we all have a loved one who never wants problems. “Don’t buy me anything,” they say. But you know them better than that. The trick is to get something that doesn’t cost much, just to show that you’re thinking about them. They don’t want to be showered with expensive things, but they do like to feel appreciated. The best way to choose a gift that shows your affection is to choose something that matches the interests of the person giving it. Here, we’ve tested and hand-picked 25 gift items, each under $25. This holiday season, you can make a statement without making a fuss.
Be sure to check out our many other gift guides, including gifts for coffee lovers and gifts for outdoorsmen.
Updated November 2024: We added a popcorn maker, a camping mug, a cute crossbody wallet, and some sparkly gel pens. We also updated prices and links and removed some items.
Power it up with unlimited WIRED access. Get the best reports that are too important to ignore just for $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive content only for subscribers. Subscribe today.
Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano also contributed to this guide.