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17 Gift Ideas Under $20 For People You Don't Know Very Well

When you need to get your mom's cousin's nephew's friend a gift, try one of these creative picks.

17 Gift Ideas Under $20 For People You Don't Know Very Well
Burt's Bee Hand Repair Kit, 3-in-1 Charging Station, LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle, and Home Fleece Throw Blanket

For most people, the holidays are the most expensive time of the year. You have a long list of people to buy gifts for — including a few that feel more like an obligation, if you’re being honest.

You don’t want to break the bank for someone you don’t know very well, but you still want to give a nice gift they’ll appreciate. What should you get someone who you have no idea what they’re into?

We’ve got you. Rounded up here are gifts that pretty much anyone would be happy to receive, and nothing costs more than $20. Maybe you can use that leftover cash to get yourself a little something.

1.
Uncommon Goods

This jigsaw puzzle that doubles as a mystery game

This puzzle leads to solving a murder case, piece by piece. Unlike traditional puzzles, this one is guided by a narrative, not just searching for pieces that fit together. With 500 pieces, it will take a while to complete it too.

2.
Amazon

This cozy knit blanket

Has anyone ever been given a cozy throw blanket and been disappointed? I don’t think so. Don’t be surprised if the person you give this to wants to curl up under it as soon as they unwrap it.

3.
Uncommon Goods

This indoor herb garden

Even without a green thumb, it’s pretty easy to grow your own herbs. Choose from between basil, mint, cilantro, rosemary or parsley.

4.
Amazon

A 3-in-1 Apple device charging station

The best gift is a fully charged device, so why not give them the ability to charge three at once? You don't have to know someone that well to spot an Apple watch on their wrist or an AirPod case at their desk. This wireless charger is great for travel and clearing off cluttered nightstands.

5.
Amazon

A practical Lifestraw

A Lifetsraw “can remove microplastics, bacteria, parasites and more (including E. coli, salmonella and giardia) from just about any water source,” wrote senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe in previous coverage of this nifty handheld filtration device. “One single filter has a long lifespan, providing about 1,000 gallons of clean and safe drinking water — making it well worth the price tag.” This practical gift is sure to please anyone.

6.
Amazon

A set of two headlamps

We bet that the person on your list would never think to buy something like this for themselves, but a set of lightweight headlamps like these can be so handy to have around the house. This pair comes with four batteries.

7.
Amazon

This repair kit to soften dry hands

Virtually everyone suffers from dry hands in the winter, but this set can make an especially great gift for anyone who is required to wash their hands a lot, such as healthcare workers, daycare workers, teachers or those in hospitality. It comes with a lemon butter cuticle cream, almond and milk hand cream, shea butter hand cream and cotton gloves to seal in the moisture.

8.
Amazon

This self-care journal

Literally everyone could benefit from making self-care a priority. This journal includes weekly self-care goals, writing exercises and mental health activities to put into practice throughout the week.

9.
Amazon

A bunch of chocolate

When in doubt, some high-quality, humanely sourced chocolate will always do the trick. Each of the four bars in this set of milk chocolate is made with Fairtrade-certified cocoa and sugar sourced from West Africa.

10.
Anthropologie

This etched glass bud vase

The delicate etching on this glass vase makes it look a lot more expensive than it really is. It's beautiful to display on its own, but is also perfect for showcasing a flower or two.

11.
Amazon

A value pack of hand warmers

You can never go wrong with hand warmers. This set contains 10 sachets, each made from non-harmful materials, that promise to stay toasty for up to 18 hours.

12.
Amazon

This organic tea gift set

All five teas in this set are organic and Fair Trade. A run-down of the different flavors inside: Orange turmeric, lemon ginger, lavender chamomile, strawberry elderflower and green tea with lemon.

13.
Amazon

This glowing diffuser

This diffuser is small enough to pack with you when traveling home for the holidays and won’t be too expensive to mail. In addition to making a room smell amazing, it gives off a soft, warm light.

14.
Amazon

This vintage-inspired cookie jar

This vintage-inspired cookie jar is minimal enough to match any decor. Your gift recipient will love it even more if you fill it with homemade cookies!

15.
Amazon

A versatile kitchen tool that they'll wonder how they lived without

A solid pair of kitchen shears is an “essential part of every chef’s tool bag” in the words of food editor and culinary school grad Kristen Aiken, but many home cooks don't have them in their arsenal. Whether they’re a total novice or a seasoned home chef, they’ll appreciate this stocking stuffer.

16.
World Market

A charcuterie set

The charcuterie set comes with a wooden board and three cheese knives — all under $20! It’s both functional and useful.

17.
Etsy

This personalized leather travel case

Between the soft leather material and personalization, no one will ever guess that this gift cost less than $20. You get to choose the font style and color too, because that’s the beauty of Etsy!