Gift-giving is part of the holiday cheer, and while it’s sweet to think of each other and trade presents, the spending side of it in this economy can trigger some serious anxiety. Thankfully, America’s saving grace — Walmart, of course — has a number of genuinely great finds that look like expensive gifts but somehow stay under $25.
Apple AirTag
We all have that one “where is my whatchamajig?” person in our life, and for them, an Apple AirTag would be the perfect gift or stocking stuffer. It’s a little disc hooked into Apple’s Find My network and uses Bluetooth + Ultra-Wideband to locate your stuff. It can be slipped on keys, a bag, or anything that gets lost all the time — and the iPhone will show exactly where it is. It used to be $29, but the current discounted price is $17.97, so you better hurry.
JLab Go Air Pop Bluetooth Earbuds
These JLab Go Air Pop Earbuds used to be around $29, but the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal price is $9.88. They run on Bluetooth, have 32+ hours of total playtime (8+ hours per earbud, plus more from the charging case), an IPX4 rating for sweat and light rain, and three EQ sound modes (JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost) that you can cycle through without an app.
Cate & Chloe Ariel 18k White Gold Plated Silver Halo Stud Earrings
Another Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal that looks way fancier than the price lets on. Cate & Chloe Halo studs plated in 18k white gold were originally listed at $110, but the deal price drops them to $12.99. At about 10mm across, these guys are pretty lightweight, are hypoallergenic for sensitive ears, and come with a push-back closure. They also come in a gift box, which saves you from the yearly “where did I put the wrapping paper” crisis.
Vivitar Popsnap Compact Digital Camera
This is a perfect gift for anyone whining about “simpler times.” It’s a tiny 1080p, 44MP, 16X-zoom camera that clicks like an old-school digicam and thinks like a very basic piece of tech. It’s lightweight, pocket-size, and takes a microSD card, so you can hand it off to a kid, teen, or nostalgic adult without worrying about storage. It’s currently part of Walmart’s Black Friday deals, priced at $18.
Stanley 40oz Silver Stainless Steel Tumbler
Everyone loves a Stanley, and you’ll love the price on this one, which usually goes for $45 but is now $24.97. It’s a 30oz stainless steel tumbler made with 90% recycled 18/8 steel, and the double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 9 hours, hot for 5, and iced for 40. The FlowState lid has three positions, so you can sip, use the straw, or close it off, and the comfort-grip handle makes it easy to carry.
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Findtime Men’s Military Watch
Here’s a rugged little gadget for the outdoorsy men in your life. The Findtime Men’s Military Watch is down to $18.88 from $27.99, and sports dual analog-digital time, LED backlight, stopwatch, alarm, calendar, and 3 ATM water resistance in a chunky, shock-resistant case that actually looks like it can survive a camping trip.
Wilson NFL Prestige Recreational Football
This Wilson NFL Prestige junior football is designed for ages 9–12 and has a composite cover with textured laces for better grip. It’s marked with the official NFL shield, so it looks like a “real” ball, not a toy version. The Pressure Lock bladder is meant to hold air longer, which cuts down on constant re-inflating. It’s a Black Friday deal at $10 (down from $19.99) for the single ball, with 2- and 6-packs priced at the same per-ball cost.
Holiday Ceramic Mug Set
Instead of buying separate gifts for each member of the family, this adorable set of four mugs is a perfect gift for a whole family or a couple. The 13-oz mugs come in the usual holiday-superstar faces—snowman, gingerbread man, Santa. They’re handmade and crafted from durable stoneware ceramic with a glazed finish.
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Smart Watch Fits for Android and iPhone
A smartwatch is a great gift, and it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. Ergo this IOWODO smartwatch, which has essentially the same basic features as an Apple Watch—minus the blood-pressure-raising price. It costs $20.30 right now at Walmart and comes with a 1.85-inch HD screen, Bluetooth calling, 100+ sports modes, message notifications, IP68 waterproofing, and a battery that can last up to a week on a 2-hour charge. It’s compatible with most Android 6.0 and iOS 9.0 devices.
Insanity Motorized Rage Fire
Two things are sure to happen when you gift this Insanity Motorized Rage Fire — the kid will love you, the parents will hate you. It’s a loud, motorized, belt-fed blaster that fires 40 darts in a row, hits up to 90 feet, and comes with 72 darts plus a rotating 360° tripod. It’s down from $50 to $23.99, and it makes a great gift for kids.
Better Homes & Gardens Soft Luxury Oversize Throw Blanket
This Better Homes & Gardens throw blanket is great for instantly turning a couch into “family pile-on” territory. It has a bubble-textured faux-fur finish that looks ridiculously soft, and the 50″ x 72″ size makes it big enough for everyone to share without elbowing each other off the couch. The whole thing just looks cozy in that winter-cabin way, and at $23.88, it’s a reasonable buy.
DAKIMOE Sleepwear Womens Silky Satin Pajamas Set
This DAKIMOE Satin Pajama Set is perfect for the women in your life who treat sleep like an Olympic sport. Available in 18 colors and five sizes (S–XXL), this lightweight set is made of breathable silk satin and includes a two-piece outfit: relaxed-fit pants with an elastic waist and a long-sleeve V-neck top with a chest pocket, notch collar, and button front. It goes for $16.49 and it’s a great gift.
Vivitar Kidzcam Camera for Kids
This tiny Kidzcam is an easy win for kids who want their own camera and won’t stop stealing yours. It comes in two versions — a pink unicorn and a blue dino — both priced at $19.88. They shoot 1080p video, take 8MP photos, have simple built-in games, and come with a soft silicone jacket that makes the whole thing drop-friendly.
The Pioneer Woman Stoneware Baker With Wood Lid
As a matter of fact, it was the other day — while watching Ree’s Thanksgiving prep tutorial — that I spotted the Pioneer Woman 9-Inch Snowflake Stoneware Baker and thought how nifty and cute it looked. It’s a 4-quart round stoneware piece with a carved wooden lid that also works as a trivet, so it easily moves from oven to table. The dish is oven safe up to 450°F without the lid, and is microwave- and dishwasher-safe. At $18.97, it looks a whole lot fancier than the price suggests.
Better Homes & Gardens Candle Warmer Lamp
This Candle Warmer Lamp by Better Homes & Gardens is one of those gifts that looks way more elegant and intentional than the price suggests. It’s a small, glass-shade lamp with a gold adjustable pole, and the 50W bulb melts your candle from the top so you get all the scent without lighting anything. It has a simple click switch, sits neatly on a nightstand, and just feels like a “you shouldn’t have” gift — except it’s $17.92, so yes, you absolutely should.
72 Pcs Art Supplies Art Set
Here’s an easy gift for anyone who likes to draw or wants to get back into it without spending a lot. Priced at $18.99, the 72-Piece Art Supplies Set comes with graphite pencils in multiple hardness levels, colored, metallic, watercolor, charcoal, and pastel pencils, plus blending tools, a sketchbook, and a coloring book, all packed in a zippered case that keeps everything in place.
Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
For cat parents who are tired of refilling a dusty bowl twice a day, the Oneisall stainless steel fountain is an easy win. Currently priced at $18.99, it holds 2 liters, runs at a quiet 30dB, and uses a carbon filter to keep the water clean while the faucet-style stream encourages more sipping. The stainless steel parts can go in the dishwasher, and it comes with extra filters so you’re set for a while.
Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Egg Cooker
This Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 cooker is an easy upgrade for anyone who eats eggs every day. It makes up to seven soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs, plus one to two poached eggs or a small omelet, and the tray can also steam a serving or two of vegetables. You just add water, press a button, and it beeps when it’s done, which is helpful if you’re prone to getting distracted. The mint version is currently $14.96, down from $20.95, with a 4.5-star rating from 475 reviews. It’s a low-risk, under-$15 gift for breakfast people.
More Holiday Stories on Cheapism
- 10 Best Trader Joe’s Gifts for the Holidays, According to Loyal Fans — Fans of the store shared some of their favorite Trader Joe’s holiday gifts on Reddit just in time for the holidays.
- Trump Tariffs Threaten to Add $132 to Every Holiday Shopper’s Expenses, Study Says — Let’s break down the numbers to see what the impact of the Trump tariffs could be this holiday season.
- Dollar Tree Christmas Gift Ideas That Look Expensive — But Aren’t — Dollar Tree is the perfect place to hunt for inexpensive, yet stylish gifts that people will actually want.
