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69 unexpected gift ideas for $25 or less, from a mini Crock-Pot to a decorative moon lamp
Dash My Mug Electric Ice Cream Maker, available at Amazon
When you give the Dash My Mug Electric Ice Cream Maker, the recipient can have a single serving of custom-made ice cream whenever they want. It's simple to use and can also make sorbet, frozen yogurt, and gelato.
Personalized video, available at Cameo
Cameo offers tons of personalized video options for under $25. You can have Santa (full disclosure: it may not be the real Santa), a cute kitten, celebrity lookalikes, and others create a personalized message for your loved one.
Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras, available at Amazon
This is the perfect gift for any Swiftie, especially those who are into fashion. "Taylor Swift Style" explores the pop star's fashion choices throughout her illustrious career.
Copper Fox Company Personalized Charcuterie Board, available at Etsy
Simple but thoughtful, this personalized serving board adds a bit of elegance to any gathering.
3D Moon Lamp, available at Amazon
This realistic moon lamp brightens their room with a soothing ambient glow. Whether they use it as a subtle night light or a room accessory, they'll have fun matching the lamp to their mood with its 16 color options.
Crock-Pot 4.5-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, available at Target
There's no denying the ease and handiness of a Crock-Pot, but you don't always need to make a family-sized portion. This 4.5-quart cooker is great for small meals as well as dips — and it takes up minimal counter space.
iLikePar Cereal Bowl Scented Soy Candle, available at Amazon
This cereal bowl-shaped candle makes for a whimsical and fun decor while filling their space with a sweet French vanilla scent.
The Gratitude Journal, available at Amazon
Starting a mindful habit is easy with this five-minute gratitude journal. They can jot down affirmations and moments of gratitude twice daily and feel inspired in no time.
Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available at Amazon
This tiny waffle maker is perfect for single-serving breakfasts or meal prep. We ranked it our favorite miniature waffle maker in this guide. It's compact for confined spaces, heats up in a few minutes, and has a non-stick surface that's easy to clean.
Rug Mouse Pad, available at Anthropologie
This adorable mouse pad is sure to spruce up any home office or workspace (and earn you many "where did you get that?" compliments). It's made of woven nylon and comes in red or blue.
ColourPop Super Shock Eyeshadow, available at Target
Makeup lovers will swoon over this sparkly eyeshadow available in 15 different bright shades. Plus, ColourPop's Super Shock formula is bouncy, blendable, and basically foolproof to apply.
We're Not Really Strangers Card Game, available at Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble
This card game is unlike any they've played before. Its three carefully crafted levels of questions spark connections and stimulate reflective conversations. They'll leave the game making friends out of strangers or diving deeper into their friendships.
Handmade Felt Herbs, available at Odin Parker
Whoever you gift these to doesn't need a green thumb to keep these cute felt plants alive, making them an even sweeter, thoughtful gift. They make great decorations in the kitchen, a bedroom, or anywhere around the house.
Threshold 14"x 14" Letterboard, available at Target
This square letter board gives birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or dinner parties a personalized touch. The light grain finish offers a sleek, modern look that matches different living spaces.
heyday Desktop Tripod + Phone Mount, available at Target
Whether they're a content creator or just want a hands-free option for their smartphone, this tripod and mount will come in handy.
Claudia Pearson City Tea Towels, available at West Elm
Brooklyn artist Claudia Pearson has illustrated everything from children's books to New Yorker pages to tea towels. Her quirky hand-drawn city maps add a sentimental touch to any kitchen.
Flickering Flameless Candles, available at Amazon
These flameless LED candles feature a realistic flicker effect and bring warmth and ambiance to any space.
Polish Remover Pot, available at Olive and June
Removing nail polish has never been easier with this innovative, no-mess method from Olive & June. They dip their finger into the pot and twist to fully remove the polish in seconds.
PowerLix Milk Frother, available at Amazon and Walmart
A milk frother is an unexpectedly convenient tool to have around the house, and it can make a frothy latte or cappuccino that tastes closer to what they'd find at the café.
We're huge fans of this one in particular and even ranked it the best handheld in our guide to the best milk frothers.
Sizikato Clear Green Glass Water Carafe, available at Amazon
Staying hydrated has never been so chic. This glass carafe is ideal for your bedside and comes with a cup that fits neatly on top of the bottle when not in use.
Momofuku Soy Sauce & Tamari 2-Pack, available at Momofuku
Chef David Chang, the founder of Momofuku, did one of the best things he could for his line of restaurants: make the ingredients he uses available to purchase. This soy sauce and tamari combo pack is easy on the wallet but big on the taste buds.
VIS Paradise Goods Portable Cutlery Set, available at Etsy
Reduce their single-use plastic with this cute reusable cutlery set. Available in bright colors, it's great for traveling, camping, or the office.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, available at Amazon and Laneige
Laneige's hyper-successful Lip Sleeping Mask combines vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, minerals, antioxidants, and fruit extracts to form a protective layer over the lips to lock in moisture overnight.
Read our full Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask review.
Jessie Essential Ribbed Beanie, available at Urban Outfitters
Complete their winter look with this extremely warm beanie that feels as cozy as if made by grandma. This holiday season will feel a little less cold each time they step outside with this stylish beanie.
Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn Kit, available at Amazon
Upgrade their movie night snacking with this delicious popcorn kit. It features three types of kernels and five seasoning blends, from spicy to sweet.
Bombas Women's Calf Socks, available at Bombas
Socks are a universal gift. This colorfully patterned pick will make anyone smile. Soft but not too thick, Bombas' Calf Socks features a honeycomb arch to help support their feet all day long.
Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract, available at Amazon, Williams Sonoma, and Walmart
This richly flavored vanilla extract will amp up various recipes, from baked goods to indulgent coffee drinks.
Hip Wine Glasses, available at Crate & Barrel
Nothing screams elegance more than a nice set of wine glasses. Crate & Barrel's stemware styles are the perfect guests to accompany their next dinner or night in.
"Burn After Writing" by Sharon Jones, available at Amazon and Target
This bestseller went viral across TikTok because of its unique approach to self-reflection. With inquisitive prompts, the notebook is a giant confessional you can burn after writing. It's also one of our favorite guided journals.
Genuine Fred Big Brew Elephant Tea Infuser, available at Amazon
Gift them some relaxing time sipping their favorite tea (which you could pick up as an accompanying gift).
Large Format Prints, available at Artifact Uprising
Artifact Uprising makes luxury prints at accessible prices — and they make especially thoughtful gifts that look like they should cost much more. Get one of their favorite photos printed on archival fine art paper or thoughtful cards.
Upcycled Record Coasters, available at Uncommon Goods
These upcycled coasters are made from reclaimed vinyl records and sealed against moisture. Each set includes a variety of music genres. Our firsthand testing shows they're among the best coasters you can buy.
NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil Duo, available at NARS
NARS' velvet matte lipstick pencils are travel-sized, so your giftee can bring them on trips or easily throw them into purses and pockets for on-the-go use. The formula is non-drying and long-lasting, and these lipsticks can be used to line, define, and fill in lips with colors that range from subtle to rich.
ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, available at Amazon
Crafted from organic mulberry silk, this pillowcase is gentle and cool on hair and skin. Plus, you can choose from 36 colors to match their bedding.
Javy Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, available at Amazon
The coffee lover in your life will undoubtedly appreciate this gift. Javy comes in various flavors, and its concentrated formula gives the drinker more bang and caffeine for their buck.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Trio, available at Amazon and Jack Black
A lip balm set is a perfect gift for any beauty lover. Each flavored lip balm is infused with vitamin E and green tea and provides SPF protection.
Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit, available at Amazon
Tie-dye clothing continues to stick around, but they don't have to spend a fortune on a tie-dye sweatshirt to join in on the trend. This easy kit gives them the gift of a fun passion project or a hands-on activity with friends. It comes with five colors of dye, gloves, and rubber bands.
Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag, available at Baggu
Baggu bags are popular for a reason — they come in over 40 fun prints and fold down to pretty much nothing, even though they can hold 50 pounds of stuff.
Mario Badescu Spritz. Mist. Glow. Facial Spray Set, available at Ulta and Amazon
Gifting beauty products like moisturizers and foundations can be challenging because everyone has specific skin types and shades. However, face mists are your best bet if they're obsessed with skincare and need something refreshing. We can't get enough of Mario Badescu, and its mists are no exception. In our guide to the best face mists, you can learn more about Mario Badescu sprays.
Bedside Essentials Pocket, available at Uncommon Goods
Whether it's remote controls, books, or reading glasses, their bedside or couch essentials will fit perfectly in this convenient felt pouch. It slides between their mattress or under their couch cushion without looking like an eyesore.
Slipsilk Mini Scrunchies, available at Nordstrom
Silk is often used in products like headbands and pillowcases to reduce friction and breakage of hair, and these hair ties serve the same purpose. Designed to keep hair from catching, crimping, and pulling, these hair scrunchies are gentle on strands and around the wrist.
da Vinci's Room Mystery Date, available at Amazon
Never run out of fun and new date night ideas — and take some of the pressure off deciding on an activity.
Subscription, available at Disney+
A Disney+ subscription gives you unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, "Star Wars," National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. Read everything there is to know about Disney+.
Herbes de Provence in Ceramic Crock, available at Williams Sonoma
Switch it up for the cook in your life with this tasty herb mix. The classic blend of thyme, basil, savory, fennel, and lavender hails from the South of France, and Williams Sonoma recommends using it to accent poultry, meat, sauces, and soups.
Incase Phone Cases, available at Amazon
Incase already makes sturdy laptop cases, and its phone cases are great for many of the same reasons. They're lightweight, add another layer of protection, and allow for some fun personalization.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask, available at Target
The Aztec Clay Mask has been called "the world's most powerful facial." It can be mixed with water, but it works best with some apple cider vinegar.
Read our full Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask review.
Get It Right Silicone Reusable Tumbler Straws, available at Amazon
Get It Right's reusable straw sets come in a pretty color palette, and each pack includes carrying cases and cleaning squeegees. They can toss one set in their bag, leave one at work, and keep one in the car.
Textured Dip Bowl, available at West Elm
These minimalist dip bowls are ideal for snacks, condiments, and the basics they love to cook with frequently.
Aquis Towel Hair-Drying Tool, available at Amazon
Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels have inspired a slew of rave reviews online. The towels are made from a proprietary fabric called Aquitex that's composed of ultra-fine fibers (finer than silk) that work to reduce the amount of friction that hair experiences while in its weakest state. Plus, it speeds up drying time by as much as 50%.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, available at Target
This Hyaluronic Acid serum is a must-have product that deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it plumper and moisturized for those with dry or sensitive skin during these upcoming cold days. It's also one of the best products we've ever tested.
"Where Cooking Begins: Uncomplicated Recipes to Make You a Great Cook" by Carla Lalli Music, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
This is the cookbook to beeline it to if your recipient loves to host friends for dinner. You can find more great options here too.
Jason Markk Repel Spray, available at Amazon
This Jason Markk spray repels water and oil to keep your shoes free of stains and water spots. It's water-based, so it's okay to use on a variety of materials — from suede to nubuck leather to canvas and others. It sprays a fine mist that covers large areas both quickly and evenly.
They can enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of thousands of books, audiobooks, and magazines for less than $12 a month with Scribd. If they aren't a bibliophile already, Scribd will make them one.
Read our full Scribd membership review.
Olive & June Nail Polish, available at Target
Olive & June's rich, chip-resistant nail polish comes in 7 colors. The formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and don't have potentially harmful ingredients like formaldehyde or camphor, among others. It's easy to see why we included Olive & June in our guide to the best nail polish brands.
Scratch-off Donation Card, available at LottoLove
When they scratch off a card from LottoLove, they won't win any money. Instead, they "win" a charitable prize that's donated to someone in need. There are four possible prizes, which help provide clean water, solar light, nutritious meals, or literacy tools. To date, LottoLove and its charitable partners have impacted lives in over 60 countries.
Monin Mini Coffee Syrup (5-pack), available at Amazon
Did anyone say cocktails? Monin's coffee collection has everything needed for café-inspired drinks, be they cocktails, lattes, coffees, or teas. It includes five syrups ranging in flavors from amaretto to Irish cream. Plus, Monin has a recycling initiative that works to improve the health of bee populations.
The Hat Depot 300N Unisex Bucket Hat, available at Amazon
Whether you're shopping for someone who loves bucket hats or someone who has yet to try one, this accessory is a great fashion accessory. They'll get protection from the elements while looking stylish wherever they go.
Tribe Cell Phone Armband, available at Amazon
If you're going to buy an armband for a runner, you're probably going to wind up buying this version from Tribe. It's frequently recommended for its water-resistant and no-slip design.
Custom Softcover Photo Book, available at Artifact Uprising
For a sentimental gift under $25, we recommend these beautifully designed photo books that look like personal magazines, curated by you for them.
Second Skin Casual Sock, available at Tommy John
Tommy John is responsible for some of the very best loungewear and underwear on the internet. Its socks have light compression to support blood flow, and the "comfort cuff" design means you should be able to peel them off without finding marks left over.
Lamicall Adjustable Cell Phone Stand, available at Amazon
Whether they use it as a desk accessory or to prop up their YouTube search for "how to chop onions" while they cook at home, a lightweight, adjustable phone stand comes in handy more often than you'd expect.
It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask, available at Amazon
Perfect for color-treated, heat-styled, and otherwise damaged hair, It's a 10's hair mask deep-conditions strands with a blend of moisturizing ingredients like oat kernel extract, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, and linseed extract. We tout it as the best overall pick in our guide to the best hair masks.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Makeup Remover, available at Amazon and Walgreens
Bioderma's makeup remover is a cult favorite among makeup artists, celebrities, the average person, and the Insider Reviews team. We call it the best overall in our guide to the best makeup removers, and we also mention it in our roundup of French pharmacy skincare products.
Live concert and game tickets, available at Stubhub
Is there a good concert, play, or game you think they'd love? It doesn't have to be expensive to be impactful. Grab tickets and make a night of it — or, if you live far away, make sure they get to go with a friend or two.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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