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60 Best Cheap Christmas Gifts That Actually Look Pretty Expensive

Your wallet will thank you.

By Jacquelyn Greenfield, Siena Gagliano, Daisy Maldonado and Chaise Sanders
giftspinterest icon
Courtesy | Margie Rischiotto

I think we can all agree on one thing: gift shopping can be very, very stressful. Whether you're looking for the perfect birthday gift, an anniversary present, or holiday gifts for everyone on your list, finding the right prezzie can be a challenge. And finding the right prezzie that won't hurt your credit card? Even harder. Seeing as a single bottle of fancy moisturizer or pair of cute sneakers can cost upwards of a hundred bucks, most of the items on anyone's wish list aren't usually budget-friendly. So if you’re searching for a lil something for someone who loves luxurious gifts (because, like, who doesn’t?!), but you don’t have a ton of extra money to blow on presents (because, like, who does?!), we’ve got your back.

Here at Cosmo, we like to think of ourselves as the bougie frugal types, so when it comes to getting the best inexpensive Christmas gifts that are top-tier quality, we know all the ins and outs on where to find them. And since you have your whole family (and then some!), with maybe not a whole lot of $$$ to spend on presents, you can trust you're in the right place. We've scoured the internet for the absolute best holiday gifts that won't wreak havoc on your budget. So whether you're on the hunt for a gift for your mom, sister, brother, or BFF, below are 60 affordable gift ideas—all under $75—that look and feel expensive without breaking the bank.

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1
this luminous highlighter

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter
1
this luminous highlighter

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

$25 at Sephora$35 at Walmart
Credit: Sephora

Easy way to feel like a million bucks? Rare Beauty's latest highlighter that will give you instant It girl level of glow.

2
this catchall tray

Mark & Graham Ceramic Catchall Tray

Ceramic Catchall Tray
2
this catchall tray

Mark & Graham Ceramic Catchall Tray

If someone doesn’t gift you this ceramic catchall tray for the holidays, get it for yourself with your initial on it. At such a good price, you might as well treat yourself too.

3
this silky lip balm

Summer Fridays Vanilla Beige Lip Butter Balm

Vanilla Beige Lip Butter Balm
3
this silky lip balm

Summer Fridays Vanilla Beige Lip Butter Balm

Credit: Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays' butter balm is a bestseller for a reason. Its silky, 100% vegan formula gives the hydration lips need (especially during the winter) and leaves them with that "clean girl" aesthetic shine—plus a hint of vanilla flavor.

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4
this gratitude journal

Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal

On Sale
The Five Minute Journal
4
this gratitude journal

Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal

Now 17% Off

Gift giving season can get chaotic, but sometimes, it's nice to slow down and reflect. This journal is meant to help you start your day with a little appreciation and positivity—something I'm sure we all could use.

5
this volcano room spray

Capri Blue Volcano Room Spray

Volcano Room Spray
5
this volcano room spray

Capri Blue Volcano Room Spray

Credit: Anthropologie

If you're familiar with the iconic, cult-favorite Volcano candles, then you're well aware of how intoxicating that scent is. But did you know it comes in a room spray too?!

6
this stackable ring

AquarianThoughts Hammered Gold Ring, Skinny Stacking Ring

Hammered Gold Ring, Skinny Stacking Ring
6
this stackable ring

AquarianThoughts Hammered Gold Ring, Skinny Stacking Ring

A 14k gold-fill ring for $15 sounds like a myth, but I’m here to tell you it’s true, and it’s right here. Get a couple of ’em if you like the stacked look, or keep it dainty and simple with just one.

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7
this lip mask

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Lip Sleeping Mask
7
this lip mask

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

This cult-favorite lip mask leaves lips feeling moisturized and soft. Take it from someone who suffers from constantly chapped lips—this mask is my savior.

8
this aesthetic alarm clock

Andoolex Wooden Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charging

On Sale
Wooden Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charging
8
this aesthetic alarm clock

Andoolex Wooden Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charging

Now 25% Off

We love a good multi-function product. This pretty wooden alarm clock is also a wireless charger for devices, so they'll never forget to charge them overnight.

9
this travel-friendly perfume

Glossier You Rollerball

You Rollerball
9
this travel-friendly perfume

Glossier You Rollerball

Credit: Glossier

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me what perfume I was wearing after drowning myself in Glossier's signature fragrance, I'd be living my best bougie life. Designed to compliment your natural scent, this rollerball is the perfect way to introduce them to their new fave perfume.

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10
this polished bucket bag

Charles & Keith Gabine Bucket Bag

Gabine Bucket Bag
10
this polished bucket bag

Charles & Keith Gabine Bucket Bag

Finding a chic, on-trend bag that's gift-worthy is challenging, but Charles & Keith is a go-to for under-$100 bags that look wayyyy more expensive than their price tags. This sleek mini bucket bag is available in violet, navy tweed, brown, and black leather, so there's one for every style.

11
this smooch-worthy cherry lip oil

Fenty Skin Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil

Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil
11
this smooch-worthy cherry lip oil

Fenty Skin Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil

Credit: Sephora

Dior's Lip Glow Oil is all the rage, but if you don't want to drop $40, allow us to introduce you to Rihannna's Fenty Cherry Lip Oil. It's a fraction of the price, and will leave your lips just as silky and hydrated! Thank us later!

12
this satin pillowcase

Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

Satin Pillowcase
12
this satin pillowcase

Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

Credit: kitsch

Satin pillowcases are just what your bed is missing. Not only do they help tame frizz and reduce hair breakage due to the gentle material, but it also helps reduce breakouts by absorbing less moisture and dirt.

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13
this personal pizza maker

Uncommon Goods Grilled Personal Pizza Maker

Grilled Personal Pizza Maker
13
this personal pizza maker

Uncommon Goods Grilled Personal Pizza Maker

Credit: Uncommon Goods

Picture it: a Friday night in making your own personal brick oven-style pizza right on your grill. Need we say more? Grab one for someone on your list and one for yourself!

14
these custom press on nails

LIT Nail Co

LIT Nail Co
14
these custom press on nails

LIT Nail Co

Credit: LIT Nail Co by TaShae Hedgespeth

Give the gift of fab nails with these custom press on sets. Similarly to Etsy, West Tenth is a marketplace where you can shop small businesses; with LIT Nail Co. being a Black-owned salon that specializes in nail art and has stunning reusable sets you can buy all for under $65.

15
these fuzzy socks

UGG Cozy Chenille Casual Socks

Cozy Chenille Casual Socks
15
these fuzzy socks

UGG Cozy Chenille Casual Socks

Does it get any softer than these plush socks? No, no it does not. And when it comes to inexpensive gifts, it doesn’t get any better than this either.

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16
this card game

BAD CHOICES The Have You Ever? Game

On Sale
The Have You Ever? Game
16
this card game

BAD CHOICES The Have You Ever? Game

Now 50% Off

This fun game comes with an added "After Dark" pack, so your giftee can break out the booze and play late into the night.

17
this fun cookbook

Dovetail Ice Tray Treats Book

Ice Tray Treats Book
17
this fun cookbook

Dovetail Ice Tray Treats Book

If you know someone with a serious sweet tooth but not the baking skills to back it up, get them this cookbook full of no-bake recipes—and throw in a cheap ice tray to go with it!

18
this journal

Papier Scallop Spine Notebook

Scallop Spine Notebook
18
this journal

Papier Scallop Spine Notebook

You can’t go wrong with a journal. This one is extra-special with customizable initials—making the gift totally personal.

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19
this personalized necklace

M MOOHAM Dainty Layering Initial Necklaces

Dainty Layering Initial Necklaces
19
this personalized necklace

M MOOHAM Dainty Layering Initial Necklaces

It's not hard to find a thoughtful gift when initial necklaces exist. This one has two dainty gold chains for an easy layered look that instantly elevates any outfit. Meaningful to them and nice on your wallet—kinda hard to beat!

20
this dripper for pour over coffee

Blue Bottle Dripper with Blue Bottle Coffee Filters

Dripper with Blue Bottle Coffee Filters
20
this dripper for pour over coffee

Blue Bottle Dripper with Blue Bottle Coffee Filters

Credit: Blue Bottle Coffee

FYI, a good cup of coffee doesn't have to be hard or require you spending $7 at your local cafe. This dripper system is perfect for coffee lovers, no matter if they're a beginner or a connoisseur.

Lettermark
Jacquelyn Greenfield

Jacquelyn Greenfield is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers the best gift ideas, sales, and more across all things beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and sex. She has a serious obsession with sneakers and lives for a great clear lip gloss. She previously worked at Nylon and has had bylines in The Zoe Report, Coveteur, and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter

Headshot of Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.

Headshot of Daisy Maldonado
Associate Shopping Editor

Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram. 

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