2023 Holiday Guide: 23 Unique & Affordable Gifts They’ll Remember

The gifts and links included here are not paid or sponsored. This is an independent list of unique and affordable gifts, curated by the team at Quicken. 

December is just around the corner, and if you’re holiday shopping on a budget this year, you’re not alone. Cherish the holiday season — and the joyful tradition of holiday shopping — with our ultimate gift guide. So, here you have it — 23 for ‘23! 

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1. Personalized ornament ($19.96)

Show them you’re always together with these personalized ornaments from Unifury. Available in various shapes and sizes, you can add up to 5 family members in any combination. If you’d rather see them on a mug, blanket, print, shirt, garden flag, and more, you can do that too. They even offer options with pets for the animal friends in your life!

2. AirTag for travelers ($29.00)

It’s no secret that 2023 has been a rough year for the airline industry — plenty of unhappy travelers have lost their baggage this year. If you have a globetrotter with an insatiable appetite for wanderlust in your life, consider grabbing them an Apple AirTag to stash in their luggage — it will let them track their bag if it ever goes missing. 

The AirTag emits a Bluetooth signal that’s bounced off of iPhones and devices in the area, making it trackable. Android users can also benefit from AirTags — just download the Tracker Detector app and look for a Bluetooth device by Apple Inc. 

3. Online cooking experience ($29.00/device)

There are few things better than a home-cooked meal. Have you ever thought about giving one as a gift? With CozyMeal’s online experiences, you can gift your loved ones a lesson in making sushi, Hong Kong-style soup dumplings, and so much more! It’s perfect for any gourmand in your life. 

4. “A hug in a mug” hidden message cup ($29.43)

Send them a hug in a mug with this creative mug from Not on the High Street. The hidden message appears at the bottom of every cup, for a warm hug every day, and sometimes two. Comes with your choice of a pink or blue rim.

5. Collage photo puzzle (starting at $32.98 — or less with site discount)

Put your whole family together this holiday season—literally—with a jigsaw puzzle collage by Shutterfly made from your own family photos. Shutterfly offers two collage layouts, one for 6 photos and one for 11. Choose a 60- or 252-piece puzzle for $32.98, a 520-piece puzzle for $42.98, or a 1014-piece puzzle for $52.98. Occasional site sales make these terrific gifts even more affordable.

6. To-go mug ($35.00)

Whether lounging around the house on a lazy morning, hustling out the door for a morning commute, or chilling on a beach somewhere, the Yeti Rambler 20oz tumbler reigns supreme. No matter your beverage or its temperature, the Rambler will keep your coffee hot and your iced tea cold for hours — seriously, it will. It’s a super useful gift for anyone in your life. 

7. A relaxing self-care gift box (starting at $37.99/mo + 10% signup discount)

Know someone who could use a little rest and relaxation? Ease their stress away with this TheraBox gift set. With themes like “Cozy,” “Self-care,” and “Awaken,” each box can be individualized based on how the person you’re buying for likes to relax. 

The boxes are filled with things like candles, journaling materials, bath accessories, and more. TheraBox only uses organic, holistic, and artisanal goods — everything that makes the cut is very high quality. Remind your loved ones exactly how much you love them by gifting some calming self-care. 

8. Guitarist care package (varies, but around $40.00)

Did you know that almost 712 million people globally play guitar — just about 10% of the planet’s population? Chances are, you know a guitarist. If you’re thinking about what to get for the six-string specialist in your life, consider putting together a little care package to show how much you care — they’ll love you for it!

Start by getting a headstock tuner, like the Snark ST-8, keeping them always in tune. Strings are a good idea — if you know what size and brand they’re partial to. If not, consider grabbing them a string-changing tool to make restrings and setups a piece of cake. Small things like these can pay real dividends by helping the guitarist in your life focus less on maintenance and more on playing! 

9. Lodge Dutch oven (starting at $49.90 for 5qt)

If you’re shopping for someone in your life with a proclivity for culinary pursuits, a quality Dutch oven is quite literally the gift that just keeps on giving. Recently lauded by The New York Times Wirecutter, the Lodge Dutch oven was determined by their experts to be the top dutch oven — ranked alongside the legendary French manufacturer, Le Creuset (but nearly 10 times cheaper!)

As winter settles in, a reliable Dutch oven will meet your loved ones’ cooking needs, helping them warm up with beautiful braises and hearty stews all winter long. Seriously, a good Dutch oven is an absolute must in any cook’s kitchen. 

10. “Where it all began” poster (starting at $49.99)

Now matter how far you roam, or how far life takes you, you can always go back to where it all began. A great gift for that special someone in your life — or for that special couple. This wall art from Positive Prints will bring those memories rushing back.

11. Sports apparel for the super fan (varies, but up to 65% off)

If you have an avid sports fan in your life who lives for the thrill of watching their favorite team on gameday, consider snagging them a jersey, hat, t-shirt, or even pajamas from Fanatics. No matter what team the person you’re buying for likes, chances are, Fanatics has their gear in stock. 

Whether you’re looking for a Chicago Bears knit hat for frigid Sundays at Soldier Field, a hot-pink Lionel Messi Inter Miami kit, or a Houston Astros pajama set, Fanatics is the one-stop shop for all things sports apparel. Don’t forget to check the “Sale” tab for huge deals! 

12. Coffee subscription ($50.00 for 3 months)

There are people who like coffee, and then there are people who really like coffee. If you have anyone in your life who’s obsessive about their single origin beans and morning brew ritual, they will absolutely love a coffee subscription. Check out the offerings from Atlas Coffee Club — they’ll send your loved ones a subscription of third-wave, single-origin coffee beans from around the world. 

13. The coziest slippers ($50.00)

Shopping for someone who loves being cozy even more than the bear on the Sleepy Time tea box? The fine folks at L.L. Bean know a thing or two about staying warm through long winters, and the Maine-based retailer has perfected the slipper. Lined with soft fleece and built with a sturdy rubber sole, these slippers can be enjoyed for winters to come — and are a great way to show someone how much they mean to you. 

14. A monogrammed refillable journal (starting at $53.00)

Besides being well documented just how beneficial the practice of journaling can be, having a notebook on hand is downright practical. This year, gift that person in your life who loves to stay organized a customized refillable journal with their initials engraved in the leather casing. And the best part? It can serve them for years to come — just replace the journal with a new booklet as often as needed. 

15. Book Club membership ($59.99 for 3 months)

While tablets and Kindles have made a big splash, many bookworms still prefer the feel of a real book. For the voracious reader on your list, take a look at the offerings from Book of the Month Club. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of the current literary scene, offering new authors and early releases each month. They curate a few to choose from, and your gift recipient can pick the one they want.

16. Travel photobook (starting at $72.00)

If the AirTag isn’t enough for the jetsetter on your shopping list, consider purchasing the Travel Photobook from Artifact Uprising. Hard-bound, elegant, and ready to stand the test of time, the fine folks at Artifact Uprising craft incredible photo albums stocked with photos taken by your world traveler — they just upload their photos and wait for the book to be made! 

17. Aromatherapy bundle for the home ($73.10)

Calming scents do wonders for relaxation and cultivating a mood in the home. The fragrance aficionados at P.F. Candle Company offer their Scent Starter Kit, a bundle of their favorite home fragrance goods. Complete with a candle, reed diffusers, room and linen spray, and a pack of classic incense sticks, you can be sure your loved ones will reap the benefits of aromatherapy.

18. Bring nature inside with plants (starting at $74.00)

While the holiday season starts winter off with a bang, the months of January, February, and March can stay pretty dreary for many. Combat the lack of greenery outside with some plants for inside — The Sill offers a plant parent set to jumpstart your indoor jungle and provide some luscious greenery for anyone who adores the outdoors. 

19. Weighted blanket ($87.88) 

Good sleep is valuable for everyone. If you’re buying for someone who’s obsessive about catching their 40 winks, check out this fantastic weighted blanket from Luna. Made of 100% antimicrobial lyocell bamboo, these weighted blankets also have a cooling effect — and they’ve even been known to help reduce anxiety and fight insomnia.

20. “Thinking of you” distance lamps (starting at $99.00)

These lamps from Uncommon Goods connect to each other through the internet. Touch one, and the other lights up, no matter how far away you are. Send a rainbow of light to someone you love, whenever you happen to be thinking about them, all year long.

21. MasterClass subscription ($120.00 for single membership)

Technology has put education directly at our fingertips. With MasterClass, your loved ones can learn anything that interests them from the foremost experts in the field! Your niece with a culinary flair can learn technique from Michelin-starred Thomas Keller of the French Laundry, or your grandfather learning guitar in his retirement can learn to play the Woodstock version of “Soul Sacrifice” from Carlos Santana himself!

22. Pendant from your child’s artwork ($129.00)

Cherish your child’s artwork and keep them close to your heart with this custom silver pendant by Courtney Marie Jewelry based on your child’s actual drawing. Approximately one inch long, the finished pendant has room for a short engraving on the back. A wonderful gift for any family member, each one-of-a-kind sterling silver pendant takes a few weeks to make, so put in those custom orders early. 

23. Financial gifts that keep on giving ($1 and up)

Last but not least in our 2023 holiday shopping list is a personal finance bonus round — 4 ideas for affordable financial gifts that will live far beyond the holiday season. 

Stock gift cards

Stock gift cards from Stockpile are exactly what they sound like — stocks on gift cards. It doesn’t get more 21st century than that. Stockpile is an online brokerage that lets you buy stocks in fractions of a share, so you can send digital gift cards for any amount, from $1 up. You can even open an account for kids.

The gift of college

Gift of College is a gift registry for 529 college plans and student loans that lets family and friends contribute to college through gift cards — either contributing to a plan or helping to pay down their student debt. Start by registering a 529 plan or student loan with the gift registry, then make a donation. If you need to set up a 529 plan, they’ll help you do that, too.

Finance books

Have a favorite finance book? Whether it’s about investing, budgeting, or starting a small business, the gift of financial knowledge is a gift that lasts forever. You can send a print book, gift one digitally for their favorite e-reader or audiobook service, or help them sign up for a digital library card and put the whole world of finance at their fingertips. 

Not sure how to get a digital library card? Call their local library, or start with Hoopla or OverDrive and see if either one connects to their library system.

Happy holidays from your team at Quicken

Over 40 years, more than 20 million customers have trusted Quicken to help them make better financial decisions, celebrate the joys in life, and reach their financial goals with confidence. To learn more about our suite of personal finance apps, click here.