It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time for gifting and gatherings with loved ones, and I’m on the hunt for unique gifts to share with everyone on my list. When it comes to presents, I recently asked about gifting budgets on Instagram, and the most popular answer was around $50. So in this post, I’m sharing a few of my favorite gifts to give under $50 that they will love!
Unique Gifts for 2021
I love to shake it up with a specialty cocktail when it comes to holiday gatherings! Bourbon is my favorite liquor because it is excellent neat, on ice, or goes wonderfully in various cocktails. For years my go-to cocktail has been an old-fashioned. I love how every bartender takes this recipe and makes it their own by using a variety of bourbons, liquor-soaked cherries, or custom bitters and syrups.
That’s why my top choice for 2021 is the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon for unique gifts for your friends, partners, parents, and acquaintances! Elijah Craig is a brand that some may not be familiar with, making it the perfect conversation starter.
Elijah Craig Bourbon is smooth and warm, pleasantly woody, delightfully complex, yet easy to find nationwide at around $30; this makes for a perfect gift for any level of a whiskey drinker.
Each bottle of Elijah Craig Bourbon was crafted with Reverend Elijah Craig’s same time-honored methods used over two hundred years ago. Elijah Craig Small Batch has nice spice and subtle smoke flavors and is bottled at an approachable 94 proof.
I recently served my family and friends a unique twist on this classic cocktail, the Maple Cinnamon Elijah Craig Bourbon Old Fashioned with Brûléed Oranges and Rosemary. It was a hit!
This simple cocktail can be made ahead of time in a large batch for serving holiday guests. Scroll to the end for the recipe.
Luxury Gifts Under $50
What do you do when the people in your life deserve nothing but the best on a budget? An excellent luxury gifting option under fifty dollars is unique drinkware. From colored stemware to fine crystal, there is a style for every taste.
For the hostess with the mostess, drinkware is the perfect gift! Raising the bar to impressive entertaining with unique stemware, wine glasses, champagne flutes, and decanters that make the entire table shine.
My grandmother had gold-plated silverware; I remember how fancy I would feel. It made everyday meals a little more special. Now, I am a firm believer in using the “good china” every day and especially when entertaining.
It’s so fun to collect pairs of glasses that I can mix and match with my collection. Recently a friend gifted me a couple of Estelle Colored Glasses champagne coupes, and now I want them all. These glasses are hand-blown colored glass made by glass artisans in Poland.
The founder of Estelle Colored Glass has named the collection in honor of her grandmother, Estelle. She describes it as “a jewel of a person that instilled in me an appreciation of the pastime of treasure hunting for beautiful finds — especially for the kitchen which was the heart of her home.”
Another great option for unique stemware is second-hand purchases! As they say, old is the new new, and gifting vintage stemware is not only outstanding for the environment, but it’s another way to ensure your gift will stand out.
2021 Top Unique Gifts Under $50 for Everyone On Your List
Whether you’re looking to surprise your co-worker, friend, or relative, this next unique gift will delight them all. A festive candle is always a good thing! Candles can curate experiences through the power of smell and stir emotions. When choosing a candle for gifting, I consider a few things.
The vessel is essential as it will become a part of your loved one’s home. You want to look for a candle that complements their decor or stands on its own. Although having an iconic vessel is the first thing they will see, the fragrance is the star of the show.
There is a candle scent to meet every mood, making this a luxury gift for all. When choosing a candle for someone else, I love to reference memories from the past with that person. Maybe it’s a candle for your sister that reminds you of the best summer vacation ever. Or a beautiful rose-scented candle for that friend who loves roses.
Lastly, you will want to consider the type of candle wax. I prefer soy blended candles because they have a reputation for being ‘clean-burning candles. Soy wax is a biodegradable and sustainable resource; longer-lasting and stronger scent throw. Scented candles help you reach a relaxed state of mind, so investing a little in better materials is a great idea.
One of my favorite candle brands is Capri Blue! Capri Blue is a premium fragrance brand that offers an affordable luxury inspired by contemporary fashion. The artisans of Capri Blue have mastered the ability to design, develop, and produce beautifully fragranced products by combining striking visuals, bold fragrances, and clean formulas to create an engaging combination for the senses.
In addition to their signature Capri Blue Volcano scent, they release new candle scents and vessels that complement each season.
Another excellent option for luxury candles under fifty dollars is the FORVR Mood, a lifestyle brand that offers a variety of soy-based candles. As a Black women-owned brand, FORVR Mood is changing the narrative. “Black women deserve self-care. Black women deserve luxury.”
Unique Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
The next unique gift idea for everyone on your list has been my go-to for years, monogram anything! Who doesn’t love receiving a gift personalized with their initials? Monogram gifts tell your loved one that this present was purchased just for them.
Some of my favorite monogram gifts to give are mugs, maybe a notebook, and I found these beautiful pouches this year for under $50. They are leather, and the beading adds a luxury level that I know they will love!
Another great option is these monogram mugs. The vintage tile details with gold finishings add a unique look to them. At under $15, these monogram mugs are a top-budget gift!
Did you find this unique gift guide helpful? Most importantly, I hope that you are inspired to see luxury gifting in a new way and seek out new brands that will instantly become fan favorites!
Elijah Craig Maple Cinnamon Old Fashioned with Brûléed Oranges
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rosemary Maple Syrup
- 1/3 cup Real Maple Syrup
- 2 whole Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 sprig of Fresh Rosemary
- 1/3 cup Water
Brûlée Oranges
- 1 medium Orange
- 1 tbsp Sugar
Old Fashioned
- 2 ounces Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
- 1 dash Orange Bitters
- 2 ounces Cinnamon Rosemary Maple Syrup
- Brûléed Oranges and Fresh Rosemary, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Cinnamon Rosemary Maple Syrup
- In a small pot, combine water, maple syrup, rosemary, and cinnamon and bring to a boil. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. To store, keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Brûléed Oranges
- Thinly slice one medium size orange. Sprinkle one side of each orange slice with sugar. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Place the orange slices, sugar side down, in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly caramelized. Remove from pan and let cool. For a crisper finish, dehydrate brûléed orange slices.
Elijah Craig Old Fashioned
- In a cocktail mixing cup, combine the bourbon, cinnamon rosemary maple syrup , orange bitters, and ice. Stir to chill. Strain into a glass over ice. Garnish with rosemary, and a brûléed orange slice.Cheers!
