We’re doing a Secret Santa at work this year and the budget is $20. I’d love to get something that’s actually useful instead of another random mug or gift card that ends up forgotten in a drawer.

I’m looking for something small that makes everyday life a little easier or more enjoyable. It could be something for the kitchen, desk, car or just a random item you didn’t realize you needed until you got it.

What’s something you bought or received for under $20 that turned out to be surprisingly useful? Bonus points if it’s something most people wouldn’t think of.

My dad once mentioned that his phone kept sliding around the car whenever he took a turn. He usually just tossed it in the cup holder, so it wasn't a huge problem, but it annoyed him more than he let on.

I remembered it a few weeks later and got him a lisen metal car mount. Nothing fancy, and I wasn't really looking for a big-name brand. I just wanted something practical that would give his phone a proper spot in the car.

He didn't make a big deal out of it when he opened it, but later he told me he was actually using it every day. Honestly, that felt better than buying him something expensive that would end up sitting in a drawer.

What's a small thing someone mentioned once that turned out to be a surprisingly good gift?

I'm always terrible at buying gifts and never know what to buy. Money isn't a problem but coming up with something she'll actually enjoy is! She wants a zebra themed birthday this year so I thought I'd buy her a shirt with a zebra in the shape of a heart so I have that in my cart.

She likes barbies and she likes Legos. She has a bunch of barbies tho so idk about buying her more. I searched through a bunch of Lego sets but couldnt find one I thought she would really enjoy!

This is my sixth year doing an angel tree child it is something I truly love and enjoy. I always ask for the older kids because I’m younger and I can relate to that population and I feel like I know what to get them and usually I do really good. I don’t really go into this with a budget, I just like to get what they want, but this year……. I need so much help. I just got my angel tree kids description and she is an 12-year-old girl from Palestine. She came to my country six months ago for medical treatment because she is covered in burns and is blind in one eye due to what I am assuming was a drone strike. This was all in the description by the way. This obviously needs to be the best Christmas ever. Screw any idea of a general number I was thinking in my head to keep this budget around. She has asked for all things Barbies, craft kits, and a few gift cards. Theres no way I’m only getting her these things. Please give me any ideas!!

...THEN do you admit defeat and stop looking for ideas?

(I'm describing myself.)

His parents finally allowed for him to have a gaming console for Christmas last year (Nintendo switch) and he loves Minecraft and Fortnite. I know they have lego sets but he's not a no lego for gifts thing right now because he has so many legos it's insane. Not sure if theres anything else that could be fun for him as gifts? Also taking other suggestions that have nothing to do with Fortnite or Minecraft, what are boys into these days for gifts? Maybe a new Nintendo game, something crafty, idk. His mom suggested a few books but thats it (not because he's not allowed other gifts, but it's just always first on their list for him).

I was going to look into walkie talkies and other fun gifts like that, but he's an only child so im like hm that probably wouldn't be as much fun.

Hello, I am in need of ideas on what to get my fiance for our 4 year anniversary.

He doesn't always talk about what he wants to get and I am a SAHM for our one year old. I don't want to spend a lot of money because he stresses about money already.

I am already thinking about making him a card since we have different color construction paper but I want to add along to that to show him how much I appreciate what he does for our family.

Any suggestions are welcomed as long as they are budget friendly

Edit: forgot to add, we don't do babysitters because we don't really trust our families and/or strangers with our baby

Hello everyone, I got my dad this year for stocking. In my family we draw names and we each do a stocking, and my dad is the HARDEST person i swear.

The budget is 100$ but its ok if it goes a bit over I just dont know what to dooo.

I was thinking get a decent bottle of scotch and then there ya go thats it, but im not convinced thats the move yet.

So a bit about what he likes:

Football

Scotch (already has scotch rocks)

Pickleball

Nice Cars BMW specifically but like not a fanatic

Pugs

Movies

Jamaica vacations, but he has a yetti already

Dan Brown author.

I'm in Australia and my friend has a birthday coming up, so I want to get her a gift from AliExpress. I'm still a student so I'm working with a small budget, but I'd go for Brand+ items rather than random cheap stuff. I found some codes like AUCYD09 and AUCYD16 on other subs that stack, but they seem to be dead now. Anyone got any ideas?

trying to get a head start on gift ideas for my fiancé! i want to make this year have a more cozy vibe to it because he doesn't have anything he "needs". his favorite gift from last year was a soft sweatshirt/sweatpants combo and he loves getting cologne (which he's fully stocked on rn) he's very low maintenance and doesn't even wash his face (yet has perfect skin of course. men, lol) but does enjoy self care in other ways! just looking for any ideas or if anyone has holy grail gift ideas for men that aren't your typical tool sets and grill stuff bc he's not that kind of guy. he does work outside and his feet tend to get wet at his job and his hands get quite beaten up, so maybe something to help that would be good? or anything really! just curious what you guys have been liking to give the men in your lives or any men on here that have some holy grail items :) thanks!

Some friends of mine are having a birthday party for their son who died last year. What would you bring? I feel like food and flowers are the obvious answer, I’m hoping to get them something a little more thoughtful or unique. Any suggestions?

Hi Friends,

Can you please suggest some unique gifts for Diwali for doctor friends. Please share something unique and trendy. Open for all budget and ranges.

Hi all! I hope this is the right place. PI’m flying to stay with my boyfriends family in another country for the holidays, and I plan to get gifts for him and several of his family members as they have all been super kind and welcoming to me, many giving me gifts the last time I visited.

I live alone and have no family, so I’m not used to doing the whole Christmas shopping thing each year. I’m starting early because I don’t know how bad I’ll be at it.

My trouble is I’m only bringing 1 carry on bag, so I’m limited for space. I want to get something for my boyfriend, his mom, his grandma, two of his aunts, and an uncle. If I could fit more gifts in I’d get his cousin who lent me her clothes last time something too, but I’m already tight on space and didn’t want to start counting all the cousins.

I don’t know many of them very well, just from my previous visits, but I know his mom likes jewelry and perfume, but I gave her both last time. She’s someone I want to impress the most. His aunts will like anything I give them I think, his grandma is the hardest because I know close to nothing about her, she doesn’t speak any English so our conversations have been nice but limited. My boyfriend isn’t much help with suggestions for her either. She’s an old Catholic woman who loves her family and wants everyone to eat more, that’s all I have to go on.

I don’t want to get the same thing for everyone, but they all need to be relatively small and easy to pack for the flight, and allowed through TSA and customs. So no full sized soaps, lotions, etc. I know jewelry would be small and easy to bring but if I get them all jewelry it seems less thoughtful (and expensive). Do people like silk scarves?

I don’t have a specific budget, but I’m not trying to go too over-the-top here, just something considerate to show my appreciation for them. Maybe $20 per aunt/uncle and a little more from mom and grandma.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

My mom is very picky, she is a homebody who doesn't like to go out. Doesn't like knickknacks and doesn't like reading and she is visually impaired. Doesn't have hobbies and only watches tv all day. Doesn't like it when i give her blankets, pillow, snack and lotions. She is old school Latina women and she says to not get anything but there must be something. Help!

My older brother and sister are both millionaires and I’m still in college trying to make my budget stretch. I always struggle with Christmas gifts because they can pretty much buy themselves anything they want and I obviously can’t compete with that.

My brother is really into coffee and tech gadgets while my sister loves traveling and nice accessories. I was thinking of getting them something small but really good quality maybe even something personalized but I have no idea what’s actually worth buying for people who are used to nicer things.

I’d like to spend around $50 each but I could go up to $100 if I find something they’d genuinely love. I’m not looking for anything flashy or expensive-looking just for the sake of it. I’d rather get them something thoughtful that they’ll actually use.

And please don’t tell me to just make them a card. They genuinely enjoy getting gifts and I want them to feel appreciated without going broke in the process.

Any ideas for nice high-quality gifts that would fit my budget?

i want to get my friend a gift related to music

https://www.amazon.in/Gramophone-Box-Phonograph-Musical-Decorative/dp/B0GW6P3P13#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor

i came across this, i dont understand if it can play any song or no?

also can you suggest affordable gifts related to music

My kid starts with a new teacher next week and i was thinking of sending a small gift card with a handwritten note. Then i wondered if giving a gift before weve even met might come across less like appreciation and more likeim trying to make an impression.

I’d rather wait than put the teacher in an awkward position but i also know some families give first week gifts.

Would you send it now or wait until later in the year?

Hello everyone! I'm unsure if this is the best place to post this, if theres another place that may be better please let me know. I've grabbed a couple tags from Dunelm for their 'Delivering Joy' charity (if you don't know what it is its where members of the public grab a gift tag for someone in need and buy them the items they've listed as wanting for Christmas). One of the tags I have is for a lady aged 70 - 90 who wants a 'sturdy mug' to drink her morning teas in! I wanted to ask if anyone has any suggestions on what may be a good option for this. I thought one that has a wider base (less easy to knock over), microwave safe and a wider handle or potentially two handled mug may be good for this? But if anyone has any tips on ones I can look out for or any suggestions for specific mugs that are available to buy in the UK that would be brilliant! It's a shame that the tag didn't include more information about her taste (ie favourite colour) or whether she struggles with anything that may make drinking her morning tea difficult, which is why I have come to reddit to ask for some advice.

I'll of course be buying her some other little bits to go with it, such as some nice tea's and non-slip coasters! But if anyone has some ideas for little bits to go alongside the mug I would be so grateful <3

Thank-you for any suggestions!

Good day community.

With grandparents living in close vicinity getting an original gift tend to be a challenge, we are very thank full for them though.

Does any one of you have an idea for an original gift with a strong emphasis on outdoor use?

My son is turning 9 and daughter the next day, 7.

Yes we live on a small holding, no we do not have money for a quad bike. 😅

Thank you.

My cousin is being very smart and thoughtful this year for the 5 cousins and 3 of our partners to do a secret Santa instead of us all giving stuff to everyone. Cuzzy set it up through drawnames.com and all I can see is ways for me to pick exact items I want someone to get me. That’s nice for large groups that don’t know each other well but I feel I defeats this situations purpose.

Is there a way on this app to just put general interests or wants without specific products? Or a different app that can give everyone a random draw with the option to be unable to select your partner + let people post their interests?

I just personally don’t get the appeal of seeing exact products on your wish list and buying them. It’s not thoughtful and defeats the point of secret Santa gift giving. The 5 cousins are quite close and are able to bounce ideas off each other heads with just a bit of effort. Those of us in relationships can guide our partners. If I want a specific $100 product off Amazon I will just buy it.

You feel me or am I being a dick? If you feel me are there other options?

In other words, “it’s the thought that counts” or maybe it was really a thoughtless gift lol. It will just go unused/collect dust, donate, give away etc?

And what do you do with those gifts?

A personal gift idea is taking shape! ❤️

The 3D resin printing has started, and the next steps are cleanup, hand painting, and finishing.

I'll share the finished result once it's ready. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

COMING SOON 🎁