Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight.
It’s pretty easy to find a great gift that costs over $10 (and if you have more to spend, we have excellent roundups with hundreds of picks under $25, $50, and $100.)
But what about things that cost less than $10? Below we list 40-ish items, all of them useful, vetted, and sure to be appreciated by nearly any lucky recipient. Highlights include utilitarian favorites, such as a seemingly magic keychain multi-tool and reusable Swedish dishcloths. We also have more-playful picks, such as almonds dressed as olives and sparkly socks.
Keep in mind that while we made every effort to confirm that all of these items meet that $10 threshold, prices can dance around a bit—especially during the holidays. Either way, 10 bucks still goes a long way.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTTwinkle toes
These striking, semi-sheer lower-calf-length socks—topped by a solid band of contrasting color—shimmer with a low-key iridescent sparkle. But they come only in a single size, for women’s sizes 5 to 8.
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Scrubbing soap
This 100% plant-based soap has ground apricot kernels and coffee for scrubbing the dirt away, and it smells like an herb garden.
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May be out of stock
From: Gifts for Gardeners
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTTea time
This tea manages to pull off a fruity sweetness without overwhelming, and it surprises with its strength.
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Musical keyring
The 2-inch stainless steel keychain features a scannable barcode that pulls up a special Spotify song or playlist of your choice.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTDo-it-all salve
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment comes in a generous 25-gram tube. It’s a terrific, SPF-free moisturizer that works to soothe cracked, irritated skin anywhere on the body—not just lips.
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From: Gifts for Co-Workers
Glow up
Kids (and kids at heart) will love these glowing accessories. They’re also great for spotting one another in a crowd.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTFirst-rate jigger
Compared with traditional metal jiggers, this clear plastic OXO mini cup has easier-to-read measurement markings and is less messy to use.
Kitchen cloths
Washable, compostable, and quick-drying, each colorful reusable cloth takes the place of 17 rolls of paper towels, according to the company.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTClutter busters
These strong fasteners wrap around themselves to tightly bundle multiple items. They’re a simple, inexpensive solution to an all-too-common problem.
Silly sipping
With these colorful, BPA- and phthalate-free plastic straws, kids (and adults) can sip through their name.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTBeach bag
Keep pricey electronics safe and dry with this triple-sealed pouch affixed to an adjustable lanyard.
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Bakers delight
Cheap and durable, these lightweight mixing bowls are sold individually, and they are ideal for assembling a custom set.
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From: The Best Mixing Bowls
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPerfect pouches
These affordable, smooth-zipping mesh pouches let users see what’s inside, for easy organization.
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Spritzy sanitizer
This luxe hand sanitizer spray comes in sophisticated scents like vetiver, eucalyptus, and bergamot. And the flat, slim dispensers are refillable.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTItch finder
This surprisingly handy telescoping back scratcher extends to about 20 inches for reaching hard-to-reach itches.
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Fave jump rope
This freely swinging, comfy-to-hold rope will satisfy beginners and most fitness fanatics seeking a quality rope at a good price.
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From: The Best Jump Rope
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTFrench twist
With these pins, you can easily throw your hair in a twist or a bun. The style is so simple, but the size, shape, and finish are effortlessly elegant.
Sustainable straws
These straws have a silicone top and a stainless steel base, but they don’t come with a carrying case.
From: The Best Reusable Straws
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTLuxe chopsticks
These unique chopsticks are so special they’re used in a Michelin-starred restaurant. They can’t go in the dishwasher, though.
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From: The Best Chopsticks
Muscle relief
With their dense, slightly spongy texture, these balls are still firm enough to roll out muscle tightness from shins, calves, arches, or wherever a little pressure is needed.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSafer riding
Made with reflective Scotchlite material for a safer ride, these spoke clips snap on easily.
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Take-everywhere multi-tool
This titanium-coated stainless gadget attaches to a keychain and includes a bottle opener and five other handy tools.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTBathing beauty
Often imitated but not yet duplicated, these bath bombs “explode” as soon as they hit the water, filling tubs with gorgeous color, long-lasting fragrance, and skin-soothing oils.
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Best budget iPad pen
Comfortable to hold and affordable, this model is the best of the cheap, simple tablet styluses.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTExceptional ballpoint
With its fast-drying ink, this pen is our go-to for everyday writing on any kind of paper.
From: The Best Pen
Travel tag
This brightly colored tag is easy to spot in a crowd. It displays a bag owner’s name but keeps other personal information out of sight.
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From: The Best Luggage Tags
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTTop T-shirt
This budget-friendly shirt is a comfortable weight, and the quality is decent enough. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from XS to 5XL, but it does shrink quite a bit in the wash.
Cleaner car
This 2-gallon, leak-proof receptacle is a staff favorite. There are rubber flaps over the opening, to keep debris and any accompanying odors contained.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPerfect pencil point
This pencil’s rotating lead keeps the tip sharp, making for the cleanest and most consistent writing. The newest version also has a pocket-safe retractable tip.
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Tinned fish treat
These delicate French sardines, a favorite of Wirecutter kitchen staffers, are flash-fried and then preserved using only olive oil and salt.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTBeeswax candles
These tapers (sold in pairs) are charming, if prone to dripping, and they come in vibrant colors.
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Rolling relief
This spiky plastic sphere is perfect for rolling under sore arches or loosening knots in other muscles.
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From: Gifts for Runners
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTBoo-boo healers
The whimsical tin contains 48 brightly colored, flexible bandages in 12 sizes. These bandages come in all sorts of patterns and themes, including monsters, jellyfish, and space.
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Candy olives
These white-chocolate-covered almonds masquerade as martini olives.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSupport kitties
These cute porcelain cats perform a small but important task: keeping chopsticks off the table.
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Baby Uno
This itty-bitty Uno set is just 3 inches long and can sit in a bag or pocket, ready for games on the go.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTMade to measure
This design classic has legible markings and cleans up better than plastic versions.
Cute cacti
These mini cacti magnets aren’t the strongest in the world. But they come in six detailed varieties and easily keep a photo on the fridge.
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From: Gifts for Plant Lovers
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
Meet your guide
![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/04/Samantha-Shoech.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=150)
Samantha Schoech
Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.
Mentioned above
- The days of hiding your socks—or treating them as an afterthought—are over. In this new era, what’s on your ankles can be the star of your outfit.Yes, Everyone’s Socks Are Showing. Here’s How to Rock the Trend—and the Pairs We Love.
- From iced herbal teas to strong black brews, here are the best teas according to Wirecutter’s obsessive staff.The Best Teas We’ve Tasted
- We have barware recommendations for outfitting a stylish and functional bar at home, with options for every skill level.The Best Barware for Making Cocktails at Home
- After mixing and tossing in 13 sets of bowls, we've found the glass and steel options we think are the best mixing bowls for most people. Read on to learn more.The Best Mixing Bowls
- Always losing cables, SD cards, and tubes of lip balm in the depths of your backpack? These bag organizers will help you corral what you carry every day.The Best Bag and Cable Organizers
- We spent 30 hours researching and testing jump ropes to find the best for most people. Hereʼs what we recommend.The Best Jump Rope
Further reading
The 57 Best Gifts Under $50
by Samantha Schoech
The very best of our favorite finds under $50, all in one place.
The 50 Best Gifts Under $100
by Samantha Schoech
True delight and even a bit of luxury can be found for $100. Check out our picks.
The 32 Absolute Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
by Dorie Chevlen and Samantha Schoech
Quirky and quippy Wirecutter-approved gifts for laughs, not landfills.
The 55 Best Gifts Under $25
by Samantha Schoech
We firmly believe gifts don’t have to be pricey to be stylish, useful, surprising, and delightful.
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