25 Early Holiday Gifts to Stash in Your Gift Closet Now

Gifts Under $10 | Gifts Under $25 | Gifts Under $50 | Splurge Gifts | Books

Do you find it pleasurable or rewarding to dash through the picked-over aisles on December 24, jostling for crumbs and scraps alongside other frantic shoppers, or waiting on your porch to see if your package will arrive in time? If so, this is not the article you’re looking for. However, if organization is thy middle name, and you love having creative and clever presents on hand for last-minute invites, get-togethers, that Secret Santa office swap you didn’t realize was mandatory and surprise guests, read on!

Below are 25 perfect-for-everyone, versatile gift ideas in a range of price points to carry you through any parties and surprise pop-overs from friends and family, as well as special somethings for those special someones. Also, browse for fun ideas for yourself, because you deserve it.

So take advantage of all the early sales this year, order now, and then kick back and relax with a hot chocolate (or a hot toddy, you don’t have to go anywhere) on Christmas Eve. 

Read on to see all the best early holiday gifts for everyone you know, starting at less than $5.

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Want to learn more about the products we included above? Keep reading!

Gifts Under $10

Sprout Wood-Cased Pencils Plant a Tree Edition 

Step aside, boring office supplies! Meet the world’s first plantable pencil. Sprout makes their pencils with certified wood, sourced from responsibly managed forests, that you use. Once it’s too short to write with, plant it to grow a spruce tree. Fans of SproutWorld include Save the Children, brands like Coca Cola, Marriott, Disney, Ikea and celebs including Michelle Obama and Richard Branson.

Why It’s A Smart Buy: It’s fun to find twists on the usual, and Earth-aware kids and adults alike will love the 2-in-1 benefits they get from these pencils. 

Price: $9.99 at Amazon.com

Drumstick Pens 

These drumstick blue ballpoint pens are made out of poplar wood, with a nice feel and weight, making them ideal for writing and for tapping out a favorite song. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: We’re 100% behind anything to make our desks less boring, especially for under $10. 

Price: $8 at Amazon

Golden Girls Dorothy Crew Socks

Warm your feet and your heart with Golden Girls-themed socks. Buy all four of the ladies — Rose, Sophia, Dorothy, and Blanche for your best friends and bust out the cheesecake.  

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Fun socks are a fun gift — they don’t take up a ton of space, and even people who don’t like to dress too flashily will enjoy a little sneaky pop of personality on their feet. 

Price: $7.43+ at Amazon

Compartés Chocolate Bars

Award-winning Compartés has been pleasing chocolate lovers (including Oprah, Elton John, Billie Eilish and even Winston Churchill) for almost 75 years. Order a handful of their creative, beautiful, handcrafted chocolate bars and you’ll never be without an awesome gift, or snack for yourself, within reach. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: In all sorts of fun and creative flavors (Matcha Green Tea White Chocolate, Red Velvet, California Love Pretzel Dark Chocolate) these make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts and desserts to serve when special guests come over. 

Price: $9.95 at Compartés.com

Burt’s Bees Limited-Edition Peppermint Lip Balm 

This holiday-exclusive peppermint lip balm is made with beeswax and peppermint for a seasonally appropriate, and very refreshing way to condition chapped lips. Prefer other flavors? They’ve got vanilla maple, salted caramel, chai, mint cocoa, pumpkin spice and more. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Burt’s Bees is a beloved brand that manages to offer all sorts of gentle and nourishing skin and beauty products at reasonable prices. An affordable, festive balm is a good stocking stuffer for all ages. 

Price: $3.99 at BurtsBees.com

World’s Smallest Official Nerf Basketball  

Look, a teeny-tiny working basketball and hoop, with a suction cup bottom so it stays upright no matter how many shots they take.

Why It’s A Smart Buy: All of the World’s Smallest mini games and toys (think tiny Jenga sets and Monopoly games) are cute, actually work, and make great stocking stuffers for kids or clever desk-friendly presents for colleagues.

Price: $8.99 at Amazon.com

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Gifts Under $25

Mac and Cheese Necklace set for 2 – BFF Necklace Gift 

If you are looking for a funny gift for your bestie, this Etsy friendship necklace will do the trick. Two necklaces are included with the set, each charm is approx. 2 cm and the length of each necklace is 50 cm. We love that there are over 500 5 star reviews!

Why It’s A Smart Buy: You’ll certainly put a smile on their face with this quirky purchase. 

Price: $15.90 at Etsy

Goaliath 18-inch Mini Basketball Hoop 

An easy-to-install, indoor mini basketball hoop has a shatterproof backboard and a foam-padded bracket so doors, closets and dorm rooms won’t get scratched up. Comes with a mini, lightweight basketball for practice whenever the mood strikes. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: I know a few teens with this set and they love it and haven’t damaged anything in their rooms while using it. (Do note that the thumping isn’t too loud, but it’s not whisper-quiet either.) 

Price: $24.99 at DicksSportingGoods.com

Furby Furblets Fierce & Fabulous 2 Pack

If you might see a niece or nephew, younger cousin, or maybe your kid gets a last-minute cookie decorating invite, it’s nice to have a few reasonably-priced toys on hand. These Furblet music toys play their own tunes inspired by their personalities and also speak Furbish (they don’t speak human languages). 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Hasbro’s Furblets are expected to be a must-have this holiday season.

Price: $19.99 at Amazon

Old World Christmas Pickleball Ornament

Old World Christmas is known for their clever holiday ornament designs, and they come up with new ones each year. Each is hand-made, glass blown and high quality. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: What better to get for your pickleball friends? 

Price: $17.99 at Amazon.com

L’Occitane Hand and Body Care Nourishing Travel Favorites

From the popular brand beloved by beauty aficionados and editors, this cute little holiday gift set contains travel-sized versions of their Amande Shower Oil and Dry Skin Hand Cream for cleansing and hydrating, for a decadent experience.

Why It’s A Smart Buy: These products work for people with normal to dry skin, and Sephora lists them as being hydrating and made without silicones and parabens. 

Price: $18 at Sephora.com

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Gifts Under $50 

Bloom Nutrition Greens & Superfood Powder

Give your friend a glow up, courtesy of this gluten-free, plant-based powder that’s chock full of vitamins and minerals, probiotics, fiber and fresh fruits and veggies for an overall boost to skin and digestion in a tasty, orange passionfruit-flavored drink. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: The health-conscious friends and family members in your life will enjoy a super-easy and yummy way to get their greens on the go, thanks to this TikTok-trendy brand. 

Price: $34.99 at Amazon.com

Pink Moon Over the Moon Lunar Rose Mist

This lovely mist from an AAPI, female-founded brand is made with rose quartz crystal, rose water, gromwell root, kimchi, and hibiscus can be used on face, body and hair. Spritz all over to hydrate and balance you out. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Since it’s perfect for a mid-day work pick-me-up, to cool off post-workout or to refresh dry skin on flights, just about everyone will find a use for this gentle spray. 

Price: $38 at PinkMoon.co

VoChill Personal Wine Chiller

Freeze the chill cradle ahead of time, then use any glass on hand for wine that stays the perfect temp throughout cocktail hour or dinnertime. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Sometimes the best gifts are ones you wouldn’t splurge on for yourself but once you get them, you use it all the time. A good example is this wine chiller, which is not cheap but works well and really makes that evening glass of vino more enjoyable. 

Price: $49.95 at Amazon.com 

Handcrafted Bonbon Collection 

This showstopping 16-piece collection of handmade bonbons comes in all sorts of incredible flavors like ancho chile, brown butter caramel, earl grey tea, and sunflower seed praline. They’re made with organic, natural ingredients, and look as good as they taste.

Why It’s A Smart Buy: It’s such a thoughtful and gorgeous gift for chocoholics, and you also have the option of having the company write out a handwritten note when you send this box of yummy desserts to someone special. 

Price: $49 at MyChocolateSecrets.com

Ban.do Mushroom Vase 

Why did the mushroom have so many friends? Because he was a fungi! Mushrooms are everywhere, from unusual coffee blends to fashion and home decor. This vase is a fun way to enjoy the trend. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: This small ceramic 5-inch x 5.6-inch vase is a cute addition to any work or home space. 

Price: $26.95 at Amazon.com

Bonita Fierce Cafecito Con Leche Candle

I can vouch for this coconut soy wax candle’s delicious, sweet, creamy, coffee, caramel-y scent, because I got one as a gift and love it. The Latinx-owned and founded brand also crafts other amazing candle scents, like Lavender Fabulosa and Abuela’s Bakery. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: It will burn for about 50 to 60 hours, so less than $1/per, and is USA Forest Stewardship Council certified and meets Nordstrom Sustainably Sourced Materials criteria. And as noted above, it smells great and has a fab design. 

Price: $34 at Amazon

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Splurge Gifts 

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey 

Jack Daniel learned everything about making whiskey from a formerly enslaved man named Uncle Nearest, who gets overdue credit now, thanks to Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver. Pick up a bottle of this smooth spirit and then save it to give  to someone you really like. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Forbes reports that this Black-owned brand “is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history, the best-selling African American-founded spirit brand of all time, and was the most award-winning American whiskey (including bourbon) of 2019, 2020 and 2021” so it’s going to be appreciated. 

Price: $59.99 at Reserve Bar. 

Big Blanket Co 10’ x 10’ Original Stretch Blanket 

This is the best blanket! It’s an amazing 120” x 120” big — yes, that’s 10 feet by 10 feet –  so it’s awesome for snuggling up in bed or cozying up on the couch or rolling up like a big old burrito. Fun for sharing or solo, it’s soft, comes in a big range of colors and patterns, and feels wonderful. 

Why It’s A Smart Buy:  Throws are all well and good but this is a really fun and unexpected present. If you’re stumped on a gift for a teen, this might be the way to go. 

Price: $179.99 at Amazon.com

David Beckham Refined Woods Eau De Parfum Natural Spray

David Beckham’s line of unisex Eau de Parfums, was all inspired by his love of travel and adventure. The woodsy, spicy Refined Woods contains notes of cardamom, cedrat, sage, lavender, geranium, cedarwood and vetiver and it’s perfect for wearing during cooler weather.

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Yes, fragrance is not an impersonal gift, but for the right person, this new scent would hit just right. 

Price: $54.99 at JCPenney.com

The Maja All-Star Pack

Buy a batch of fun baking mixes for tasty treats and healthy breakfasts if you’re going to be a houseguest. This starter set includes cacao and coconut overnight oats, banana bread overnight oats, chocolate cake mix, chocolate chip cookies baking mix and pancake/waffle mix.  

Why It’s A Smart Buy: Friends and family with dietary restrictions won’t feel cheated, thanks to these vegan, gluten-free, protein-rich baking mixes that taste so good. 

Price: $54.99 at MajaFood.com

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And Finally, A Pile Of New & Noteworthy Books 

Why It’s A Smart Buy:  Hey, good news — if you buy these and don’t have an occasion to hand them out, you get to keep them! Win win. 

Here are just a few suggested 2024 titles getting all sorts of buzz: 

The Book of Bill by Alex Hirsch

In The Book of Bill, the notorious demon Bill Cipher from Gravity Falls returns from the great beyond to tell his twisted side of the story. Written by Bill himself, this chaotic and cursed tome offers a glimpse into his strange origins, his sinister influence on human history, and the embarrassing secrets of the Pines family. Bill also provides a step-by-step guide to overthrowing the world, along with riddles, uncrackable ciphers, and lost pages from Journal 3.

Price: $26.99 at BarnesAndNoble.com

What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers

Inspired by Caroline Chambers’ popular Substack newsletter, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is a go-to cookbook for anyone seeking quick, no-fuss meals. With tips, swaps, and shortcuts, the book is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for easy, flavorful meals with minimal ingredients, steps, and dishes. It’s designed for busy parents, working professionals, and anyone who wants homemade meals without the hassle.

Price:  $35 at BarnesAndNoble.com

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten

In Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Ina Garten—beloved chef, bestselling author, and TV host—takes readers on a captivating journey through her life, from her challenging childhood to meeting her soulmate, Jeffrey, and marrying him while still in college. Ina invites readers into her world, offering insights into her remarkable journey of passion, perseverance, and success.

Price: $30.50 at BarnesAndNoble.com

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

In The Life Impossible, retired math teacher Grace Winters inherits a dilapidated house on a Mediterranean island from a long-lost friend. With little more than a one-way ticket, no guidebook, and no plan, Grace sets off for Ibiza, driven by curiosity and a desire for answers. The Life Impossible explores hope, self-discovery, and the transformative power of a fresh start.

Price: $30 at BarnesAndNoble.com

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