The Best Gifts for Under $20, Because You're Cheap But You Have Good Taste

If you’re like us, and we have a feeling you are [points to dumplings in the freezer], you want to give the people in your life the best holiday presents without taking out a loan from the tiny Monopoly guy again. The good news is, there are still some juicy treats dangling ever so low on the Savings Tree for the shrewd and discerning shopper to pluck, but for the rest of us with bad eyes, worse credit, and the impending need for reading glasses, now is also the time to wrangle in our gift shopping with a “best gifts under $20 for everyone” mentality. Otherwise, we might just finally blow all our coins on that swanky clam-shaped sauna. 

The best gifts under $20 don’t have to be things you pick up in the checkout aisle of the supermarket while you panic because you forgot your reusable bags, and now you’re going to have to buy a new reusable bag which defeats the purpose of reusable shopping bags in the first place and you already have so many of them crumpled into a different reusable bag at home and—you know what, nevermind. The point is, gifts under $20 can be great, thoughtful presents that won’t break the bank, but will put a huge smile on the face of whomever you gift them to this holiday season.

Your favorite Deadhead deserves a present worthy of Jerry himself, and a dancing bear ornament will surely help your giftee make merry this holiday season (although, by the looks of the special mistletoe greens in their abode, that should be nooo problemo), while a snazzy bear wine stopper will elevate their corkage game to gnar levels of freshness.

Not feeling particularly Grateful, but looking to deck out the tree (and feeling particularly hungry)? Pick up sparkling meatball sub, or a box of “Cheese-Its” instead—all of which are timeless classics in your mouth and in ornament form.

Who cares if they only had $50 of Dogecoin on the line before The Great Fall? It was a wild ride, and these NFT socks will help soften the big, bad blow that was dealt to your crypto king.

Skyler spits verses that would make the Bard blush, bro. Bestow him with this D-Bag poet fridge magnet kit (it’s a present, and a hint), and let him get it all out of his system.

Until recently, we didn't even realize this was an option. Use for pasta, flippin' filets, or picking the perfect olive out of the jar for your giftee’s perfect mouth.

Maybe your giftee is trying to get those gains, or maybe they’re just looking for a more interesting, aesthetic way of working out. Either way, this aluminum gold jump rope is worthy of King Midas. It has earned a 4.5-star average rating on Amazon from over 1,700 reviews, because it’s lightweight, adjustable, and sparkles in the sunlight.

Nothing like crackin’ open a cold one beside our dog, who deserves their very own PBR plushy (effigy??) for munching, and the kind of fleecy ‘fit that will make them the undisputed mascot of your neighborhood dive bar. Who says dogs can’t appreciate a little L.L. Bean?

Digital cameras are cool, sure, but there’s nothing quite like snapping some late-night pics with a great disposable camera. The pros: You don’t have to know how to shoot film to shoot film, it’s small and lightweight, and it brings an air of retro coolness to your whole vibe. The cons: None.

… And your giftee would pick up, if only they had reception. For your hiking, camping, canoeing, and trail-blazing pals, pick up a low-impact gift that says, “I love you, but don’t wake me up at 5 AM on a Saturday to climb a mountain.” This sleeping bag glasses case is a) cozy, and b) ca-yoot! Pair it with some Balenciaga-esque shades if you’re feeling extra generous, and you Silver Surfer will be ready to hit the slopes.

Or, maybe they’ve been looking a bit parched after their early-morning trail runs lately. In that case, this 32-ounce graphic water bottle will do the trick.

Birdwatching is great, but when your buddy is on the trail, they should keep an eye out (literally) for other wildlife and hazards. Enter: The pocket monocular.

It’s easier than ever to get Asian groceries online from BIPOC-owned sites such as Umamicart, where you can cop everything from cult-fave chili crisps to Kewpie mayonnaise, the Holy Grail of condiments for our poke bowls and sammies.

You don’t need to step outside to know the weather is anything but warm. Bless your prospective giftee with a toasty noggin this season, courtesy of Parks Project, an environmentally minded apparel brand, and its shroomy beanie. Cop it while it’s $25 off.

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who can swallow a whole stick of butter without blinking, and those who have not yet found The Way. Commemorate your dairy queen (or king) with this flaming homage to spreadable gold.

We’re such suckers for a good license plate personality, and these feel like something our Midwestern Aunt Mary would own, in the best way possible.  

Do your recipient’s eyes widen as they grip the forearm of their waiter or bartender, begging, imploring them to make the FILTHIEST martini humanly possible? Let ‘em make it as dirty as they could possibly wish by gifting them with this dirty martini mix—just add vodka or gin.

We all love the look of Polaroids, but the film’s expensive and kind of finicky. Better just celebrate them in keychain form; press the shutter on this one, and a tiny “photo” pops out. Glue a tiny pic of your boo on it for extra points.

Nahhh. But wouldn’t that be the best collab? Meat shredding claws are an absolute must-have for anyone that loves smokin’ or grillin’ meats. 

In case you are wondering, yes, cast iron skillets are worth the existential crisis—the brunt of which can be lessened, once you’re the proud parent of a Lodge skillet or Dutch oven, if you know how to keep it cleaned and seasoned. A chain mail scrubber is not only very Motörhead of you, but the most Medieval Times way to keep your cast iron clean. 

Rise, grind, and pay homage to Pam. That’s pretty much the key to success, and one we’re happy to share with your lucky giftee.

Imagine the subtle flex of bagging your organic, local honey and 36 mini Flaming Hot Cheeto bags into one Hello Kitty-adorned bag. Sure, schlepping your groceries two trains and 15-plus blocks isn’t fun, but Hello Kitty sure does brighten the proceedings.

Maybe we’re just from a certain era, but there’s something eternally charming about playing with a yo–yo. We may be weary, cynical 30-somethings, but even we can’t resist reaching for a yo-yo and trying (and failing) to pull off a few tricks from our playground days. This model—the iconic Yomega “The Brain”—is famous for its Centrifugal Clutch, which helps the yo-yo return to the hand with little or no effort.

Sometimes you don’t want popcorn or Raisinettes; you want string cheese, weed gummies, and a Taco Bell bean burrito. Stuff them all in this reusable silicone bag when next you hit the cinema.

While we may have many things in common with those across the pond, those who have visited the UK (and spent time in any corner shop or airport duty free) will know that our English cousins have a different slate of snack food flavors. Case in point, the (in this writer’s humble opinion) superior Prawn Cocktail flavor. A little sweet and a little savory, they’re perfect with several pints of lager whilst you binge all 715 minutes of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended, duh).

Reaching things on a high shelf? Grabbing the remote? Picking a luxury condom out of the nightstand drawer without stopping… what you’re doing? The Nifty Nabber does it all.

Why not give your sweetie something spicy? Lovehoney’s vibrating cock ring has a textured attachment for clitoral stimulation, and has earned over 400 (mostly glowing) reviews on the site. Hang it on the Christmas tree, and make them do a horny scavenger hunt.

Hopefully you already know why big cubes are the move for drinking on the rocks, but an ice cube with an outline of your giftee’s home state? C’mon. 

One of the easiest ways to impress guests, moms, and people who love food? Bring out a wooden salt cellar filled with these glorious flakes instead of some crappy shaker. Maldon salt is renowned for its trascendental taste, and one of the best must-have items on Amazon. As one reviewer writes, “I know more than average about salt. I read a book on it, and have tried some of the [finest] salts, [but] I tried this for the first time on my poached eggs. Suddenly, I understand why, long ago, salt was so valuable it was used as currency. Yes, it was a clean, clear taste [...] It is an almost surreal experience.”

Matches hoarded from the local dive bar: Not Yet tired. But, Japanese cypress incense matches that will make your make your bathroom feel like an expensive hotel lounge every time you burn one of these little guys to hide any undesirable smells: Very wired. Each match burns for about 10 minutes, and leaves behind a crisp, herbacious scent for roughly half an hour.

Now go put a pile of these under a tree (or in a weed leaf HUF sock nailed to a mantle). Happy gifting, folks. 

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.