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We Answered Your Under-$50-Gifting Questions

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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

In our semi-regular advice column “Ask the Strategist,” we answer your most burning shopping questions by surveying friends, calling up experts, and drawing on our personal experience. In our Friday, November 15, edition, writer Dominique Pariso answered your gifting questions live in the comments. It was our most popular “Ask the Strategist” yet — so many questions were submitted that we drafted in writer Tembe Denton-Hurst to help Dom keep up with the demand. Here are some of our favorite answers. To read all the queries, scroll to the comments here. And to be kept in the loop about our next Q&A, sign up for the Strategist newsletter here.

What do I buy my nine tween nieces?

bethkalikowm3henvi5
November 14, 2024 at 2:30 PM
I have nine nieces and nephews! So I need to keep the price of their Christmas gifts relatively affordable and evenly matched, but want to find something they actually will like and use. One of my tween nieces loves slightly oversized sweatshirts — do you have any cute suggestions under $50? Also looking for something for my video game-loving 13-year-old nephew!
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Our answer:

Owala Freesip Water Bottle - 32 Oz.
Owala Freesip Water Bottle - 32 Oz.
$33
$35 now 6% off
$33
$33 at Amazon
Buy
From $33 at Dick's Sporting Goods
Buy
dominique.pariso
November 15, 2024 at 4:12 PM
Owalas for all!

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What do I buy my impossibly practical husband?

brook.gesser
November 13, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Gift suggestions for my husband? He's impossible to buy gifts for because he actually hates nice things and only likes super practical things. His favorite thing I ever bought him was three cases of diet coke. Last year our daughter bought him a big bag full of scissors, and he loved that. He likes AI, ping pong, politics (although not at the moment), and indie sci-fi movies.
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Our answer:

Toyo Steel Storage Container Toolbox
Toyo Steel Storage Container Toolbox
$36
$36
$36 at Front General Store
Buy
dominique.pariso
November 15, 2024 at 5:19 PM
How about a handsome tool box to put all of those scissors in?

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What do I buy ten queer caregivers in their 30s?

gretel
November 15, 2024 at 2:17 PM
any ideas for gifts for members of a ~10 person team of caregivers? everyone is in their 30s, queer, community-oriented, a lot of food allergies. budget is as low as possible, but no one will be expecting anything $$.
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Our answer:

Craighill Wilson Keyring
Craighill Wilson Keyring
$15
$15 at Craighill
Buy
tembe.denton
November 15, 2024 at 4:07 PM
I'm into this nice-looking key ring that feels carabiner-adjacent
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Where do I buy the perfect under-$50 hooded robe?

sjcagnom3gfdfm8
November 13, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Best plush robe for my boyfriend - hooded, plush and soft, full-length, not break-the-bank pricey. For lounging in a very cold winter basement.
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Our answer:

Extra-Large Plush Faux-Fur Calm Beige Bathrobe
Extra-Large Plush Faux-Fur Calm Beige Bathrobe
$80
$80
$80 at Crate and Barrel
Buy
tembe.denton
November 15, 2024 at 5:04 PM
For some reason, hoods cost extra. The cheapest and nicest thing I found was this one from Crate & Barrel, which is a little over $50, but still under $100.
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What do I get my rich sister-in-law?

jillythediva123m3j0cxdn
November 15, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Hi! For the (rich) sister in law that has everything... what to get her? The thing she's loved the most that I've gifted is an Owala bottle fyi - doesn't need to be fancy, just great? Thanks!
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Our answer:

Kate McLeod Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer
Kate McLeod Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer
$45
$45
$45 at Sephora
Buy
$45 at Kate McLeod
Buy
dominique.pariso
November 15, 2024 at 5:46 PM
The Kate McLeod Body Stone starter kit is just the right balance of fancy and down to earth.

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What do I get everyone in my family?

thehurrythrough
November 14, 2024 at 2:14 PM
I'd love to gift my family different versions of the same thing. One Christmas, I gave everyone gloves, for example. I'm looking for a fun idea of something that everyone could open at once. It could be the same item or items across a similar theme (I was considering card games for everyone).
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Our answer:

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, Open Top
L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, Open Top
$35
$35 at L.L. Bean
Buy
tembe.denton
November 15, 2024 at 4:53 PM
I once gave a group of friends monogrammed boat and totes and it was a hit—bonus points if you monogram it with something personal and/or funny
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tembe.denton
November 15, 2024 at 5:13 PM
Sorry that was the wrong link! (though I'm sure they'd like some pasta dust too)
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What do I get my mom’s friends?

cindyetta
November 14, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Every year at xmas, my mom invites her closest friends to dinner - so two boomer women and one boomer man. There is unfortunately an expectation of gift giving even though I don't know them. Would love cheap ideas for things retired 70-80something people might like. The man used to be an engineer, one woman loves owls, and the other woman send cards to everyone she knows at every holiday (last year I gave her a selection of pens from jet pens - but I can't rest on those laurels, need a gift this year too).
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Our answer:

Laurie Ellen Chocolate Orange Shortbread
Laurie Ellen Chocolate Orange Shortbread
$24
$24
$24 at Laurie Ellen
Buy
dominique.pariso
November 15, 2024 at 4:33 PM
I would keep it simple and go the edible route:

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What do I get my 17-year-old brother who’s into working out and industrial hip-hop?

aj98
November 15, 2024 at 4:27 PM
what to get my 17-year old brother who is into working out, video games, computer science, industrial/experimental hip hop, and is super frugal and never buys anything for himself?
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Our answer:

MF DOOM Throw Shirt
MF DOOM Throw Shirt
$52
$52
$52 at Gas Drawls
Buy
tembe.denton
November 15, 2024 at 4:43 PM
It could be nice to do a few things! Some suggestions:

A biography of J Dilla, arguably one of the most important producers of our time

or some MF Doom merch, an experimental hip hop icon

And to support his workout hobby, a blender bottle for preworkout and supplements
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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We Answered Your Under-$50-Gifting Questions