Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

One of my favorite things about holiday shopping is finding all the fun little items that will help round out someone’s present, or that will work nicely in combination with something else to make a fun and personal gift. Here are bunch of little items that I think would make good stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, last-minute gifts, and/or white elephant gifts that people actually want to take home.

Nintendo Switch button covers

These button covers are a fun and inexpensive way to customize a Switch. Get a set of four for $8.99 on Etsy.

Edible prism powders

This gorgeous edible glitter comes in a variety of pretty colors; get them for $14 each from Fancy Sprinkles.

Rice Blessing Candles

I love, love, love this packaging, and the candles themselves are so elegant. Get the pack of 20 candles for $20 from East Fork.

16-color motion-activated toilet night light

What can I say? I just love good lighting! This is one of those gifts that walks the line between gag gift and kind of amazing. Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

A good puzzle book

Some options: Perilous Problems for Puzzle Lovers ($15.95 from Target or Amazon); Can You Solve My Problems?: Ingenious, Perplexing, and Totally Satisfying Math and Logic Puzzles ($14.67 from Bookshop); or Sleuth & Solve: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries ($16.19 on Amazon).

Mini ceramic cooking pan

I love a tiny pan, and these look like little jewels! Buy them for $30 each from MoMa Design Store (available in five colors).

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

I mentioned these in the gift guide for teens, but they really are great for people of all ages! The holiday varieties in particular would be great in a stocking. Buy them from Puttyworld for ~$15 each or from Amazon for $8–$15 each.

Lake Champlain hot chocolate mix

My all-time fave! Also, in the week since I wrote that post, several people have told me they bought this mix and are loving it. Get it from Lake Champlain Chocolates ($13 for 16 ounces) or from Amazon ($12.99 for 16 ounces).

Calm strips

These “textured sensory adhesives” go on your laptop (or anywhere, really) and are a little treat for fidgety hands. Available in four different designs; buy a pack of five for $12.99 (with free shipping!) from Calm Strips.