gifts

95 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $50

Including a remote-control tarantula, Broadway tarot cards, and a very difficult puzzle.

Photo: Hugo Yu
Photo: Hugo Yu
Photo: Hugo Yu

Each year, in order to create the Strategist’s annual print “Gift Issue” (subscribe here!), we set out to find the newest, grooviest, most surprising and delightful things that you (very likely) won’t find on the zillions of other gift guides out there in the universe.

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Here’s how the process works: Each Strategist writer on staff submits and makes a case for the items that came out this year that they think would make for an excellent gift. Meanwhile, a smaller group of editors devote hours to just poking around and perusing our favorite shops (online and IRL), polling our coolest friends, going down numerous shopping rabbit holes that take us to Polish boutiques and Eastern Maine farmstands. And then we begin to argue. Is that button-down really that special? There’s something a little too 2023 about that cutting board. How do we really feel about tomatoes these days? We create “boards” so we can examine each item up close, then continue to whittle down till we have the perfect assemblage.

And there you have it! We’ve divided the 297 gifts that made the cut into three categories — under $50, $50 to $199, and $200 and up. Below, you’ll find our favorite inexpensive gifts. And if you haven’t found what you’re looking for, peruse the many other gift guides the staff of the Strategist has made for you here.

Tangerine Vinegar

Photo: Retailer

From Jeju Island, home to some of the world’s most prized citrus; ideal for salad dressing.

Zeitgeist-y Zine

Photo: Retailer

Tavi Gevinson’s viral is-it-or-isn’t-it– Taylor Swift Fan Fiction in print form.

Sonny Sac

Photo: Retailer

They’ll never be without their Sonny Angel with this key-chain carrying case. Angel not included.

Tuna Bottarga

Photo: Retailer

From a family of fishermen who’ve worked Sicilian waters for 200 years.

Better Old Bay

Photo: Retailer

With California dill pollen for a hint of pickle and Comapeño chile powder for a kick.

Glow-in-the-Dark Clixo

Photo: Retailer

Kids can snap together 24 magnetic pieces shaped like fins and tentacles to create sea creatures.

Drink Button

Photo: Retailer

An aluminum Café Forgot coaster designed by Marland Backus.

Lady Liberty Tee

Photo: Retailer

Featuring Ellie, arguably the most famous member of the WNBA team.

Do-It-All Spatula

Gestura’s tiny tool spreads, smooths, lifts, flips, and plates.

Dusen Dusen for Dogs

Photo: Retailer

The collaboration with Little Beast features parkas, carriers, and this turtleneck onesie.

Jamaica Kincaid x Kara Walker

Photo: Retailer

The novelist’s and artist’s kids’ book on plants is rich in historical context.

At-Home Sushi Train

Photo: Retailer

It comes with five “carriages” and ten sushi trays for transporting takeout.

British Cats

Photo: Retailer

A collection of painter John Craxton’s feline muses.

Extremely Lightweight Lipstick

Photo: Hugo Yu

A satin-but-not-shiny finish that can be tapped on and melted into the lips from a latter-day Clinique.

Ceramic Whistle

Photo: Retailer

Shaped like a blowfish and designed by a second-generation doll-maker.

Water-Bottle Bag

Photo: Retailer

Sustainably made from organza.

New Spam

Photo: Retailer

A spicy Korean-barbecue flavor, new this year, would pair well with rice and kimchee.

A Universal Liner

Photo: Retailer

A perfect add-on to the Ami Colé lip oil you gave them last year.

Two-in-One Toy

Photo: Retailer

A ride-on RV and play set with all the camping essentials.

Vegan Pâte de Fruit

Photo: Retailer

Made with apple pectin instead of gelatin, these gummies are infused with Assam black tea and spearmint.

Manicureproof Keys

Photo: Retailer

The raised keys on the Tippy Type keyboard cover allow those with long nails (up to medium Après Gel-X extensions) to type with ease.

Cream for the Club

Photo: Retailer

A first for DedCool; its bergamot-based fragrances are popular among the Brooklyn nightlife set.

Charli’s Tattoo

Photo: Retailer

Disclaimer: It may not last as long as Brat Summer.

Bardot-esque Band

Photo: Retailer

A classic style from Lele Sadoughi in seasonally appropriate green velvet.

Kid Keurig

Photo: Retailer

This wooden set comes complete with three coffee pods and a carton of oat milk.

Special Clams

Photo: Retailer

Artist Anandamayi Arnold takes nonliving clams and puts little non-pearl surprises in each one.

Elphaba Doll

Photo: Retailer

A similar version from Mattel sings “Defying Gravity,” but your 8-year-old doesn’t need to know.

Bar Pitti’s Napkins

Photo: Retailer

For the rigatoni Pitti heads out there.

Remote-Control Tarantula

$25
Photo: Retailer

Hex Bots’ robot crawls, rotates, and glows from within.

Modern Nancy Drew

Photo: Retailer

A middle-schooler teams up with her new neighbor to find a missing tenant from their building.

A Magazine for Cat People

Photo: Retailer

Featuring a portfolio of feral Japanese cats and a history of hair balls.

Sporty Produce Bag

Photo: Retailer

Made from old sports jerseys in Los Angeles.

Deadstock Tassel

Photo: Retailer

Sourced from 18th-century design house Henry Newbery & Co., supposedly made in 1958 for a movie set.

African Chile Oil

Photo: Retailer

An addictive spicy Ghanaian condiment in vegan form.

Broadway Tarot Cards

Photo: Retailer

Featuring illustrations by none other than Al Hirschfeld.

Hello Kitty Nail Light

Cure your gel manicure with her bow.

Resin Claw Clip

Photo: Hugo Yu

For strands of hair harder to tame than stiff squid-ink pasta.

Ailey Tote

Photo: Retailer

A Whitney Shop original designed for the “Edges of Ailey” exhibition.

Y2K Phone Palette

Photo: Retailer

This Makeup Revolution case has nine eye shadows, all with that nostalgic sweet scent.

Wildflower Tea

Photo: Retailer

With nettle leaf, monarda blossoms, and goldenrod flowers, all grown in Down East Maine.

Hand-Carved Candle

Photo: Retailer

Can also double as a tea-light holder.

Fresh Cali Olive Oil

Photo: Retailer

Sevillano olives are harvested and bottled immediately.

Swishy Pants

Photo: Retailer

Cool kids’ line Koko Momo makes a matching parent-size version of these.

Nepo Highlighter

This isn’t a normal highlighter: It’s a Kaia Gerber highlighter from her book club, Library Science.

Cozy Toesies

Photo: Retailer

Little feet stay warm with less risk of falling in these merino-wool slipper socks from Bombas.

1996 Humor

Photo: Retailer

Abstract Evil Barbie, Aardvark Ellipse, and 4,934 other band names from old “band naming” sites.

Saffron Honey

Photo: Retailer

Made with pure saffron threads by Moroccan American gourmet grocer Marché Berber.

A 1-Year-Old’s Helmet

Photo: Retailer

New this year from handsome-helmet-maker Thousand.

Paper Snack

Photo: Retailer

Cinqpoints is a French brand that makes (no-scissors-required) paper building sets.

At-Home Cookie Shots

Photo: Retailer

Dominique Ansel collaborated with Maison Demarle on these silicone molds.

Baby’s First A24

Photo: Retailer

The ultimate guide for cinephiles who want to inculcate their offspring with good movie taste.

Ice-Cream Spade

Photo: Retailer

Ergonomically designed so they can chisel gelato with ease.

Teensy ’Tini

Photo: Retailer

A wee charm from Susan Alexandra.

Tween Magazine

Photo: Retailer

A recent issue included mental-health advice, a vegan Caesar-salad recipe, and dad jokes.

Boiled-Egg Plate

Photo: Retailer

For serving breakfast or mounting on the wall as an objet.

Softer Lips

Photo: Retailer

Eadem’s nonsticky formula is slightly plumping and comes in rich neutral shades.

Curry Nut Butter

Ina’s Preferred Pasta

Photo: Retailer

Used in her famous tagliarelle with truffle butter.

Hairspray Lunch Bag

Photo: Retailer

This Baggu is part of a merch collection for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ exhibit “John Waters: Pope of Trash.”

King-Oyster Chips

Photo: Retailer

Not actually fried; made in Korea.

Metal Puzzle

Photo: Hugo Yu

There are only three pieces, but it’s extremely difficult.

Tradwife Jerky

Photo: Retailer

Made from cows that live on the actual Ballerina Farm.

Watering Can for Kids

Photo: Retailer

Quut’s bath toy doesn’t need to be hidden under the sink post-play.

Lucky Amulet

Photo: Retailer

Handmade in India from leftover Tigra Tigra fabric and adorned with metal discs, beads, and shells.

500+ Bug Stickers

$17
Photo: Retailer

As well as natural habitats to stick them to.

Queen of Country

Photo: Retailer

A Dolly Parton–signed mini-skillet ideal for a single serving of cornbread.

Delightfully Disgusting Dino Skull

Photo: Retailer

Pour water into the GrossMos eye socket, watch it foam, then dig out the gunk to reveal tiny dinosaur bones inside.

Performance Tie-Dye

Photo: Retailer

These Cordura-yarn socks will last through multiple marathon-training cycles.

Compostable Pickleball

Photo: Retailer

It’s made of wheat straw and rice husk and will decompose in 100 days.

Corner-Store Cookbook

Photo: Retailer

The debut cookbook of desserts from chef Paola Velez, inspired by her childhood in the Bronx.

Dim Sum Deep Dive

Photo: Retailer

Dumpling and pork-bun recipes and stories of Chinatown from Nom Wah owner Wilson Tang.

Long-Awaited Wine-Bar Book

Photo: Retailer

Williamsburg neo-bistro the Four Horsemen has a cookbook at last.

Cheese-Board How-To

Photo: Retailer

From France’s First Family of charcuterie.

Floral Flatware

Photo: Retailer

It’s shockingly dishwasher safe.

Superlative Lip Stain

Photo: Retailer

Kulfi’s formula offers hydration and impressive staying power.

Whole Poached Trout

Photo: Hugo Yu

One of the many Irish recipes London chef Max Rocha developed that’s featured in his new Café Cecilia cookbook.

ZYN Holster

Photo: Retailer

Available in nine shades of Italian leather.

BLK MKT Vintage Book

Photo: Retailer

The shop’s founders share their personal archive of Black ephemera, from Shirley Chisholm pins to HBCU yearbooks.

Lenticular Barbie Bag

Photo: Retailer

Celebrate Barbie’s 65th birthday with this tiny backpack-shaped pencil case.

Jules Feiffer for Fifth-Graders

Photo: Retailer

The 95-year-old cartoonist’s latest, a YA graphic novel about a brother and sister named Curly and Pearlie.

Artist Bumper Sticker

Photo: Retailer

Designed by Margot DeMarco, this is one of 40 stickers from the Working Loose gallery in Maine.

Long-Lost Kaleidoscope

Photo: Retailer

Commemorating Luna Luna, the world’s first art amusement park, returning this year.

Japanese Magic 8-Ball

Photo: Retailer

A redesign from artist Keiichi Tanaami.

Starface … for Lips

Photo: Retailer

A new lip balm from the brand that made pimples cute.

All-Purpose Balm

Photo: Retailer

Squeeze out every last bit of Monastery’s nourishing, hydrating salve with the included key.

A Self-Tanner’s Sleeping Bag

Photo: Retailer

An ingenious silky sack that’s meant to prevent self-tanner from staining the bedsheets.

Stuffed Macaron

Photo: Retailer

One of the latest (and hardest) Jellycats to track down.

Beyoncé’s Deep Conditioner

Photo: Retailer

From her new hair-care line, with notes of Australian sandalwood and Haitian vetiver.

Shrunken Magna-Tiles

Photo: Retailer

Postage-stamp-size versions in a handy travel tin.

Important Toilet Brush

Photo: Retailer

Designed by Philippe Starck for Heller back in the day, the Excaliber is available in four new colors for its 30th anniversary.

Glitter Freckles

Photo: Retailer/Getty Images

As seen on the nose of Taylor Swift.

Dark-Chocolate Orange Peels

Photo: Retailer

From old-world Swiss confectioner André’s, based in Kansas City.

’90s New York Dad Hat

Photo: Retailer

A tribute to the hottest Upper East Side club of 1994, Au Bar.

Local Lox

Photo: Retailer

Cold-smoked lox but make it Hudson Valley trout.

Totable Puffer Fish

Photo: Retailer

Realistic-looking fish bones are printed on the inside.

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.

95 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $50