Generating the best affordable gift ideas is an art, much like gift-giving in general. And it's an art that Mashable shopping experts take very seriously, which is why we're bringing you these awesome gifts under $50.

Yes, some people possess an innate talent for finding gifts on a budget. No matter the occasion (anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) or recipient (wife, boyfriend, teens, in-laws), they somehow nail it every time — winning the unofficial "best gift-giver" award among those who are lucky to know them.

If you're not the most intuitive gift giver, fear not. We've put together a list of 25+ of the best gift ideas for under $50. These unique, budget-friendly gifts won't break the bank, and you might even see some solid discounts on them if you're lucky.

Credit: Stasher

Stasher bags

For eco warriors

Stasher's popular reusable bags are made from heavy-duty, food-grade silicone that can be frozen, boiled, microwaved, baked, and tossed in the dishwasher. They comes in myriad sizes, colors, and shapes (starting at $7.99), including snack pouches, bowls, and new "beauty bags" for makeup.

Buying Options

$19.59 from Amazon

Credit: Melissa & Doug

Melissa & Doug wooden pizza party from Walmart

For little kids

Tiny hands will love playing pretend chef with this adorable wooden pizza play set and parents will appreciate all the great learning opportunities with this screen-free, low-tech toy. Included are six "sliceable" pieces and 37 toppings, all nestled safely into their storage tray. Now what's for dessert?

Buying Options

$27.99 from Walmart

igloo x parks project cooler bag with glass bottle

Credit: Parks Project

A national parks cooler bag

For wilderness explorers

Forget the $500 YETI coolers. This collaboration between Igloo and Parks Project is more our speed anyway. The tote bag-style cooler bag holds up to 20 cans at a time, and it has a cool limited-edition print on the puffy exterior.

Buying Options

$45 from Parks Project

a close-up of brass mushrooms decorations in a potted plant

Credit: AnotherStudio

Houseplant ornaments

For plant parents

Made by the London-based design company AnotherStudio, these miniature metal ornaments are cute accessories for houseplant pots and terrariums. If you don't think your recipient would be into the mushrooms (available in brass and stainless steel), they also come in impressively detailed animal, flower, and fruit shapes.

Buying Options

$17.28 from Etsy

Credit: Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia / Target

Cookbook stand by Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia at Target

For the home chef

Cooking from a recipe you found online is great — until you have to keep touching your phone every few minutes to see it. Gift the home chef in your life this aesthetically pleasing wooden stand to give them a much-needed kitchen assist. Built to easily hold a cookbook at reading level, it'll just as easily accommodate a tablet, phone, or 2-in-1 laptop.

Buying Options

$19.99 from Target

close-up of piecework puzzle box with text 'basic witch'

Credit: Piecework

A Piecework puzzle

Best for puzzlers

Mashable's most dedicated puzzle fiends swear by Piecework, which makes unique puzzles out of stunning (and intricately detailed) photos. This 500-piece puzzle won't drive anyone too crazy, but if your puzzle fan loves a challenge, check out the brand's 1,000-piece sets.

Buying Options

$32 from Piecework

Credit: PetSafe

A PetSafe Bolt Automatic Laser Light Cat Toy

For cat parents

For senior culture reporter Christianna Silva and their feisty cat, Colby Jack, the Mashable's Choice Award-winning PetSafe Bolt "was a godsend...It works reliably, solves a problem, turns off automatically, and is virtually hassle-free." It operates in two modes, so your recipient can control it themselves or set it to a random pattern and have their cat burn off some energy solo.

Buying Options

$23.95 from Amazon

Credit: Ninja

Vitamix personal-size blender

Best for making smoothies

Personal, portable, and extremely adorable — that's the name of the game with this 16-oz travel blender from beloved kitchenware brand Ninja. Ideal for meal prepping the night before or stashing in a cooler for a quick, on-demand smoothie, this is one of those practical gifts that quickly turns into a fun (and did we mention cute?) daily ritual for its recipient.

Buying Options

$49.88 from Walmart

a close-up of a pile of shutterfly photo books

Credit: Shutterfly

A custom Shutterfly photo book

For sentimental types

Starting around $25, Shutterfly's photo books can be personalized from top to bottom with different layouts, bindings, cover finishes, stickers, and ribbons — it's like scrapbooking on steroids. If you're looking for a gift idea that'll speak from the heart and be cherished for years to come, they're guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any parent or significant other.

Buying Options

$24.98 from Shutterfly

Credit: Apple

An Apple AirTag

For forgetters

This quarter-sized Bluetooth tracker works seamlessly with the Find My app, which comes pre-installed on iPhones and iPads — super convenient for anyone who's already plugged into the Apple ecosystem. If an item the AirTag is attached to ever gets lost or misplaced, its owner can pull up its last-known location on their device or ask Siri to find it.

Buying Options

$27.99 from Amazon

a close-up of a 12-inch lodge cast iron skillet filled with shrimp

Credit: Lodge Cast Iron

A Lodge cast iron skillet

For home chefs

Cast iron skillets are the versatile workhorses of any kitchen — they retain heat tremendously well and can be used for almost any dish, from steak to skillet cookies. (They're also durable enough to be used over a campfire, if your recipient's into that.) Lodge's pans come pre-seasoned for immediate use and can last for decades with proper care. This one's available via Amazon, where it's almost always priced below $30.

Buying Options

$43.50 from Amazon

Credit: Xbox Game Studios

'Ori and the Will of the Wisps'

For Xbox gamers

The mystical sequel to 2015's "Ori and the Blind Forest" is one of the best platformers of all time, per former entertainment reporter Kellen Beck, "marrying gorgeous visuals, excellent music, a haunting story, and some of the smoothest platforming I've had the pleasure of experiencing." It first came out for Xbox One and Windows but has since been optimized for the Series X/S.

Buying Options

$29.99 from Best Buy

box art for the National Geographic Earth Science Kit

Credit: National Geographic

A National Geographic Earth Science Kit

For young scientists

If you know a kid who goes crazy for science experiments, this STEM gift kit will delight them to no end (and make you their favorite grown-up). It comes with over 15 activities — including crystal growing, building a volcano, and unearthing geological treasures — that are both easy to follow and easy to clean up after.

Buying Options

$29.99 from Amazon

a close-up of two le creuset mini round cocottes filled with a pot pie and a fruit cobbler next to a plate of pita pieces

Credit: Le Creuset

A Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte

For foodies

Yes, you can gift someone a Le Creuset cocotte for less than $50 — a *very small* Le Creuset cocotte, but the point technically still stands. Made from nonstick stoneware that's safe for oven, broiler, microwave, and dishwasher use, the 8-ouncer is a nice size for individual cobblers and pot pie. It's available in colors like Cerise (pictured), Artichaut, Nectar, Chambray, Azure, and more.

Buying Options

$32 from Le Creuset

a top-down view of the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker, a glass of iced coffee with a striped straw, and brown sugar cubes on a rustic wood table

Credit: OXO

An OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker

For coffee connoisseurs

Starbucks gift cards are a nice gesture, but categorically lame. The Mashable's Choice Award-winning OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a better way to gift someone their next caffeine fix: "[It] pays for itself in one or two brews, and the cold brew concentrate it produces is consistently strong, velvety smooth, and richly flavorful," wrote contributor Sam Stone.

Buying Options

$34.97 from Amazon

Credit: BaBylissPRO

A BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron

For beauty buffs

Ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, this miniature version of BaBylissPRO's premium flat iron can get as hot as 430°F. It features the exact same titanium-ceramic plates as the standard size (only these are half an inch wide), which are designed for even heating and reducing frizz.

Buying Options

$34.99 from Amazon

pieces of the wordle board game laid out on a wooden table in front of its packaging

Credit: Hasbro

'Wordle: The Party Game'

For board-gamers

Everyone's favorite word-guessing game is now a simple B-O-A-R-D game for two to four people. Mashable deputy reviews editor Miller Kern found it a little dull at times but liked that players have the option of making up their own personalized words, deeming it best for dedicated Wordlers who still have a daily streak going.

Buying Options

$19.99 from Amazon

Credit: Clarkson Potter

'What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People'

For bakers

From "Dessert Person" Claire Saffitz comes this beginner-friendly cookbook with over 100 simple and efficient recipes for sweet treats. (Emphasis on "simple and efficient" — none of them require a stand mixer and only half need a hand mixer.) Entries are accompanied by beautiful retro-style photography and helpful troubleshooting tips.

Buying Options

$37.50 from Amazon

Credit: Annapurna Interactive

'Stray'

For PlayStation gamers

Available for PS4, PS5, and PC (via Steam), "Stray" is a 2022 third-person game that follows an orange tabby cat who's trying to escape a grungy cyberpunk city — and yes, you play as the cat. Mashable tech and games reporter Alex Perry described it as a stunning sci-fi adventure "with a sweet story, endearing characters, and some truly gross art design at times (in the best way)."

Buying Options

$29.99 from Amazon

a roku express 4+ plus hooked up to a tv with its voice remote sitting on the console below

Credit: Roku

A Roku Express 4K+

For Netflix binge-watchers

Mashable contributor Callum Bains called the Roku Express 4K+ a "fast, no-nonsense streaming device with a price to match." (It's our favorite budget media player on the market.) Plug it into a TV's HDMI port for all-in-one entertainment and hands-free voice control.

Buying Options

$39.99 from Amazon

Credit: LIFX

A LIFX Color smart bulb

For techies

LIFX Color smart bulbs are vibrant and easy to install — and unlike the Philips Hue variety, they don't require a bridge or a hub to work with WiFi. Mashable contributor RJ Andersen has replaced about half the bulbs in their house with these things: "Would I recommend [LIFX bulbs] to anyone looking to tip-toe into smart lighting? Absolutely," they said.

Buying Options

$39.99 from Amazon

Credit: Wild One / Mashable composite

A Wild One Treat Pouch

For dog parents

"Walkies," but make it fashion. Wild One's Treat Pouch has a hidden compartment for a roll of poop bags and adjustable carrying straps that let you wear it like a crossbody bag or a fannypack. It's available in at least five colors (depending on the season) and overall super stylish — you'd never know it was made from recycled water bottles.

Buying Options

$44 from Amazon

a close-up of a picassotiles build in front of a kneeling boy

Credit: PicassoTiles

A PicassoTiles set

For little tykes

PicassoTiles are stained glass-esque magnetic tiles that kids ages three and up can use to build colorful 2D and 3D shapes. (If you're familiar with MAGNA-TILES, these are basically a cheaper dupe.) The 60-piece set makes a great starter kit.

Buying Options

$25.99 from Amazon

a close-up of a woman wearing turquoise jewelry holding a stanley quencher cup on a wooden table amid potted plants

Credit: Stanley

A Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

For hip sippers

TikTok's favorite reusable drinking vessel is a 40-ounce, travel-friendly tumbler with a removable straw, a comfort-grip handle, and an insulated, stainless steel body that can keep drinks iced for up to 40 hours. It comes in a bunch of trendy colors, including some limited-edition ones that'll earn you some extra cool points.

Buying Options

$45 from REI

The Death Lens Fisheye lens attached to an iPhone resting on a solid surface.

Credit: Kenneth Bachor / Mashable

A Death Digital fisheye lens

For amateur videographers

Death Digital's fisheye iPhone lens makes it possible to recreate the unique style of '90s music and skateboarding videos with your smartphone. It earned our Mashable's Choice Award for its durable build quality and user-friendliness: "For under $50, it’s a great timeless accessory that’s small and easy to throw in your pocket," wrote contributor Kenneth Bachor.

Buying Options

$45 from Death Digital

a bloomscape propagation kit filled with leaf cuttings next to a glass pitcher of water on a wooden surface

Credit: Bloomscape

A propagation kit

For people with green thumbs

This Bloomscape kit is a chic way to display fresh cuttings while fostering healthy root growth; each one comes with propagating instructions and a tub of TakeRoot Rooting Hormone. The stand itself is handmade by Michigan's Speckl Goods, a small-batch houseware studio that specializes in concrete terrazzo pieces.

Buying Options

$45 from Bloomscape

a top-down view of a woman assembling the lego orchid building kit at a wooden table

Credit: LEGO

A LEGO Orchid building kit

For LEGO masters

This bestselling kit from LEGO's Botanical Collection for adults builds into a realistic orchid with six large flowers, two newly opened buds, and a fluted pot (complete with some "bark mix" the actual plant would grow in). It contains 608 pieces, so it'll take the better part of an afternoon to assemble. No watering or pruning required!

Buying Options

$49.99 from Amazon

Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

For Nintendo Switch gamers

Nintendo's premium membership tier unlocks online play, libraries of classic retro games, cloud saves, and access to select DLCs. (That includes 48 additional courses for "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" and the "Happy Home Paradise" expansion for "Animal Crossing: New Horizons.") A year-long individual plan comes in just under $50, which is easily one of the best deals in gaming.

Buying Options

$49.99 from Nintendo

a yonanas machine in the process of making ice cream next to a pile of fruit

Credit: Yonanas

A Yonanas soft-serve machine

For ice cream lovers

The Yonanas is a borderline brilliant kitchen gadget from Dole that can successfully turn frozen fruit into a smooth, soft serve-adjacent dessert — a great gift for regular ice cream eaters who want to switch things up, *or* anyone who follows a vegan, keto, or dairy-free diet. Another Mashable Choice Award-winner, it "seriously impressed" contributor Michelle Rostamian.

Buying Options

$39.99 from Target

Credit: Dr. Squatch

A Dr. Squatch soap box

Best for Potterheads

The Dr. Squatch Harry Potter bundle is a thing of beauty, and Potterheads are sure to appreciate the box alone. Inside are four bars of soap inspired by the Hogwarts houses. Dr. Squatch products have pleasing but not overpowering scents and use natural ingredients we love, such as coconut oil, kaolin clay, and shea butter.

Buying Options

$49.95 from Amazon

Credit: Hemlock Park

A crackling wood-wick candle

Best for candle-heads

These unique candles ditch the standard cotton wicks for wood wicks, and that results in a crackling effect that will remind you of sitting around a campfire. If you're tired of the same old candles, they bring some excitement to the product category. This complex and woodsy scent uses pleasing notes of palo santo wood, myrrh, bergamot, amber, frankincense, and rosewood.

Buying Options

$24.95 from Amazon

Credit: JBL

Wireless JBL earbuds

Best for commuters

Who says you have to pay $300 for a decent pair of true wireless earbuds? JBL has proven time and again that it can deliver high-quality audio — and for a lot less than its competitors. These buds are available at Amazon for just a hair under $50, but you can usually grab them for a lot less.

Buying Options

$49.95 from Amazon

Stacia Datskovska

Mashable Shopping Intern

Stacia Datskovska is an NYU journalism major (graduating this December). Her work has appeared in USA Today, Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, HuffPost, Bustle, and more. When she's not writing something or other, Stacia can be spotted crying over poetry, making a home-cooked meal, or walking on an NYC pier. For her more half-baked thoughts: @staciadats on Twitter.