$25 and Under
Whether buying gifts for what feels like countless family members, taking part in present exchanges with colleagues, attending events, New Year’s Eve parties, or traveling for the holidays, December can be expensive. For all those occasions, and more, we have trawled the internet to find less extravagant options. Within our $25 and Under Gift Guide there are thoughtful, fun and design-forward presents for all types of individuals at prices that are more affordable.
Hero image courtesy of PIECEWORK
Socks That Protect Sloths
Socks That Protect Sloths
Conscious Step creates socks, hoodies and candles that feature illustrations of a range causes—from protecting Sloths to building homes, planting trees and saving rainforests, providing meals to those in need, and many others. A donation is made for each item purchased, one small way for you to subtly share concern about our world and the many ways in which we can help make a difference, however small it may seem. Purchasing a pair of these socks sends $1 to Conservation International. Kids and toddler sizes, , footies and more are also available.
Added: March 2024
This product is sold by Conscious Step
Chaga Tincture
Chaga Tincture
Family-owned and Oregon-based, Feral Fungi has been making premium mushroom supplements since 2016. Their line-up includes single mushroom tinctures, multi-mushroom blends as well as gummies. Their online store is highly educational and is organized by mushroom type, wellness benefit and even astrological alignment. Chaga is known for supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation so it’s a great supplement for almost everyone. Available as a single purchase or subscription in one or two ounce bottles, the mushrooms are ethically wild-harvested and extracted using a three stage process to maximize their effectiveness.
Added: March 2024
This product is sold by Feral Fungi
Campus B5 Notebook
Campus B5 Notebook
Kokomo’s Campus notebooks—available in myriad versions—provide quality options for most needs. These inexpensive B5 notebooks open completely flat, making writing a breeze. This notebook is 50 pages and 6mm lined. Other sizes, colors and sheet volumes available.
Added: March 2024
This product is sold by Bungu
Genio Della (Frozen) Pizza
Genio Della (Frozen) Pizza
When we think of single-minded passion, vision and dedication, pizza chef and restauranteur Anthony Mangieri ranks high on our list. His celebrated Una Pizza Napoletana in NYC offers pizza in its purest form, perfectly cooked in a wood fired oven. You can’t always make it to your favorite pizzeria for a quality pie, and frustrated by the current frozen pizza offerings he took the challenge upon himself to create not just an acceptable, but an exceptional, frozen pizza. Made in Italy, Genio Della Pizza is now available in four traditional pies—Margherita, Marinara, Bianco, Broccoli Rabe. Pies use only the best, and most minimal ingredients, just like at the restaurant. Visit to find retailers near you, order locally on Fresh Direct, DashMart, GoPuff and Feed, or for national delivery on Goldbelly.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Genio Della Pizza
Printed Felt Pan Holder
Printed Felt Pan Holder
A stylish, simple, sustainable, made in NY accessory to keep things cool in the kitchen. Made from natural felted wool which is printed with patterns, they are practical for dealing with hot pans, especially those with short handles, like cast iron. Available in several styles. Pot handles are also available.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Olga Joan
Expanding Dental Floss In a Refillable Dispenser + Refill
Expanding Dental Floss In a Refillable Dispenser + Refill
We’ve tried just about every brand of all-natural floss, packaged in paper or glass, and have not yet found a product that does the job. And though there are several great innovations in paper and glass packaging, we found that paper didn’t wear well in our travel kit. Then we tried Davids, and while it’s not perfectly eco-friendly it performs very well and makes every effort with currently available materials. It starts with the floss, which is made with polyester from recycled water bottles. The rest of the few ingredients include vegan wax, coco butter and essential mint oils. Importantly, the expanding floss performs extremely well, and in our tests rarely breaks (the main issue with all natural fiber options). Then there’s the plastic case, which is lightweight, well-engineered and easily refilled. If you aren’t familiar with the brand’s toothpaste, which comes in aluminum tubes, it’s also our top pick.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Davids
Heirloom Variety Box of Rare and Unusual Dates
Heirloom Variety Box of Rare and Unusual Dates
Rancho Meladuco has been our go-to farm for California grown dates. A great snack, an ingredient in a recipe, or an addition to your cheese board, you’ll also discover some new flavors along the way. Their new two pound box is, as the name suggests, full of pitted heirloom dates that are likely less well known and definitely harder to find. They grow more than two dozen varietals, including old-world and new-world varietals including Abada, Empress, Mariana, Tarbazal, Honey and Riley. Each Heirloom Variety box is filled with a mix of whatever is ready to be harvested and comes with a seed planting kit so you can grow your own date tree.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Rancho Meladuco
Natural Bamboo Bandages
Natural Bamboo Bandages
PATCH makes first-aid products that are eco-friendly and sustainable, including these hypoallergenic, latex-free bandages. Made from bamboo fiber, which has antioxidant properties, and featuring the company’s pressure sensitive adhesive and custom woven bamboo fabric pad, you can heal knowing you’re not damaging the environment. This B Corp also plants a tree for every online order. The value pack includes 100 bandages. Other designs and packages are available.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by PATCH
Hojicha Hot Chocolate
Hojicha Hot Chocolate
Hojicha tea and bean-to-bar chocolate deliver a fresh take for your hot chocolate in an unexpected combination that adds a fresh twist. The slight bitterness of the roasted green tea blends nicely with the 70% Camino Verde Ecuadorian chocolate. Originating at the San Francisco brand’s Kyoto café and also served in the San Francisco café, it’s now available, in limited quantities.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Dandelion Chocolate
Repour Wine Saver 10 Pack
Repour Wine Saver 10 Pack
This simple alternative bottle stopper made of recyclable plastic keeps an open bottle of wine fresh by removing the oxygen in the bottle. All you have to do is take off the foil seal and place it in your bottle. This set of 10 could save hundreds of dollars of wine from going bad. Many other product packages are available at all price points.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Repair
A Pair of Pickleball Paddles
A Pair of Pickleball Paddles
This accessible set offers an easy way to get into Pickleball and includes a carrying case with two paddles, four balls and two towels. The paddles are approved by the ASA Pickleball Association and feature fiberglass construction with a honeycomb core and an easy to hold handle. Highly rated, they deliver solid, middle-of-the-road performance that’s perfect for beginners.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Amazon
Rope Knot Toy
Rope Knot Toy
These sturdy, colorful rope toys come in two sizes and three color ways and provide a fun activity for your dog or cat on their own, with friend or with you. They’re made from 100% natural cotton and use vegetable dyes for coloring to keep your pet toxin-free.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Ware of the Dog
Twilight
Twilight
Photographer Arthur Drooker has captured our attention for years. His latest book, Twilight, features a colorful, resonant series of twilight images shot at The Sea Ranch in Northern California over a series of months. This peaceful meditation feels particularly good this year, and is a visually compelling break from the increasing complexity of the world.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Arthur Drooker
The Ice Book
The Ice Book
Camper English’s latest book breaks down the methods to making clear ice at home. From squares to diamond cuts, inclusions and more—it’s literally everything you need to know about making ice to enjoy and to impress. Aside from its visual appeal, clear ice also melts more slowly and is surprisingly easy to work with.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Indiana University Press
Profi Nasal Spray
Profi Nasal Spray
Created by Harvard Medical School professors, Profi is a new non-medical nasal spray that creates a micro hydrogel lining in your nose, preventing 99% of viral pathogens (cold, flu, COVID, etc.) from being absorbed into your body. Each application lasts eight hours, and is a game changer for being in crowded spaces.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Profi
Grain and Gluten Free Pumpkin Biscuits Dog Treats
Grain and Gluten Free Pumpkin Biscuits Dog Treats
Portland Pet Food Company makes simple, healthy treats for your pup. Their Pumpkin Biscuits are gluten and grain free and have only five ingredients—garbanzo bean flour, 100% natural pumpkin, 100% natural peanut butter, molasses and cinnamon.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Portland Pet Food Company
100% Yuzu Juice
100% Yuzu Juice
YUZUCO’s 100% yuzu juice (cold-pressed in Japan and bottled in the US) provides a refreshing and balanced citrus flavor for use in drinks, dressings and more. A hybrid of Ichang papeda and Mandarin orange, it’s fragrant, tart and sour without being overwhelming—and a little goes a long way. Whether you’re into marinading or mixing cocktails, yuzu juice warrants a place in any kitchen or bar.
Added: June 2023
This product is sold by YUZUCO
Baby Oil SPF 30
Baby Oil SPF 30
From the dermatologist-developed sunscreen brand Vacation, this baby oil looks, feels and smells retro, but contains proper protection from the sun. Made with naturally derived oils, the SPF 30 formula is also Hawaii Reef Act 104 compliant—meaning they are void of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. The delicious, nostalgic scent was developed in collaboration with ARQUISTE Parfumeur and will conjure up images of carefree beach days and pool parties of yesteryear.
Added: May 2023
This product is sold by Vacation
Bubble Buddy
Bubble Buddy
Do the dishes while helping clean up the planet with Bubble Buddy, a colorful soap dish by designer Foekje Fleur. Made from recycled plastic, the handy tool includes a basin that, when flipped over, becomes a grater for creating bar-soap flakes that easily dissolve in warm water. Each dish is made in the Netherlands with sales benefitting Sea Shepherd. Price is in Euros.
Added: May 2023
This product is sold by Foekje Fleur
Chipotle Sauce
Chipotle Sauce
Vegan and gluten-free, this Chipotle Sauce from family-owned Bitchin’ Sauces is bold, zingy and smoky with a touch of heat. Made with almonds, lemon juice, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika and other spices, it’s perfect on everything from tacos to crudités to breakfast sandwiches.
Added: April 2023
This product is sold by Bitchin' Sauce
Blue 600 Film: Reclaimed Edition
Blue 600 Film: Reclaimed Edition
Blue 600 Film—which yields photographs in a range of blue hues—is the accidental consequence of an experiment at Polaroid’s last ever factory in Enschede, Netherlands. Unlike monochrome or duochrome film, it doesn’t use dye but relies on an unexpected chemical reaction. With a desire to use out-of-spec materials, Polaroid chemist Brian Slaghuis worked with a chemical called TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Blue 600 was born. The film delivers varying intensities, creating moody, cinematic images.
Added: April 2023
This product is sold by Polaroid
Prisoners’ Inventions (New Edition)
Prisoners’ Inventions (New Edition)
While incarcerated in California, author and illustrator Angelo was invited by art practice and publication Temporary Services to document the various things he’d seen his peers invent, ranging from immersion heaters to tattoo ink, pillows and chessboards. His findings—which are a testament to the ways prisons deny people basic necessities as well as the inventiveness of people who are incarcerated—were collected and published in 2003 as Prisoners’ Inventions. This new edition features an additional 80 pages, with even more drawings, photos and blueprints.
Added: April 2023
This product is sold by Half Letter Press
Animal-Free Milk
Animal-Free Milk
There are many milk alternatives, but Strive is the first of its kind. It uses lab-grown, animal-free whey, making it a real dairy beverage that’s void of cholesterol, soy, lactose and nuts. It looks, feels and tastes like animal milk and, most importantly, acts like it too—whether you’re whipping it or baking with it. Price reflects a pack of two.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Strive
All-Purpose Organic Plant Food
All-Purpose Organic Plant Food
From plant-care brand Flourish comes an organic formula that aids in the early stages of vegetative growth. Derived from discarded corn steep liquor (made up of half water and half water-soluble proteins) and fish byproducts, the sustainable plant food utilizes a strategic composition of micro- and macro-nutrients to avoid over-fertilization and ensure happy, healthy plants.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Flourish
Menu Momento: An SM Co Cookbook
Menu Momento: An SM Co Cookbook
Part cookbook and part archive, Menu Momento features food, drink and syrup recipes created at and served by Superior Merchandise Company, a home goods store and cafe in Upstate New York that is closing their brick and mortar location this spring. The spiral-bound book preserves the shop’s creative tastes while also honoring their work for the community.
Added: March 2023
This product is sold by Superior Merchandise Company
