Heirloom gift ideas under $50
The test of a good gift is whether it is still in the house in five years. Here are the pieces we sell most at Christmas and at weddings, all under $50.
For the cook who is starting out
A 12-inch cast iron skillet ($42) is the single most useful object in a kitchen and it will outlive the recipient. Pair it with a jar of good salt and a handwritten note on how to season it, and you have a gift worth more than its price.
For the renter with a balcony
A cedar raised bed kit ($129) is over budget, so give the smaller version of the same idea: a pair of hand tools, a bag of seed-starting mix and a beeswax wrap set ($18). It starts a habit rather than filling a shelf.
For the person who has everything
- Heirloom recipe tin ($29). Names the recipes nobody wrote down. Works best with a few cards already filled in.
- Wool throw ($78) — over $50, but the one piece people keep on the sofa rather than in a closet.
- Hat band ($48). If they already own a felt hat, this is the upgrade they will not buy themselves.
For the first apartment
A 16-tool starter kit ($39) and a set of quart jars ($24) cover the two things nobody buys until they need them in a hurry. See what belongs in that kit.
How we wrap
Everything ships gift-wrapped on request with the price removed and a card in your words. Custom hats can be given as a gift certificate for a fitting, which is often a better gift than choosing the hat for someone else.
Quick answers
What is a good housewarming gift under $50?
A cast iron skillet, a set of quart jars or a small tool kit. They get used immediately, and none of them end up in a cupboard.
Can you gift-wrap and ship directly?
Yes. Gift wrapping is free on request, prices are removed and we can include a handwritten card with your message.