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The 2024 $5 Gift Guide

Unbelievably, this is year 14 of doing the $5 gift guide (inflation isn’t getting the best of us!).

And this year’s $5 gift guide is better than ever!

We’ve broken it down into categories – ideas for teens and tweens, men, women, home products, parents and in-laws. I hope you’ll find it more helpful than ever!

For even MORE fun, Kelsey on my team undertook the major project of making a digital catalog for the $5 gift guide so you can see it all in one place, plus bonus recommendations and links to other gift guides! Pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox – you will NOT want to miss it.

cheap stocking stuffers for teens

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Teen/Tween

LED Color Changing Light Strips – $4.88 for 10ft or $4.97 for 6.5ft
These are all the rage with teens even if I don’t understand them. They typically put them up in the top edges lining their rooms and they love how they can change the color.

Mini Bow Claw Hair Clip Set 2pc – $5.00 for set of 2
Besides the fact that bows are extremely trendy right now, these mini bow clips are the perfect way to make regular hair look a little nicer. I love that these come in a variety of colors and textures.

Mini Nail Stickers – $5.00
My girls are obsessed with painting their nails (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come into my bathroom to find Ani sneakily painting her own fingers and toes). These are the perfect accessory to jazz up a basic mani/pedi. Pair these nail stickers with a bottle of nail polish and you have the perfect affordable teen/tween gift.

Sneaker Deodorizer Balls – $5.95
Puberty hits all of us during the teen years, and unfortunately lots of new smells often accompany it. These sneaker deodorizer balls are easy to throw in athletic shoes to keep those pesky smells at bay.

Cheeseburger Mug – $5.00
I was beside myself when I saw this cheeseburger mug! I don’t know what teen wouldn’t be excited to drink a nice cup of cocoa out of this fun and “cheesy” mug. The cocoa advent calendar from my teen advent calendar post would pair perfectly with this.

Essence Lash Mascara – $4.99
Mascara for $5!? I know you may be skeptical, but this mascara has gone viral on Tik Tok, and the Amazon reviews speak for themselves (over 250,000 5-star ratings). For teens who are into makeup or a tween who wants to test the waters, this mascara would be a fun low-stakes way to try it out.

Hero. Mighty Patch – $3.00
Unfortunately, acne is part of being a teenager (I use these even as an adult) and these pimple patches come in handy a lot! I’ve also seen teens really into these star pimple patches and worn throughout the day to cover up a blemish they would rather others not see.

Custom Water Bottle Name Sticker – $4.95
I think water bottles will always be trending with the kids, and they really do love customizing and accessorizing them. These water bottle name stickers can be completely customized to any name (plus, it’s like an undercover label, so if your child ever loses their water bottle, it’s easily identifiable.)

Beanie – $5.00
You can never have too many beanies for the winter. My girls love wearing these beanies under their ski helmets to keep their ears warm. Because these beanies are stretchy, they can fit me and my 7 year old. Plus it comes in 10 different colors and makes a great, cheap stocking stuffer!

Long Colorful iPhone Chargers – $9.99 for 3 pk
I love the fun colors of these 10 ft. long charging cords! And since packaging isn’t the boss of me, these would be perfect to split up and gift out separately (under $4 a piece!). Plus, the fabric coating doesn’t crack or kink like a plastic-coated cord does.

Nee-Doh Squishy Ball – $3.44
Squishies are all the rage right now! And these bright, bold, squeezable balls are just plain fun to squeeze and can double as stress relief.

Peace Sign Night Light – $4.99
If there is one thing I know about teens, it is that they love to make their space their own. Even though they might be past the age to actually use a night light for its intended purpose, this peace sign night light brings a lot of personality and ambiance to a room. Plus, I love that it turns on and off all by itself.  

Puffy Headband Spa Set – $4.98
For the teen or tween that loves all things skincare, this headband and wristband set will keep their hair and arms dry while they do their skincare routine.

Toilet Night Light ($9.99 for 2 pk) OR ($15.99 for 3 pk)
Get ready to turn your toilet into a colorful light show! These LED motion sensor toilet night lights just clip on to the rim of a toilet and can rotate between 8 different colors. This is probably the most unique gift on the list – and surprisingly I could see how a teen (or anyone in general) would be obsessed.

Continuous Spray Bottle – $4.97
There is nothing worse than feeling big cold drips running down your head from a spray bottle. This continuous spray bottle sprays a nice consistent mist of water to help with hair styling and taming flyaways. A fabulous, cheap stocking stuffer that takes up tons of space!


Initial Jewelry Case – $5.99
I shared a sneak peek of this cute jewelry case on my Instagram broadcast channel, because this was the first thing from this $5 gift guide that I added to my cart. I’m getting my girls each one of these for their stockings!

Paper Airplanes

Paper Airplane Set – $5.99
I know teens may act like they are too old for toys and “kid things”, but I don’t think they could resist building paper airplanes over and over again till they make the perfect one. I think I know of some grown men who would love this gift.

Stanley charms

Letter Charms for Stanley Cup – $6.99
For the teen that has their own beloved Stanley Quencher, these little initial charms are really quite fun. I love these colorful confetti ones, but these more simple ones are cute too.

triangle makeup puff

Triangle Makeup Puff – $5.99 for 12 pk
Beauty blenders seem to have taken over as the top foundation applicator, but these little triangular makeup puffs have become very popular recently. They can be used wet or dry and my favorite part…they are washable!

Tetra Tower

Tetra Tower – $5.89
Move over Jenga! This Tetra Tower game looks like so much fun. As little Tetris pieces stack up, it’s up to you to keep them balanced. It can be played as a single or multiplayer game – perfect for when friends come over, with the family, or even as a personal challenge.

Outlet mustaches

Electric Outlet Mustaches – $3.50
How can you not smile looking at these outlets? This package of 6 outlet mustaches adds so much personality to a room, plus I really love that it is made in the U.S. and supports a small business. The perfect stocking stuffer!

Pop tarts

Pop-Tart Game – $5.10
You had me at Pop-Tarts (brown sugar cinnamon and frosted strawberry are my favorites)! This strategy game pins players head to head to see who can “eat” the most pop-tarts first. It’s recommended for players 13 years and older – and I know if any food will bring out the competitive nature of people, it’s pop-tarts.

Sketch Book

Sketch Book – $5.00
Sketch books are a huge hit in our family – my girls are very into art and drawing. An inexpensive sketchbook plus a set of colored pencils goes a long way!

cheap stocking stuffers for men

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Men

tire pressure gauge

Digital Tire Pressure Gauge – $5.99
He will always feel prepared when that low tire pressure light warning starts sounding with this digital tire pressure gauge. With backlit numbers, it can easily be read if you need to stop and check a tire at night.


taco log book

Taco Log Book – $10 for 2pk
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a foodie, look no further! These taco log books come in a set of 2 (so you can easily separate them), and are filled with 20 log pages to keep track of the best tacos. It includes ratings for the tortilla, the sauce options, protein and the cheese/toppings.

AutoErasers – $3.99
In last year’s $5 gift guide, I shared the SneakERASERS and proceeded to gift them to Bart. Now they have AutoErasers (auto detailing sponges) for cleaning the interior and exterior of the entire car.

Multitool Pen – $5.99
I had no idea that a pen could be disguised as so many other things. This 9-in-1 pen is also an LED light, a level, a bottle opener, a ruler, a stylus, a flathead screwdriver, a phillips head screwdriver…and of course a pen. With this in your pocket, you’ll always be prepared!

dust covers

iPhone Plug Dust Covers – $5.99
Inevitably you are going to end up with dust or lint in your phone speakers/ports (especially if you carry your phone in your pocket). These nifty little plugs keep debris out the phone, and a little tool is included to clean out what might already be clogged in there. The days of blowing into your ports to clear them out is over!

Magical Flames Fire Color Changing Packets – $14.94 for 12 pk
A campfire is always good fun, but a color changing campfire takes the cake! Just empty the contents of an individually wrapped package and a regular campfire becomes a magical campfire. These would be a fun gift for anyone who loves camping.

Airpod Case – $4.99
This silicone protective airpod case cover is such an affordable way to add a little personality and durability to an item that everyone seems to have. It comes in 10+ colors, the silicone covering prevents scratches, and it also comes with a carabiner for easy attachment.

car air fresheners

Car Air Freshener – $5.94
This is one of those easy stocking stuffers that just keeps on giving. Lasting up to 40 days, these auto air fresheners will keep cars smelling good for the long haul! And they come in so many different scents.


Pickleball Paddle Personalized Name Label – $3.99
Bart is VERY into pickleball and plays most days. If you also have a pickleball fanatic, these customizable silicone name labels are a fun gift that will help differentiate their paddle from all the others.

Cell phone wallet pocket

Cell Phone Wallet Pocket – $4.99
This is the perfect gift for a minimalist and I love how polished and professional the black looks. Just peel and stick this pocket onto the back of a cell phone to carry a few cards or some cash. Genius!

cheap stocking stuffers for women

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Women

snail mucin mask

COSRX Snail Mucin Sheet Mask – $18.70 for 10 pk
Does it sound weird to use snail mucin on your face? Absolutely, yes. But you can’t mess with the reviews on this one. Divide these up for gifts for friends or co-workers who love a little spa day treatment at home.

glass mug

Glass Mug – $5.00
I know probably no one needs a new mug, but this one is so pretty and I would love drinking my favorite winter drinks from it each day.


weekly planner

Gorgeous Weekly Planner – $5.00
I am not a planner user, but I think I could become a convert if I could look at this gorgeous thing sitting on my desk everyday. This desktop planner has big blank spaces to write tasks and appointments for each day of the week, as well as a column for to-dos.

bogg bag charms

Bogg Bag Charms – $3.99
I see these Bogg bags everywhere! They are like the Stanley of the bag world. So if you have a friend or sister who also loves their Bogg, these charms are a great accessory to differentiate their rubber beach tote!

foot mask

Foot Mask – $5.00
I haven’t even been someone who gets regular pedicures, but I always have my toes and and nails painted! This would be a fun addition to fancy up my toenail painting routine. Great for anyone who loves anything spa related.


hair mask

Hair Mask – $5.00
Speaking of spa, my hair could really use one of these overnight sleep in hair masks. Reviewers rave about how soft and undamaged their hair feels after! Definitely a great stocking stuffer.


microfiber cleaning ball

Microfiber Cleaning Ball – $11.99 for 3 pk
I don’t really like to think about all of the germs and fingerprints on the screens we own. These little microfiber cleaning balls are a great solution to getting those tablets, phones, camera lenses and laptops gunk free.

Gold & Pearl Bow Hair Clips – $5.00 for set of 2
Bows are very in right now and these are a so minimal and classic. They go with everything and can add a little something extra to any outfit.

Stanley Tumbler lid

No-Spill Stanley Tumbler Lid – $8.00 for 2 pk
If you follow me on Instagram, I sparked quite the controversy about the beloved Stanley Quencher. It may not be for me, but if you have one and love it and are sick of it spilling, these tumbler lids will fix that problem. And don’t worry about it not matching – they have tons of color options.

Ceramic Dish

Ceramic Trinket Dish – $4.99
This is so cute! I like to take off my jewelry when washing my face and getting ready, so it’s nice to have a designated spot to put them that takes up little to no space. A terrific cheap stocking stuffer!

Pony Tail Picks – $5.99
I got one of these last summer and I’m hooked! They make it so easy to get tiny elastics out of my girls’ hair and after more than a decade of wrestling out tiny rubber bands (and often making my girls cry in the process), the Pony Pick is magical. I’ll never go back!

flower nail stickers

Floral Nail Stickers – $3.99
Why is having a little decal on your nail so much fun?! The flowers on these stickers are so pretty and almost look watercolored on. So cute!

jewelry organizer

Jewelry Organizer – $4.50
For the woman that loves to travel and take some jewelry with her! No more tangled necklaces and lost earrings. Just enough space for a few of each piece to take on the road!

Hair clip

French Flat Hair Clips – $12.99 for 6
These matte hair claws were a huge seller on last year’s $5 gift guide and I wouldn’t be surprised if these were extremely popular this year. An easy way to boost your regular ponytail into something a bit more put together. These are great for any age!


gua sha

Face Tool – Gua Sha – $4.99
I have seen these floating around Instagram and have wanted to give one a shot. For only $5, I think this is a no-brainer for my stocking!


Student Planner Stickers

Planner Stickers – $5.95
I have seen friend’s with planners that are out of this world. Organized from front to back, with color coordination and stickers – it’s like a hobby for them! These would be perfect for your organized, creative person in your life.

Lip Scrubber Brushes – $3.41
Winter time always makes my skin go so dry, including my lips. Add in some nice lip scrub and you’ve got yourself a fantastic gift!


snack box

Snack Box – $14.99 for 4 pk
This year I’ve really been into packing a big snack box when we are headed out for the day or going on the boat so we don’t spend a ton buying snack food. This is the one we use. Having a smaller option for us to take individually would be great to have around too. You could also fill one of these up with favorite treats for a gift. Perfect for a co-worker, friend or teacher!

magnetic book mark

Magnetic Book Marks – $5.85 for 12 pk
I LOVE these inexpensive sets of magnetic bookmarks (12 for under $6!) and they come in all sorts of color options. And if you’ve never used a magnetic bookmark, you’re in for a treat because they won’t fall out of your book!

Cute Pickleball Stickers – $4.00
I played pickleball quite a bit this summer and I suddenly feel like I LOVE pickleball. I am part of a good group ladies who get together to play and I think these cute stickers would be a fantastic gift to give them – if I don’t steal them all first!

cheap stocking stuffers for parents or in-laws

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for In-Laws & Parents

To-Do List Notepad – 4 pack $8.99
I stopped using a planner a few years ago and now stick to making a daily to-do list. These would be fun to replace my boring legal pad I currently use.


Maldon Sea Salt – $9.99 for 2 pk
This is the best finishing salt out there. You can turn any dish into something gourmet with just a sprinkle of this on top – cookies, toast, pizza, you name it! I have personally received this as a gift and I was THRILLED.

Silicone Bowl Covers – $9.99 for 3 sets
Okay, these are fabulous. They stretch to fit most bowls, jars, pots and even over a watermelon. So practical and something I would use every day. I’m adding to the cart immediately!

Cell Phone Holder

Car Cell Phone Holder – $6.88 for 2 pk
I cannot tell you how many times I have driven with my parents and they have no where to put their phone, so they misplace it in their bag, pocket or the worst – it falls down in the crevice between the seat and the console. These would honestly be great for anyone!

Flower pot fly fan

Flower Pot Fly Fan – $7.99 for 2 pk
Eating outside is a real treat and something my whole family enjoys. However, it can quickly be turned into an annoyance when you have bugs buzzing around your food. I’ve used these to ward off those pesky bugs and they really do work!

Stoneware mug

Stoneware Mug – $7.99 for 2 pk / $3.69 for single
You know those products that look WAY more expensive than they really are? These stoneware mugs are just that! They hold 16 oz. which is pretty substantial for a mug, and they remind me of my favorite stoneware platter (which also makes a great gift!).

tweezers

Tweezers – $3.25
If you’ve had a bad set of tweezers, you know how frustrating it is to use them. This pack comes with five different kinds of points, allowing you to get at any pesky hair, big or tiny!

Screen Cleaner kit

Screen Cleaner Kit – $9.99 for 4 pk
To find a fantastic practical gift for under $3 each is unheard of! These screen cleaner kits would be perfect to add to stockings – because when is the last time you actually cleaned the screens on your devices?

Water bottle cleaner tabs

Water Bottle Cleaning Tablets – $7.99 for 12 pk
Cleaning out water bottles that aren’t dishwasher safe is really annoying to me. Pop one of these in the bottom of a water bottle, add some warm water, wait for 15-20 minutes and the work is done for you!

3 in 1 Cup Lid Gap Cleaning Brush Set – $9.49 for 3pk
And because those tablets won’t clean the lids of said water bottles, these 3-in-1 cleaning brush set is great to get all of those nooks and crannies. A practical, yet cheap stocking stuffer that will not go unused.

cheap stocking stuffers for kids

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Kids

Playing Card Holder – $4.95
We are a HUGE game family! But sometimes all those playing cards can be very cumbersome for small hands. These card holders make such a big difference! How fun would these be to gift with your favorite card game?

Guest Check Notepads – $5.99 for a 3 pack
My girls LOVE pretend play and having these guest checks to use for restaurant or any other sort of imaginary play would be so fun for them!

Wikki Stix – $5.25
Waiting and sitting still for anyone is hard, but especially a kid. You won’t regret having these Wikki Stix ready to play with at church, at the dr office or any other quiet moment. Get their hands busy creating all sorts of shapes and figures

Light Up Popper Toy – $4.99
This quick push, pattern popping game is so fun! It’s a combination of fidget and speed toy and is so easy to take with you while traveling! A cheap stocking stuffer that takes up some space!

Papermate Colorful Handwriting Pencils – $2.99
I don’t know about you, but there was always something so fun about using and clicking a mechanical pencil as a kid. My kids would be thrilled to see these bold colored ones in their stockings.

Silly Scents Markers – $3.99
Crayola always does it right and these silly scented markers are no different. Bright, bold colors with funky smells to check out (think raspberry mascarpone) – perfect gift for any kid especially if they are artsy.

Twist Pencil Sharpener – $2.41
My kids love to bring a little notebook and some colored pencils and pens along when we travel. Having one of these travel sized pencil sharpeners would help us a lot and save me from trying to whittle down the wood on a dull colored pencil.

Scented Donut Erasers – $4.99
This has all the makings of a slam dunk gift for kids – they’re scented… they’re donuts…and they’re erasers. I don’t know what more they could want!

Squishy Gel Pens – $9.99 for 3 pk
Mochi squishies are all the rage right now and turn it into a gel pen and I think you have a winning gift! I know my girls would go crazy over these!

Reusable Water Balloons – $4.99
These are AWESOME! With their magnetic closure, they are so easy to fill up, don’t leave a huge mess behind and instead of running out of balloons in .5 seconds the balloons just keep on giving! You can play with them outside, take them to the pool and use them in the bathtub.

Playdoh Kit – $5.09
I was really surprised to see this set under $5! My girls love playdoh and they love to have the accessories to go along with it to squish, squeeze and form shapes. In my mind, this is a great quiet time activity if you don’t mind colors getting mixed!

Scribble Scrubbie Pet – $5.69
Grab your markers and go to town decorating your scrubbie pet with all of the colors! The best part is taking it in the bath and washing it clean to start all over again the next day! Lots of different animals to choose from!

Silicone Crafting Mat – $4.98
Let’s not sugar coat it…painting is messy. These silicone crafting mats have a spot for everything – paintbrushes, cup of water, slots for paints and plenty of space for paper, saving your table from paint all over the place.

Plant a Pet – $4.99
Remember chia pets?! Well, this is an updated, way cuter version of that and my girls would love to watching it go from seeds to something more.

Aquabeads Mini Pack – $4.99
Aquabeads are another version of perler beads and are a lot of fun! Since Christmas in most places is colder, these would be great to pull out during those colder days at home during Christmas break!


Slingshot Mini Kites – $6.95 for 3 pk
These slingshot mini kites look like an ideal thing to bring to the beach or play outside with on a windy day. Just insert your thumb, pull back and let it fly – way easier than a regular kite.

Road Tape – $9.99 for 2 pk
If you have a car lover, this would be perfect for setting up all sorts of roads or city! This would also be great for on the go to keep little hands occupied while waiting at a restaurant or on an airplane. Throw in a $1 Hotwheels car and you have a fun and affordable gift option.

Friendship Bracelet Maker – $2.97
For the child who loves jewelry and making things, this friendship bracelet maker is a fantastic option. It comes with a loom, eliminating the old school style of some fancy hand coordination to get the bracelet to turn out correctly.

Mini Flower Claw Clips – 50 pack for $6.99
These tiny clips are the cutest addition to any little girl’s hairstyle. I love these matte flowered ones, but they have a ton of other shapes and color options to choose from!

Collapsible Cups – $16.99 for 5 pk
Have you ever been camping with kids and every time they need a drink, they aren’t sure which red solo cup is theirs? Problem solved! Collapsible, easy to clean and pack away, you will always know which cup is yours.

cheap stocking stuffers for the home

Cheap Stocking Stuffers for the Home

Dough Whisk – $6.99 for 2 pk
Sourdough made a huge comeback during COVID and I think it’s here to stay! These dough whisks make stirring up a batch of sourdough bread effortless. Package up some sourdough starter in a mason jar, add one of these dough whisks, a bow, and a tag with care instructions and you have yourself one very affordable and thoughtful gift!

Travel Pill Organizer – $8.97 for 3 pk or $5.00 for 1
I cannot tell you how handy these are. It’s SO nice to be able to have you and your family’s basic medications with you wherever you go. We have used it time and time again and I’m so grateful to have it every time we use it.

Spoon and Lid Rest – $6.95 for 2 pk
I cook dinner virtually every night and constantly need somewhere to set a messy spoon or lid. Save your countertops from the mess and use one of these instead!


Disposable Rinse Free Bathing Wipes (All-in-1 Single Use Shower Wipes) -$9.92 for 25 pk
If you or someone you know loves to hike, camp or workout during their lunch hour, these shampoo and soap infused sponges will get you clean without having to take a shower. No rinsing required and no soapy residue either

Reusable Lint Roller – $5.99
Calling all shedding pet owners! We don’t own any pets, but I can see how this would be something I would have in my car console if we did.


Ice Cream Sundae Bowls/Spoons – $24.99 for 6 sets
If I had to choose two of my favorite desserts, it would hands down be cookies and ice cream. I love that you can easily break these up into any color and number set that fits whomever you are gifting them to.

Waterproof Toiletry Bags – $14.99 for 4 pk
Having all of my travel toiletries in one place makes getting ready to go on a trip so much easier! Add in your favorite travel sunscreen, lip balm, and/or lotion to make it even more fun!

Portable Spray Bottles – $14.99 for 7 pk
There is nothing worse than feeling like you need to wash your hands, but don’t have access to a bathroom. These minimal, sleek hand sanitizer bottles are a nice solution to this problem and great for any germaphobe. I’ve also seen them used for hair sprays and full of water for doing hair on the go, so lots of uses!

Mini Post-it Notes – $3.99
Do you love checklists? These mini post-it notes focus on hydration, habits, reminding kids to do chores and regular to-do’s. Plus they are so cute!

Egg/Fruit/Veggie Slicer – $5.99 for 2 pk
We slice a lot of fruit around here and this slicer is a time saving option! Perfect for crepes, fruit parfaits and prepping a snack or cold lunch box.

Want the digital catalog for the $5 gift guide so you can see it all in one place, plus bonus recommendations and links to other gift guides? Pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!

If you’re looking for more $5 gifts that make great, cheap stocking stuffer ideas, friend gifts or co-worker gifts, here are all of the past lists!

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37 Comments

  1. This is a great list! I found quite a few things that I’ll purchase for others. (And definitely some for myself 😉.) Thank you!

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