As the Strategist’s deals editor, it’s my job to comb through the internet’s sales bins to find the best deals for our readers — and lately, I’ve been finding some sizable discounts on products that would make nice (and inexpensive) gifts. I’ve capped the price at $50 to keep this list budget friendly, but you’ll see that most are well under that. Below, you’ll find plenty of toys for all ages, on-trend makeup for hard-to-shop-for teens, and cozy accoutrements like Minnetonka slippers and an Outdoor Voices robe. But don’t delay, as shipping deadlines are closing in fast. You can find all our gift guides here.
It wouldn’t be a Strategist gift guide if I didn’t mention that CosRx’s best-selling snail-mucin essence is nearly half off.
An unsexy (but much appreciated) stocking stuffer for dry winter lips.
For the beauty buff, I found this lip tint to be extremely buttery and long wearing.
The best (less expensive) silk pillowcase for your best friend with an extensive hair-care routine that’s even cheaper right now.
Here’s a mesmerizing singing elephant plush toy that earned a spot in the Strategist 100, our greatest-hits list.
A reversible octopus plush toy to keep kids occupied on long car rides — and at 25 percent off, you can get a couple, just in case.
This magical genie lamp grants wishes and reveals an interactive pet when you rub its light-up jewel.
A three-pack of scratch-art activity pads, each of which features a different Paw Patrol character — Chase, Skye, or Marshall — with dot-to-dot or stencil activities.
This magnetic PicassoTiles toy has 28 click-in cards to teach about the alphabet, animals, fruits, and numbers.
These erasable bath crayons would be an excellent stocking stuffer for toddlers.
For your bestie with a new baby, we like this light-up drum that helps an infant practice sitting up and plays music that won’t make you want to crawl out of your skin.
Our toy writer Liza Corsillo shared this adorable railroad play set, which folds away when not in use.
This high-quality pair of walkie talkies has a range of nearly two miles, making them ideal for use all over the neighborhood or even during visits to the zoo or amusement park.
Google’s tiny streamer can give the movie buff or binge watcher in your life a convenient way to lock in to their latest obsession.
Tile’s stickerlike tracker can be attached onto a TV remote, headphones, chargers, or inside a glasses case — making it a great gift for a forgetful dad.
A doomsday prepper’s favorite water-filter straw also makes a good gift for outdoorsy friends.
Yeti’s 16-ounce Rambler comes in a wide array of colors and is great for folks who drink iced coffee year-round.
Our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman uses this immersion blender to whip up salad dressings and soup. She especially appreciates the pan guard, which ensures the blades won’t leave scrapes on your cookware.
If your giftee was a fan of 2021’s Harlem Shuffle, gift them the second book in Colson Whitehead’s proposed Harlem Trilogy about furniture-store salesman and small-time criminal Ray Carney.
I recommend this travel kit from Act+Acre, which I received as a gift a few years ago. In addition to a set of TSA-friendly shampoo and conditioner, you also get the brand’s microfiber hair towel, which I’ve been obsessed with.
For the friend who has been amassing food-shaped candles, I found several treats on sale at Anthropologie.
The sweetest sherpa-lined socks, featuring foxes, sheep, or snowmen.
Fleecy joggers that come in four colors for the homebody husband.
Give this supersoft alpaca beanie to the sister, cousin, or co-worker who’s got you stumped.
Everything at Outdoor Voices is at least 40 percent off at checkout, making this gift-worthy robe — just the thing to get the mom who has everything or a homebody sister — only $26.
Now just $39 with the code GETGIFTING, Madewell’s wide-ribbed turtleneck sweater has a flattering high-low hem and subtle bell sleeves.
Paravel’s belt bag is the cheapest we’ve ever seen it. It makes for a nice minimalist diaper bag or a fanny pack for frequent travelers. (It’s on sale in blue, too.)
These unisex low-top Converse in an unexpected earthy brown are on sale. (Just be sure to ask your giftee their size.)
The deepest discount of all is on this pajama set, which is just $44 and includes a matching tee, shorts, and eye mask.
This leather luggage tag can be personalized with up to seven letters or numbers, and it looks far more expensive than it actually is.
Several Boy Smells candles are on sale at Nordstrom. This one is a verdant mix of pimento berry, coconut water, jasmine, and salted musks (and it’s a nice gift for a coworker or a hard-to-please mother-in-law).
This isn’t the most exciting gift, but it will be much appreciated.
Kids will flip over this monster truck set, which lets them launch a truck into gas pumps and a billboard to trigger a massive explosion and send the three included crushable cars flying.
The ice tray that at least five Strategist staffers own and swear by “makes perfect little ice cubes that pop out without any struggle,” says writer Arielle Avila.
This is an excellent deal on full-size tubes of Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara and the brand’s lip plumper.
Ilia’s slightly shimmery cream blush stick — which we recently spotted in May December — in a golden peach.
Already-on-sale items are an extra 40 percent off at checkout at Urban Outfitters. I’m gifting this camera bag to my photography-loving brother, along with some 35-mm. film.
Use this terry-cloth tote as a gift bag for a thoughtful two-in-one present.
This gift will delight everyone on your list (and it’s the cheapest I’ve ever seen it).
For the crafty tween (or adult), this fake-cake kit includes real icing bags and tips, plus instructions on how to pipe different patterns of “frosting” and a practice sheet.
A nice under-$25 gift for the dad that desperately needs a spa day.
I wouldn’t mind receiving this instant London Fog latte mix in my stocking.
And here’s a gift for your partner you can enjoy together: a 1,000-piece puzzle and a fireplace-scented candle.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
