There’s no denying that Christmas is an expensive time of year. But I refuse to hear that you can’t buy decent gifts under £50. In fact, I’ve done it for the last three years, my boyfriend regularly commenting on how impressed he is with my festive steals.
However, you’re not alone if you struggle to stick to a budget. Klarna reports that while 75% of Brits set themselves a shopping budget before hitting the shops, almost half (46%) say they go over. Others — 33% — also worry their presents aren’t ‘valuable enough’, despite 60% preferring a sentimental gift.
Yet, there’s no time to stew on that, because with fewer than 50 days to go, it’s time we started locking in presents. And thankfully, to save you ample stress and hours of scrolling, I’ve pulled together a curated edit of the very best gifts for 2025, all of which come in at under £50.
So, whether you’re looking for Korean skincare gift sets to squeeze inside a stocking, or wellness gifts (think scented candles, cosy slippers and home fragrances) to win over your mother-in-law, you’ve got options. And for the men in your life, there are boozy gifts and board games that look far more expensive than they actually are. And no, there’s not a gift card in sight.
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Having been a commerce writer for the last three years, and a gift guide writer for just over two, it’s fair to say that I’m in the know about the best gifts for anyone (and everyone) on your list.
But to ensure I’m an authority on all things shopping, over the last six months I’ve attended countless press days, spoken to numerous shopping experts and personally tested hundreds of beauty, wellness and homeware products to ensure they meet my (incredibly high) standards. Essentially, you can also be reassured that only products and brands I genuinely love and would recommend to friends make it into the Glamour Gift Shop.
But when reviewing products — this includes TikTok-acclaimed beauty, new-in clothing, and unusual Advent calendars — I consider them all against the following criteria: