$25 doesn’t go<\/span> as far as it used to. As recently as a decade ago, $25 could fill up your gas tank and buy a pretty good gift, with plenty of options for just about every interest and occasion. Nowadays, it\u2019s a struggle to even find a $25 takeout meal for one person and average national gas prices are inching toward $5 a gallon<\/a>. And we all know wages have not kept up.<\/p>\n Good news: There are still plenty of thoughtful, interesting items out there to be had for $25, which are sure to appeal to everyone from coworkers to neighbors, relatives you don’t know well, and the friend who seems to have everything. All things on this list have been tested and vetted by at least one person on the WIRED Reviews team\u2014often more than one\u2014to ensure it is indeed a good gift you’d be proud to give. Check out more of our gift guides<\/a> to find something for everyone on your list this year.<\/p>\n Love\u00a0WIRED<\/em>?\u00a0Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/em><\/a>\u00a0to see more of us.<\/em><\/p>\n Field Notes National Parks Series (3-Pack)<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Muji Ballpoint Pens (10 Pack)<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Bonaok Karaoke Microphone<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n MoMA Design Store<\/p>\n WIRED senior Gear editor Julian Chokkattu recommends this colorful acrylic desk accessory<\/a> that keeps pencils, scissors, and other large items on top and smaller items like paper clips (or, in Julian’s case as a phone reviewer<\/a>, SIM ejection pins) on the bottom. Shown is the pink-and-amber color combination, but there’s also a blue-and-green option.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Field Notes<\/p>\n I’ve used Field Notes for years\u2014they\u2019re lightweight, sturdy, and a perfectly pocketable. The National Parks Series elevates what would otherwise be a utilitarian notebook to its giftable status, with artist-created covers inspired by our nation’s natural wonders\u2014from Acadia to the Hawai’i Volcanoes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Muji<\/p>\n My city recently got its own brick-and-mortar Muji store, and if you\u2019ve never visited the famed Japanese retailer in person, it\u2019s basically a mecca for stationery and desk accessories. These pens in particular are famous for their smooth ink and precision tips, and make a perfect companion for the Field Notes notebooks at left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n These drink cozies are a favored white elephant gift<\/a> from WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell (“It’s like playing Barbie with your drinks,” she says), but I like them because they remind me of Will Ferrell and his friend Harper Steele in the movie Will & Harper,<\/em> where they go on a road trip, dress up their drinks in these exact cozies, and come up with ridiculous names for them like Cornelius Danderhoff. It reminds me of road trips I took with friends in college, which reminds me that I’m old, which \u2026\u00a0makes me want a drink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Govee<\/p>\n Set the right vibe in any room with this WIRED-recommended<\/a>, Matter-compatible smart light bulb that features millions of colors, scenes, and effects you can control with Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Govee app. You can also sync it to music with the latter, using the microphone on your phone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Bonaok<\/p>\n Let your giftee be heard wherever they go with their very own Bluetooth microphone. Former WIRED A\/V editor Parker Hall especially liked this one<\/a> for its series of playback and mixing controls, in addition to adjustable volume, echo effects, and the ability to play, skip, or pause your backing track.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Photograph: Louryn Strampe<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Photograph: Louryn Strampe<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Quince<\/p>\n A sleep mask is a must for proper sleep hygiene, and WIRED reviewer and sleep mask aficionado Louryn Strampe loves the roomy fit<\/a> of this 22-momme silk model from Quince. It\u2019s half the price of similar 100-percent silk sleep masks, and there’s free shipping to keep things affordable. Choose from among 12 color options, including Eucalyptus, Espresso, Pink, Terra Cotta, and Light Blue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Loop<\/p>\n Crowned our best earplugs for sleep<\/a>, the silicone Loop Quiet 2 are capable of blocking out 24 dB and fit entirely flush with your head, ensuring that they’re perfectly comfortable when you lie on your side. The little handle makes them easy to pull out, and they come in four fun colors with a variety of ear tips to ensure your giftee can get the perfect fit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Diveblues<\/p>\n Help your giftee\u2019s personal space stay cool and fresh with this 4-in-1 fan, the best handheld fan I\u2019ve personally tried<\/a>. You can set it on a table or desk, hold it in your hand, clip it onto something with the bottom carabiner, or wear it around your neck. It\u2019s plenty quiet enough to hold a conversation over, and it comes in four fun colors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Jacobsen Salt Co.<\/p>\n My entire family is obsessed with this finishing salt, which is harvested in Netarts Bay, Oregon, just a couple of hours from our house. The large, irregular crystals look (and taste) fantastic on meat, roast vegetables, and desserts, and offer the perfect amount of crunch. Either the salt itself or the stylish arched salt cellar\u2014handmade by Pigeon Toe Ceramics in Portland, Oregon\u2014would make a terrific gift on its own.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Kiwi<\/p>\n A sharp, trusty chef\u2019s knife is a staple in any kitchen, and Kiwi knives are beloved by multiple members<\/a> of the WIRED Reviews team for their ability to hold an edge just as well as knives that cost 10 times as much. I\u2019ve had a Kiwi knife in my own knife drawer for more than 20 years, and it’s still going strong.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Le Creuset<\/p>\n Who doesn\u2019t love a colorful Le Creuset Dutch oven? The real-deal, enameled cast iron version may not be in your gifting budget, but the 8-ounce stoneware cocotte is perfect as a salt cellar, garlic roaster, or even a bowl to eat out of. Most of the classic colors are available, so you can match your giftee\u2019s kitchen or other Le Creuset pots if they have them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Vanessa Minton<\/p>\n I have a separate gift guide for plant lovers<\/a>, where I talk about how much I like the usability of this book. Put together by Vanessa Minton of From the Garden<\/a>, \u201cHow to Grow Medicinal Herbs\u201d features clear and complete directions that are perfect for beginners, from growing the plants to how to incorporate them into infused oils, tinctures, teas, and syrups. I actually did give a copy to a friend as a gift, and she liked it so much she took it on a trip and read it cover to cover on the plane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFeatured Gifts<\/h2>\n
![\"notebooks](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/5dd43cbbbb1a490009d42db5\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Gear-FNC43_PARKS_Cthree.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/5eab57494d8ebca1ff20fe2a\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Gear-Muji-Gel-Ink-Pens.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Side](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6933268f91c1fe7567fc95b1\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Bonaok%2520Karaoke%2520Microphone%2520Reviewer%2520Photo%2520SOURCE%2520Parker%2520Hall.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFor the Notetaker<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/694ae65b26e24e96bc8efba1\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/MoMA-Colorplay-Pen-&-Pencil-Cup-Holder-front-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Julian-Chokkattu.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/694ae6a8c2b3d514ed48c504\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/MoMA-Colorplay-Pen-&-Pencil-Cup-Holder-separated-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Julian-Chokkattu.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\nColorplay Pen & Pencil Cup Holder<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
National Parks Series (3-Pack)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Ballpoint Pens (10 Pack)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Party Person<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/68f5ce02cfb62fcd738c9739\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Puffin-Drinkwear-(robe%2520jacket%2520leopard%2520print)-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Nena-Farrell.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSmart LED Color-Changing Light Bulb (H6008)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Karaoke Microphone<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Anti-Party Person<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6977a3a37bdf4df61492153b\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/quince-1-source-louryn.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6977a3a66efeb35233c58ad6\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/quince-2-source-louryn.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6977a4b36efeb35233c58ad8\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/quince-silk-sleep-mask-source-quince.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Quiet 2 Ear Plugs<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Portable Handheld Fan<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Home Chef<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/69f8bf2509b13d2a3a0766bb\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Jacobsen%2520Salt%2520Co%2520Salt%2520and%2520Salt%2520Cellar%2520packaging%2520SOURCE%2520Kat%2520Merck.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/69f8bf336b33e342418face7\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Jacobsen%2520Salt%2520Co%2520Salt%2520and%2520Salt%2520Cellar%2520cookies%2520SOURCE%2520Kat%2520Merck.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSalt and Salt Cellar<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Brand Chef\u2019s Knife<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For the Gardener<\/h2>\n
How to Grow Medicinal Herbs<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n