The 38 Best Stocking Stuffers of 2024 — All Under $50

Stocking stuffers: the unsung heroes of holiday gifting. It’s an excuse to exercise a little creative liberty in a sea of wish lists. A fabulous stocking stuffer feels festive, as the limitations of a traditional stocking should be taken more as a guideline than a mandate, and the recipient should be gifted with joyful times ahead in mind.

Less attentive gift-givers need not worry. We’ve curated a list of stocking stuffers with plenty of affordable options that run the gambit from intimate to universal. Whether you’re the type to stock up last minute or are a calculated elf that takes months to prep, there’s something for everyone.

Keep scrolling to discover PEOPLE’s picks for the best stocking stuffers this season, organized by price point.

Under $15

Lego Sonic The Hedgehog

Designed for kids 10 years old and up, this miniature build is small enough to add to a stocking. The iconic Sonic The Hedgehog character toy includes 139 pieces and is portable enough to be taken to playdates or anywhere else on the go.

Kitsch Heatless Curling Set

Heatless curlers are back and better than ever; you might as well toss out your old curling iron. This set from Kitsch creates effortless curls without the heat damage that other hair tools can cause. Plus, it can save you time in your morning routine: All you need to do is wear them to bed and wake up with hair that’s ready to take on the day.

LOL Surprise Mini Sweets

It’s no surprise that LOL Surprises are a kid-favorite toy that are, quite frankly, perfect as stocking stuffers thanks to their petite size and round shape. Inclusive of seven pieces, this LOL Surprise features a doll that represents an iconic candy brand — think Junior Mints, Haribo Gold Bears, and Tootsie Pop. There are nine different dolls in this collection so you can grab more than one to start collecting.

Harry Potter Snitch Hot Chocolate Bomb

It’s not Christmas without a sweet treat as soon as you wake up — why not make it hot chocolate? This golden milk chocolate shell is filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows for a quick, easy, and delicious hot cocoa in mere seconds.

Charbonnel et Walker Biscuit Truffle Ornament Box

For a more luxe option when it comes to chocolate stocking stuffers, gift them something memorable in this Charbonnel et Walker ornament box filled with decadent caramelized biscuit truffles.

No Bend Makeup Application Hair Clips

These cute barrettes can be used as functional tools to keep the strands away from your face during skincare and makeup routines, but they're cute enough to style and wear out of the house, as well.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Winter months can equate to dry, flaky skin. Shea butter is one of the best ingredients for nourishing and moisturizing your skin, and this one from L’Occitane was one of the best hand creams we tested.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes

It's always nice to stock up on skincare staples, and makeup remover wipes are a great beauty gifting option — especially during the midst of holidays and New Years parties when you may be wearing more makeup than usual.

Barbie Uno

This limited-edition Uno deck is fun for adults and children alike. Enjoy playing the classic Uno card game featuring characters and designs straight from Barbie The Movie.

Lightning Cord Charger Bundle

One thing you actually can't have too many of is a phone charger. This four-pack of pink charging cords adds a little fun to something purely functional. It works with any lightning cable device and includes three different lengths: 3 feet, 6 feet, and 10 feet.

Apple Airpods Case Cover

For anyone getting a new pair of AirPods this Christmas, adding a new case to their stocking is a must — and a fun tease to what's waiting to be unwrapped!

Tony's Chocolate Sampler

Upgrade from the typical drugstore chocolate options with Tony's Chocolates featuring six flavors including milk chocolate hazelnut, milk chocolate caramel sea salt, and dark chocolate — we promise you won't regret it.

Monos Luggage Alphabet Stickers

These monogram stickers from Monos can make even the most basic luggage more stylish. Plus, they make it easier to spot your luggage on the carousel at baggage claim.

Kikkerland Dog Hiking Kit

Slip this into your dog's stocking for a gift that's not treats or toys. The miniature kit includes paper water bowls, poop bags, dog light, tick removal kit, and a booklet so both you and your pup are prepared for the next outdoor adventure — which is honestly the best gift you can give.

LifeLines Scented Colored Pencils

These scented colored pencils are a part of Lifelines, a stress relief lifestyle line from the founders of Melissa & Doug. Whether you're buying for more serious artists or a casual doodler, they'll both appreciate these playful colored pencils that omit unique scents, from "apple trees laden with blossoms" to "springtime brunch in the garden."

Kikkerland Travel 4-Piece Nail Kit

This miniature kit offers easy nail upkeep no matter where you are in the world. It includes one large nail clipper, one small nail clipper, one cuticle pusher and nail filer, and one emery board — for just $8.

Heyday 4000mAh Power Bank

Give the gift of an everlasting phone battery with this affordable power bank from Target. This 4000 mAh power bank includes a charging cable and compact design so you can take it wherever you need to go.

World's Smallest Bop It!

Small enough to fit in your pocket, this miniature Bop It embodies '90s nostalgia. The fun handheld game includes an instruction booklet, a base, and batteries, so you can play it immediately out of the package.

Under $30

Ray-Ban Lanyard

Keep your favorite sunnies close at hand with a durable Ray-Ban lanyard. It comes in 4 colors (green, violet, blue, and red) and features an anti-slip design and adjustable loops for security. These are great to bring on vacation, keeping in the car, or wearing out on the lake. Better yet, buy one in every color for each person in the family for a cute matching moment.

Sugarfina Champagne Bears, Pack of 3

Delight your giftees with these adorable (and delicious, we might add) Sugarfina gummies made from Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne — but are still non-alcoholic. They're an elevated alternative to typical Christmas candy.

Mimosa Sugar Cubes

Brunch-lovers, rejoice — you don't need to keep orange juice in stock to enjoy a delicious mimosa. Simply add a cube to some bubbly and watch it turn into your favorite cocktail in seconds...perhaps the closest thing we've come to magic.

Apple AirTag

Never wonder where your missing luggage ended up ever again. An Apple Airtag is a thoughtful gift for frequent travelers, pet owners, or any forgetful person who's always losing their keys or purse.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

This waterproof mascara earned PEOPLE Tested's best overall title after testing 34 different mascaras. We found it effectively lengthened, curled, and volumized our lashes (without clumping) more than any other mascara we tested — so it's well worth the cost, especially if you wear mascara daily.

Colgate Whitening Pen

This portable whitening pen is the perfect beauty gift that helps brighten teeth whether you’re at home or headed on vacation. Just apply the gel to your teeth overnight and wake up with a noticeable brighter smile in just one week.

PopSockets PopGrip Cell Phone Grip

Phone accessories are an easy way to show off your personality or style — and we love PopSockets for their playful functionality. For under $20, you get a phone grip and stand all in one.

Laneige Lip Mask

Any beauty lover knows this PEOPLE-Tested lip mask is a nightstand must-have. Especially for dry winter nights, this leave-on lip product transforms thirsty lips thanks to the inclusion of vitamin C, shea butter, murumuru seed, and antioxidants. Wake up with soft, hydrated lips ready for the day ahead.

Slip Ornament Scrunchie Set

Silk scrunchies have become popular as they’re a healthier choice for your hair, less likely to contribute to split ends and frizz compared to other hairbands that pull and tug at your strands. There’s a festive way to gift these thanks to this Slip ornament that houses four scrunchies and fits seamlessly into a stocking.

Smartwool x Free People Socks

Sure, getting socks for Christmas is predictable, but it’s possible to make this functional gift a bit more exciting. Case in point: These Smartwool x FP Movement socks that aren’t just warm and cozy, but also feature a uniquely cute design that pairs well with Ugg slippers, hiking boots, and Birkenstock clogs.

JBL Bluetooth Speaker

With a 4.8 average rating from over 33,000 Amazon customers, this is a speaker that anyone could benefit from. Take it to class, the park, a New Years Eve party, or just keep around the house for whenever you need a dance break — either way, you can get lots of use out of this handy little speaker that’s currently 40 percent off.

Port and Polish Pill Box

Reminding a loved one to take their pills and vitamins might just be the best gift you give. This Port and Polish pill box is both chic and useful with a compact design and separate compartments for every day of the week.

Athleta Coffee Run Wallet

For anyone always on the go, the Athleta Coffee Wallet is as good as gift as any. We love how easy it is to store your cards and IDs, cash, and keys in this wallet so you're always prepared to run out for errands, coffee, or last-minute weekend adventures.

Horti Cuttings Mini Vase, Set of 3

Horti has some of the most gorgeous gifts and tools for plant parents, including this set of three mini vases that can beautifully display your cuttings.

Birdie Safety Alarm

Anyone can benefit from this safety alarm which activates a loud alarm and flashing strobe light when triggered. It's small enough to put in your coat pocket or throw in a bag. Just attach your keys to it and you're good to go.

Living Proof Travel Size Dry Shampoo

One of the most useful things to have on hand is a travel-sized dry shampoo, and this one from Living Proof has earned a 4.6 average rating from nearly 3,000 Target shoppers.

Homesick New York City Candle

With top notes of bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit, this Homesick candle is meant to be reminiscent of spring days in Central Park, fine department stores, and concrete. It has a typical burn time of 60 to 80 hours, so you'll get plenty of use out of this elevated candle.

Kate Spade Pen Set

No matter the age, everyone can use elevated office or school supplies. Each set comes with five pens with five different designs to choose from — you can even buy one pack and put one or two pens in different stockings. 

Under $50

Lily Pulitzer Passport Travel Wallet

Stay organized for your next international trip with this super cute passport travel wallet from Lily Pulitzer. Slide in your passport, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and credit cards into the various compartments, and then zip it up to keep everything secure. The vibrant blue color and bold pattern makes it easy to spot in your bag, too.

Sundays Gel Removal Kit

Removing a gel manicure at home doesn't have to be a pain anymore thanks to this eight-piece set from Dear Sundays. It comes with everything you need to achieve a safe and comfortable gel nail removal in less than 20 minutes.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

PEOPLE Senior Commerce Editor Erika Reals curated this stocking stuffer gift guide. She has more than 5 years of experience in writing and editing shopping content across different categories, including fashion, beauty, home, and kitchen products. She researched affordable small gifts perfect for stocking stuffers and included the best ones here. To her, a gift that’s both thoughtful and unique is more valuable than a specific brand or price point. PEOPLE contributor Erika Veurink is the original author of this roundup.