October doesn’t just mean crunchy leaves and Halloween candy, it’s also the start of gift-giving season. Scared? Don’t be—we’ve scouted a selection of the best gifts under $50, so your spooky season is full of the good kind of scary (haunted houses) and not the bad kind (what are you going to buy for that cousin you only see twice a year?)
You may have noticed we really like food around here. Well, we’re pretty sure we’re not the only ones. A lot of the gifts on this list are edible, like fiery chili crisps, chocolates infused with essential oils, and a fancy pasta meal kit. There are also some gifts that are food-inspired, like fruit-infused skincare, and a 1000-piece breakfast-themed puzzle.
Whether you’re buying for the consummate host, the stylish globetrotter, or the hard-to-impress foodie, we believe there is a perfect gift for everyone. We also believe that the phrase “gifts under $50” doesn’t have to mean impersonal gift cards, or yet another boring candle (although we do feature a cute one on this list).
We suggest you pop on your favorite flannel, grab a hot bev, and make yourself cozy, because we are going to make this incredibly easy for you—so you can get your holiday shopping done early and return to your regularly scheduled leaf-peeping.
A few favorites…
The next best thing to the smell of freshly baked pastries? This cute cake stand candle from Anthropologie, which brings a touch of retro whimsy to your baking bestie’s home. There are a variety of colors and scents to choose from, but we think this Winter Woods and Vanilla scent is particularly delicious for the holiday season.
Not to be nerdy, but we kind of have a thing for food-themed puzzles. Le Puzz’s super-colorful, 1000-piece puzzle is a great way to unplug for a bit, and is currently our favorite way to get breakfast on the table.
Chances are you have someone in your life who enjoys iced beverages all year round (raises hand). We love these striped glass straws as an alternative to paper straws, which can get straight-up gummy. They come in four different colors, so nobody will be grabbing anybody else’s iced maple latte by mistake.
Tell your mom her ancient bundt pan can finally rest. This beautiful braided pan from Nordic Ware will breathe new life into bakes, whether it’s an autumnal Apple Butter Spice Cake or a Christmas gingerbread.
How do you repay that friend who always greets you with an incredible snack spread? Buy them this chic ceramic brie baker. Think of all the herb-baked brie, lemony crab dips, and confit garlic you’ll have to look forward to on your next visit.
As food people, we’re huge fans of chocolate gifts, and this handsomely packaged gift set of botanically infused, date-sweetened dark chocolate bars from Spring & Mulberry is on our wishlist. This would be equally great as a treat for your favorite chocolate-lover, or a hit at a White Elephant party.
For the friend who is always complaining about their boring packed lunches or same-old takeout dinners, we have the cure: this trio of sauces from Fly By Jing. They’re tangy, spicy, and sweet, so no more excuses, Boring Lunch Friend. Our food director, Chris Morocco, loves their Zhong Sauce on everything from dumplings to scrambled eggs.
OXO’s Rapid Brewer will help the caffeine fiend on your list make a perfect cup of hot or iced coffee literally anywhere. It’s super low-profile, so it travels well and stashes easily. We’re big fans of the stainless steel filter basket, which makes annoying paper filters a thing of the past.
Travel mugs are great, but we have a soft spot for one that actually looks like a mug. We love this redesign of MiiR’s classic Camp Cup. It comes in a variety of colorways (the desert tan speckle is the winner for us), and the extra-wide base means your gift-getter doesn’t have to worry about the dreaded desktop-spill.
Printfresh x Sean Taylor’s toile “Girls’ Trip” pattern is full of cute-easter eggs–including croissants, piña coladas, and actual eggs. We love it on this quilted pouch, which is roomy enough to pack enough healthy snacks for the whole squad on your next trip.
Skincare can be intimidating. You know what isn’t intimidating? Fruit. This six piece sampler of fruit-infused skincare is fun and friendly with ingredients like watermelon essence and avocado oil, so it’s a great starter kit for that sibling who, at 35, is finally thinking they should maybe moisturize.
As you may have already heard, we believe every kitchen needs a Zojirushi rice cooker. This small, single-switch model is a thoughtful gift to the determined home-cook who is short on time and counter space.
For that friend that always tells you “the camera eats first,” these marble trays provide an elegant backdrop for food photography. Plus they make a swanky addition to a guest bedroom, which means your ears will be ringing as your friend collects compliment after compliment from their visitors.
San Francisco restaurant, Flour + Water, is serious about pasta (they literally wrote a book about it)–but if a trip to SF isn’t in the cards for you, this collab with Jacobsen Salt Co. is the next best thing. Armed with a recipe by co-chef Ryan Pollnow and Jacobsen’s genius Disco di Sale, this is the perfect gift for the timid chef who seeks an impressive, at-home dinner for two.
