The $50ish Gift Guide, 2024 Edition

Little luxuries for everyone on your list!

Nov 15, 2024

Shitters! I wrote a $50ish gift guide for the first time last year after figuring that it was the price point I was shopping at most frequently for my own friends and family. It seems like most of you agreed, because it very quickly became one of the most popular newsletters I’ve ever written!

Shit I Bought and Liked: The $50ish Gift Guide

Priyanka Aribindi

November 16, 2023

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For the record, everything in there is still pretty great, but this year we’re back with even better picks! (Also, if you’ve been here a while and like what we do, I’d so appreciate if you could hit the heart-shaped Like button at the end of this letter! It helps more people find us (and give you good gifts!) and allows this newsletter to grow!)

Ami Colé Midnight Kiss Duo (20% off with code SIBAL20): My favorite lip oils got a holiday-themed update! Both shades in this duo have a clear base that’s accented with gold and silver shimmer, but before you get nervous, know that the sparkle is super subtle and wearable (it’s also the exact same texture as their original lip oils, so if you have middle school PTSD from feeling big flecks of glitter on your lips, I promise this won’t be the same)! I tend to use it to top my regular lip liners, but you can wear it on its own too. Theirs are the rare lip products that give a tint and glossy finish while actually being hydrating. This would make a great stocking stuffer or gift for friends, but I also love the idea of gifting lip products to your midnight kiss!

Sweatshirt Socks: These are the coziest thing EVER. They’re made out of the same material as The Great’s snuggly sweatshirts, which I love too, but those aren’t even in spitting distance of the $50 range. I wear them around the house and to bed almost every night in the winter.

Suzanne Kaufmann Home Spa Set: The most luxurious bath products in a gorgeous little set! Pairing a bath soak with a body oil makes sense, but I love that they included a face mask for while you soak too. It’s an unexpected little extra that works perfectly! My favorite from the line is their Mountain Pine Bath, but that’s a smidge past 50ish for now (come back during Black Friday).

Personal Embosser: I’m bringing this back from a 2021 edition of SIBAL! This is a great gift for an avid reader with an impressive personal library (especially if they’re always lending books out to friends!).

Crown Affair Haircare Set: This is a WILDLY good deal! You get a full sized dry shampoo and a travel sized leave-in conditioner, plus one of their cute green silk hair ties for $3 more than the dry shampoo goes for on its own! I’d grab this for the girl who goes straight from the gym to the office or is always traveling.

Candles: You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to gifting! My favorite cozy candles in this price range are these from Keap, Salt and Stone, Jenni Kayne (these will definitely go on sale soon), and Brooklyn Candle Studio. Keap’s are especially nice for this time of year, and Salt and Stone’s are a fan favorite—there’s really no going wrong!

Cookbooks/Coffee Table Books: This to me falls in the same category as a nice candle, but for some reason people don’t think to gift them nearly as often. I shoot for a blend of utility and aesthetics—something that would be interesting for the recipient, while looking beautiful on a bookshelf or coffee table. This cozy cookbook from my favorite LA restaurant fits the bill, as does this new release from Flamingo Estate that I’m hoping ends up under the tree for me!

Onino! I am OBSESSED with this stuff. It’s a cross between chili crisp and salsa macha filled with crunchy marcona almonds. I put it on eggs, on top of fish, on greens and otherwise boring salads—it is DELICIOUS (and has a nice little kick!). The XL jar is great for gifting—if you’re in NYC, I grab mine at Big Night! (I’m also a big fan of their crunchy "glitter” seasoning blend!)

Mini Crossword Calendar: For your Crossword lover to keep on their desk for a little brain break! They’ll think of you every time!

Bookstore Gift Cards: This is so simple, but I had such a nice time browsing for a few new reads at McNally Jackson courtesy of my friend Grace recently! I’m sure the readers in your life would too. Pick places that are local to them—bonus points if they’re independently-owned and/or near a cute cafe or wine bar where they can dig into their next read!

Via Carota Bottled Cocktails: There are very few bottled cocktails I would actually drink, but I can attest that these ones are fantastic (and so beautifully packaged)! I’ll always have a soft spot for their white negroni—it’s the best in town. This is great way to send some love from NYC or to thank a host!

Flamingo Estate Soap: I treated myself to this massive peppermint soap brick months ago and it’s still going strong! It’s one of those everyday luxuries that you might not get for yourself, but would always be happy to receive!

Diptyque Scented Oval: Give this to the biggest shopaholic you know to keep their closet smelling like their favorite candle without any risk of it all going up in flames.

Homecourt Hand Cream: Homecourt makes elevated soaps and hand creams in incredible scents. My personal favorite is Cece—I love the smokey/spicy combination of cedarwood, cardamom, and cinnamon. If you’re willing to break the budget constraints, you could make it a set with the matching dish soap and hand soap too—I’d give that to anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen.

Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves: For under $50…? RUN. These are technically men’s, which really only matters for sizing purposes.

Kate McLeod Body Stones: These luxurious body bars come in a range of scents work in the place of your usual body lotion. My personal favorites are their Daily and Grounding Stones, but if your recipient likes a good bath every now and then, I also love their eucalyptus-scented “pebbles.” They make the bath smell incredible and leave your skin feeling so silky and hydrated!

Emi Jay clips: If you’re looking for someone to throw under the bus over the election results, add my superstitious ass to the list for accidentally wearing this burgundy clip all of Election Day… I didn’t mean to!!!! Still a great clip in any color.

Ghia Fizz: After a season full of indulgent eating and drinking, who needs another bottle of wine? This non-alcoholic spritzy drink makes for such a nice hostess gift instead (especially for the ones you know will be doing Dry Jan).

Walnut Salt Sphere: How gorgeous is this walnut salt cellar?! The sphere holds finishing salt (or any other seasoning you like!), and the fluted base can hold a different blend! You can split them up while you cook or serve, and stack them right back together again at the end.

Guise Green Stick (15% off with code PRIARIBI): There are a million and one makeup products marketed to women, but this color-correcting stick was made for the guys! It’s geared towards anyone dealing with facial redness, whether that be from acne, rosacea, or just because—the green works to counteract it and leaves your skin looking more even. Bonus points for being super discreet—it looks just like a pen and fits easily into pockets!

Chanel Hand Cream: The Chanel egg! This is the perfect little something for someone who has everything—they’ll never run out of bags to keep this in! Plus, who doesn’t love their signature camellia scent??

Materia Prima Tarot Cards: For your witchiest friend!

Saie Glowy Super Gel Minis: I LOVE a mini for gifting. You can pick one of these glowy, water-based gels and use it as a stocking stuffer, or all grab all three ($48 total) so your recipient can play around with the shades. I would just as quickly grab these for my teenage cousins as I would for my own girlfriends.

Silk Sleep Masks: I recommend these every year, because every year there’s a cute new design worth sharing! Grab one to gift and one for yourself.

Westman Atelier Petite Fête Set: Featuring a mini mascara, highlight, and a pearlized cool pink blush, this Westman set really is a petite party look in a single (beautiful!) box!

Connections Baseball Hat: For the parent/sibling/friend who hasn’t missed a day of Connections since they started playing!