Life

The most unique gifts ideas for under £50

Find a thoughtful gift for everyone in your life.
By Joseph Green  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Some of you will have a natural knack for gift buying — an innate ability to know what to buy for whom, and exactly where to get it, No matter what the occasion is or which family member or friend they're buying for, you somehow nail their gift selections year after year, cementing your status as favourite aunt/co-worker/second-cousin-twice-removed.

On the other end of the spectrum, we all know that one misguided friend or family member who gifts the same pair of socks for every special occasion without fail. Their go-to presents are boring at best, cringe-worthy at worst, and almost always end up in the re-gift pile. This might sound suspiciously like you. Or more than like you than you're willing to admit, at least.

For those who aren’t naturally gifted at the art of, well, gifting, we've done the heavy lifting. Below are gifts guaranteed to help you rise through the ranks of gift-giving hierarchy — all for under £50.

These are the best gifts for under £50 in 2022.

Apple AirTag
Credit: Amazon

Apple AirTag (opens in a new tab)

Best For Professionals

It's hard to keep track of little things like keys (and phones and wallets...) which is why the Apple AirTag makes a great gift. It uses a combo of Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband Technology, and Apple’s Find My network to ensure that your bits and pieces never get lost. Especially good for Apple users.
Inflatable dino costume
Credit: Amazon

Inflatable Dinosaur Costume (opens in a new tab)

Best For Costume Parties

Dinosaurs are making a serious comeback. This inflatable dino costume is a roar-some addition to any wardrobe, whether you’re looking for the perfect themed-party outfit or just to take the kids by surprise.
Dinosaur Planter
Credit: Amazon

Dinosaur Planter (opens in a new tab)

Best For Plants

Give your home a Jurassic Park style makeover with this adorable dino-shaped planter. Shaped like a brachiosaurus or T-rex (in a variety of colours) this is perfect for kids and fun-loving adults alike. Made from ceramic, it’s the prehistoric treat you never knew was missing from your living room.
Brick mug
Credit: Amazon

Brick Mug (opens in a new tab)

Best For Coffee

For those who can’t get their minds in gear without an early morning boost of caffeine, this is a must-have — not only will it give you that much-needed caffeine, but the LEGO compatibility will get those creative juices flowing. Everything will indeed be awesome as your own scene before starting the day.
Hand cream
Credit: Amazon

Hand Cream Set (opens in a new tab)

Best For Relaxing

There will be softness at the fingertips of your mum, or any other lady in your life, with these all-organic hand balms. Including four different creams, they’ll both moisturise and nourish, using an expertly-made mix of essential oils with rich, natural fragrances.
Waffle maker
Credit: Amazon

Waffle Maker (opens in a new tab)

Best For Foodies

This fun-sized waffle maker is ideal for anyone who takes breakfast seriously — or really, for anyone who likes to get creative in the kitchen. Everyone likes waffles. So why not make them at home?
Bean grinder
Credit: Amazon

Bean Grinder (opens in a new tab)

Best For Caffeine

This Krups coffee bean grinder is a pro-grade accessory that’s perfect for any coffee connoisseur. It’s simple to use and grinds up to 75 grams of coffee at once. That's an impressive 15 cups’ worth at once.
Zen Garden
Credit: Amazon

Zen Garden (opens in a new tab)

Best For Desks

For your friend or family member who has been trying to “get into” meditation for the past three years, this miniature Zen garden is a solid first step. The attractive frame makes a handsome addition to any desk, coffee table, or bookshelf.
Herb saver
Credit: Amazon

Herb Saver (opens in a new tab)

Best For Chefs

Regardless of which side of the coriander debate you’re on, we can all agree that stale herbs are the pits. The Herb Saver can help you prolong the life of an array of kitchen herbs by up to three weeks, and it’s especially designed to fit in a fridge door for easy storage.
Oil diffuser lamp
Credit: Amazon

Oil Diffuser Lamp (opens in a new tab)

Best For Stress

This aromatherapy oil diffuser is great for anyone who can use a calming presence in their life. It has three light settings and a lovely walnut look that will subtly complement any home’s aesthetic — whether the style is modern or classic.
Cold brew maker
Credit: Amazon

Cold Brew Maker (opens in a new tab)

Best For Chilled Drinks

Go ahead and hit that snooze button — this cold brew iced coffee maker lets you create cold brew at home, so you can skip the morning shuffle through that outrageous queue at the café. Just fill filter with beans, add water, and leave it in the fridge.
smart plugs
Credit: Amazon

Smart Plugs (opens in a new tab)

Best For Tech

For those keen to set up a smart home, these easy-to-install smart outlets are a good start. Use these WiFi plugs for making morning coffee from bed, putting nightlights on a timer, and monitoring household data — all via your phone. Compatible with Alexa, Google Home and other systems.
Squeakee balloon dog
Credit: Amazon

Squeakee Balloon Dog (opens in a new tab)

Best For Interactive Toy

Here's one for the grown-up kid who never got a balloon animal at their pal’s birthday party. It’s a retro-style update on the always popular robot dog. It moves, yaps, and responds to sounds and tickles — you can even deflate this doggy, though he pops right back up with a quick pump.
Slow feeder
Credit: Amazon

Slow Feeder (opens in a new tab)

Best For Pet Parents

Outward Hound are one of the go-to brands for the best doggy toys and accessories. The fun feeder is designed to slow down a pet’s eating time, which helps healthy eating and improves digestion. A brilliant gift that shows you love a friend or family member’s pet as much as they do..
Anker speaker
Credit: Amazon

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (opens in a new tab)

Best For Playlists

This waterproof portable speaker can withstand sun, sand, and surf. It’s sure to be appreciated by any frequent traveler, beach-junkie, camping buddy, or that friend who treats the shower like a one-person concert.
Girl and card
Credit: Amazon

Kids Against Maturity (opens in a new tab)

Best For Families

A game for all ages that encourages adults to act like kids, and kids to behave like little devils. Packed with 600 questions, there’s toilet humour, innuendo, and all-round hilarity. The rules are simple — pick the funniest, filthiest, most outrageous answer to any question on the card.
Food processor
Credit: Amazon

Mini Food Processor (opens in a new tab)

Best For Lunch

This bite-size kitchen tool comes from NutriBullet, so a health boost is absolutely guaranteed. It’s an all-in-one blender, mixer, and processor. In works super-fast, so you can zhuzh up juices and other health-kick combos at the press of a button.
Bamboo charging station
Credit: Amazon

Bamboo Charging Station (opens in a new tab)

Best For Collectors

In this increasingly-connected, device-led world, you can never have too many charging ports. That’s why anyone would love this charging station with five ports. That's an entire household’s worth of charging space. The bamboo style also makes a nice change for clunky tech that takes over the corners of most rooms.
Wine carafe
Credit: Amazon

Glass Wine Carafe (opens in a new tab)

Best For Socialising

Up your bar cart accessory game with this Sagaform wine carafe. The hand-blown glass container holds two litres, is dishwasher safe, and looks simply lovely as a centrepiece. This classic glassware may look expensive, but won’t break the bank.
Honor smartwatch
Credit: Amazon

Smartwatch (opens in a new tab)

Best For Fitness

Not every bit of wearable tech needs to cost the equivalent of a home gym. This smart watch offers the fitness basics — which is often all the wearer needs — with an easy-to-use touchscreen. It still offers a variety of features and provides all the vitals needed for monitoring fitness and progress.
Water Flask
Credit: Amazon

Water Flask (opens in a new tab)

Best For Walking

You can’t overstate the importance of a solid, always-to-hand water bottle — for ether traveling round the world or just commuting to work. This is a high-quality, leak-proof bottle with vacuum insulation technology and durable stainless-steel construction. Refreshingly reliable.
Travel pillow
Credit: Amazon

Travel Pillow (opens in a new tab)

Best For Flying

Okay, so it looks a little silly — but who wouldn't love this? Made from high quality eiderdown cotton, the Ostrich Pillow works wonders as a neck pillow or eye mask for folks who are always on the go. The pillow is filled with coated microbeads and is perfectly adjustable. In addition, the travel pillow's materials are breathable, so it's never too hot when you're wearing it around your neck or on your eyes.
Solar power bank
Credit: Amazon

Solar Power Bank (opens in a new tab)

Best For Camping

For your outdoorsy friends or family members who want to stay connected while they commune with Mother Nature, this solar-powered charging bank is the perfect present. It features a compass, high power capacity, and an LED flashlight to boot.
Cocktail kit
Credit: Amazon

Cocktail Kit (opens in a new tab)

Best For Festivals

Sometimes a little liquid courage is necessary to make the whole hurtling-through-the-air-in-an-oversized-sardine-can thing a tad more tolerable. The Cocktail Box Co is a classy addition to any traveller’s arsenal. With different cocktails to choose from.
Turkish coasters
Credit: Amazon

Turkish Coasters (opens in a new tab)

Best For Tea Drinkers

Tea drinkers will brew cup after cup — just to use these beautiful Turkish-style coasters. Made from tin and cork, they don’t only protect wooden from ugly rings, they add some Mediterranean flair to the room, with bright, bold geometric designs.
Trunk of Drunk
Credit: Amazon

Trunk of Drunk (opens in a new tab)

Best For Parties

For the friend who loves a fun beer session. This box contains the bits and pieces for 12 essential drinking games, including beer pong, never have I ever, ring of fire, and more. They’ll never be stuck for party game ideas again.
Travel adapter
Credit: Amazon

Travel Adapter (opens in a new tab)

Best For Travel

It’s not the sexiest gift in the world, but is among the most useful. Everyone appreciates the power of a universal adapter when they’re on their hols. Give this brick-life adapter as a gift and it will soon become a must-pack item. It also lets you charge up to six devices at once and covers 150+ countries.
Echo Dot
Credit: Amazon

Smart Speaker (opens in a new tab)

Best For Smart Homes

A smart home isn't complete without an Echo — and the newest Dot makes it easier than ever to add the convenience of Alexa to any room. The third generation Dot is the cutest yet, complete with better sound and microphones than earlier ones. They can control smart devices like lights or blinds, become a household intercom, Order pizza or an Uber, and more. You're basically gifting an easier (lazier) life, and who wouldn't want that?
Cereal bowl
Credit: Amazon

Never Soggy Cereal Bowl (opens in a new tab)

Best For Breakfast

We'll state the obvious: Soggy cereal is nasty. If the person you're buying for is a cereal-every-morning person (or just doesn't like their food to touch), this compartment bowl is a simple life hack. The split design keeps milk separate from cereal, keeping it crunchy, or makes snacks like crisps and salsa way easier. 
Darth Vader slippers
Credit: Amazon

Darth Vader Slippers (opens in a new tab)

Best For Comfort

If the power of the Force is a hot topic of conversation at your family’s dinner table or if your friend group schedules an annual Star Wars viewing party, these slippers are sure to be a hit. With sizes to fits all adults.
Exploding Kittens
Credit: Amazon

Exploding Kittens (opens in a new tab)

Best For Cat People

Dubbed “a card game for people who love kittens and explosions”. It sounds random, but this irreverent card game is a cult sensation. It’s immense fun for parties and family get-togethers — a Russian roulette-style game in which the object is to stop your kitty from, well, exploding.
Ice moulds
Credit: Amazon

Ice Moulds (opens in a new tab)

Best For Home Bars

Whisky stones are so last year. This ice mold is perfect for the whisky or scotch enthusiast who has a goth or piratey leaning. In addition to ice, this silicone mould lets you get creative with homemade chocolates or other skull-shaped delicacies.
Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Shopping Editor

Joseph joined Mashable as the UK Shopping Editor in 2018. He worked for a number of print publications before making the switch to the glittery world of digital media, and now writes about everything from coffee machines to VPNs.


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