While we love a luxury unboxing moment, sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones that don’t break the bank. When it’s truly the thought that counts, why not show love with a sweet lil’ bauble, a wellness must-have, or even a rad red lip? So in an effort to bring forth the most stylish stocking stuffers and lowkey giftables, we rounded up some über-chic women to guide us in the direction of the best gifts under $50. Prepare to have your mind blown.
Andrea Lavinthal, Style and Beauty Director at PEOPLE
“I was working on a segment on mommy and me fashion when I came across these sandals, which come in adult and kid’s sizes. I ordered them in white and gold for me and my daughter. They’re comfortable, waterproof and come in a ton of colors and patterns. Oh, and they happen to smell like milk and honey which is a weird, but a nice bonus.”
Julianna Guill, Actress, Director and Producer
“The bath soaks from Amber’s Soap Bar are a FANTASTIC, really luxurious gift at a price point that makes you relaxed before you even start soaking in the delightful aromas. This black-owned beauty company is my 2020 gift-giving go-to.”
Rachel Blumenthal, CEO + Founder, Rockets of Awesome
“Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso is hands down the best lip stain on the market. It’s hard to find because sadly Stila isn’t as popular as it used to be, which let me tell you is extremely underrated. The color says “hello, I’m fabulous” and “take me seriously” and it stays on ALL DAY which is crucial when you’re busy.”
Abby K. Cannon, Founder of Abby’s Food Court
“This is one of my favorite cookbooks. The recipes are delicious, easy to follow, and celebrate whole food, plant based cooking. Chaplin also provides a blueprint for crafting nourishing meals at home for you and your whole family.”
Joyann King, Editorial Business Development, ELLE Decor and Town & Country
“I’m obsessed with the Young, Wild & Friedman sensory kits right now. The founder started making them when her daughter was diagnosed with a speech disorder and anxiety and was researching how much sensory play can impact children’s development. My daughter was gifted one earlier this year and still can’t put it down.”
Erin Kleinberg, Co-Founder of Metier Creative
“I love Cloud Nine because it’s super cozy, but also very soft and gentle on my hair. I have a lot of baby hairs from having babies so I need to be extra careful with those bad boys! This headband gives that extra oomph of luxe on a regular day, and with the year we’ve had, I’m allllll about that right now!”
Rachel Nicks, Actor, Trainer and Doula
“Elvie makes your life of catching milk so simple and stress free. I’ve been able to pump numerous bottles and freeze milk in the last five weeks without even using my electric pump. For moms of multiples this is also great because you can pump on the go. I am able to breastfeed and pump and play with my toddler and pump and cook and do laundry etc.”
Maria Dueñas Jacobs, Founder of Super Smalls
“I love gifting these Super Smalls shoe clips to my friends and hearing how much they enjoy them! Turns out you dont have to be a kid to wear them (just a kid at heart!) and looking down at your own upgraded sparkly sneakers and boots makes walking more fun!”
Brandi Sellerz Jackson, Doula
“The book, The First 40 Days by Heng Ou is amazing. Postpartum is tough. Your body goes through so very much during pregnancy, only for it the to experience so much more post baby. Because birth is just an everyday part of life, we often times neglect the healing that needs to take place. Because of this, I recommend this amazing book, as it takes a practical deep dive into the importance of taking space and taking the necessary time to heal and celebrate what our bodies have done!”
Carly Cardellino, Digital Creator
“I always feel like you can’t go wrong with a chic candle as a gift—one that’s style agnostic and can fit with anyone’s decor, but also smells amazing, like you light it and it fills the entire room with a magical, cozy scent. For me, that’s No. 04 Bois de Balincourt from Maison Louie Marie. At first sniff, it reminds you of Le Labo’s signature Santal 33—or sitting by a fire, wrapped in a cashmere blanket with some wine in hand (dreamy), but for a fraction of the price. Its base notes are a few of my favorites: sandalwood, vetiver, and amberwood, but it also loops in cedarwood, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The second best part about giving an expensive-looking/smelling candle as a gift (the first being that you probably gave them their favorite present) is that you can re-gift it IF you need. I have a stash of candles that I plan to burn, but in the event that you need a gift, an already-packaged candle is perfect and always a crowd-pleaser.”
Michaela Podolsky, Influencer
“This was gifted to me by my sister when I found out I was pregnant. We always have to be mindful of the amount of water we’re drinking but especially when expecting, this water bottle is a great way to hold yourself accountable.”