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Our best friends and loved ones are always there for us in the best of times (like when you finally get that job promotion) and the worst of times (when your ex breaks your heart for the fifth time in a year). But when you live in different places, showing your BFFs how much you care can be difficult. This rundown of cheap gifts for friends is full of those mini gifts that can really mean a lot.
Whether it’s sending them a beautiful paper plant card, a bottle of wine, or a mini gift set from their fave beauty brand, you can rest easy knowing that the action alone will put a well-deserved smile on their face. I get that searching for the best gift for your best friend or loved one can be tough; there’s so much they deserve it’s nearly impossible to choose what to send. So, to make it a little easier on you and to expedite the process so that the goodies can be delivered ASAP, I rounded up some of the best under-$30 gift ideas for your friends and loved ones that will undoubtedly brighten their day.
Each one of these giftable treats is something you can send to your pals to show that you’re thinking about them and are truly in their corner. And, since you’re not breaking the bank with these purchases, you can put all the extra cash aside to buy a plane ticket out to see them in a few months. There’s no better surprise than a visit, after all.
Below, check out 36 under-$30 gift ideas to give your friends.
When you don’t know what to get your friends, a fun hair accessory like a claw clip or a cute hair tie is the way to go. This Ann Taylor Seashell Hair Tie is like jewelry for your ponytail, adding a touch of metallic sparkle to your ‘do and making greasy hair look chic—and it’s currently on sale for just $6. Grab this and the RPZL Women’s Glossy Arch Pony Bella Cuff for a $30 gift.
We all have that one friend with an impressive baseball hat collection. Add to their selection with this Dalix Salty Embroidered Everyday Hat. The dad hat features “salty” embroidered across the front and comes in 28 different colors, so you’ll have no problem finding a hue they’ll love.
Corkcicle makes high-end reusable glassware that is usually a bit of a splurge. However, you can get your coffee-loving friend a Corkcicle Cafe Cup in three different sizes for under $20. These high-fired ceramic cups can keep coffee piping hot while protecting your hands from the heat.
I’m obsessed with my Lola Blanket, but the luxe gift idea is a bit too bougie and out of budget for friend gifts. The next best thing? This Lola Blanket dupe from Walmart. The Better Homes & Gardens Brown Ruched Faux Fur Throw has a similar look and feel and only costs $24—a total steal if you ask me.
Craft kits make great friend gifts and are one of my favorite ways to treat my friends to some downtime. The Garvee Punch Needle Embroidery Starter Kit is a fun, beginner-friendly gift idea that your craftiest and not-so-crafty friends will enjoy. It comes with everything you need, including step-by-step instructions that teach you how to punch needle.
A candle gift is an easy and thoughtful gift idea that doesn’t have to cost a lot. If you’re shopping for the holidays, Bath & Body Works is the place to get the best holiday candles, including the Fresh Balsam Single Wick Candle for under $20.
Whether you’re looking to make a little gift basket with budget-friendly gifts or want to treat your skincare-obsessed friends to a restock of their favorite products, a face mask is always a good gift idea. The Loops Dream Sleep Slugging Mask costs $7 and can be gifted on its own or added to another item (such as a mug, pair of slippers, claw clip, or the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask Set ).
For the friend who loves BAGGU and minis, consider the new BAGGU Crescent Bag Charm. I collect BAGGU myself and am obsessed with this adorable miniature crescent bag. Just like the OG style, it’s super versatile and can be used as a bag charm, keychain, coin purse, dog poop bag—you name it. I already bought it in two colors and use one for my on-the-go embroidery supplies and the other for my lip balms so they don’t get lost in the black hole that is my purse.
In addition to this mini bag charm, also consider gifting this BAGGU Crescent Bag dupe from Amazon, which is currently on sale for nearly half the price of the original!
Wine gifts are always a good idea for friends. For a budget-friendly wine gift that feels just as luxe as that $75 bottle of champagne, consider a bottle of White Wine from Cameron Diaz’s wine company Avaline. If you want to splurge a bit, you could even dress it up in the Puffin Resort Robe Insulated Wine Cooler for a fun gift wrap idea.
If your “friend” also happens to be your dog (same) or your actual friend just got a new pup, the WOOF Pupsicle makes for a fantastic cheap gift or stocking stuffer (or even a new parent gift!). This feeder toy is designed to keep dogs busy and engaged, plus it’s mess-free and easy to clean which is always a plus with these kinds of dog toys.
The RPZL Women’s Glossy Arch Pony Bella Cuff is one of my favorite hair accessories ever. I wear my hair up a lot in top knots and high ponytails and love how this elevates those ‘dos without much effort. The cuff is available on Amazon in gold and silver and one of the best hair gifts to give this holiday season.
I’ve covered skincare topics for over a decade and, in that time, have tested hundreds of formulas. None have remained as tried and true as my trust Mario Badescu Face Mist. It’s one of the best hydrating face sprays ever, and it’s budget-friendly, considering the quality (and brand name).
For the friend who loves to jet set, a travel-sized white noise machine is a must. I already purchased two Babelio Mini White Noise Machines for my loved ones (including my husband—which I absolutely intend to steal), and I think it makes for a fantastic friend gift or stocking stuffer.
When you’re not sure what to get your friends for Christmas, a stunning holiday card is the answer. Fresh Cut Paper have become my go-to for all of the fun, pop-up plant-shaped and paper bouquet cards. I’m personally a fan of the classic Monstera Plant, which can be left up year-round. But if you want something a bit more festive, the Christmas Tree, Hanukkah Wishes bouquet, and Winter Joy Wreath are so fun.
We all have that friend who loves a multipurpose skincare formula, and hey, I don’t blame them. The Solution from Magic Molecule is a multipurpose skin spray that targets a whopping 50 skin ailments, including acne breakouts, cuts and scrapes, and sunburns. It’s also antibacterial and safe for infants one month and older (and a fantastic diaper rash solution). The full-size bottle will set you back $42, but you can get the travel-size spray bottle for just $16.
For the friend who is obsessed with their dog, consider gifting these adorable collar charms from Wild One. The Flair Pack comes in four different designs and features five different motifs that look adorable strung along a Wild One collar.
For a unique gift idea that also doesn’t cost a fortune, go with these Jax Kelly Positivity Shower Affirmations. The deck comes with 24 cards designed to inspire positive thoughts through a daily affirmation practice—and they’re completely waterproof, so you can stick them in your shower as a morning reminder.
If you have a friend who is always collecting and collaging, The Art of Memory Collecting: 15 Scrapbook, Collage, Trinket and Zine Projects For Crafting Treasured Moments book is a fun gift to give. This DIY book features 15 projects designed to spark creative joy.
Tarot decks are another fun gift to give friends—and I can’t get over how adorable The Pasta Tarot Deck is. In addition to this deck, I’m also eyeing the Dog Tarot Cards by Megan Lynn Kott , A Jane Austen Tarot Deck by Jacqui Oakley , and Friends: The One with All the Oracles: A Deck and Guidebook by Kara Nesvig , which are all available on Amazon for last-minute gifting.
Another tea gift to consider? The Tea Forte KATI Steeping Cup & Infuser. This is the best gift for tea drinkers who swear by loose leaf tea (guilty!) and need a way to steep and sip on the go.
Hair accessories make some of the best friend gifts, especially when they’re personalized. The Remake Bag Personalized Name Hair Claw Clip features a classic claw clip design with your friend’s name rhinestoned on the side. It was originally $16 but is on sale for under $10 right now.
For the friend who already has all of the mini totes and is a big Dodgers fan, consider this cute Dodgers Mini Tote. This tote is inspired by the Trader Joe’s mini totes, but in Dodger blue with “Los Angeles Dodgers” embroidered front and center.
If you have a friend who loves embroidery, cross stitch, or needlepoint and aren’t sure what to get them, a needle minder such as the Where TF Is My Needle Needle Minder from What’s the Stitch is an easy and budget-friendly gift to give.
These Star Hair Clips
are super trendy this year, especially amongst Gen Z friends. If you’re looking for ways to give your friend group a thoughtful gift, consider splitting this set up for a few friends and adding a lip mask from the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask Set
.
With Wicked: For Good out in theaters this fall, there is no shortage of fun collaborations out there. If your Wicked-obsessed friend also loves a fun pair of socks, treat them to the Bombas Wicked Ruffle Quarter Socks, which feature an emerald green hue and plenty of shimmer.
BaubleBar is known for its trendy beaded jewelry and bag charms—and now your friends can make their own with The Mini Custom Bead Kit. This under $30 gift idea comes with everything needed to create a cute beaded bag charm that is completely unique, just like your friends.
The Disney adult in your life is likely well aware of Disney’s Create Your Own Disney Headband. This fun spin on classic Mickey Ears allows fans to design their own headband with their favorite plush characters. If your friend already has the headband and a few characters, consider adding to their collection with a couple more!
The Woobles crochet kits are also fun gift ideas for the crafty and non-crafty friends in your circle—and the Noel the Snow Wooble Crochet Kit is a festive option for the holiday season. This kit comes with everything needed to learn how to make one amigurumi project that can be turned into an ornament, bag charm, or just a cute desktop friend.
Rifle Paper Co. has some of the best gifts for friends. And, while they might be known for more mid-range prices, you can still find some of the best gifts for friends for under $30. I love the Rifle Paper Co. Folio Paper Wrapped Picture Frame because it’s two picture frames in one for $20 and features a unique design that is easy to travel with, making it a good going-away gift for friends.
If you’re shopping for housewarming gift ideas for friends, you can’t go wrong with the Cedar and Myrrh Organic White Sage Smudge Stick . Also great for breakup gifts, this bundle of dried sage is sustainably harvested and designed for cleansing your space and amplifying meditations. And, if you have a little left in your budget, you can gift it with this chic Me Make Pretty Jupiter Lighter Case from Urban Outfitters.
The skincare friend who has it all is tough to shop for, especially if you don’t know their skin type—that’s where Seald™ Forehead Tape comes in. If you have a friend who loves trying new trends, a pack of face tape is a fun and easy gift to give. This tape comes with 30 single-use forehead patches and is specially designed to stick to skin over serums and moisturizers.
The DavidsTea Candy Cane Matcha blend is the best gift idea for the friend who always has the best matcha latte recommendations. Give this delicious holiday-inspired tea on its own or with a matcha whisk, or even the DavidsTea Clover Green Matcha Maker.
Custom gifts don’t have to be extremely expensive—especially when you shop cute handmade items on Etsy. Right now, you can snag this adorable Custom PUFF Print Trucker Hat on sale for just $13. The hat is available in over 40 colors and 17 different font styles.
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