this air fryer has more than earned its permanent space on my countertop. Not only does it grill, crisp, roast, and reheat delicious dishes with ease, it also brings a stunning splash of color and charm to your kitchen.
Let’s dive into why this gadget is worth the buy, and trust me—you’ll see the return pretty early on.
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Capacity: 3 or 6 qt. | Colors: 11 | Settings: 4
Pros:
- Beautiful
- Affordable
- Spacious but still small-space friendly
- Intuitive to use
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Basket takes up a lot of space in the dishwasher
- A bit noisy
First impressions
As someone who loves to whip up a good, quick, and healthy meal, air fryers have always been appealing to me. They’re truly a “set it and forget it” appliance that takes under 30 minutes to have a delicious meal hot and ready for you. A win is a win, right?
The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer does all the things we expect of any regular air fryer, with the added bonus of being aesthetic so you don’t have to stuff it away in a cabinet. It currently comes in two sizes: A 3-qt volume for your smaller kitchen needs and the more spacious 6-qt option, which I tested for this review. It heats up to a toasty 400 degrees Fahrenheit to allow maximum crisping and roasting. Best of all, both sizes come in a multitude of fun colors—like cornflower blue, sage green, and lavender—so you’re guaranteed to find the gadget that will add the perfect touch to your kitchen space.
My review of the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer
I tested the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer in rose—a gorgeous, soft blush pink adorned with a golden handle. The air fryer has four preset cooking methods: air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. Another perk is it’s also an easy clean-up with a dishwasher-safe basket and insert. If you don’t have a dishwasher, don’t worry, the basket is pretty easy to clean by hand, as well.
I tested out both the air fry and roast options and I was ecstatic with my results. I utilized the air fryer to cook homemade turkey meatballs, which turned out as juicy as could be. I also tried something new and roasted two steaks, which both were cooked surprisingly well and evenly. Lastly, I air-fried vegetables and frozen french fries, which all came out exactly how they should’ve: The veggies were perfectly charred and tender, while the fries came out hot and crispy.
Using the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer is pretty self-explanatory. It comes already assembled. You need only plug it in, throw your items in, turn it on, and let the machine do the rest. Everything from roasting vegetables to air frying crispy fries or proteins was a breeze with this machine. The air fryer also comes with a booklet that provides instructions as well as a cooking chart to guide even the most novice of cooks through making quick and delicious meals.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer is a gorgeous blend of design and functionality that makes cooking a pain-free experience. It’s amazing for quick and healthy cooking—and honestly just adds a flirty, feminine flair to the kitchen. Say goodbye to the basic industrial appliances that take up space and hello to a fun and gorgeous cooking experience.
Stressed About The Cost of Holiday Travel? Amazon Could Fly You Home for Just $25 (Yes, Really)
Photo: Getty Images/Oleksii Karamanov
The holidays are upon us, in all their shiny, cheery glory. While it may be the most wonderful time of year, there’s no doubt it’s also the most expensive—especially if you have to buy a plane ticket to spend the holidays with your loved ones. ICYMI, air travel ain’t cheap, and after buying gifts and that cute holiday outfit you absolutely needed, your credit card (and mental health) might not be equipped to tackle the cost of flights home. Luckily, Amazon and StudentUniverse have teamed up to offer a limited number of $25—yes, as in twenty plus five—flights for Prime young adult members. Sounds like a holiday miracle, right? Scroll down for everything you need to know about this year’s Amazon Prime holiday flight deal.
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How does the Amazon Prime holiday flight deal work?
Amazon Prime has partnered up with StudentUniverse, a booking site that offers exclusive travel discounts for students and young adults, to help young folks celebrate the holidays with friends and family. To be eligible, there are a few qualifications you must meet:
First and foremost, you need to be 18-24 years old and enrolled in Prime’s young adult plan to qualify. If you’re not enrolled in the young adult plan, hop to it my friend—you get your first six months free, then pay a discounted rate of $7.49 per month or $69 per year for membership.
Once you’re set up with a Prime membership, you’ll be able to activate the StudentUniverse benefit by popping onto this landing page. Then, starting at 1pm EST (10am PST) on Thursday December 9, revisit that page (again, it’s amazon.com/25flights—bookmark it!) to book a $25 ticket on a U.S. domestic flight.
Amazon will only offer a total of 5,000 $25 flight tickets throughout the promotion, and will drop 1,000 tickets each day from December 9—13. That means you’ll need to be as speedy as you were snagging Eras Tour tix—start thinking about your travel plans now so you can book quickly when the tickets drop!
Let’s review the nitty gritty details:
- You must be 18-24 years old
- You must be a Prime young adult member to qualify
- The booking window opens at 1pm EST (10am PST) on December 9
- Tickets are only available to book between December 9-13
- There are only 5,000 $25 tickets available total, so book quickly!
- Your travel must be within the 50 U.S. states and District of Columbia
- The promo is only for travel between December 9 and January 14, 2025
The bottom line
Holiday travel is expensive, but Amazon and StudentUniverse are making it a lot more bearable for young people who need to fly to reunite with their families. After all, spending quality time with the people you love is what this season is actually all about.