The holidays can be fun and all, but theres nothing less fun than watching your savings dwindle and your blood pressure spike as you work your way through your holiday wish list. Thats why weve created this gift guide for the budget-conscious shopper.RelatedWe at The Verge have tested a lot of pricey gadgets over the years, many of which can be found lining the pages of our buying guides and Favorites series. That being said, we can also swear by a ton of inexpensive tech, some of which you can snag for less than $50. This includes everything from festive, color-changing string lights and security cameras to an orb-shaped smart speaker that can double as a Wi-Fi extender. Dont worry its not all tech, either. Weve also sprinkled in viral skincare products, lore-heavy cookbooks, and one of the best albums of 2024, so there should be something for everybody on your list.price range:Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading LightGlocusents Bookmark Style Reading Light is the perfect gift for those who burn the midnight oil reading. The clip-on USB light offers a lightweight design and multiple brightness levels, providing a soft, warm glow thats dim enough that it wont disturb anyone else trying to get some shut-eye nearby. Price: $15.99+AmazonGlocusentScrabble Vintage Bookshelf EditionWord nerds will love the commemorative edition of Scrabble. The stylish, fabric-wrapped board game is meant to sit alongside vintage copies of For Whom the Bell Tolls and 1984; however, instead of containing pages full of prose, it opens to reveal 100 letter tiles and various wooden components inspired by the original 1948 edition of Scrabble. Price: $42+WS Game CompanyL.L. BeanSoundcore Select 4 Go speakerAnkers Soundcore Select 4 Go is a small but mighty Bluetooth speaker with up to 20 hours of battery life, a waterproof IPX67 rating, and the ability to float in water. It also features a built-in strap and can produce stereo sound when paired with another Go, just in case you and your bestie want to punch up the sound while at the beach. Price: $29.99+AmazonSoundcoreeBayApple AirTagAirTags can function as a second set of eyes for iPhone owners, allowing you to keep tabs on everything from your car keys to your backpack. Thats because the ultra wideband location trackers tap into Apples extensive Find My network, which allows for impressively precise tracking and lets users share the tracker with up to five other people for even greater peace of mind. Price: $24+AmazonBest Buy TargetPanel Sound Pickleball PaddlesPickleball has exploded in popularity, and chances are your sports-minded giftee has been curious to try it out if they havent already. Panel Sounds comfortable fiberglass rackets arent exactly high-end, but they work great as a beginner-friendly set with USA Pickleball certification. That means theyre even considered appropriate for tournament play. Price: $25.99+AmazonKeychron C3 Pro mechanical keyboardTheres just something about mechanical keyboards like the wired C3 Pro that makes them irresistible, even if you dont spend a good chunk of your day chipping away on a computer. Keychrons entry-level tenkeyless option puts the average laptop board to shame with red backlighting, linear or tactile switches, and the ability to remap keys via the VIA app. Price: $39.99AmazonLiberty Classic Floral Origami Flower KitYou dont need to be the creative type to enjoy the traditional Japanese art of origami, which is known to reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Libertys Classic Floral Origami Flower Kit has everything you need to get folding, including 75 patterned sheets and instructions for creating a decorative kusudama ball and four other flower designs. Price: $16.96+AmazonPaper SourceAnker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)Ankers compact USB-C hub is a relatively inexpensive way to bolster the number of ports on your laptop. The 8-in-1 hub features a single USB-C port for 100W Power Delivery, one 10Gbps USB-C port, two 10Gbps USB-A ports, SD and microSD card slots, and an ethernet port. It also has an HDMI port capable of up to 4K 60Hz output, which is a bona fide rarity at this price. Price: $49.99 AmazonWalmartAnkerHit Me Hard and Soft (vinyl)With certified bangers like Birds of a Feather and Chihiro, its no wonder Billie Eilishs third LP quickly became one of this years bestselling albums upon its release. All 10 tracks are a treat for the ears, making it a great gift for any self-proclaimed Avocado or aging millennial who still doesnt get the 22-year-old hitmaker. Price: $32.99+AmazonTargetBillie EilishBlink Mini 2The Blink Mini 2 is an inexpensive way for your giftee to keep an eye on valuables back home while out of town. The tiny 1080p camera features motion detection, two-way audio, and IP65 weatherproofing, the latter of which lets them monitor their back patio when paired with Blinks optional outdoor adapter. Price: $23.99AmazonBest Buy TargetTsuki Midnight Edition Black Page Bullet JournalAlong with being festive, the holidays are oft-considered a reflective time of year, making a bullet journal the perfect gift. With 150 dot grid pages and a set of 10 gelly pens, the Tsuki Midnight Edition Black Page Bullet Journal provides a fun, creative way for your friend or loved one to mull over the previous year while setting goals for the next. Price: $48.98Notebook TherapyTwinkly Strings USB-C StarsIf you want to deck the halls with more than just boughs of holly, Twinklys star-shaped string lights are a great addition. They can transform any living space into a colorful winter wonderland teeming with possibility, thanks in part to their integration with various smart home platforms and the fact you can individually tune each LED via Twinklys AR mapping feature. Price: $49.99+AmazonBest Buy TwinklyEcho Dot (fifth-gen)Amazons latest Echo Dot offers a ton of value for less than 50 bucks. Its both a good speaker and an alarm clock with access to plenty of Alexa-enabled skills, allowing you to effortlessly set reminders, check the weather, and play your favorite tracks. Hell, it can even boost your Wi-Fi coverage if youre on an Eero mesh Wi-Fi network. Price: $22.99AmazonBest Buy TargetSungboon Editor Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask (four-pack)Sungboons collagen mask is the rare TikTok sensation that actually lives up to the hype. Like magic, the face mask works overnight to improve elasticity, temporarily erasing fine lines and wrinkles. It also soothes, hydrates, and rejuvenates your skin, leaving you with a glowing complexion that should last far longer than the viral videos from which it sprang up. Price: $19AmazonSong of SkinJLab Go Air Sport The right song can push you through even the toughest gym session, but not if youre constantly fumbling with your earbuds. Luckily, JLabs Go Air Sport offer great sound for the price and a secure fit thanks to a dedicated pair of ear hooks. They also carry an IP55 rating, ensuring it wont matter how much you sweat during your next HIIT workout. Price: $19.99+AmazonBest Buy JLabNomad ChargeKeyNomads keychain-friendly ChargeKey is perfect for frequent travelers who dont want to lug a bulky charger around. The short braided cable comes in either a USB-C or Lightning-only configuration, both of which can deliver up to 60 watts of power. The cable tips even feature integrated magnets, allowing them to secure together when not in use. Price: $25.00AmazonNomadWomen of Science Tarot deckEven if you dont believe in divination, you have to admit the Women of Science Tarot deck is pretty fun. The unique set bridges the gap between spirituality and science with illustrations depicting inspirational STEM leaders, from computer scientist Annie Easley to chemist Rosalind Franklin. Each major arcana card also includes info on a foundational scientific concept, making for an educational, inspiring deck. Price: $24.39+AmazonBarnes & NobleBookshop.orgAmazfit Band 7Honestly, if all you need is a basic fitness tracker, the flagship Apple Watch Series 10 is overkill. The platform-agnostic Amazfit Band 7 nails the basics for less than $50 while boasting a stunning OLED display, Amazon Alexa support, and other features typically reserved for more expensive wearables. The menstrual tracking and abnormal heart notifications are just a plus. Price: $44.99+AmazonBest Buy AmazfitTwelve South AirFly ProThe wired earbuds airlines provide for in-flight entertainment are rarely any good. Thankfully, Twelve Souths AirFly Pro let you use your own set of Bluetooth earbuds. The wireless adapter also features an aux input for older devices and syncs with two pairs of headphones simultaneously, so you can binge up to 25 hours of Love Is Blind alongside your travel companion.Price: $43.99AmazonBest Buy Puncheons & FlagonsIf youre wondering what to get the Dungeons & Dragons fan in your life, Puncheons & Flagons makes for a great game night companion. The clever book comes with 75 easy-to-follow recipes for delicious D&D-themed cocktails and mocktails from a Necromancer to a Baldurian Tonic along with directions for both sweet and savory snacks. Its a Sword Coast staple if there ever was one. Price: $22.90+AmazonTargetBarnes & NobleLaurensory External DVD DriveIf you thought the humble optical drive was dead, think again. Laurensorys External DVD Drive is a cheap and efficient way to watch, listen, rip, and burn movies and music that lives only in disc form. It connects via USB-A or USB-C, too, so your giftee should have no trouble uploading those cathartic, Sharpied mixtapes from the early aughts to their computer. Price: $15.63AmazonTapo Matter Compatible Smart Plug Mini (three-pack)Dont want to buy smart lights for the Christmas tree? You dont have to. TP Links stackable Tapo P125M smart plug lets you outfit traditional lights with a bit of smart functionality, granting you the ability to schedule or control them using an app or your voice. They also support Matter, meaning theyll work with a wide range of smart home platforms. Price: $21.99AmazonB&H PhotoThe Verge Wrapping PaperWe may be biased in this instance, but we consider wrapping paper to be as essential to gift-giving as the gift itself. Thats why we designed two sets of 8.75 19.75-inch wrapping paper for our gift guide shoot this year, both of which you can purchase in our store if you want to outfit your presents with a bit of colorful eye candy. Price: $15The Verge (Set 1)The Verge (Set 2)Te-Rich Weighted Jump RopeThe Te-Rich Weighted Jump Rope offers an easy way to get a full-body workout at home. Its weighted handles allow you to incorporate some minor strength training, while a built-in LCD display with a timer and jump counter help level up what is otherwise a basic piece of equipment. It even estimates calories burned, which isnt bad for less than $20. Price: $20.99AmazonMeross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door OpenerMeross garage door remote is easy to set up and allows you to control an existing garage door opener from wherever you may be using either your voice or the Meross app. The basic device is compatible with more than 1,600 different models, too, and this premium HomeKit-compatible version integrates nicely with iPhones for speedier operation. Price: $39.99AmazonOwala FreeSip Water Bottle (32-ounce)You cant go wrong with Owalas FreeSip Water Bottle, regardless of which size you choose. The triple-layered stainless steel vessel keeps drinks cool for up to 24 hours and comes with two spouts: one for sipping and one for a big swig. To top it off, each bottle features a collapsible handle, one that effortlessly flips open when its time to move. Price: $32.94+ AmazonWalmartTargetStardew ValleyIf you or someone you know hasnt played Stardew Valley yet, now is an excellent time to do so. The recent 1.6 patch makes the cozy farm simulator even more enjoyable by allowing you to play with seven other people on PC, raise new crops, and experience a wealth of late-game content that wasnt available until now. You can even drink mayonnaise, because why not?Price: $14.99+Best Buy TargetGameStopBialetti Moka ExpressItaly is the birthplace of espresso, so its no surprise that Bialettis attractive Moka Express pot brews up one-of-a-kind espresso-like coffee. The stove-top espresso maker has been used to serve delicious coffee for nearly a century at this point, yet it can still rival many modern machines, rendering it a great gift for both traditional types and the less tech-savvy. Price: $37.49+AmazonTargetSur La TableSwitchBot BotDo you ever wish you could turn on your coffee maker or hit the light switch without getting up? The SwitchBot Bot lets you do that. All you need to do is stick the inexpensive contraption on a standard button or rocker switch, which will allow you to control or schedule your pet feeder, garage door, and a wide range of other devices from your smartphone. Price: $26.10+AmazonSwitchBotBodyMark Temporary Tattoo MarkersIf you dont want to commit to a tattoo, BICs tattoo markers are the next best thing. You can use the eight markers to create all kinds of colorful designs on your skin, either by drawing freehand or using one of the provided stencils. Best of all, they only last a few days and can easily be washed off, so you can cycle through a new batch of temporary ink every week. Price: $26.14+AmazonTargetStaplesThe ChargerIf you or someone you know wants to cut back on cable clutter, The Charger is the perfect gift. The thick silicone puck features a built-in 4-foot USB-C cable that retracts with the touch of a button, so you dont have to deal with cables unless you want to. It also quickly delivers 35W of GaN charging, which is enough to juice most phones, a Nintendo Switch, tablets, and earbuds. Price: $44CounterpartEvolutionIf youre looking for a tech-free way to entertain friends or family while huddling for warmth indoors, board games like Evolution are perfect. The card-based strategy game rewinds time, pitting players against one another and forcing them to adapt to an ever-changing ecosystem in which hungry predators loom and resources are always at a premium. Price: $44.49+AmazonNorth Star GamesMueller Immersion Blender StickVersatility is the name of the game with Muellers handheld immersion blender. The ultracompact kitchen tool comes with a detachable whisk, frother, and blending shaft, which makes it easy to whisk eggs or make soup on cold, blustery days. The eight-speed blender is just as suitable for whipping up smoothies and baby food, too, making it the kind of gift thatll come in handy year-round. Price: $39.99AmazonMuellerCreditsPhoto/Art Direction and Photography: Amelia Holowaty KralesCreative Direction: Kristen RadtkeArt Direction and Design: Cath VirginiaProp Styling: Ashleigh Sarbone