52 Truly Surprising, Strange, and Immensely Pleasing Gifts Under $50
Including lilac bitters, Hermès nails, and assorted glo-fish.
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Typically, we share recommendations for the best products period — it doesn’t matter when they came out as long as they are exceptionally useful, beautiful, surprising, or otherwise worth recommending. Last year we surveyed celebrities on the best thing they bought themselves during the pandemic. This year we have gone in a different direction, focusing almost entirely on the world of the recently released. Here, you’ll find a wide assortment of new-ish things for every person on your list, from lip gloss for a friend who already owns a tiny Telfar bag to a board game for an Animal Crossing obsessive who might want to take a break from their Nintendo Switch. Plus, of course, dozens of other ideas, including a state-of-the-art soccer ball and vintage mooncake molds that are (probably) from the 1900s.
Typically, we share recommendations for the best products period — it doesn’t matter when they came out as long as they are exceptionally useful, beautiful, surprising, or otherwise worth recommending. Last year we surveyed celebrities on the best thing they bought themselves during the pandemic. This year we have gone in a different direction, focusing almost entirely on the world of the recently released. Here, you’ll find a wide assortment of new-ish things for every person on your list, from lip gloss for a friend who already owns a tiny Telfar bag to a board game for an Animal Crossing obsessive who might want to take a break from their Nintendo Switch. Plus, of course, dozens of other ideas, including a state-of-the-art soccer ball and vintage mooncake molds that are (probably) from the 1900s.
Don’t miss all of the Strategist’s holiday gift coverage right here.
Long-Haired Guinea Pig
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Guinea Pig
This cheerful long-haired guinea pig “popcorns” — that is, jumps up and down — when particularly pleased (from $25 in adoption fees).
Papaya Candle
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From Hi-BYE World, Mexico City’s Opening Ceremony.
Handblown-Glass Dildo
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The heart, apparently, makes it easier to grip.
Natty Meade
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Fermented this year from New York State wildflower honey.
Kid Color Theory
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By Pascale Estellon, known for her opaque watercolors.
Hermès Nails
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Plus, a (relatively) cheap way to get that orange box.
L.A. Cap
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Hebrew LA Navy
With Hebrew-ish lettering, from much-hyped label Praying.
Toddler Trousers
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Mmoody Pants 3T
All of Mmoody’s pants are made from recycled scrap fabric.
Bill Cunningham–Blue Napkins
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Hand-embroidered by Germany-based Malaika Linens.
Replacement Wheels
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For the crustacean-loving skater.
Frozen Soup Dumplings
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Dumplings (2 Packs)
Fly by Jing’s first foray into solid food.
This Season’s Soccer Ball
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Ronaldo has already scored three Champions League goals with this starry design.
Evolved Turkish Delight
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Apple-ginger candy with just the right amount of CBD.
DTC Glasses and Assorted Glo-Fish
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Known for its Always Pan, Our Place just launched drinking glasses that are pleasantly heavy and come in tons of colors.
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They’ll need a rather large aquarium.
Collector-Approved Kids’ Watch
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Me-Time Parchie
Hodinkee alum Cara Barrett’s new brand is designed to get little ones hooked early.
Good Tee
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Proceeds from this shirt, designed by the Cevallos Brothers, help maintain the Jackson Heights Community Fridge.
Plump Key Chain
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A retro-looking Jell-O mold for corralling keys.
Non-Offensive N95
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A CE-certified, Elizabethian-ruff-inspired mask from Tia Adeola.
Lilac Bitters
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A collaboration between East Fork and Heilbron Herbs, grown in western North Carolina.
‘Thrasher’ Reader’s Doorstop
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Easy-Grow Mushrooms
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With a spray bottle, rubber band, knife, and this kit, they’ll be harvesting their own blue oysters in just a week.
Four-Ingredient Lotion
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Just olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, and pomegranate oil.
Saffron Threads
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Harvested by female farmers in Afghanistan.
Reusable Eye Patches
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They can fill these up with their go-to serum, gel, or eye cream.
Breakout Breakout Bar
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Soft Services Buffing Bar
The flagship soap from two Glossier alums washes away dead skin and excess keratin (“Soap Home” sold separately).
Note: Through December 23, use code SAMEDAY to get free same-day courier service delivery on orders over $50 in New York, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles.
Very Specific Coffee-Table Book
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William Mullan photographed the innards of his favorite obscure apples.
Less-Obvious Hand Soap
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Vegan and foamy with a top note of frankincense.
Green Goblets
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Bodum has reissued its 1983 Oktett wineglasses.
Made-to-Order Chocolate
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70 percent dark, filled with coffee ganache, and individually hand-painted with cocoa butter.
‘Monopoly’ Mash-up
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Players snatch up Animal Crossing–inspired fish, fossils, and fruit.
Better-Optic Yellow Balls
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Audre Lorde Recitations
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The poet and activist’s first authorized collection of notecards.
Start-up Plunger
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The Plunger
Even the lowliest of bathroom tools has been unable to avoid disruption.
A24 Soap
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Looks like TV bars; a collaboration between the film studio and Wary Meyers.
Grandmillennial Ornament
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Modeled after a ca. 1740 British armchair in the Met’s collection.
Korean Tapas
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Anju Banju
Recipes from Jungwook Woo’s Seoul restaurant, where the team pairs natural wines with seoritae-mascarpone spreads and rospyeonchae.
Watermelon Candies
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Inspired by traditional Mexican fruterias (where fresh-cut fruit is topped with chile and lime).
Brooklyn Buckwheat
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Nagano Soba Cha
Calming, caramel-y Soba-cha imported from Japan to Greenpoint.
Century-Old Mooncakes
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Newly sourced 1900s-era moulds.
Referential Video Game
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Slash through the underworld with the help of Greek gods.
Mortadella Towel
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Mortadella Towels
Artist Marianna Fierro grew up in an Italian pizza shop and has been inspired by meat toppings ever since.
Mystery Puppy
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Shave the pink fur off “Scruff-A-Luvs” to reveal a Yorkie or Frenchie.
Holiday Report Cards
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Rate your neighbors’ Christmas displays, then slip this into their mailbox.
Chile Crisp Trio
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Yun Hai’s cult Taiwanese-made condiments in five spice, cilantro, and Mala chile.
Recycling Truck
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Little ones can unload building blocks from the dumping bin.
The “Telfar of Lip Gloss”
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So dubbed for its popularity among New York’s creatives of color.
Portuguese Poppy Seeds
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The petals are edible.
Clementine Candles
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They’re made of paraffin wax, hand-painted in Peckham, London — and come gift-wrapped.
Dairy-Free Chèvre
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Cheese Club
The Austin-based Rebel Cheese will send them a different vegan cheese every month.
The Late Anne Saxelby’s Favorite
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Soft double cream with an ash-ripened bloomy rind.
Bovine Socks
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From the Swedish label Socksss.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
