Have you ever found yourself in a spot where you have to get a gift soon but you have no idea what to get? Yeah, me too! All the time actually… That is why today, we are going to discuss 99 unforgettable gift ideas under $25. Each gift is perfect for a friend, family member, significant other, or whoever you need to get a gift for. They range from amazing kitchen gadgets to fun and functional tools anyone can use in their daily life. Ready to get started? Lets get into all of the amazing gift ideas under $25!
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What could these gift ideas be used for?
I am glad you asked! These gift ideas under $25 are perfect for any of the following occasions:
- Birthdays for friends and family
- Anniversaries for a significant other
- Going away parties
- Housewarming parties
- Graduation parties
- Holiday parties or dinners
- Stocking stuffer or gift-exchanges
Looking for more holiday gift ideas? Check out my Ultimate College Student Holiday Gift Guide
99 Gift Ideas Under $25
Alright, let’s dive right in! Below, I have sectioned off each of these gift ideas under $25 to help you better navigate.
Gift Ideas for the Book Worm
Each of these are classic books that never get old. They are perfect for any individual looking to better their life, need a pick-me-up, or simply just love to read!
- Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen: Allen’s best-selling book is the ultimate and perfect guide to productive living. In it, it sets up a foolproof productivity system that anyone can easily use. Makes the perfect gift for students, anyone who works at a desk, and stay-at-home moms.
- Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson: Next, this is among my top ten favorite books of all time. Lawson describes how she hilariously handles life living with anxiety and depression and brings the reader along for an epic, funny, and uplifting adventure. I can’t recommend this book more.
- What Now? The Young Person’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore: This is, hands down, the best book-gift I ever received. I read this book cover-to-cover and was able to decide, with confidence, my career path! This is the perfect gift for your favorite college student, high school senior, or young adult who is still trying to figure out their future.
- Adulting: How to Become a Grown Up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown: Speaking of young adults, this is another great book for your favorite 20- or 30-something. This is a step-by-step guide to being a functional adult.
- You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living Your Life by Jen Sincero: This best-seller makes the perfect gift for anyone! It is an uplifting, motivational, and inspirational book that will pump anyone up to chase their wildest dreams and quit letting fear get in the way.
Looking for more book ideas? HERE is the list of 100 books everyone should read before they die!
- Catch 22 by Joseph Heller: This classic, best-selling novel should be on everyones shelf! It is a humorous war novel and one of the most celebrated books ever written.
- Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search For Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert: Next, this best-seller is the perfect book for your favorite traveler. It follows a woman through her travels across the globe and what she learns along the way.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin: Another great classic is this gorgeous copy of Pride and Prejudice. It is a humorous, love novel about five women and their mother’s attempt to marry them all.
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Next is this best-selling novel that takes place in 1939 and follows a young foster girl who, you guessed it, steals book. It is widely known as a life-changing book and a must read of all ages.
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien: My final book-gift recommendation is the first book in the Lord of the Rings series. It is a must read for everyone and is the perfect way to make someone fall in love with reading!
Related: 21 Life-Changing Books every 20-Something Should Read
Gift Ideas for the Chef
Next on the best gift ideas under $25 list is the top kitchen gadgets that are perfect for anyone looking to up their food game! Actually, I really think kitchen items make some of the best gifts for anyone really.
- Tupperware Set: This is such a useful gift for anyone who has recently moved into a new or larger place.
- Drinking Glasses: Another great gift for someone moving into a larger place or who is in desperate need of new drinking glasses (which is a surprisingly large amount of people!)
- Plate Set: Again, another great gift for a newly move-in.
- Silverware Set: The last of the kitchen essentials, silverware. A must have!
- Silverware Organizer: Know anyone who just tosses their silverware into a drawer? Yeah, this is for them.
- Kitchen Towels: A great gift for anyone! Plus, you can find some really fun seasonal sets and colors.
- Kitchen Knives: A good knife set can really be life-changing. As a bonus, you can even include a knife-sharpener!
- Taco-Holder: This is one of those cute little fun gifts that are perfect to add to a larger kitchen-themed gift!
- Cookbook: There are so many great cookbooks out there that make perfect gifts. THIS is my current go-to book because it has everything!
- Cookbook Holder: This is so useful when baking. Especially when you have messy fingers!
Looking for a bigger kitchen gift idea? Instant pots are where it’s at!
- Kettle: These are amazing! I use mine everyday and would be lost without it! They are perfect for tea drinkers or anyone who boils water on the regular.
- Waffle Maker: This is another fun gift that is great for anyone! (Makes the PERFECT exchange gift!)
- Utensil Set: There are so many people out there who need this.
- Noodle Strainer: A great, basic addition to any kitchen.
- Smoothie Blender: These are perfect for your favorite health nut!
- Cute Apron: Every good baker needs a cute apron.
- Coffee: When in doubt, coffee makes a perfect gift.
- Tea: Likewise, tea is a great gift too! You can never have too much.
- Tea Infuser: These are great for people who are serious about their tea drinking.
- Snacks: Finally, if you’re really unsure, snacks/food make great gifts because you know they will be used/eaten up!
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Healthy on a Budget and a Time Crunch
Gift Ideas for the Commuter
Next, let’s discuss some of the best gift ideas under $25 for your favorite commuter. This could be someone who drives everyday, takes the train, or simply has a bit of a walk before they reach their daily destination.
- Coffee Travel Mug: Everyone can use a new travel mug.
- Multi-Tool: Perhaps a more boring but definitely useful gift idea.
- 1 Month Audible Membership: Commuting can be incredibly boring, especially with traffic. Spice it up for your favorite commuter with some audiobooks!
- Cute New Sunglasses: Sunglasses often get lost or broken throughout the year so they make great gifts (because you know everyone could use an extra pair!)
- Headphones: Likewise, headphones don’t last forever. Lucky for you, that makes them perfect gift ideas.
- Portable Charger: Portable chargers can seriously be lifesavers when commuting.
- Cute (and useful!) Keychain: Finally, a cute keychain can be the perfect addition to any gift.
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Gift Ideas for the Homebody
This next gift ideas section covers everything related to the home. These gifts are perfect for anyone who has recently moved into a new place or perhaps is in need of some new decoration. These also work great for anyone who likes to stay in on the weekends!
- Flameless Candles: Most rental units (dorms, apartments, etc.) don’t allow candles, which is why flameless candles are so great!
- Picture Frame: A cute picture frame with a photo inside makes a great personalized and meaningful gift.
- Monogram Cork Holder: These are so cute and are perfect for someone who loves wine!
- Blanket: Cozy blankets make perfect gifts and are always useful.
- Curtains: Curtains are like giving the gift of more sleep, especially with blackout curtains!
- Cozy Socks: Cute, fuzzy socks are classic gifts and great for anyone who lives in a colder climate.
- New Movie with Popcorn and Candy: Movies are always great gift ideas!
- Diffuser: Every home needs a good diffuser. They serve double duty as a humidifier too!
- Cute Throw Pillows: Throw pillows are a great addition to any home.
- Plant Terrarium: These are so cute to add to any home and require very little maintenance.
- Twinkle Lights: Lights can really transform any space into a cute and cozy atmosphere.
- Re-Usable Bags: Many cities are getting rid of plastic bags. Help fight for the environment and give the gift of reusable bags! (They are SO useful too!)
Related: The Ultimate College Packing List for Dorms and New Apartments
Gift Ideas for the Workaholic or Student
Now, let’s talk about some gift ideas for the workaholic or student in your life. These are perfect for anyone who often sits at a desk or uses a computer often. They can turn anyones ordinary desk supplies into extraordinary!
- Student Planner: First, planners are among the best gifts you can get! THIS planner has everything your favorite student will ever need. As a bonus, it is printable! So you can download the files onto a USB and give them a copy so if they need an extra page of a certain layout, they have it at their fingertips.
- Cute New Mug: A good coffee/tea mug is something truly special.
- Blue Light Blocking Glasses: Many people spend countless hours in front of a screen. Make sure their eyes are protected (and headaches avoided) with a nice new pair of blue light blocking glasses.
- Cordless Mouse: A good cordless mouse can make a huge difference to productivity. THIS is my favorite mouse, I swear by it.
- Thumb Drive: Honestly, one can never have too many thumb drives…
- Laptop Case: When moving a laptop from place to place, it is incredibly important to keep it safe and secure.
- Laptop Vinyl Stickers: These are so fun to add to any laptop and make a great gift!
- Keyboard Cover: Keyboards get dirty so easily, a good cover is a great way to avoid this issue.
- Tablet Stand: For frequent tablet users, a good stand can make a big difference.
- White Board and Markers: These are perfect for a student who studies often!
- Wooden Block Desk Calendar: Finally, these desk calendars make the cutest addition to any desk!
Related: College Backpack Essentials – 21 Items you Must Carry With you at all Times
Gift Ideas for the Stationary Nerd
In addition to desk and computer supplies, let’s cover some fun stationary as well! I love stationary, so I thought it deserved its own category. These gift ideas are relatively cheaper than the other ideas, so multiples can be paired together under $25 to make a great gift!
- Bullet Journal: First, bullet journals are great productivity tools and make wonderful, slim journals that you can take anywhere!
- Washi Tape: Add a pop of color or design to anything with removable washi tape.
- Coletto Multi-Pens: These multi-pens make the perfect gift for anyone who loves pens. They are great for color coding tasks, drawing, and so much more.
- Mildliner Highlighters: These make great highlighters, art markers, and more. They are much better than regular highlighters because they are less bright and have two different tips. They are perfect to pair as a gift with a bullet journal.
- Stedler Fineliner Pens: Next, these are among the most popular pens on college campuses today.
- Sticky Note Set: Everyone goes through sticky notes so quickly, which means they make great gifts!
- Fancy Pen Set: A good, fancy pen is always a great gift! These make great pens to showcase in the professional setting.
- Pen Case: An organized, new pen case is a perfect gift for anyone!
- Cute Notebooks: Finally, a few cute notebooks is always a great gift for a stationary nerd.
Related: The Only Student Planner You’ll Ever Need in College!
Gift Ideas for the Fit & Health-Nut
Next up includes a short list of gift ideas for anyone who is into fitness. These make perfect gifts for people who are often in the gym or workout on a daily basis.
- Water Bottle: Many water bottles wear over time, making them great go-to gifts.
- Infusion Water Bottle: Speaking of water bottles, check out these infusion bottles!
- Yoga Mat: Yoga mats should also be switched out quite often, so they are killer gifts as well!
- Yoga Dice: Speaking of yoga, these yoga dice are so fun!
- Running Belt: These are perfect for runners who need to carry a few items but have no pockets (like most of us…)!
- Silicone Rings: Jewelry can get really banged up at the gym, prevent this with some fun silicone rings!
- Exercise Bands: These are perfect for anyone who likes to workout at home or on the road traveling.
- Meal-Prep Containers: Finally, meal-prep containers make great gifts and double as Tupperware!
Gift Ideas for the Traveler
Next, these gift ideas are perfect for anyone who travels often. This travel doesn’t have to be far! It could just be frequent camping trips on the weekends, or perhaps they simply just spend a lot of time in their car!
- Warm Scarf and Hat Set: First, it can be cold out there in the world! So a nice set of mittens and a scarf makes a great traveling gift.
- Carwash Kit: Know someone who is always traveling in their car? A good carwash kit just might be what they need!
- New Cosmetic Bag: Finding the perfect travel cosmetic bag can be difficult, which makes it the perfect gift! Check this one out.
- Hammock: On the road, on the trail, in the airport (maybe?)… hammocks are great travel companions if you need a good rest.
- Coin Savings Jar: These are great little additions to anyones home and perfect to use to save up for an upcoming trip!
- Shower Tote: Sometimes, traveling with toiletries can be a pain, but a good travel shower tote can take care of this!
- Bluetooth Speaker: Speakers are perfect while traveling and can be used while hiking or staying in a hotel.
- Scratch-Off Travel Map: Let your favorite traveler check off their destinations with this cute scratch-off travel map!
- Travel Wallet with RFID Blocking Sleeve: Tourists are often vulnerable to identity theft and they don’t even know it! Protect your favorite traveler with one of these fantastic RFID blocking wallets.
- Packing Cubes: These are a great way to organize any suitcase!
Related: The 10 Hiking Essentials – Everything You Must Carry With You On Your Next Hike
Gift Ideas for the Gamer
Last but not least are… games! Board and card games make the perfect gift for so many people! They usually make great gift-exchange ideas and are perfect for anyone young at heart.
- Sushi Go: First, this is a simple and fun card game perfect for 2-5 players. It involves picking one card, then passing it to the next player until all the cards have been picked.
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf: This is such a fun party game! It is for 3-10 players and involves everyone closing their eyes and listening to the game app for instructions, then… you must figure out who the werewolf is!
- Flux: This classic 2-5 player game is a quick and fun draw-one-play-one card game.
- Exploding Kittens: This is another fun card game where you loose if you find an exploding kitten. Super fun!
- We Didn’t Play Test This: This is a ridiculous 2-10 player card game that only takes about 1-5 minutes to play with very simple, yet strange rules.
- Uno: Next, Uno is such a classic game I had to add it. It is perfect to throw into someones glove box for a rainy day or to add to anyones game collection.
Looking for more game ideas? Check out Amazon’s top selling games HERE!
- Codenames: This game is slowly becoming one of my favorite party games. You break into two teams and choose one person per team to attempt to use just one word to have you guess images/words.
- Exit The Game: SO. MUCH. FUN. This is like having an escape room in your own home!
- Catchphrase: This classic timed game is perfect for parties and is always a blast to play!
- Punderdome: This is a fun card game for pun-lovers.
- Joking Hazard: Another fun card game that allows you to move comic-style cards around into a fun story!
- Pictionary: Finally, this classic should also be in everyones game collection! Such a fun party game.
Further Reading:
Check out these great related posts:
- How to Set Up a Successful Budget for the Holidays
- The Ultimate Valentines Day Gift Guide
- 62 Meaningful Graduation Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Student
- 50 Unforgettable Holiday Gift Ideas for College Students
There you have it, my top 99 gift ideas under $25. I hope you found some amazing ideas and are ready to hand out some amazing gifts to your favorite people! Now, it is just time to wrap them up!
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out my Ultimate College Student Holiday Gift Guide with over 50 fantastic gift ideas!
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