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At least once a year, you get to thank your best friend for being your own personal saint for the other 364 days of the year.
They’re the ones you rely upon, confide in, and plague with everything from menu choices to whether or not you should move across the country for this new job. So when the holidays roll around, it can be difficult to find something adequately thoughtful to give to that most important person – especially within the relatively affordable under-$100 range.
To make things easier for you, we put together a list of 40 unique, thoughtful gifts that your best friend will actually love to get – all for less than $100.
Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping - just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.
A high-tech towel that's better for their hair
Aquis Lisse Luxe Long Hair Towel, available on Sephora and Amazon, $35
Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels have inspired a slew of rave reviews online, including one from our own team of reviewers.
The towels are made from a proprietary fabric called Aquitex that's composed of ultra-fine fibers (finer than silk) that work to reduce the amount of friction the hair experiences while in its weakest state. It also prevents hygral fatigue - the stretching and swelling of wet hair that makes it vulnerable to frizz and damage - by cutting the hair's drying time by 50%.
Note: Currently unavailable on Amazon
A small but powerful Bluetooth Bose speaker
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker, available on Amazon, $79 (Originally $99) [You save $20]
The term "small but mighty" gets thrown around a lot, but this small Bose speaker is only a little larger than the phone used to control the music - and has a much bigger sound. It comes in three colors and has a six-hour battery life.
A hilarious collection of Tinder exchanges that, altogether, become one modern horror story
Tinder Nightmares, available on Amazon, $9.89
"Tinder Nightmares" is a modern horror story of Tinder exchanges organized by theme, with chapters such as Bad English, Broetry, Strange Requests, Sneak Attacks, and more. The Instagram account of the same name has nearly 2 million followers. But beware - like Tinder, this book is not for the faint of heart.
A three-month subscription to the book club that put "Gone with the Wind" on the map
Three Month Subscription, available on Book of the Month, $44.99
This subscription gift was handcrafted for bookworms. Book of the Month has been around since 1926, and it's credited with the discovery of titles like "Gone with the Wind" and "Catcher in the Rye." A team of experts and celebrity guest judges curate must-read books - usually new releases, hot topics, and debut authors - and send them to the subscriber's doorstep.
If they're more into audiobooks or e-reading, check out a gift subscription to Scribd (full review here).
A makeup and skincare subscription
Three Month Subscription, available on Birchbox, $30
Birchbox is a skincare and makeup subscription that sends tons of samples of new and cult-favorite products so subscribers can find products they love without committing to buying full-sized anything in the meantime. It's also a monthly excuse for them to treat themselves.
Note: Order by December 19 at 5 p.m. ET with two-day shipping to receive by December 24.
Two pounds of the best Starburst flavor
2 lbs of Strawberry Starburst Fruit Chews, available on Amazon, $23.74
In a true gesture of friendship, deliver two pounds of only the best Starburst flavor to them.
A twill weekender for their travels
The Twill Weekender, available on Everlane, $98
Perfect for weekend trips or shoving into the overhead compartment of an airplane, Everlane's twill weekender is a pretty good deal for $98. It's 100% water-resistant, has leather straps, and includes little gunmetal feet for stability.
Everlane is also a good fit for friends who are concerned with transparency in business - especially with the company's new ReNew collection made from recycled plastic bottles.
A leather makeup pouch from a cool startup they'll love
Lola Toiletries Pouch, available on Dagne Dover, $75
Dagne Dover is one of our all-time favorite handbag companies, and most of that has to do with quality, style, and a peerless attention to detail. The Lola Pouch comes in seven colors of genuine pebbled leather. It has helpful features like elastic lip gloss loops, slip pockets with hidden magnetic closures for compacts and shadows, and a smooth lining that's easily cleaned. Zipper tabs can be unsnapped to adjust the shape, too.
An insulated stainless steel water bottle that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 6 hours
Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug, available at Amazon, from $21.95
This double wall, vacuum insulated stainless steel mug is especially perfect for commuters who would rather drink hot coffee than room-temperature for the 45 minutes on the subway - or any other time. We're big fans, and it does a pretty incredible job of keeping cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to six hours.
A giant cardboard cutout of your face
Three Foot Customized Big Heads Cardboard Face Cutout, available on Amazon, from $44.99
Especially good for long-distance best friends, this giant cardboard cutout of your face is one giant physical reminder that you care. Michael Scott once said that gifts were great because you can point to them and say "Hey man, I love you this many dollars worth." This gift also says "I love you this huge."
A class or experience for you to take together
Check out local Airbnb Experiences
Check out local Groupons
Book an experience like a pasta-making class, brewery tour, or local tour that the two of you can enjoy together. Plus, you can buy this gift as last-minute as you like.
A gimmicky-seeming nail polish holder they'll actually wind up using
Tweexy Wearble Nail Polish Holder, available on Amazon, $9.99
Finding a convenient spot to place an open bottle of sticky, vibrant, and fast-drying liquid while you paint your nails is not easy. This $7 nail polish holder looks gimmicky, but it's actually pretty useful.
A funny adult coloring book
Wine Life: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book, available on Amazon, $8.99
Adult coloring has had a resurgence in recent years as a great de-stressor (even Kate Middleton is a fan). It turns out, though, that adult coloring is even more fun with adult beverages. Here's one that combines both.
A brass and wood display box that's a bit cooler than the average picture frame
Brass & Wood Display Box, available at Artifact Uprising, $55
Artifact Uprising's brass and hardwood Display Box is a bit more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional picture frame. They can showcase their favorite picture by sliding it into the front of the box, and the box itself can hold up to 50 five-inch by five-inch Square Prints inside.
If you're just looking for prints, you can find those starting at $8 here.
A box of gourmet artisan milk and dark chocolate
Chuao Chocolatier Share the Love 36-Piece Gift Set, available on Amazon, $41.95
A box stuffed full of chocolate needs no introduction, but this one is a pretty good deal. The box comes with 36 mini bars of gourmet artisan milk and dark chocolate, all made in small batches and free of artificial flavors. The 14 flavors range from sweet to savory, and each bar is only 60 calories.
A silk pillowcase for smoother hair and less breakage
Celestial Silk 100% Silk Pillowcase, available on Amazon, $37.99
This Celestial Silk pillowcase is one of the internet's hidden gems. It's $40 on Amazon, but we rated it the best silk pillowcase you can buy in our guide - and it gives you more silk per square inch than options twice the price at Sephora. It's made out of 100% Mulberry silk - one of the highest quality silks you can buy - and comes in 13 colors and three sizes: standard, queen, and king. It's the one I personally own, and it makes a big difference for frizzy hair.
A poetry book that has become a phenomenon
Milk and Honey, available on Amazon, from $8.99
Rupi Kaur's "Milk and Honey" is a New York Times best seller and a small cultural phenomenon. It's a collection of poetry and prose dealing with love, loss, femininity, and survival.
A yoga mat towel with skid-less technology made by a trusted company
Manduka Yogitoes Yoga Mat Towel, available on Amazon, from $40
Manduka consistently makes some of the best yoga gear on the market, and their cult-favorite Yogitoes mat towels aren't an exception - they'd probably be the main response if you asked around yoga studios for a mat towel recommendation. They have patented skid-less technology that uses 100% silicone nubs, and it makes a big difference.
Each Yogitoes towel is also made from at least eight recycled plastic water bottles, and the dyes used to make it are free of azo, lead, or heavy metal.
A vitamin C serum developed by MIT scientists that keeps selling out
Glow Maker, available on Maelove, $27.95
Maelove is a skincare company founded by a team of MIT grads (skincare obsessives, brain and cancer researchers, and chemical engineers) to make affordable, high-quality skincare accessible. The entire under-$30 line is supposedly great, but this $28 vitamin C serum (which people have likened to the multi-award-winning $166 C E Ferulic Serum) is the real showstopper - and it keeps selling out. I've tried it, and it does a great job of reducing hyperpigmentation, hydrating, and adding a "glow" to the skin. Read more here.
A monogrammed leather passport case
Standard Passport Cover, available on Leatherology, from $45 (with optional monogram from $10)
For the world traveler, adventure companion, or person who has a lot of places left to see before they're satisfied, this leather passport cover is one of the best mixes of quality for price you're bound to find. You can also personalize your gift further with a monogram (starting as an extra $10). Every time they use it, they'll think of you.
Note: Order Leatherology gifts with expedited shipping if you need them by Christmas. The last day for this is December 19.
A design service that can help them figure out their decor or new apartment layout
Essential Package, available on Modsy, $59
Whether they're moving, always talking about redecorating, or would love a gallery wall but don't want to expend the necessary brain power, they'll appreciate a Modsy gift. The service makes an exact 3D, digital replica of their room and fills it with actual pieces of furniture from well-known brands that they can buy on the spot.
A super soft $75 cashmere sweater from a sustainable startup
The Essential Cashmere Sweater, available on Naadam, $75
This $75 cashmere sweater is one of the best I've worn, and it took me by surprise for $75. You can get it in either crew-neck or v-neck styles, unisex sizing, and ten colors. In person, the cashmere is one of the softest I've felt.
Plus, Naadam is a sustainable startup. They avoid toxic chemicals, invest in sustainable grazing practices, fund better vaccination programs for healthier goats, and use 100% clean energy to power production facilities. By cutting out middlemen, they pay nomadic herders about 50% more and charge about 50% less to customers without changing quality.
A personalized zodiac necklace
Zodiac Necklace, Libra, available on Mejuri, $79
Mejuri is an up-and-coming Canadian jewelry startup, and it's one of our favorite names in affordable fine jewelry. These zodiac necklaces are gold vermeil, minimalist, and decorated with AAA-quality white sapphires.
A new book by the co-creator of "Broad City"
I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff, available on Amazon, $18.30
This new book by Abbi Jacobson, co-creator of "Broad City", deals with love, loss, work, comedy, and identity.
A soft, durable pair of slippers they'll want to live in
UGG Ansley Water Resistant Slipper, available on Nordstrom, $99.95
They're not a new name, but UGG slippers have stuck around for a very good reason: they're incredibly soft, durable, and made really well. The sole is sturdy enough to withstand walks to the mailbox, and the water-resistant material can take a little gross winter slush on the way there.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out Minnetonka - we're big fans of their mix of price and quality, too.
An award-winning at-home facial
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, available on Sephora, $80
This now legendary AHA and BHA at-home "facial" gently resurfaces the skin to remove built-up dead skin cells and reveal brighter, more even skin underneath. It's also won multiple notable beauty awards, including a Best of Beauty from Allure and Reader's Choice from InStyle in 2017. For more skincare products, check out the best luxury skincare on Amazon and best gifts from Sephora here.
Popular leggings they can wear anywhere
Outdoor Voices 7/8 Springs Leggings, available on Nordstrom, $85
It seems like everyone and their best friend is talking about Outdoor Voices leggings, and these are the iconic pair that have recently made their way to Nordstrom. That's great news because Nordstrom is one of 15 stores that offer free in-store pickup for those last-minute shoppers who want to save on shipping.
A card game to play with other friends to rehash favorite stories and learn some new ones
The Voting Game Adult Card Game, available on Amazon, $24.99
The Voting Game is basically a card game that gives you a funny prompt and invites you to anonymously answer "Who's the most likely to..." out of your friends. It's a great way to rehash your favorite memories and learn new stories.
A vase and smartphone stand handmade from glazed stoneware
Bedside Smartphone Vase, available on Uncommon Goods, $32
These smartphone stands are handmade out of glazed stoneware, and they double as vases so their owner can have the benefit of convenience without totally giving into the sterility of tons of tech devices.
A mug with a "coffee reading" tarot-inspired theme
Coffee Reading, available on Society6, $11.89
Perfect for the avid coffee drinker or casual fan of the occult, this ceramic mug made by the independent artists of Society6 is a fun - and useful - gift. They've also got pretty much every mug pattern you could want.
A cocktail recipe book that pairs music with good drinks
Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks, available on Amazon, $16.51
Have a best friend that loves music and a nice cocktail? this pairs both for a perfect combination every time. The guide includes music from 70 albums, ranging from the '50s to the '00s, with an accompanying A-side and B-side cocktail for each - all organized by mood.
A ClassPass gift card
Gift Card, available on ClassPass, from $50
Start heading to more boutique fitness classes with your best friend by making them easier and cheaper to attend. ClassPass lets you drop in to different specialized studios for $15 or less per class. Make sure the first month of your "new year, new us" January project is on you.
A pillow of their best friend (who maybe isn't you)
Custom Pet Pillow, available on Canvas Pop, from $39
If they're a pet parent, this is one novelty gift that will probably wind up as a permanent fixture in their home. As their human best friend, you probably have access to ample photos of their pet kid already.
A set of bath bombs that look like macarons
Gourmand Petite Macaron Bath Bomb Set, available on Urban Outfitters, $10
These macaron bath bombs are the perfect excuse for a night of pampering. Pair them with a sheet mask and some wine to give your friend a much-deserved night off.
Three must-have hair products from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin's line
OUAI Three OUAI Hair Kit, available on Urban Outfitters, $25
The Three OUAI Hair Kit comes with celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin's signature Texture, Volume, and Waves foams and sprays, plus a few slender hair clips for the process.
A tiny waffle maker
Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available on Amazon, $8.99
This mini waffle maker may seem more gimmick than substance, but it didn't garner 1,000+ reviews just for being pretty cute. It's compact for small kitchens and people who only want to make three waffles rather than buffet quantities, and it's really easy to clean.
A screw-on top that turns a wine bottle into a glass
Guzzle Buddy Wine Bottle Glass, available on Amazon, $17.99
If they're more of a "one bottle per person" vino drinker, why not cut out the middleman with this twist-on bottle-to-glass helper?
Note: May not arrive by Christmas
The personal diary of icon Friday Kahlo
"The Diary of Friday Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait", $22.46
In the last ten years of her life, Friday Kahlo kept a journal full of thoughts, poems, illustrations, and dreams. This is it, and it's a particularly perfect gift for an artistic or feminist best friend.
Takeout-inspired bowls
Take Out Bowls, Set of 2, available on Uncommon Goods, $29.99
Dress up your next night in by transferring the lo mein from your favorite neighborhood haunt into these before turning on a Netflix marathon.
Game night glasses
Game Night Delight Glass Set, available on Modcloth, $15
If you're the type of friends that relish game night, these thoughtful glasses make for a cute tradition.