30 great gifts under $5 that won't end up in the trash
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When it comes to giving gifts, it's really the thought that counts and not how much you spend. And you can get a completely thoughtful gift for less than $5. Depending on who you're shopping for, these would make nice add-ons, stocking stuffers, or a white elephant gift, if you're on a budget.
Here at Reviewed, we've tested all sorts of products at a variety of price points, so we know when something is just a budget buy and not a cheap throwaway gift. Below, you'll find 30 gifts under $5 that your recipient won't throw away.
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1. For the one who needs a spa day: TonyMoly face masks
Getting a face mask (for your skin) is always a nice treat, making it the perfect inexpensive gift. People are obsessed with the TonyMoly sheet masks, which are available in a ton of different "flavors" like avocado, coconut, and aloe.
Get the TonyMoly I'm Real Olive Radiance Mask Sheet at Amazon for $3
2. For the baker: Brown Sugar Bear
If your recipient is a baker or likes a scoop of brown sugar in their oatmeal, they might get frustrated when their brown sugar gets hard and usable. But this adorable clay teddy bear might just solve that problem. Simply soak it in water for 20 minutes and place it in brown sugar to keep it soft for months. Reviewers even use it to loosen up hard clumps of sugar, too.
Get the Brown Sugar Bear at Bed Bath and Beyond for $3.99
3. For the one with tricks: Yo-Yo
Yo-yos are a classic—though sometimes frustrating—toy. But it's always a nice, inexpensive thing to throw, especially if they would be type of the person to try to master a few tricks. These ones from Duncan Imperial are a solid yo-yo option and come in several color options.
Get the Duncan Imperial Yo-Yo at Amazon for $4.99
4. For the one who has AirPods: AirPods case cover
If your recipient has Apple AirPods (or is getting a pair this year), then they might be nervous about accidentally misplacing these small and expensive 'buds. But a carrying case they can attach their AirPods to their keys or belt loops might calm their woes. With more than 18,000 reviews and a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, people love this silicone case and say it doesn't rip and that it makes them feel more secure. It's also available in several color options.
Get the Hamile Compatible with AirPods Case at Amazon for $4.99
5. For the person who colors outside the lines: An adult coloring book
Coloring isn't just for kids—adults can get in on the fun, too. Sasha O'Hara's "Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book" is full of 21 single-sided adult color pages full of sassy and amusing sayings like "Home is where the vodka is" and "Suck it up, buttercup." The paperback coloring book, which has a 4.6-star rating out of 13,000 Amazon reviews, includes moderate to hard images like animals, people, fairies, and more.
Get "Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book" at Amazon for $4.99
6. For the one with a cast iron skillet: Lodge Pan Scraper
Cleaning a cast iron skillet can be tricky. You don't want to wash off the seasoning that makes cooking with cast iron so great, but you also don't want to leave food crusted on the pan. That's where these pan scrapers from Lodge come in. The polycarbonate scrapers easily remove gunk without leaving any scratches behind, which is why reviewers love them and your cast iron lover will, too.
Get the Lodge Pan Scraper, 2-Pack at Bed Bath & Beyond for $2.99
7. For the one who loves games: Playing cards
A deck of cards is an easy way to get everyone socializing, which is why it's the perfect small gift. Everyone needs a deck of cards, whether they play solitaire by themselves, poker with their buddies, or Go Fish with their grandkids. These ones from Bicycle are highly rated and are available in several prints like dragons, unicorns, and more.
Get the Bicycle Playing Cards at Amazon for $4.99
8. For the one who has issues with jars: Prepworks Jar Openers
We can all use help opening stubborn jars—some of us more than others (looking at your giftee). This jar opener set comes with three different shapes that are designed to work with different sized jars. For example, the teal square-shaped gripper is ideal for larger jars, but the red cone-shaped grip works better on smaller bottles. Reviewers warn that they feel a little thin, but this also helps you get a tight grip on jar lids.
Get the Progressive Jar Grips, Set of 3 at Bed Bath and Beyond for $3.99
9. For the one who needs to use their hands: Slinky
You can't go wrong with giving someone the iconic Slinky. This simple stretchy toy is fun for kids of all ages, especially when they're attempting to make it walk down the stairs. It has lived up to the test of time and is a classic toy everyone should experience.
Get the Slinky at Amazon for $3.89
10. For the lipstick lover: Wet-n-Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick
Matte lipsticks are all the rage, but Reviewed found that you don't have to break the bank to rock the style. If your giftee loves makeup, the Wet-n-Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick held up as the best in our testing and is under $5 to boot. We tested the bargain brand out and found it to be a smooth lip color that comfortably lasts all day.
Get the Wet-n-Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick at Amazon for $4.98
11. For your best friend: A pair of matching Lucky Fortune bracelets
Whether you want to show some love to your best friend or are shopping for the tween in your life, these matching bracelets make for a budget-friendly gift. These fun and colorful bracelets are hidden inside of two fortune cookies, along with a propitious paper fortune.
Get the WowWee Lucky Fortune Blind Collectible Bracelets at Amazon for $4.99
12. For the one with chapped lips: Carmex Classic Lip Balm
During the winter, dry lips are inevitable, making a good chapstick more than necessary. Though it's not the sexiest lip balm out there, one of our writers swears by Carmex because it's both moisturizing and healing. It'll be an especially useful thing to toss in anyone's gift bag.
Get the Carmex Classic Lip Balm, 2 Pack at Amazon for $4.48
13. For the one who drinks non-dairy milk: Nut Milk Bag
It might seem like a wacky gift to give, but anyone who has been thinking about making their own nut milk will appreciate this nut milk bag. All they have to do is blend their nut of choice with some water and squeeze out the excess liquid using this special bag. Plus, it can be used similarly to a cheesecloth, making it useful beyond non-dairy milk and they can experience with more unique milk like pistachio.
Get the Nut Milk Bag at Bed Bath and Beyond for $2.99
14. For the glam one: Funky hair clips
Sometimes bobby pins don't cut it to upgrade your day-two hair. These funky triangle clips will help your giftee pin back their hair in a more stylish way. Reviewers say they don't hold too much hair, but the end result is still gorgeous.
Get the Minimalist Geometric Triangle Hair Clip at Amazon for $4.95
15. For the reader: A bookmark
Any avid reader would love a fresh bookmark to keep their place as they dive into their next novel. With more than 2,500 reviews and a 4.7-star rating, Amazon reviewers love this coffee themed one. Despite being inexpensive, reviewers say it's quite sturdy and that they love the elegance of the beaded tassel.
Get the Coffee & Books Beaded Bookmark at Amazon for $2.95
16. For the one who needs a helping hand: Multipurpose Silver Beer Bottle Opener
A bottle opener, a saw, a screwdriver, a ruler: this small multitool has 11 different tools in one small square. Despite costing less than $5, reviewers claim it performs all tasks super well and can easily be stored in a wallet. It's the perfect little gift for any wilderness survivalist.
Get the Multipurpose Silver Beer Bottle Opener at Amazon for $4.99
17. For the one who likes to create: LEGO Classic Blue Bricks Starter Set
Anyone with an imagination loves the endless possibilities that come with building with LEGOS. This starter kit features 52 blue bricks to create a blue whale, a train, and a robot before diving into their own creations.
Get the LEGO Classic Blue Bricks Starter Set at Amazon for $4.93
18. For the artsy one: Double Header Calligraphy Marker
Have a friend who wants to try their hand at calligraphy? You can get them started with this double header marker, which has one side for thick lines and another for thinner ones. Reviewers love that it doesn't bleed and creates precise, bold lines that are perfect for lettering.
Get the Double Header Calligraphy Marker at Amazon for $4.69
19. For the one with a brown thumb: A fake succulent plant
I have a confession: I've managed to kill every succulent I've ever owned. If your recipient is anything like me then they'll appreciate a fake succulent that will never wilt away. Reviewers love how realistic it looks and that it fits in with most decor styles.
Get the Svenee Mini Artificial Plant at Amazon for $4.28
20. For the beauty lover: Exfoliating gloves
Similar to dry brush, exfoliating gloves can do wonders for your skin. Daily use can help improve circulation, unclog pores, and remove dry skin, which any beauty and skincare lover will appreciate. These gloves work similarly to an exfoliating washcloth but are much easier to use, and more than 2,000 Amazon reviewers say they work wonders.
Get the Urbana Exfoliating Gloves at Amazon for $4.99
21. For the one with a diffuser: Essential oils
If your recipient already owns and loves an essential oil diffuser, then they'll appreciate some new oil scents to run all day long. This one has a woody and floral scent that is perfect to have during the winter season.
Get the Warm Rustic Woods Premium Grade Fragrance Oils at Amazon for $2.95
22. For the one who brings the vibes: Wood Incense Stick Holder
If your giftee prefers burning incense for both the smell and the aesthetic, then they'll like this stylish wood holder. It's highly rated for being stylish and catching most of the burnt incense bits. Plus, it's so inexpensive that you can throw in some incense sticks, as well.
Get the Wood Incense Stick Holder at Amazon for $3.95
23. For the one who skips hair washes: Dove Care Dry Shampoo
As we spend more time at home, we tend to wash our hair less (or is that just me?). You can help your recipient revitalize an oily scalp with some dry shampoo. Dove makes the best dry shampoo we've ever tested and it actually made our strands look like we showered. It comes in a mini can that your giftee can always have on them.
Get the Dove Care Between Washes Dry Shampoo at Amazon for $4.88
24. For the one with cold hands: HotHands Super Warmers
If your recipient is always complaining about how cold their hands are, then gloves alone aren't going to cut it. They need a boost—like some HotHands Super Warmers. They're air-activated and can be used on hands and feet. Your giftee will appreciate having these on hand when they're in a freezing pinch.
Get the HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmers, 3 Pack at Amazon for $1.97
25. For the home chef: Mini Glass Measuring Cup
Some recipes call for a very small amount of a certain ingredient that can be hard to measure out even with the proper measuring spoon. This measuring cup looks like a shot glass but has lines that mark teaspoons and tablespoons and is ideal for measuring liquids more accurately. Any chef or baker would love this little gift.
Get the Mini Glass Measuring Cup at Bed Bath and Beyond for $3.99
26. For the handy one: Smith's 2-Step Knife Sharpener
This pocket-sized knife sharpener is ideal for any chef or fisherman. It has nearly 6,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star rating for being non-slip and having a coarse and fine sharpen option. Reviewers love that this sharpener doesn't take up too much space and gets the job done well.
Get the Smith's 2-Step Knife Sharpener at Amazon for $3.98
27. For the one who misses the nail salon: Sally Hansen Nail Polish
While many of us haven't been to a nail salon in months because of the pandemic, it doesn't mean they have to skip out on pretty nails. This polish from Sally Hansen is plant-based and vegan, meaning even your eco-conscious giftee will love it. It comes it several color options and reviewers say that the color appears bright and only requires two coats.
Get the Sally Hansen Vegan Nail Polish at Amazon for $4.50
28. For the vino: Vacu Vin Wine Saver Vacuum Stoppers
Oftentimes a bottle of wine will lose it's flavor a few days after opening, but these vacuum sealing wine stoppers will ensure your giftee's bottle will stay fresh for up to a week. Each stopper has a pump that removes air the wine bottle. Pretty neat, right? Reviewers say they've seen a big improvement in their wine after using these stoppers.
Get the Vacu Vin Wine Saver Vacuum Stoppers at Amazon for $4.99
29. For the toddler: Stack Up Cup Toys
It's rare for a toy to have 40,000 reviews on Amazon, but that's just how popular these stack cups are. They're super simple, but parents rave that they keep their toddlers entertained for hours. Any baby in your life will love stacking, chewing on, and banging these plastic cups.
Get the The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys at Amazon for $4.99
30. For the makeup lover: Small Makeup Blending Sponges
Makeup spongers are a must-have for blending and contouring, and you don't have to spend too much on a great one. Ulta shoppers are big fans of these ones and say they're great for blending foundation, specifically. Any makeup wearer would use these for sure.
Get the Small Makeup Blending Sponges, 2 Pack at Ulta for $4.99
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