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In case you really wanna be ahead of the game before your annual YouTube viewing of how to carve a turkey.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

Santa isn't the only one who's gotta make a list and check it twice. Or, well, it would really improve your holiday season if you followed suit. So why not get ahead of the game and start thinking about who and what to put on said list? Maybe it's your niece's boyfriend who was at your 4th of July family BBQ so he'll probably be around for gift-giving. Or your lovely coworker who baked you an army's worth of cookies last year. With advance planning, you can also pull off your legendary gifter status on the cheap(er) with these budget-friendly picks I tracked down for ya. 

Promising review: "Very cute! Attaches right to his car seat and has vibrant colors." —Siobhan Hughes

Promising review: "This is so good. Funny ways to create your own cryptid the way you like. My son kept himself busy in a flight with this sticker book. He created several funny cryptids." —Ritu Nagri

Promising review: "Amazing! These puzzles are so fun. It’s nice that they start easy and get harder, so you can get used to the format first, then continue to be challenged as you learn how they work. Fun, visually appealing, and sprinkled with humor. I finished this one in about 1.5 months (of fairly dedicated work) and ordered Volume 2 before I was even done with the first one. It’s a higher price point than many puzzle books, but you get high quality for what you pay." —EN

The best part?? Once you finish this version of "Murdling," you can try a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books — PLUS a Murdle board game! 

Get it from Amazon for $11.54 (and check out Volume 2 and Volume 3 if you're in the mood for more murrrrderrr). 

Promising review: "I found the perfect bag charm to go with my purse. I love the simplicity of this charm. Even though it wasn't leather, I'm satisfied with the quality." —Laura Markison

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in seven styles).

If you want something less cutthroat, check out Uno Flip, which has a special Flip card that leads to all the cards being flipped over to reveal new numbers and colors.

Promising review: "For highly competitive players! If you have players who can’t handle regular Uno without their feelings being hurt, they will not enjoy this version. We, however, have some very competitive card players in our family and had a blast playing this game. No Mercy means just that! Enjoy!" —Mom Reviews

Promising review: "My grandson LOVES these! He is always putting them together to let his trucks pull them around or for us to wear as a necklace together! Great price for such a FUN gift!" —CLynn

Get them from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in three sizes and four quantity packs). 

Check out a TikTok of the 3D sticker book in action. 

Promising review: "This sticker scene was so much fun to put together and surprisingly relaxing. It kept me entertained and gave me a nice break from constantly scrolling on my phone. The stickers are cute, the scenes are enjoyable to create, and it feels rewarding to see everything come together. If you’re looking for a simple hobby that helps you unwind and stay off social media for a bit, I highly recommend giving this a try!" —Michico 

This could also be a nice alternative to the extremely popular Silly Poop hide-and-seek toy if the recipient's parents would prefer to hear the word "poop" a lot less in their household. 

Promising review: "Screen-free peace and quiet — other than all the giggles filling our house 🥰 kept my 2.5-year-old busy for a solid hour and my 1-year-old loved to join in the dance celebration each time. It was lovely turning all the sounds in the house off so we could listen to the noise hints she gives. I especially like that they can also use the toy as a figure to play with. Great quality, super cute. I will be purchasing again for other littles in our lives!" —Rebecca

Promising review: "This is really fun and super humbling :) I like that there are three different ways to play, so I can include the kids with the easy version, and they can give me the hard version (which I lose). It’s also been super handy in getting the kids more interested in mythology, which is fun!" —Brie Ungs

More trivia card sets available in Truly Bizarre Facts, Horror, Soccer, Romantasy, and Movies. 

Promising review: "The quality overall was much better than I expected with so many stickers related to various 'eras' of Taylor Swift’s music career, as well as individual songs from her albums. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were also pages dedicated to songs from The Tortured Poets Department. I didn’t anticipate seeing that! I bought this as a gift for my daughter, and she has been playing with it since it came in. The stickers are excellent quality. I would definitely buy again for other Swifties." —Aimee W.

Also, check out a Taylor Swift golden book and a search-and-find book that are *also* under $15 each!

My dear friend/BuzzFeed shopping contributor Courtney Hayes gave me this book of stickers last year for Christmas, and I LOVE it. I adore morbid things, so it has been a hit, to say the least. 

Promising review: "Beautiful quality stickers! Soooo scary cute …small size book but filled to the brim with stickers👌🏼" —Deb A.

Psst — a lot of reviewers use silicone or plastic molds to get specific shapes! 

Promising review: "It’s honestly just a really nice material to work with! If you want to create things with clay, this is definitely a good choice! It’s definitely not for professional use, but I feel like that’s a given. I mean, it is Crayola. But all in all, great for those who want to use it for fun!" —Amazon Customer

This is a collection of 366 quotes and passages drawn from Jane Austen's novels, with excerpts from her intimate, witty letters scattered throughout.

Promising review: "My daughter loves this book! It was one of her birthday gifts. She says it’s great! She absolutely loves Jane Austen. This is a great read." —Crystal Ayala

Promising review: "I absolutely love this sticker puzzle book. Illustrations are beautiful. Each puzzle has a written part of the story to go with it, so it reads like a super-mini story. The perforated pages come out without a hassle. Puzzle pieces are scattered about the page as one would expect from a puzzle. Quality is fantastic! I’m having so much fun with this. Highly recommend. I hope they create more of these." —joeschmoe

Get it from Amazon for $8.38 (also available in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Edgar Allan Poe, and The Great Gatsby).

Promising review: "Bought these as a humorous stocking stuffer, and my husband actually uses them! He has neck issues, and he watches TV in the recliner using them. They look hilarious, but if they help him enjoy watching TV without neck pain, it is a win-win! They are of much higher quality than I expected for the price. I thought they would be flimsy, but they are actually very well made. I was impressed." —Laura S

Foldology is a small biz specializing in these puzzle teasers.

Promising review: "These are so addicting and definitely increase in difficulty! I skipped ahead to try a couple from the third and fourth levels, and I was almost stumped, but it’s so satisfying to keep trying and finally solve them. My friend was watching me struggle with one and couldn’t resist asking to give it a try.

I really love that this is packaged like a notepad because it makes it so easy to throw in my bag and take anywhere. I’m planning to save the rest of the puzzles for flight delays, train rides, and waiting in lines." —Angie

The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. You'll also get an instruction sheet and a mini book all about Bob!

Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross) and What a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" —slb m

Promising review: "I have gotten this book every year for a very long time. Besides the usual almanac items (weather, astronomical events, holidays, etc.), it is full of interesting facts, gardening advice, and many other features that are well worth reading. I love it." —Ginger Russell

Promising review: "I bought this for my grandson's birthday. He loved it. He played with it for months. It was very well made and kid-friendly. A great gift." —MShoffie

All you have to do is place one of the colored "dotz" onto the garment you want to dye and add water!

Promising review: "So easy for kids to do. You will need to purchase T-shirts separately. Great value too. Makes bright colors. Kids enjoyed making these and less mess than with other techniques. I recommend this product." —Rekindled Romance Reader

Promising review: "I love this set! I use the headband and wristbands during my skincare routine, and they are very soft, comfortable, and practical. The headband keeps my hair away from my face while I apply my products, and the wristbands prevent water from running down my arms when I wash my face." —Oriana Olejo

Get them from Amazon for $7.09+ (available in various styles and sets). 

Promising review: "So yummy! Cute and nice tint." —S Burton

Also check out a Coke lip balm trio, a Coke and Sprite duo, and a flavored soda 8-pack.

Promising review: "Great gift idea for that sassy pickle-loving girl in your life. I gave it to one of my daughters, and it gets used for a lot of laughs. Move over Magic 8 Ball, there’s a new mystic in town." —Matt Thies

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "I was looking for a random extra Christmas gift for my son and came across this book. It's pretty interesting and funny, and we all enjoyed looking at the pictures and guessing. We learned things and thought it was a pretty cool book." —mtnview

Promising review: "Just love these magnetic magnification spectacles! They are perfect for reading the fine print on labels or for eying a splinter. They're retro and fun. Have them at the ready on any magnetic surface or simply place on a stack of books for a dual use of functional and decorative!" —MSR Chas

Promising review: "This was a fun plant. My kids enjoyed watching the leaves pull up and then spread back out. I even mailed one to a family member so they could try it out. I would buy this again!" —Nene582

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.95.

Just fill with water, hang the bag on the included hook, and open the flow regulator to release life-sustaining refreshment that’ll last for up to seven days (depending on the flow setting).

Promising review: "Great gift. Made my inner child very happy to color in it. Brought back so many memories." —Sunflower Bag

Promising review: "I purchased these for my coworkers for a sock exchange, and they were a big hit. Everyone enjoyed them and thought they were hilarious." —Amazon Customer

Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (available in a variety of styles in a single pair or packs). 

Promising review: "My 1-year-old granddaughter loved this. She would let go of it out of all her gifts." —Juls

Promising review: "This game is easy to play, and well done as a short 'who done it' card game. It's a hit on game night with the neighbors. The 'Hunt a Killer' team did a great job with this. I recommend it to anyone who likes the long hunt a killer games but wants a fast-paced 'who done it' for a simpler time. Also, this one, unlike the big games, is replayable indefinitely." —Noah C

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in several variations).  

Promising review: "Bought this for my boss, and she loved it! It was so funny seeing her use the scented eraser and sticky notepads." —Kailey Adele

Promising review: "My sister is a librarian, and I just thought this would be such a cute flower vase for her house. She loved it." —dawn gadless

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four designs).

Psst, my colleague Jenae Sitzes is a gamer and loooooves Pokémon Pokopia.

Promising review: "These were a gift for my son who loves video games. They add a nice style to his room, and they are very comfortable. They fit the throw pillows perfectly." —Jennifer Duarte

It has 25 projects that'll each take less than 30 minutes to complete. Heads up that you'll need to grab a watercolor paint set, too.

Promising review: "This workbook is perfection. So well made and explained for beginners in the watercolor world. So entertaining yet challenging for more advanced watercolor enthusiasts. I ordered this book as well as some new watercolors to practice with, and from the moment I opened it, I was obsessed. I absolutely love Sarah’s designs. As someone who hasn’t painted in years and has not much experience, I found this book to be so helpful. It was so easy for me to start painting again and remember how much joy I feel while I am doing so. Its instructions, tips, and stunning color combinations definitely helped awaken my creativity a little more each day. 10 out of 10! 🎨🫶🏼" —Ale

Promising review: "Came with all the gems 💎 and supplies needed to get this done! I only used one of the red sticky pads and hand-placed them one by one. It took me about a month and a half to complete because I did it on and off when I had free time. It is truly therapeutic and good for mental health, and super satisfying when completed! 👍" —Allyssa Allison

Janice Kim founded Hotgirlsauce who started running the biz full-time after a 15-year career as a merchandising executive. It's rooted in the Korean idea of son mat, the belief that food carries love from the hands that made it. The condiment is nonGMO, sugar free, plant based, and the first chili oil verified as non-ultraprocessed.

Promising review: "I am quite literally addicted to my hotgirlsauce. Hits so different from all the other chili crisps out there, the flavor is incredibly well-rounded and just goes with everything." —Gabby C 

Promising review: "Fantastic tool to get the creativity going again. Not just for those with experience writing — good for beginners too." —Lynne Navarro 

Promising review: "What a great gift for a crime/forensic LEO (unless they are sick of seeing them) or a TV show aficionado of crime. I am in the second category, as well as a crime fiction author. Not only does it hold items like a phone, wallet items, and change, you can use it for a Kindle separately." —Claire O'Sullivan 

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three styles). 

This book is only 5.4 inches tall, so it'll easily fit in a stocking — many reviewers on Amazon said they purchased as a stocking stuffer!

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jonathan Mazzei says, "My girlfriend got me this book as a gift a few years ago, and it turned out to be even better than I expected! The prompts are super fun, and help you to think outside of the box even during those moments when you feel like you have no ideas. It's great to casually doodle in while passing time since you don't have to think of what to draw, but it also can be really helpful when brainstorming for creative projects. My girlfriend is a visual artist and graphic designer, and she loves using it to play around with ideas and make her think of things she never would have thought of without it. Plus, it's small and super portable! Highly recommend!"

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Rachelle Yang is also a huge fan: "I've made a lot of unnecessary purchases in my life, but this is one of the best ones — I use it so much, it's starting to feel like a necessary purchase. Let me preface this by saying that I did not draw that pic above; I can't take credit for it. Whenever I have my friends over, I hand them this book and let them draw something in it (hence the amazing drawing of the house in space), and everyone loves it, even if they don't have a single artistic bone in their body. I spend so much time drawing silly little pictures that my screen time has actually gone down. It's so entertaining, and it truly amazes me how much joy can come from a book that's the size of my hand." 

Promising review: "I gifted to a 4-year-old. She loved it, wanted to complete the whole thing." —Frankie L

Promising review: "This model looks fantastic when complete, and I found it easier to put together than the one I started with (the Mitsubishi Zero). The instructions are very clear and easy to understand, as you assemble different components before attaching them. I thought the recessed windows were an especially neat touch." —Lindsay Keipper

Promising review: "Very handy for building with Legos. Greatly helped my aged arthritis fingers recently when I constructed the Notre Dame of Paris kit." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $10.95+ (available in six colors). 

I own this tray, along with this similar one, and several other pieces from this very affordable Jonathan Adler collection. There are tons of things under $15 and would make for great gifts! 

Get a 20-pack from The Teabook for $13.99. 

Also check out other teas themed around famous figures like Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie, Alexander Hamilton, Amy Winehouse, and more.

Promising review: "Oh. My. Gosh. This pen is going to go EVERYWHERE with me. It’s just like the picture. It is a hard resin material. And super cute and actually pretty comfy to write with, I am super excited!!! Down point is the ink isn't replaceable, so once it’s used up, you’re kind of out of luck unless you get creative and can pull it out and recraft a new ink supply." —Sarah

Promising review: "Beautiful and elegant sugar bowl! It’s lovely for everyday but nice enough for company. I chose purple because I love the color — it’s a nice 'statement' on a dining table, regardless if it’s matchy-matchy with your 'tablescape.' No complaints!" —Kristin M

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four colors; also available in a set of two for $19.99).

Promising review: "Love my desk goose! I bought a skeleton hoodie for it! I bought two more for my coworkers!" —Jennifer Anne Crabtree

SNDartDesign is an Indonesia-based small biz.  

Promising review: "One of my favorite pieces of art. Captured my baby who recently passed perfectly! Also checked in to see if any changes needed to be made." —Tara

Get it from SNDartDesign on Etsy for $9.41.

* There Are A Lot Of Fall Birthdays Coming Up, So Let Us Help You Find The Perfect Gift

* Just 30 Gifts That’ll Leave Them Absolutely Speechless (In A Good Way)

* Gifts For The Busiest Person In Your Life, Because They Could Really Use A Treat

* Toys And Games Reviewers Say Are Perfect Birthday Gifts For Kids

* Just 33 Under-$25 Gifts That Say “I’m Thinking Of You"

Plus, gifts we gave 2026 Buzzy Awards to, cheese subscription boxes, and finds from Amazon, Macy's, Rifle Paper Co., and Uncommon Goods.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.