Budget-Friendly Gifts for Friends Under $40

Bring the spa to their home with a pack of rejuvenating bath soaks. A step up from regular Epsom salts, these stress-fighting salts contain magnesium, minerals, and essential vitamins that can help lower cortisol levels and boost serotonin. Pick and choose among other versions that target anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue.

Rather than Airdropping photos, bring back the nostalgia of looking at old-school photos with this mini projector. It’s portable, making it perfect for when they’re away from home and feeling a little homesick. You can select up to eight meaningful photos for a custom photo reel.

Here's a witty way to help them channel their frustrations. This gold-stamped "Ledger of Perceived Slights" will lean into their sense of humor, and the vintage-inspired cover looks nice on their bedside table. This'll become a conversation starter.

This matchbox reads "Mon Amour" on one side and is imprinted with the ace of hearts on the other. It's the cutest little gift or stocking stuffer for a loved one, and they'll actually use it for their candles or to bring along to picnics.

Upgrade their shower routine with this bestselling shower oil from L’Occitane. They’ll use it on a daily basis and love the subtle aroma of warm vanilla and sweet almond. PS: This also works great as a shave oil or bath soak.

Channel your inner Willy Wonka and gift your sweet tooth friend two luxurious dark chocolate bars. Each square features a unique flavor, like Arabian Salted Caramel, English Earl Grey, Japanese Tart Cherry, and more. Pick up an order for yourself and serve them at your next dinner party.

They don’t have to be an English major to enjoy these clever, book-themed cocktails. The expanded, special-edition version of Tequila Mockingbird’s cult-favorite book is filled with more than 70 cocktail and bar snack recipes that any mixologist or connoisseur will appreciate. Gin Eyre or The Hand-Mule’s Tale, anyone?

For a one-of-a-kind gift, present them with a custom keychain that they can loop around their bag or keys. Browse the hundreds of designs, like initials, zodiac signs, and flowers, and add up to 10 charms total. The gold-plated charms are durable to last for a while, and the story of how you picked each one will be memorable.

Building an at-home library might be a little expensive, but this custom book embosser isn’t. Choose from over 40 different designs and your choice of three stampers: a self-inking one, an embosser, or an old-school wooden handle stamper with an ink pad. They’ll have you to thank every time they open the title page.

Nothing beats a cozy candle for the holidays, especially if it comes from a luxury brand. This one from Maison Louis Marie will blanket their home in the scent of the holidays, with notes of applewood, clove, white birch, sandalwood, and cedarwood.

Social gatherings and long holiday dinners are on their way. Instead of a shot of espresso, gift them this cooling eye balm that’s formulated with caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and probiotics to revitalize tired eyes. It glides on effortlessly, helping to depuff while providing a luminous glow. Choose from four brightening shades: Americano, Cappuccino, Iced, and Pink.

Warm up their toes with these colorful, plush slippers. They’re lined with faux fleece and have non-slip patches on the soles, so they’re like a cozier version of a regular slipper. We’re getting ourselves a pair, too.

Let your favorite person display their favorite things on this cloud-shaped tray. It comes in several colors, like earth tones, marbled designs, and speckled options. Custom orders are available, too. It'll add an elegant touch to their sink, vanity, or coffee table. No two trays are the same, so there's also an element of surprise.

These oversized scrunchies are what their Regency dreams are made of. Made with no-crease elastic and covered in smooth satin, they won't pull or break their hair, but will still provide a secure hold. The toile and sky blue colors are so luxurious.

Do you have a friend who likes to live on the edge (aka, their phone battery is always at 1%)? They’ll appreciate this lightweight, portable charger. The powerful charger features multiple built-in micro USB ports to work with a variety of devices on the go.

Bouquets are beautiful to look at, but considering the short lifespan, the price just might not be worth it. Instead, consider LEGO’s orchid bouquet, designed to replicate the real thing. It’ll give them both a relaxing project to work on, and a stunning result that’ll last for years. We can see this especially being a hit with plant lovers who weren’t born with green thumbs, or people who enjoy using their hands to build things.

Make their mornings more joyful with this mini waffle maker. It comes with  six interchangeable plates, including two classic waffles, a sunflower-shaped one, a heart shape, and two griddle plates. It also includes a recipe book with additional ideas to enhance their meal. It's great for entertaining, and all they’ll need is the batter.

Anthropologie's Icon Juice Glasses have gone viral for their adorable designs and high-quality construction, so we're loving this tumbler version. Choose from several designs, like clouds, suns, and fruit, to instantly elevate their morning iced coffee.

Elevate their living space with a compact and stylish diffuser. The handcrafted diffuser features a natural, matte texture and a wooden base that’ll pair well with any room. It’ll dispense their favorite oils into a silky mist, while also humidifying the air to keep their skin hydrated.