Top 30 Gifts for Gifts under $25
1Gold-handled porcelain mug printed with classic book spines; a small, well made gift for a reader. For book-gift-ideas, section 3: book accessories.
$24Rifle Paper Co.
3Best Smelling Moisturizing Natural Hand Cream – SALT & STONE
InsideHook picks it as a stocking filler that feels like a small luxury; a fast-absorbing hand cream with seaweed extract and vitamin B3. For christmas-gifts-fo
$20Salt & Stone
5Joy Laforme Spring Terrace 1000 Piece Puzzle
Featured in CNN Underscored's gifts under $25; a bright, illustrated 1,000 piece puzzle for anyone who likes a slow evening in (for christmas-gifts-for-friends,
$19.99Galison
7Dog Poop Bag Holder | Wild One
A neat silicone bag holder that clips to the lead, a small, well designed stocking filler for anyone who walks a dog; featured by The Strategist. For gifts-for-
$9Wild One
9Fender Security Strap Locks and Buttons Set - Chrome
Featured by Guitar World in its gifts under $50; keeps a guitar safely on its strap on stage.
$14.84Sweetwater
11Isabel Mother of Pearl Necklace
CNN Underscored picks this simple pearl necklace as a gift that treats a teacher as a person, not just a teacher; it suits most tastes.
$25Flaire & Co.
13
Sharpie S Gel Gel Pens Fine Point 0.5mm Black Ink Gel Pen 12 Count - Office Depot
Smooth gel pens a retired teacher told CNN Underscored she trusts for grading; a practical thank-you that gets used every day.
$15.99Office Depot
15Biodance Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask | Soko Glam
CNN Underscored includes this in its teen girl gifts; an overnight collagen mask for a low-cost skincare treat.
$19.0Soko Glam
17A neat, well-made desk pen at a small price, picked by CNN Underscored as a practical thank you for a teacher.
$10Craighill
19Kalastyle Swedish Dream Gnome Soap Swedish Pine | Boston General Store
A small stocking-filler bar of classic Swedish pine soap, which Cup of Jo recommends for dads who like a woodsy scent.
$12.00Boston General Store
21Classic Notebook Hard Cover | Moleskine NAM
NBC Select recommends this classic hard-cover notebook for teachers who keep plans and ideas on paper.
$22.00Moleskine
23Men's Hiker Quarter Midweight Hiking Socks
CNN Underscored picks these cushioned merino hiking socks for dads; they come with a lifetime warranty, so they suit a dad who walks a lot.
$23.00Darn Tough
25CNN Underscored recommends this Lodge skillet; a durable, affordable pan for a dad who loves cooking steaks or breakfasts.
$19.90Lodge
2Rolling Stone picks this illustrated tote for readers; roomy enough for a stack of library books, and under $25. For book-gift-ideas, section 3: book accessorie
$22.40Rifle Paper Co.
4Get Closer Conversation Game: Table Talk - Table Talk
CNN Underscored picks this deck of conversation prompts for getting to know friends better; a card game for couples that turns a night in into a proper catch up
$20Intelligent Change
6Uncommon Goods | Desk Yoga Card Deck | Desk Yoga
Food Network lists it among its teacher gifts; 52 quick stretches and breathing practices a teacher can do between lessons.
$20Uncommon Goods
8ER20XS | High Fidelity Earplugs - Standard
Reusable earplugs made for musicians that cut loudness evenly so music still sounds natural, a thoughtful gift for anyone who plays or goes to gigs (for stockin
$24.99Etymotic
10Uncommon Goods | Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden | Hydroponic Grow Kit
A small hydroponic grow kit from PureWow's teacher list that brightens a desk or classroom windowsill.
$20Uncommon Goods
12
Glow Mist Rosewater Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer - Touchland | Ulta Beauty
A pretty, rose-scented hand mist that CNN Underscored recommends for teachers who wash and sanitise their hands all day; a small treat under $20.
$16.00Ulta Beauty
14Bento Box Lunch Containers for Adults & Kids (3 Pack, 39 oz)
CNN Underscored lists these bento containers in its fitness gifts for anyone who meal preps; a practical stocking filler for the gym-goer.
$19.99Fit Strong & Healthy
16Marble Shaving Bowl | Handcrafted, Heat-Retaining | Supply
CNN Underscored lists it among its tested grooming gifts; a heat-retaining marble bowl that makes a wet shave feel more of a ritual.
$24Supply
18A 45-minute screen-free audio figure of songs from Ms. Rachel that sits on a Toniebox, which a parent tester at Yahoo/AOL named her best new toy of 2025.
$19.99Tonies
20Lindt Lindor Assorted Milk Chocolate Truffles Large Bag - World Market
Named in NBC Select's teacher gifts for a sweet tooth; a big shareable bag of truffles that is a safe, modest thank you.
$13.29World Market
22A funny counting book from Mo Willems that makes a cheap, much-loved stocking gift for small readers; picked by Good Housekeeping for toddlers.
$9.31Bookshop.org
24Balancing & Stacking Tree 10440 | DUPLO® | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US
A Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner: toddlers stack and balance the pieces while building fine motor skills, and it fits easily in a stocking.
$13.99LEGO
Small does not have to mean disposable
The best stocking fillers are compact versions of things people use every day: a good lip balm, a quality pen, a travel mug, a phone stand or a proper pair of socks. They cost little, take up almost no room and get used straight away.
If you are unsure whether something will last, ask whether you would keep it yourself. That test rules out most novelty items very quickly.
Mix treats with useful things
A stocking works best with a balance: one or two edible treats, one practical item and one small thing tied to what they enjoy. That mix feels generous without every item needing to be special.
Edible gifts are always welcome, but choose something a step up from the supermarket shelf, such as good chocolate, a small jar of something nice or a favorite snack from a shop they love.
Tie one item to their interests
A single small gift connected to a hobby turns a stocking from generic into personal: a guitar pick set, a new puzzle, a travel game, a face mask for their skincare routine or a book of short stories.
It is also the easiest way to show you pay attention, which is really what a stocking is about.
Keep an eye on the total
Stocking fillers add up quickly, so it helps to set a budget for the whole stocking rather than each item. Four well chosen things usually beat ten forgettable ones.
Every product below is under $25, so you can build a full stocking around one or two of them.
Buying for a group this year? Draw names with our free Secret Santa generator: private emailed matches, a budget, and wishlists so nobody has to guess.
Ready to actually find something?
Browse gifts under $25