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.
Part of HowlGo’s ocean series (which also includes sea urchins, coral, oysters and more), this shrimp toy provides plenty of entertainment for your pooch. Made from cotton and polyester, the crustacean makes a rustling sound to pique dogs’ curiosity for extended play and to help relieve stress.
La Boutanche—a collaboration between natural wine importer Selection Massale and their roster of winemakers—tapped German vigneron Andi Knauss for this organic, fruit-forward red. Made from 100% Tollinger grapes and featuring a touch of acidity, this light wine (which can be served chilled) is refreshing and juicy.
From home goods store Golden Rule comes Tiles Gift Wrap, wrapping paper featuring artist Isabelle Feliu’s hand-painted repeat pattern. Subtly hued, the paper measures around 19 by 28 inches and is crafted from FSC-certified stock with vegetable-based ink.
Designed and manufactured in Japan by stationery brand Hightide (founded in Fukuoka in 1994), this non-toxic wax crayon includes eight colors in one instrument. Choose from pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black or purple and let the creativity flow.
From women-owned, San Diego-based arts and crafts brand Ooly comes the Lil’ Paint Brush set, intended for kids aged three and over. The set of seven colorful brushes includes different sizes of various types—flat, filbert, round and angled—which will spark creativity in little ones.
Bringing together artwork and words from children around the world, A GIFT is a heartwarming, humorous and at points heartbreaking book. Included are paintings from South Africa’s Cyrene Mission, art collected in the 1930s from New York’s Children’s Museum of the Arts and more, altogether creating a compendium that serves as a reminder of the wondrous perspective unique to children. Price is in Pounds.
Visual artist Ifeoma Orjiekwe’s heart-shaped faces adorn the exterior of these greeting cards from Heart n Soul, a visual arts company and non-profit that employs individuals with learning disabilities. Available in sets of two (in red or blue and orange), each card has a blank interior and comes with an envelope. Price is in Pounds.
Inkbox’s tattoo markers provide a temporary design that lasts for around one to two weeks. Made with a plant-based formula, the ink penetrates the skin to settle underneath—as opposed to standard temporary tattoos which sit on top. With a fine tip, this marker helps create details and intricate pieces (though larger markers are also available). Whether testing a tattoo or looking for ever-changing forms of …
From Christina Viviani and Emilio Ramirez’s luxury lingerie line, The Great Eros, these lurex socks are shimmery, slightly sheer and super-soft. The sky blue socks rise to around mid-calf and add a touch of playful elegance to any outfit.
The cult-followed singer-songwriter Caroline Polachek’s second album, DESIRE, I WANT TO TURN INTO YOU, continues the artist’s synth-inflected, techno-take on pop with more wailing, sunny instrumentation and attitude. Pressed onto a metallic copper vinyl, the LP includes the tracks “Bunny Is A Rider,” “Welcome To My Island” and “Billions,” and features collaborations with Grimes and Dido.
Roasted, ground and molded in California’s Napa Valley, chef Thomas Keller’s bean-to-bar chocolate brand, K + M, now offers a refreshingly delicious 70% dark chocolate and yuzu blend. Freeze-dried Japanese yuzu peel joins Arriba Nacional cacao from Ecuador’s Hacienda Victoria Estate, organic cocoa butter and organic cane sugar for a luscious, light flavor.
LA-based artist Rob Sato’s Bad Hands series is composed of hand-printed lithographs in various colorways. Essentially a chart of hand and finger configurations (some of which are impossible), the print is on Cougar cover stock paper and is available in an edition of 60.
