A $25 budget rules out most of the gift-shop shelves, but it leaves plenty of room for design gifts under $25 with a point of view. The best small gifts are usually ordinary things done differently: a familiar tool with an unexpected shape, a bright color where you expected beige, or a tiny accessory that gives a daily habit some character. The 20 picks below all cost $25 or less.
The prices run from $12 to $25. This gift guide includes kitchen towels, a fountain pen, a hen-shaped timer and a deck of tarot cards built around pasta.
Smart design gifts under $25 Worth Giving
Faceted Crystal Bud Vase by MoMA Design Store
A single stem looks deliberate in this bud vase. A slim glass tube rises from a thick, multifaceted crystal base, and the base throws colored light across nearby surfaces. The vase comes in three pairings: orange and green, red and blue, and light blue and peach. It holds its own even without flowers, especially on a sunny sill. The MoMA Design Store sells it for $25.
Striped Stoneware Monogram Mug by Anthropologie
Personalization doesn’t require a premium price. This mug from Anthropologie puts an oversized initial over playful stripes. Shoppers can choose any of the 26 letters. The glazed stoneware holds 15.2 ounces and is safe for both the microwave and the dishwasher. At $16, it works for coworkers, friends or anyone who guards their morning coffee.
The Pasta Tarot by Piecework
Tea leaves have competition. The Pasta Tarot reads fortunes through Italian-American food culture and a steady stream of jokes. Illustrator Lindsay Mound redraws the traditional tarot suits as pasta shapes, from stuffed ravioli to long strands of spaghetti. Piecework sells the 78-card deck for $22.
Liberty Premium Notecard Set by Galison
Stationery rarely looks this deliberate. Galison’s set draws on patterns from Liberty’s textile archive, bringing the London design house’s bold approach to color onto paper. It suits anyone who still writes thank-you notes by hand. The set costs $19.99 from Galison.
Scallop Marble Coaster Set by Mud Pie
Mud Pie swaps the usual round coaster for a softly scalloped edge. Each of the four coasters is cut from white marble, measures four inches across and carries natural veining, so no two match. The set suits a host or a new homeowner, and it looks pricier than it is. Find it at
mudpie.comfor $21.
Color Studies Notebook Set by John Derian
John Derian’s interest in antique prints appears on three notebooks, each with a different image on its front and back. The designer pulls the imagery from his own archive of vintage pictures. Each book has stitched spines and 64 blank pages, enough room for sketches or grocery lists. The set costs $20 from John Derian’s website.
Sardines Trinket Tray by Ban.do
The sardine trend has reached the dresser. Ban.do’s ceramic dish is shaped like an open tin, with colorful fish illustrations and a metallic-looking rim that imitates the real packaging. It holds rings, earrings and other small items without taking up much space. Ban.do sells it for $19.95.
Heaven Sent Real Food Tea Towel by Lakwena for 4 Art Partners
London artist Lakwena gives a kitchen towel the energy of a market stall. Her bold lettering and bright color come from artwork she first painted on cardboard packaging collected from East London’s Ridley Road Market. The design borrows the look of market signage. The towel is made from 100 percent organic cotton and costs $22 from 4 Art Partners.
Wave Fountain Pen by Papier
Even a grocery list gets a lift from this pen. Papier’s refillable fountain pen has a sculptural, wavy clip and a smooth barrel with a satisfying weight. It comes in gold or dusty sage and uses water-based blue ink. At $18, it makes a strong stocking stuffer. Papier sells it at
papier.com.
Pome Jacquard Dish Towel by Danica Studio
Danica Studio weaves its cotton towels using jacquard, a loom technique that builds the pattern into the fabric itself. The Pome design uses a fruit-inspired motif. Each towel measures 18 by 28 inches and goes in the washing machine. The line also includes geometrics, florals and wildlife prints. The Pome towel costs $12 from Danica Studio.
Dip Bowls (Set of 2) by Hommey
Small bowls can carry plenty of personality. Hommey’s stoneware pair has matte exteriors and glossy interiors. Each bowl is handmade in Thailand, and the design comes in six colors. They work for olives, sauces or loose odds and ends. The set costs $25 from Hommey’s US website.
Henriette Hen Kitchen Timer by Küchenprofi
Henriette is a mechanical timer shaped like a hen, and she stands 3.5 inches tall. Wind her up and set her for up to 59 minutes, enough time for soft-boiled eggs or a batch of cookies. Her retro styling makes her hard to hide in a drawer. Williams Sonoma sells her for $19.95.
Upcycled Record Coasters by Jeff Davis
Designer Jeff Davis turns worn-out records into coasters. Each set of six keeps the original record labels, so every coaster carries a small piece of music history. The sets are handmade in Philadelphia and backed with felt to protect furniture. No two sets match. Uncommon Goods sells them for $24.
Shape Dominoes by Fredericks and Mae
Fredericks and Mae replaces the dots on each Baltic birch tile with silkscreened geometric shapes. The number of sides on each shape stands for a value from zero to six. The rules stay the same as classic dominoes, so the set feels new without requiring a lesson. Fredericks and Mae sells the set for $20.
Cheese Knife 3-Piece Set by Crate & Barrel
These stainless steel knives have exaggerated oval handles that look more like sculpture than kitchen tools. Each of the three knives is designed for a different cheese: hard, soft or creamy. They are dishwasher-safe. The set costs $20 at
crateandbarrel.com.
Sacco Vase by Kinto
One stem can carry a whole table. Kinto’s Sacco Vase is made from colored glass with a subtle gradient and a softly rounded, asymmetrical shape. The angled opening adds an unexpected twist, and the weighted base keeps taller stems steady. It comes in green, brown and gray for $24.40 from Kinto.
Ceramic Washbasin Tray by Puebco
A miniature sink makes an unlikely but charming catchall. Puebco’s ceramic washbasins copy traditional bathroom fixtures, down to tiny faucets and pipe details. The two styles, a rectangular basin and an oval pedestal sink, are sized for rings and earrings. The design draws on architecture. Piecework sells it for $24.
Wax Seal Stamp & Wax Stick Set by Cate Paper Co.
Cate Paper Co. offers five designs, from a ribbon bow to citrus fruit and delicate florals. Each set includes a reusable brass stamp and a wax stick. The one-inch stamp also works with ink pads, so it can handle everyday stationery as well as sealed letters. The set costs $24 from Cate Paper Co.
Fishermen Tea Bag Holders by Kikkerland
Designed by Wang Lei, these miniature fishermen perch on the rim of a mug and dangle tea bags from stainless steel hooks. The design draws on Jiang Taigong, a figure from a Chinese story who believed fish would come to him when they were ready. The set of four is made from silicone and stainless steel. Kikkerland sells it for $20.
Mini Recycled Colour Crates by Hay
Hay’s Colour Crates come in a smaller size for paper clips, pens or makeup. The ventilated bins are made entirely from recycled plastic and stack neatly. The crates come in sets of two at
dwr.comfor $14.
The cheapest pick on this list, a $12 dish towel, and the priciest, a $25 set of dip bowls, share one trait. Each one looks like someone chose it on purpose. That quality is what makes design gifts under $25 worth the search.
Source: design-milk.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the price range for these design gifts under $25?
The 20 gift picks in this guide cost between $12 and $25. Every item is priced at $25 or less.
Is the Striped Stoneware Monogram Mug dishwasher and microwave safe?
Yes, the Striped Stoneware Monogram Mug from Anthropologie is safe for both the microwave and the dishwasher. It holds 15.2 ounces, costs $16, and shoppers can choose any of 26 letters for the initial.
How much does the Pasta Tarot deck cost from Piecework?
The Pasta Tarot from Piecework costs $22 and includes 78 cards. The illustrator, Lindsay Mound, redraws the traditional tarot suits as pasta shapes.
How long can the Henriette Hen Kitchen Timer be set for?
The Henriette Hen Kitchen Timer by Küchenprofi can be set for up to 59 minutes. She is a mechanical timer that stands 3.5 inches tall and sells for $19.95 at Williams Sonoma.
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