\n<\/p>\n
$25 doesn’t go<\/span> as far as it used to. As recently as a decade ago, $25 could fill up your gas tank and buy a pretty good gift, with plenty of options for just about every interest and occasion. Nowadays, it\u2019s a struggle to even find a $25 takeout meal for one person and average national gas prices are inching toward $5 a gallon. And we all know wages have not kept up.<\/p>\n Good news: There are still plenty of thoughtful, interesting items out there to be had for $25, which are sure to appeal to everyone from coworkers to neighbors, relatives you don’t know well, and the friend who seems to have everything. All things on this list have been tested and vetted by at least one person on the WIRED Reviews team\u2014often more than one\u2014to ensure it is indeed a good gift you’d be proud to give. Check out more of our gift guides to find something for everyone on your list this year.<\/p>\n Love\u00a0WIRED<\/em>?\u00a0Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/em>\u00a0to see more of us.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/span>Fun Notebooks<\/span><\/p>\n Field Notes National Parks Series (3-Pack)<\/p>\n Read more<\/span>Perfect Pens<\/span><\/p>\n Muji Ballpoint Pens (10 Pack)<\/p>\n Read more<\/span>Karaoke On Demand<\/span><\/p>\n Bonaok Karaoke Microphone<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n MoMA Design Store<\/p>\n WIRED senior Gear editor Julian Chokkattu recommends this colorful acrylic desk accessory that keeps pencils, scissors, and other large items on top and smaller items like paper clips (or, in Julian’s case as a phone reviewer, SIM ejection pins) on the bottom. Shown is the pink-and-amber color combination, but there’s also a blue-and-green option.<\/p>\n Field Notes<\/p>\n I’ve used Field Notes for years\u2014they\u2019re lightweight, sturdy, and a perfectly pocketable. The National Parks Series elevates what would otherwise be a utilitarian notebook to its giftable status, with artist-created covers inspired by our nation’s natural wonders\u2014from Acadia to the Hawai’i Volcanoes.<\/p>\n Muji<\/p>\n My city recently got its own brick-and-mortar Muji store, and if you\u2019ve never visited the famed Japanese retailer in person, it\u2019s basically a mecca for stationery and desk accessories. These pens in particular are famous for their smooth ink and precision tips, and make a perfect companion for the Field Notes notebooks at left.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n These drink cozies are a favored white elephant gift from WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell (“It’s like playing Barbie with your drinks,” she says), but I like them because they remind me of Will Ferrell and his friend Harper Steele in the movie Will & Harper,<\/em> where they go on a road trip, dress up their drinks in these exact cozies, and come up with ridiculous names for them like Cornelius Danderhoff. It reminds me of road trips I took with friends in college, which reminds me that I’m old, which \u2026\u00a0makes me want a drink.<\/p>\n Govee<\/p>\n Set the right vibe in any room with this WIRED-recommended, Matter-compatible smart light bulb that features millions of colors, scenes, and effects you can control with Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Govee app. You can also sync it to music with the latter, using the microphone on your phone.<\/p>\n Bonaok<\/p>\n Let your giftee be heard wherever they go with their very own Bluetooth microphone. Former WIRED A\/V editor Parker Hall especially liked this one for its series of playback and mixing controls, in addition to adjustable volume, echo effects, and the ability to play, skip, or pause your backing track.<\/p>\n Photograph: Louryn Strampe<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Photograph: Louryn Strampe<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Quince<\/p>\n A sleep mask is a must for proper sleep hygiene, and WIRED reviewer and sleep mask aficionado Louryn Strampe loves the roomy fit of this 22-momme silk model from Quince. It\u2019s half the price of similar 100-percent silk sleep masks, and there’s free shipping to keep things affordable. Choose from among 12 color options, including Eucalyptus, Espresso, Pink, Terra Cotta, and Light Blue.<\/p>\n Loop<\/p>\n Crowned our best earplugs for sleep, the silicone Loop Quiet 2 are capable of blocking out 24 dB and fit entirely flush with your head, ensuring that they’re perfectly comfortable when you lie on your side. The little handle makes them easy to pull out, and they come in four fun colors with a variety of ear tips to ensure your giftee can get the perfect fit.<\/p>\n Diveblues<\/p>\n Help your giftee\u2019s personal space stay cool and fresh with this 4-in-1 fan, the best handheld fan I\u2019ve personally tried. You can set it on a table or desk, hold it in your hand, clip it onto something with the bottom carabiner, or wear it around your neck. It\u2019s plenty quiet enough to hold a conversation over, and it comes in four fun colors.<\/p>\n Jacobsen Salt Co.<\/p>\n My entire family is obsessed with this finishing salt, which is harvested in Netarts Bay, Oregon, just a couple of hours from our house. The large, irregular crystals look (and taste) fantastic on meat, roast vegetables, and desserts, and offer the perfect amount of crunch. Either the salt itself or the stylish arched salt cellar\u2014handmade by Pigeon Toe Ceramics in Portland, Oregon\u2014would make a terrific gift on its own.<\/p>\n Kiwi<\/p>\n A sharp, trusty chef\u2019s knife is a staple in any kitchen, and Kiwi knives are beloved by multiple members of the WIRED Reviews team for their ability to hold an edge just as well as knives that cost 10 times as much. I\u2019ve had a Kiwi knife in my own knife drawer for more than 20 years, and it’s still going strong.<\/p>\n Le Creuset<\/p>\n Who doesn\u2019t love a colorful Le Creuset Dutch oven? The real-deal, enameled cast iron version may not be in your gifting budget, but the 8-ounce stoneware cocotte is perfect as a salt cellar, garlic roaster, or even a bowl to eat out of. Most of the classic colors are available, so you can match your giftee\u2019s kitchen or other Le Creuset pots if they have them.<\/p>\n Vanessa Minton<\/p>\n I have a separate gift guide for plant lovers, where I talk about how much I like the usability of this book. Put together by Vanessa Minton of From the Garden, \u201cHow to Grow Medicinal Herbs\u201d features clear and complete directions that are perfect for beginners, from growing the plants to how to incorporate them into infused oils, tinctures, teas, and syrups. I actually did give a copy to a friend as a gift, and she liked it so much she took it on a trip and read it cover to cover on the plane.<\/p>\n Back to the Roots<\/p>\n I received this dehydrated fruiting block in a box for my birthday a couple of years ago, and I was super impressed with how quickly and abundantly the oyster mushrooms grew\u2014right on my windowsill. Growing mushrooms isn\u2019t always easy, but this is a fun and educational method for kids and adults alike.<\/p>\n Happy Happy Houseplant<\/p>\n Tropical Monstera deliciosa<\/em> houseplants are all the rage right now, but many people may not know that they actually bear a fruit. It’s rarely produced outside the monstera\u2019s native climate, so you may not have the opportunity to taste it, but you can get the gist with this one-of-a-kind monstera fruit taffy. (It\u2019s tart!)<\/p>\n Ugreen<\/p>\n Being able to keep track of keys, luggage, and other gear is critical, and these Bluetooth trackers work just as well as AirTags for a quarter of the price. A pack of four with little lanyards and fun stickers retails for $24 but often on sale for even less. They work with Apple\u2019s Find My and take just seconds to sync to your phone. I have four of these in use in my household, and they are truly indistinguishable from AirTags in both tracking and quality. There’s also a rechargeable set that works with both iOS and Android, but we haven’t tried that one.<\/p>\n SmartLabels<\/p>\n WIRED contributing reviewer Alexis Berger organized multiple zones of her house with these QR Code stickers. They come with a free app that will scan and catalog all of a drawer or box\u2019s contents using AI\u2014that way you can just look on your phone for the location of an item instead of spending all day tearing your home and garage apart.<\/p>\n Baggu<\/p>\n I cannot even begin to list all the times I\u2019ve been glad to be carrying a reusable bag, but the ones I usually have in my purse are small and flimsy. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano loved this 25-inch-tall ripstop model that carries up to 50 pounds yet folds into a flat 5-by-5-inch pouch. It\u2019s also machine washable and comes in 35 colors and prints.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Barista Basics<\/p>\n WIRED contributing reviewer and former barista Pete Cottell loves this espresso accessory for its durability and design\u2014and can be found in seemingly every coffee shop where I live in the Pacific Northwest. However, even if you don\u2019t have an espresso machine, the uses for a little spouted measuring cup are endless. I have a plastic one and use it for everything from measuring small quantities of liquid ingredients to fertilizing plants.<\/p>\n Hydro Flask<\/p>\n WIRED reviewer Boutayna Chokrane recommends this Hydro Flask in her guide to the best travel mugs for its stainless steel rim that makes for smooth sipping. I have the tumbler version, but I wish it had a handle like this mug. Mine is not easy to hold when it\u2019s cold outside and I’m wearing gloves. (Mug is hand-wash only.)<\/p>\n Bestinnkits<\/p>\n Though this simple warmer only turns on when you have a mug on it, it was effective and reliable when we tested it, and it makes a great gift for anyone who works from home and ends up having their coffee or tea run cold during meetings. I bought one for my husband for Christmas last year, and it\u2019s still going strong.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Photograph: Louryn Strampe<\/p>\n WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe has this mini gaming controller, which is compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. It’s tiny, cute, and actually works\u2014she uses it to play Stardew Valley<\/em> and Bastion<\/em> on her iPhone. If your teen loves gaming, it would make a great stocking stuffer too. (It gets about 10 hours of battery life per USB-C charge.)<\/p>\n Dr. Squatch<\/p>\n Dr. Squatch soap is a pretty safe gift for teen boys (source: I have a teen boy), and a three-pack makes it more likely they\u2019ll at least get one scent that\u2019s a favorite. There are always lots of fun collabs each season, too\u2014this year\u2019s include Taijn seasoning and FIFA.<\/p>\n Sand + Fog<\/p>\n Yes, they are $1 over the limit, but these bag charms are worth the extra buck. They include little roller-ball bottles of popular Sand + Fog fragrance oils and come in a ready-made gift box, The charms look great on bags and backpacks, and would be a perfect stocking stuffer or angel-tree gift for teen girls.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The Op Games<\/p>\n WIRED reviewer Simon Hill’s family loves this hilarious drawing game that’s based on Telephone. Sketch a visual representation of a word or phrase and then pass it around the table for people to guess what it is. It’s great for parties and can accommodate four to eight people. The recommended minimum age is 12, but Simon’s 9-year-old daughter loves it.<\/p>\n Prank-O<\/p>\n These puzzles look like normal landscapes but contain a secret section not pictured on the box, with something jarringly incongruent like a dog pooping or a cat barfing. Remove the red sleeve and your giftee will have no idea anything is amiss until they put it together. I gave one of these to my husband, and the ruse worked flawlessly and was just as hilarious as I’d hoped.<\/p>\n Prank-O<\/p>\n I have given these boxes countless times with either a gift certificate or homemade coupon inside, and they\u2019re always a hit, especially in group settings. Many of the dozen or so designs are toilet-themed, but each one is just serious-looking enough that it usually takes people a few long (and hilarious) minutes to realize it\u2019s not a real item.<\/p>\n Photograph: Scott Gilbertson<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Photograph: Scott Gilbertson<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Epiphany Outdoor Gear<\/p>\n WIRED reviewer and esteemed outdoorsman Scott Gilbertson swears by this tiny telescoping bellows that will help any fire get going again, whether that’s a campfire or your wood stove at home. It stretches out to be surprisingly long and is a must-have for wet firewood, bug-out bags, or even backyard cookouts.<\/p>\n Nalgene<\/p>\n I carried a Nalgene all through college in the late \u201990s before the brand’s polycarbonate was found to have BPA. Now Nalgenes are back with BPA-free Tritan renew plastic, which makes them lightweight and perfect for both outdoor activities and everyday use.<\/p>\n Opinel<\/p>\n I’m a Leatherman kind of person myself, but sometimes you just need a bigger knife. In those cases, you won\u2019t do better than this folding, portable number featured in our Buy It For Life guide. French Alps-based Opinel has been making knives since 1890, and the No. 8 in particular is so well designed it\u2019s been displayed in museums.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n WIRED<\/p>\n WIRED is the gift that keeps on giving\u2014stay in the know all year long with a digital subscription for only $24 for new subscribers. (It’s $48 a year after that.) It’ll get you access to WIRED’s brand-new app, as well as exclusive subscriber-only newsletters, livestream AMAs, and a limited-edition tote bag.<\/p>\n Power up with unlimited access to<\/em> WIRED.<\/em><\/strong> Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.<\/em><\/p>\nFeatured Gifts<\/h2>\n
For the Notetaker<\/h2>\n
\n
Colorplay Pen & Pencil Cup Holder<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
National Parks Series (3-Pack)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Ballpoint Pens (10 Pack)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Party Person<\/h2>\n
Smart LED Color-Changing Light Bulb (H6008)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Karaoke Microphone<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Anti-Party Person<\/h2>\n
\n
Mulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Quiet 2 Ear Plugs<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Portable Handheld Fan<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Home Chef<\/h2>\n
\n
Salt and Salt Cellar<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Brand Chef\u2019s Knife<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Gardener<\/h2>\n
How to Grow Medicinal Herbs<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Organic Mini Mushroom Growing Kit<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Monstera Deliciosa Fruit Salt Water Taffy<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Well-Organized<\/h2>\n
\n
FineTrack Air Tracker Tags (iOS)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
QR Code Organizing System<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Standard Reusable Bag<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Coffee Lover<\/h2>\n
Triple Spout Shot Glass<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Mug<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Auto On\/Off Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For Teens<\/h2>\n
Soap<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Perfume Bag Charms<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For a Laugh<\/h2>\n
Telestrations<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Prank Puzzle<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Gift Boxes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Outdoorsy<\/h2>\n
\n
Collapsible Pocket Bellows<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
No. 8 Folding Knife<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For Everyone<\/h2>\n
1-Year Digital WIRED Subscription<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n