Home Holiday Gift Guide: Fave Finds Under $50

Credit: Marimekko

Marimekko

For under $50 you can gift a set of these mouth-blown glasses by Marimekko

Sure, everyone loves a consumable gift—that box of chocolates, bottle of wine, or jar of homemade jam. But why not give something with a bit more staying power, like a present to help your friends or family keep their nest finely feathered this holiday season?

Here’s are my favourite finds—all under $50. (Bigger budget? Check back for Part 2 of my holiday gift guide with ideas from $55 to $500.)

Under $5: Frasier Fir Decorative Sachet

Stuff that stocking with the scent of a woodsy forest by tucking this cute Frasier Fir decorative sachet inside. My recommendation? Get some extras for last-minute gifts (attach to a card) and some to slip inside your sock drawer or hang in the coat closet for a refreshing burst of fragrant fir. $3.50; Thymes

Under $10: Artistic iPad Decals

For less than a tenner, you can give a gift that adds artistry to an iPad or Macbook. Super-cool decals from Vancouver’s own Mac Modify incorporate the apple into adaptations of iconic art like the Lovestatue (Robert Indiana’s Philly fixture), elusive graffiti artist Banksy’s rats, and fairy-tale figure, Snow White. Bonus: The Vancouver company promises same-day dispatch for B.C. orders. $9.99; MacModify

Under $15: Sequin Cushion

Give some bargain-priced bling this season with a holiday cushion (or two) that’s sure to add sparkle to any home. These sexy-meets-chic 12-by-20-inch cushions by PC Home come in festive red, goes-with-anything cream, and jet black. Add extra points for versatility: these pillows can be kept in place for year-round glamour after the tree has been taken down and the decorations are packed away. $10; President’s Choice

Under $20: Japanese Doll Candlesticks

How kawai! Candlesticks don’t get any cuter than these ones painted like sweet Japanese dolls. Bestow one of these beauties on a friend or give all four. These 19-cm-tall holders come in sand, jade green, purple and blue, with decorative outfits to match. $19 each; BoConcept

Under $30: Sampler Set of Cocktail Bitters

Forget about those two-ingredient cocktails: even a home bar should be stocked with an arsenal of bitters. Bestow a sampler kit of Scrappy’s Bitters (it comes in a four-pack with lavender, lime, celery, and orange bitters) and encourage your would-be bartender pals to elevate their bevies.

Need a starter recipe? Try the Man of the Century, courtesy Scrappy’s Bitters: Mix together two oz bourbon, ¼ oz of sweet vermouth and two dashes of Scrappy’s orange bitters. $24.99; Homewerx

Under $40: Mouth-blown Marimekko Glasses

Who wouldn’t want a pair of mouth-blown glasses Marimekko (a matching pitcher is available too) from the iconic Finnish company? These 200-ml Sukat Makkaralla glasses (the name translates to “socks rolled down”) were designed by Anu Penttinen for everyday use. These dishwasher-safe glasses come in sets of two (mix and match from an assortment of colours: gold, red, violet, green, turquoise, brown and clear) and are versatile enough to be used for your morning OJ or an afternoon cocktail. $35/set of 2; Marimekko Vancouver

Under $50: Fred Herzog: Photographs Coffee Table Book

Can’t afford to give your friend the Fred Herzog print she’s been coveting for that spot above the mantel? No fear: help her dress the coffee table instead, with a tome she’s sure to treasure: Fred Herzog: Photographs. This new book of Herzog’s iconic photographic images of Vancouver, originally captured in Kodachrome slide film, offers glimpses of daily life on Vancouver’s gritty and gorgeous streets in the 1950s and 1960s. Text is provided by Claudia Gochmann, Douglas Coupland, Jeff Wall and Sarah Milroy. 44.99; Book Warehouse