Shopping·9 min read

The Best Gifts for Guys Under $50

the best gifts for guys under $50
Design: theSkimm | Images: Amazon, Nordstrom, Craighill
October 15, 2024

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Contrary to popular belief, a grand price tag does not always make a great gift. Fortunately, whether you’re shopping for your brother, best friend, partner, spouse, or co-worker, we can help you find a great option for all the guys on your list that won’t blow your entire gift budget. From waterproof speakers to Yeti mugs, scroll on for all our picks. 

Want more holiday gifting ideas? Check out our full list of gift guides for everyone on your list.

men's cozy socks
Bombas

Cozy socks with great support…

Bombas’ Gripper Slippers cost just under $50, and are worth every penny. If he’s already a fan of the brand’s supportive socks, he’ll love these house shoes that were just redesigned to have “double the cush.” They have a plush interior lining that keeps toes cozy, and a grippy bottom to prevent slips. ($48, Bombas)

$48 at Bombas
men's birkenstocks
Nordstrom

Slides he can wear everywhere…

These waterproof slides are the classic Birkenstocks you know and love, but with a lower price tag and the bonus of being easy to wash. The contoured footbed provides optimal arch support while the buckle closure is adjustable for the perfect fit. They’ll keep him comfy all day long, whether he’s headed out on the town or hitting the beach. ($49.95, Nordstrom)

$49.95 at Nordstrom
Putting green drinking game
Walmart

A game for when he can’t make it to the putting green…

This downsized drinking game takes mini golf to a whole new level. Whether he’s reliving the college glory days filled with competitive pregame or just looking for a golf fix that doesn’t take up several hours, this creative set will have his back at the next party. ($29.95,Walmart)

$29.95 at Walmart
mushroom log
Uncommon Goods

A project for the wannabe gardener…

If he hits the farmers market for organic veggies every Sunday, a DIY mushroom-growing kit might be just the thing. This log comes with planted organic spores and, after a soak, will start sprouting mushrooms in around six weeks. Plus, he’ll be able to harvest and regrow robust, smoky shiitake mushrooms every six weeks for the next three years. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. ($30, Uncommon Goods)

$30 at Uncommon Goods
Babka
Goldbelly

For the guy who’s not so into holiday cookies…

Russ & Daughters’ legendary babka is a great alternative to the classic holiday cookie tin. This braided bread still brings decadent sweetness with its delicious swirls of dark chocolate, and best of all, it’s a nice under-$20 surprise. ($18, Goldbelly)

$18 at Goldbelly
record coasters
Uncommon Goods

Hosting essentials for the musically inclined…

These coasters fit perfectly in any music lover’s home. They’re made of labels cut from actual vinyls, so each set features an assortment of music genres and is unique. They’re also sealed, so they’ll be effective at protecting furniture. ($24, Uncommon Goods)

$24 at Uncommon Goods
t-shirt
Old Navy

A high-quality tee for less…

This rib-knit tee is made from cotton jersey fabric that will get softer with every wash. It’s currently available in 10 colors and sizes up to 3XL — plus, we’ve seen it on sale as cheap as $7, so you can even grab a few and stay well under budget. ($8, Old Navy)

$8 at Old Navy
fleece jacket
Uniqlo

A versatile and cozy fleece…

His casual coffee runs and morning strolls around the neighborhood are about to get a whole lot comfier, thanks to this zip-up jacket. Choose from seven colors, ranging from black to light blue — and make sure to pick one you like, too, since you’ll probably want to steal this from time to time. ($39.90, Uniqlo)

$39.90 at Uniqlo
men's pants
Uniqlo

Pants for his job or the couch…

Meet his new everyday, everywhere pants. Their ultra-fine yarn material is comfortable enough for the couch, but the tapered cut brings business-casual flair. A must in his wardrobe that you’ll catch him wearing all the time. ($39.90, Uniqlo)

$39.90 at Uniqlo
two mugs
Yeti

A pair of mugs for espresso on the go…

Stackable, dishwasher safe, and made with kitchen-grade stainless steel (plus a nice ceramic lining), these little Yeti cups are the perfect gift for a coffee obsessive who also loves the great outdoors. His next camping trip will be perfectly caffeinated. ($35, Yeti)

$35 at Yeti
key ring
Craighill

For the guy who can never find his keys…

Sometimes it’s all about the little things. This two-inch brass ring isn’t flashy, but will make all the difference when it comes to keeping track of that all-important house or car key. The colorful enamel stripe makes it easy to recognize, and the wide opening can easily click onto his belt loop. ($20, Craighill)

$20 at Craighill
money clip
Craighill

If Apple Pay isn’t really his thing…

If he’s old-fashioned and, therefore, never leaves the house without a bunch of actual cash, he’ll appreciate this money clip. Choose from three sleek colorways (bronze, silver, or black) and give him the gift of stylish organization. ($38, Craighill)

$38 at Craighill
air tag bottle opener
Huckberry

A keychain that does it all…

This nifty multi-tool will transform his keyring with one click. It’s a keychain, bottle opener, box cutter, and more — plus, it holds an AirTag. If he insists on being the handyman of the house, he’ll marvel at this neat little gadget. ($30, Huckberry)

$30 at Huckberry
portable bluetooth speakers
Amazon

A soundtrack for all his favorite hikes…

Don’t let its small size fool you — this speaker will sing from the mountaintops when he takes it on his next hike. Its built-in carabiner clips securely onto backpacks, and the speaker itself has 10 hours of play time when fully charged. JBL’s high-fidelity sound always packs a punch, even from a mini device like this one. ($44.80, Amazon)

$44.80 at Amazon
Meat thermometer
Amazon

A high-tech thermometer for the grill master…

Amazon reviewers praise this high-tech thermometer for being robust, durable, and (most importantly) easy to use. It’s perfect for the man who’s always planning his Friday night grilling menu or hosting weekend barbecues. With Bluetooth, it connects to devices up to 650 feet away, sends real-time alerts, and accurately estimates cooking times. ($39.99, Amazon)

$39.99, Amazon
gaming charger
Amazon

A tiny accessory gamers will appreciate…

This adorable Poké Ball dock is small but sturdy enough to hold his Nintendo Switch, and will charge it while he plays. Since it’s so light, he can easily use it both at home and on the go. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

$16.99, Amazon

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