Gifts Under $20 That Are Meaningful and Affordable

(Image credit: Design by Morgan McMullen)

published 18 November 2021

While this year has certainly been a drag, the good news is that gift-giving is still very much alive and well—especially since we haven't been able to show our love and appreciation for each other in person. If you're looking for holiday gifts on a budget, allow us to present to you 20 gifts under $20, ahead, that are cute, affordable, and meaningful. (Yes, it's possible.) Thanks us later.

Garden24 "Breathe" 8" x 10" Print

Breathe. A simple mantra we can all use these days placed on a gorgeous 8" x 10" print from writer, artist, and musician Morgan Harper Nichols.

Papier 2022 Multi Photo Calendar

Better days are coming! Give them something to look forward to with Papier's customizable 2022 calendar featuring photos of your favorite memories together.

Social Goods "Vote" Gym Socks

With voting rights under attack across the country, now more than ever we need to continue to fight for free and fair elections. These "vote" gym socks benefit Fair Fight Action, a national voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams doing just that.

FEED FEED Heritage Coffee Bag

If they're a coffee lover, help fuel their days with this bag of La Colombe FEED Heritage Blend coffee beans. The purchase will provide five meals to kids in schools around the world.

Aya Paper Co. Gratitude Card Set

Sometimes the best gifts come in the form of a heartfelt note on a beautiful card from eco-friendly stationary brand, Aya Paper Co.

'Home Body' By Rupi Kaur

Tell them to dive into Rupi Kaur's Home Body—the poet, author, and illustrator's latest collection of poetry—as a reminder of just how beautiful and powerful they truly are.

Kacey Musgraves Rainbow Beanie

Alexa, play "Rainbow" by Kacey Musgraves. The singer's cute beanies come in three different colors and happen to be a great way to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community. That is, after donating to LGBTQ+ groups like GLAAD and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Journey of Something "You're Doing Great" Mini Mantras Puzzle

Not me romanticizing the early days of quarantine! This "you're doing great" puzzle is a much-needed reminder these days.

USPS Voices of the Harlem Renaissance Stamps

The USPS is still under attack. Purchase a package of stamps for your stationary-loving BFF, or your politically active friend who is sending out letters to residents reminding them about the November 2 elections across the country.

HidrateSpark Smart Water Bottle

Show them you care about their health with this HidrateSpark smart water bottle that tracks how much water they consume in a day, thanks to its bluetooth-equipped technology. If you think they'd prefer the latest water bottle, you can give them a gift card to put towards the newest one instead.

Madewell DIY Convertible Face Mask Lanyard Kit

Summer camp 🤝 pandemic. Now that masks are a part of our daily lives, they'll appreciate this DIY face mask lanyard kit that can also be used for sunglasses.

Voluspa Voluspa Limited Edition Japonica Mini Candle

Those who have the privilege of working from home will enjoy burning this limited-edition mini candle from Voluspa as a source of comfort during the fourth Zoom meeting of the day. It looks perfect on any coffee table and, you know, actually smells good.

NAACP Donation

Consider making a donation on their behalf to the NAACP to help fight against racial injustice. No amount is too small, and it may encourage them to make monthly donations of their own.

ARTOPSHK Custom Music Album Cover Plaque

If they can't stop posting about their Spotify Wrapped playlist, gift them a custom music album cover plaque of their top-played song as proof that they made it through 2021. Or, you know, you can just stick to a custom plaque of their favorite song of all time.

'How to Be an Antiracist' By Ibram X. Kendi

If you've read Ibram X. Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist, you'll probably want to share his brilliance with someone special in your life. For those who haven't read it yet, think about purchasing two copies—one for yourself and one for a family member or friend.

Books Are Magic Books Are Magic Tote

Independent bookstores are struggling right now. Purchasing a Books Are Magic tote for the book lover in your life is a great way to help keep bookstores alive without the pressure of picking out the perfect book for them.

Always Fits The New York Housewives Coloring Book

"I'll tell you how I'm doing. Not well, bitch!" Be the good friend you are and get The Real Housewives of New York-obsessed person in your life this 16-page, hand-illustrated coloring book. It'll help pass the time on the weekends for those of us who are still quarantining.

Garden24 Playing Cards By Morgan Harper Nichols

Poker game or therapy session? Speaking of passing the time, level up your playing card game with this pretty 52-card deck from Morgan Harper Nichols that includes words of affirmation.

Bala Resistance Bands

Considering she probably hasn't been to the gym since March, she'll appreciate this cute set of resistance bands for her Zoom workouts.

Crate and Barrel Stainless Steel Straws, Set of 4

The Earth needs our help right now. A great first step to living a more sustainable lifestyle is by using reusable straws, like these stainless steel ones. They're chic enough for that post-pandemic cocktail party they'll have too.

Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub

Inspire them to carve out time for self-care with Frank Body's coffee scrub. Blended with coffee, cold-pressed sweet almond oil, and vitamin E, the exfoliator will leave their skin glowing and help alleviate any lingering breakouts and scars.

Jungalow Kaya Solid Ceramic Cups By Justina Blakeney®

Gift this minimalist ceramic cup as a pencil holder, flower vase, or a makeup brush holder. It can serve as a much-needed home for their endless hair ties too.

Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.