When the budget is tight but you want to give something to everyone, you need gift ideas under $30 that are unique, useful, and appreciated. Items that those on your shopping list will love.
After browsing around Amazon (where I am an affiliate and make a small commission when you purchase through my links), I’ve found a ton of great ideas that almost everyone – moms, dads, teachers, senior adults, friends, and kids – will appreciate with all of these gift ideas priced under $30. And the best part? All of these present ideas have 4+ star reviews.
RELATED: Ultimate List of Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Whole Family (800+ Ideas)
Gift Ideas Less Than $30
Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Built-in-Mic
Sold in several colors, a Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Built-in-Mic is a great idea for anyone who is often busy using their hands because you can use it for hands-free calling.
Verified Purchase Review: “This speaker is compact, attractive, decently lightweight, and sounds great. I wasn’t really looking for high quality, I just wanted a non-wired speaker I could use on the rare occasions I don’t want to use headphones with my desktop computer, or when I need something loud enough to play podcasts over a sizzling stir fry. This little friend really gets the job done– I loved it so much I bought a second one as a Christmas gift for a friend, because it was too good not to share.”
Acrylic Paint Markers with Extra-Fine Tips
If you have an artist on your list, paint markers are wonderful for decorating rocks, glass, and ceramics.
Verified Purchase Review: “I absolutely LOVE these fine tip paint pens. I’ve used them for rock painting projects with my daughter, but also have used them on porcelain and glass. These are super easy to use, offers many colors and also great for detailed work. More importantly, these paint pens are a wonderful holiday gift for the crafty people in your life. Also, safe for kids. Will definitely re-purchase again!”
Compact Shock Proof Binoculars for Kids
As a super fun gift for children or even adults, these real binoculars work well for bird watching, learning, hunting, theaters, boat rides, hiking, traveling and enjoying the wilderness.
Verified Purchase Review: “I purchased these binoculars as a gift to add to a night sky gift basket I was raffling for children ages 4-11. The binoculars are small, but mighty. The price, size, value, and even choice of color made this decision an easy purchase for me. Both my children, ages 10 and 8, boy and girl, loved them and want a pair! They look rugged and tumble proof which was what I wanted as well as full functionality, not a toy, but working binoculars; these satisfied both needs.”
Long Range Kids Walkie Talkies
If you want to chat with your kiddos as they ride bikes around the block or just need a pair of walkie talkies for the kids to play in the backyard, these are a great buy that really work.
Verified Purchase Review: “We bought these walkie talkies for my son who loves the idea of talking to someone in the same house on separate floors. The quality is top notch and the sound is actually really good. I was surprised a pair of kids walkie talkies could have this level of sound quality to be honest. There are a lot of channels to switch between so people being on the same frequency as you will probably never happen. Overall, really nice product and better than big name branded ones that you can buy in a store. If you’re looking for fun a gift for a little one, this walkie talkie set will do the trick nicely without breaking the bank.”
Washi Masking Tape
For your crafty kid or planner babe, washi tape is fun for crafting, organizing, and decorating.
Verified Purchase Review: “We bought this as a holiday gift for our daughter… I can’t speak for her but I love the colors and patterns! Tape is the ultimate craft in this house…and this will at least be visible if it ends up all over the walls!”
RELATED: Great Gift Ideas for Mom
Life Hacks 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
We all needed some life hacks for surviving 2020! This desk calendar is packed with unique ways to solve common problems, increase efficiency, and improve ordinary tasks at home, work, school, and on the go.
Verified Purchase Review: “I bought the 2020 calendar last year and love it. It has a lot of very useful tips. I find myself ripping the pages off and giving them to different family members whom the tip would be relevant. I also have pages taped to our refrigerator for everyone to read. And on the back of each day’s page is a puzzle, joke, riddle, etc. I actually look forward to seeing what each day has to offer. This is the first daily calendar that I actually continued to use throughout the year. Calendars in the past have kept my interest for a while and then I eventually forget to look at it as time goes on. I end up using it for scratch paper. This is the best daily calendar I have seen and it makes a great gift too.”
Washable Mop Slippers Shoes
Mopping is made easy with these washable chenille slippers. Super cute and lots of fun. Perfect for multitasking.
Verified Purchase Review: “These are so cute and pretty comfortable. My slippers got super dirty and after a few washes these things are done. But it was worth the price. Id probably repurchase and even give as a gift.”
Landmass Scratch Off Map Of The United States
This is probably my favorite gift idea under $30 because I personally love to travel. What a fun way to keep track of where you have gone.
Verified Purchase Review: “I got this as a gift for my girlfriend (who comes from a very well traveled family) and she loves it. The poster is large enough to be noticeable and easily read, while not being too big and and overpowering. Its a really good decorative piece. The bright colors of the map under the scratch-able surface are very vivid, and provide a great contrast for the very plain color of the tan, scratch-able, surface. It’s printed on thick paper with a glossy finish. Overall it’s a great item.”
Beach Glass and Driftwood Wind Chime
For the beach lover, this wind chime is lovely – in shades of blue and green – and makes a beautiful sound.
Verified Purchase Review: “This is an exquisite windchime! I was skeptical when I ordered it, because the price is so low, compared to other windchimes. When I received it, I was delighted! First of all, it’s handmade in Bali. Second, each section was carefully, fastidiously wrapped, to ensure its safe arrival. I love the driftwood top, I love the beautiful seaglass chimes – it has a soft tinkling sound, evoking thoughts of the seaside – I can’t say enough wonderful about these chimes! I plan to order a few more of them as gifts, because I cannot imagine anyone I know who wouldn’t be thrilled with these gorgeous windchimes!!”
Inspiration Play Double Ditto Family Party Board Game
We added this board game to our collection of family board games over the summer, and it became an immediate favorite. With highly competitive children, I love that this game unites us based on shared answers instead of pulling us apart.
Verified Purchase Review: “We have 2 boys ages 11 & 13. We really like to play games together at dinner and when we go away and with friends. We like this game because it is fun, a quick play and gets you laughing. It can include as many people as you want, that’s the beauty! Give each person a sheet of paper, select a card, read off the question and everyone can answer. You can only write down 2 answers, and it is fun to match them up against those you are playing with. It’s funny to hear what people say! Easy and fun to play with the grands too. We gave it to our friends when we went to their ski house, and they loved it! We all had a lot of laughs. We have gifted it to some of our and friends during this ‘stay at home’ time, and they have been so thankful and enjoyed it very much. Try it for yourself!”
RELATED: 45 DIY Teacher’s Gift Ideas
Bluetooth Beanie Hat Bluetooth
A great gift idea under $30 that works for men or women as it comes in several different colors.
Verified Purchase Review: “Got as a gift for Christmas. Love it! We suffered some really bad bouts of cold and snow right afterward and it was the perfect accessory. Super easy to pair. It hands-off great with my carkit when I’m listening and want to hear on my stereo when I start the car up. The little boxes by your ears are a little weird at first, but it makes turning it on/off without looking easier. Not too “noise canceling” but I appreciate being able to hear traffic around me when I’m outdoors. I’d buy another one if this one ever quits. Totally worth it, especially for the price.”
Paper Games: Dots & Boxes
Fun in a gift basket, as a stocking stuffer, or just a neat way to say you wanted to give a fun gift.
Verified Purchase Review: “This is a great gift/coffee table game. I brought it over at Christmas and we played these games in groups of twos, sometimes making our own rules. The only wish that some of the games could be played with more than two people. Maybe that can be a different stack of games?”
Tombow 56188 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers
Different from the paint markers mentioned above, these markers are best for handlettering and journaling.
Verified Purchase Review: “These were a gift for my little sister, however this is the fifth different set of colors that she has received and all of the sets from tombow have held up extremely well.”
Decorative Cactus Tea Light Candles
As a sweet little gift under $15, these cactus tea lights would delight a cactus lover.
Verified Purchase Review: “These are the absolute cutest! They are tea light size, so be prepared for that. There are two of each style. They will be perfect for putting on a mantle or something like that. Super cute as a little gift, which is what I got them for. I highly recommend! Mine came perfectly packaged and undamaged. I did notice some negative reviews. A note comes along from the seller letting you know to contact them if you have any issues with yours so it seems they’d do whatever they can to make it right if there’s any issue.”
Wooden Birdhouse Kit
I bought this for our youngest daughter when the other children were building a more complicated project. She loved constructing and painting it. We don’t have a bird family in our birdhouse yet but this gift idea under $30 proudly hangs in our front yard.
Verified Purchase Review: “My little grandson was so excited to receive this gift for Christmas…he is looking forward to spring he says to put it all together and paint!!”
Bonsai Starter Kit
I am fascinated by this little kit that promises you can grow and train four bonsai trees… and it comes with a money-back guarantee.
Verified Purchase Review: “I got this kit as a gift for my boyfriend who really enjoys plants around the house. He was really excited when he opened up the kit and couldn’t wait to get started. It comes with a very detailed booklet that tells you a little about each of the 4 different species of trees you get, growth rate and where they from. We planted them Aug. 12 and started see sprouts a week later! So exciting! Highly recommend! It’s a great and interesting hobby and the company is so great about customer service and helping you out.”
Ladder Toss Indoor/Outdoor Game
This gift idea under $30 is great for the entire family as the ladder toss is kid-friendly.
Verified Purchase Review: “We got this set as a gift and are surprised at how much we enjoy it! It is lightweight, easy to assemble and the rules are very simple. People of any age can play. We will use it for tailgating and in the back yard! We have not knocked it over yet, but sometimes it does shift slightly since it is light. We see it as a new challenge and let it shift!”
Fred THE END Dramatic Bookends
The bookends made by this company are imaginative and fun. This would be such a fun gift for a book lover.
Verified Purchase Review: “Purchased as a gift. First it’s super cool and the packaging was nice. I can’t say much more because I gave it away but if you do buy it — it’s will be attention getting. I’d recommend for college students.”
Taco Holder Stands Set
Take Taco Tuesday up a notch. These taco holders are colorful and fun… but also leave enough room in the budget for adding some taco night ingredients.
Verified Purchase Review: “Have been wanting to get taco holders for a while but didn’t want to pay a lot of money. These were a great price & so happy with them. We use them weekly, relay like that one one side you can have 3 tacos & on the other you can do 2. Love the colors & how easy they are to clean and store. Getting a few other packs for gifts!”
Monogrammed Hand Towel
A great hostess gift for him or her to keep in the guest bathroom. Available in three different colors.
Verified Purchase Review: “I did not get to personally use this item, but I was giving it as a gift for my friend for his wedding. He had this on his wedding registry, but once I got them they were well packaged and very soft. The embroidering was of good quality and the towels themselves seemed well made. I would definitely recommend these towels if you need something that looks nice, will last you a while, and also add a little flair.”
Slim Wallet with Money Clip and RFID Blocking
Financial security is an awesome gift and since this wallet blocks scanning technology from stealing in your information when walking by, you will be giving peace of mind when you give this wallet.
Verified Purchase Review: “I brought this as a gift. My guy needed a wallet that fits easily into his pocket and had anti theft protection. He had been robbed before. Someone scanned his wallet in his pocket while at work. He loves this wallet. He has had it for about 9 months now. It’s holding up well, Still looks new. No more theft incidents since he been carrying it. I like that you can’t see it in his pocket. He dress casual professional for work and the other wallet he had wasn’t slimming.”
Disc Slinging Fast Action Game
Buying for a hockey lover or just someone who needs something to do? This game for two players is super fun.
Verified Purchase Review: “This game is so fun, super easy to catch on, and the quality is amazing. I gave it as a gift and I ask to play all the time … the board and pieces are smooth and the game pieces slide nicely. 10/10 recommend for anyone.”
Refillable Writing Journal
Available in two different colors and designs, this journal is refillable. A great gift idea for a power writer.
Verified Purchase Review: “Very nicely made journal & the cover seems durable. It’s the perfect size; not too small that it would fit in a pocket, but not too big that it’s cumbersome either. The lined pages are nice and bright, so no need to squint. This was a gift to my wife & she loves it.”
Porcelain Noodle Soup Bowl w/Bamboo Chopsticks
Every noodle lover will be excited to receive this lovely soup bowl set complete with chopsticks and spoons. Available in two sizes.
Verified Purchase Review: “Absolutely wonderful. I bought these as a gift for my boyfriend who loves cooking noodle soups of all kinds. We make homemade ramen all the time and our bowls are shaped so that our soup spoons (similar to the ones included with these bowls) always fall into the bowl. Because of the way these are shaped, that never happens with the spoon! The bowls stack well and just look so cute. They’re dishwasher and microwave safe, and they’re actually awesome for microwaving things. Plus, you can pick the hot dish up by the handles instead of the bottom or sides and you won’t burn yourself.”
Gooseneck Tablet Stand
With a flexible neck, this can be twisted into any position which makes it great for watching movies in bed or keeping recipes handy when cooking.
Verified Purchase Review: “I bought this for my husband because he watches Tv on tablet nightly when I am sleeping, he used to just prob tablet on pillow and it falls and cracks screen when he falls asleep. He said this stand is the best gift he ever got. It is sturdy and works great!”
Pocket Blanket
100% waterproof, this pocket blanket folds up to nearly nothing and works great for picnics, trips to the beach, or hiking.
Verified Purchase Review: “I ordered two and will definitely be adding more a day gifting then to my friends and family. This blanket is actually water-PROOF, not just resistant. That is huge for me both in a camping/hiking/survival situation and also just for sitting around the campfire or at a concert. Most blankets soak through very quickly, not this one; it keeps me totally dry. I can use it as a shelter or rain fly if needed and I feel confident I will stay dry. If you like being outdoors for any reason, grab a couple of these. They pack down tiny and literally will fit in your pocket. Throw them in your hiking, hunting, school or beach bag.”
Himalayan Salt Lamp
Some people rave about the benefits of using a salt lamp, but this one is beautiful too.
Verified Purchase Review: “I just wanted everybody to know what a quality product this is. It came in one of the finest boxes I’ve ever seen!!! It was so well packed and it arrived without even the smallest dent in the package. I pulled out the lamp and I couldn’t believe the substance of this lamp. It’s hard to believe I got this at such an amazing price. The lamp is totally enclosed. It came with two extra bulbs. I didn’t realize they were extra so I opened up the bottom expecting to have to put a bulb in and low and behold, there was already a bulb in it. I plugged it in and it’s beautiful. I am hoping for the benefit of cleaning the air and helping all the benefits that come from having a salt lamp.. I just had to write before because this is a very high quality piece that would make a perfect Christmas gift!!!”
Acacia Oblong Salad Servers
So affordable that you still have room in the budget to place these salad servers in a gift basket with yummy salad toppings or a homemade dressing.
Verified Purchase Review: “Bought as a gift for my mom. Makes me want a set for myself. They’re beautiful. I hope they stay nice after a wash or two. They go fantastically with the Lipper wood salad bowl. A perfect match.”
Window Bird House Feeder
This gift idea would work for anyone at any age but I think it would be super special for someone who is limited in their mobility.
Verified Purchase Review: “WOW!!! You are not buying a bird feeder you are investing in happiness. It is the most enjoyable product on amazon and if you love your friends you would share this as a gift with them! It makes me so happy to have this in our home. I bought one of these and placed them on my window and the entire family LOVES it!! We enjoyed it so much that I got two more for my dear friends. When I first put this up on our window I wondered if any birds would fly so close but they all come right up and enjoy their food! It even has a divider so we offer sunflower seeds on one side and wild bird mix on the other. Very easy to install and build very well!”
Electric Panini Press Grill
Imagine how creative you could be in the kitchen with this fun gadget. I love paninis but would never buy this for myself. That makes is a great gift idea and it’s less than $30.
Did you find a great gift idea under $30?
Have a suggestion? I would love to know what gift ideas you have found that are inexpensive but perfect. Drop a comment and tell us.
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