21 Cheapest, Nicest Gifts From the Most Expensive Brands
When I was 14, my dad gave me$25to go shopping and I blew almost all of it on a deep-purple Chanelnail polishat Macy’s. I wore the shade religiously and kept the small bag, thrilled to have a little something from the brand. It was the age ofGossip Girl,and I couldn’t afford the double-flap 2.55 bags Blair Waldorf carried (and still cannot), but the polish placed me in proximity to it, and that was enough. All these years later, I’ve become more practical in my curation, but I still love a little luxurious gift like body wash from Le Labo or a cardholder from Saint Laurent. These “entry-level” items also make great gifts, because they’re not exorbitantly expensive but still feel fancy.
Below, a roundup of 21 affordable gifts from very nice brands, separated by price to make navigating easier. For even more gift ideas, check out our roundup ofall of our holiday gift guides.
Under$50
For the overcaffeinated friend
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A medium-roast blend from Flamingo Estate, roasted fresh twice a week and sourced in Guatemala and Colombia.
For the friend with a new apartment
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Upgrade their shower routine with an organic-cotton washcloth from Melbourne-based Baina.
For the aunt who loves hosting
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Formulated specifically for Fairmont hotels, this Le Labobar soapis a woodsy, spicy take on a traditional rose scent.
For the boss that Euro-tripped last summer
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Hand soapthat smells of Tuscan summer and comes recommended by gallerist Hannah Traore. And for $3 extra, you get packaging, which adds to the giftable effect.
For the girlfriend that loves a two-tone lip
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Victoria Beckham’s eponymous clothing brand is pricey, but her beauty brand is a bit more affordable (and just as luxurious). Thislip pencilis an industry favorite and comes in a range of flesh-tone shades.
For the DIY manicurist
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A glossy red with a gel-like finish that comes in a fancy-looking box.
For the boyfriend with (empty) white walls
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Fine art is expensive — this puzzle from MoMA is not. Your giftee can frame it once put together, and it’ll make a worthwhile weekend activity.
Under$150
For the gym rat
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A sparkly insulatedwater bottlethat will stand out in a sea of Hydroflasks and Owalas.
For the scent-obsessive
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A body-oil version of the ubiquitous (and very expensive) Baccarat Rouge 540, which is less than half the price of a full-size perfume. And for an extra $30, it can be personalized with initials or a nice message.
For the girlfriend who uses you as a foot warmer
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Sandy Liang Subus for the giftee that’s always got cold feet. These come in three patterns — white strawberries, rosettes, and paw prints.
For the loafer enthusiast
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Jacquemus can be eye-wateringly expensive, but the socks tend to be pretty affordable and often on sale. These multicolored ones have a fun color story and would look nice paired withloafersand mules.
For the cheeky (and design-minded)
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A cheeky keyring that definitely looks like what it is but could also be interpreted as an abstract shape.
For the sample-sale shopper
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A sweet but earthycandlethat’s just as statusy as a puzzle bag.
Under$250
For the cousin that’s still talking about the Renaissance tour
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A high-shine cardholder that features a zip compartment for change and a front slot for cards.
For the sister who can’t leave the house without her earrings
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For the (quirky) sister who can’t leave the house without her earrings
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And if hoops aren’t exactly their thing, dice-shaped earrings from Marni.
For the bald dad
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A cozy cashmere hat from Gigi Hadid–helmed Guest in Residence.
For the aunt who’s been collecting ornaments for decades
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Tick off a box on the Santa Baby Christmas list with a bone-china ornament from Tiffany & Co.
For the roommate using their chair as a coatrack
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A nice-looking (and iconic)coatrackto help them declutter their space.
Over$250
For the bougie boyfriend
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For a brand that sells cashmere for tens of thousands of dollars, finding something from Elder Statesman under $500 feels like a steal. Thesesocksare 100 percent cashmere and come in three neutral shades.
For the fancy friend
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A nice pair ofglovesworks well for just about anyone on your list. This cashmere pair from The Row has ribbed-knit cuffs and comes in a white hue.
The Strategistis anew sitedesigned to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestnotebook,black T-shirts,fashion-editor-approved jeans,toothbrush,andapartment décor. Note that all prices are subject to change.
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