Yahoo Finance 25 perfect gifts that look more expensive than they actually are
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You don't have to spend a ton of money to gift someone something luxurious. There are lots of expensive-looking products that cost much less than the higher end versions—and perform just as well. Here at Reviewed, we've spent the entire year testing all sorts of products at a variety of price points, so we know when a dupe works just as well as a more expensive item.
Below, you'll find 25 luxurious gift ideas that cost less than their pricey counterparts. From cult-favorite blankets to wireless earbuds that sound just as good as Apple AirPods, these gifts sure look expensive—but actually aren't.
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1. For the one who is always cold: Bliss Plush Throw
While not all of us can afford the luxurious Barefoot Dreams blanket, the Bliss Plush Throw is the next best thing at a fraction of the cost. It’s possibly the most popular blanket at Nordstrom with more than 1,800 reviews and a 4.8-star rating. It’s made of 100% polyester, and reviewers claim it’s still super soft and fluffy even after multiple washes. Plus, Nordstrom will donate some proceeds to Operation Warm, an organization that provides winter coats to kids, so you can feel good about your purchase, too.
Get the Bliss Plush Throw at Nordstrom for $39.50
2. For the one who needs to relax: Airomé Serenity Medium Diffuser
These days we're all looking for new ways to relax and unwind, which is why an aromatherapy diffuser is a great gift for 2020. The Airomé Serenity Medium Diffuser is the best essential oil diffuser we’ve ever tested because not only is it stunning to look at, but we also found it to be easy to operate and clean. It also provides an even scent for up to six hours and is available for under $30, making it an affordable gift as well.
Get the Airomé Serenity Medium Diffuser at Amazon for $29.74
3. For the one with the perfect playlist: Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
If your special someone loves to bring the jams beach or poolside, then what they really need is a waterproof, high-quality Bluetooth speaker. When we tested the best affordable portable speakers for our roundups, we found the Anker Soundcore was offered great sound and playtime for a reasonable price. It also has a sleek look that makes it feel more expensive than it actually is.
Get the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker at Amazon for $21.99 (Save $6)
4. For the home chef: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Anyone who's gotten into cooking lately will appreciate a cast iron skillet. Why? Well, they're the cookware that can do it all. You can use them on the stovetop, in the oven, on the grill—you can even use it to cook over a campfire. Plus, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg on an expensive one. Lodge makes our favorite affordable cast iron skillet. It's only $20 but will last for years to come.
Get the Lodge Pre-Seasoned 12 Inch. Cast Iron Skillet at Walmart for $19.92
5. For the one who loves sleep: Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask
Anyone could use a sleep mask to catch some mid-day shuteye while they're quarantined with their family. The Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask looks and feels luxurious, but costs less than $10. Our tester described it as "having personal blackout curtains for your eyes," which is why we named it the best contoured sleep mask we've ever tested. Because it's contoured, light won't sneak in, meaning you can have sweet dreams no matter the time of day.
Get the Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask at Amazon for $6.95
6. For the one who loves coffee: Hario V60 Coffee Dripper
While coffee can taste great from a coffee maker or French press, using a pour-over coffee maker for your morning cup of joe makes the process a bit fancier. This ceramic one from Hario looks expensive but costs under $25 and is the best pour-over coffee maker we've ever tested. We loved that it was easy to use and produced a super flavorful and robust brew.
Get the Hario V60 Coffee Dripper at Amazon for $22.34
7. For the one who needs pampering: Conair Foot Pedicure Spa
Is there anything that feels more luxurious than an at-home foot spa? You can give your recipient the gift of pampering with the Conair Foot Pedicure Spa. After testing it, we found that it performs pretty well compared to the more expensive models but only costs $25. It's the perfect pick-me-up after a long day.
Get the Conair Foot Pedicure Spa at Amazon for $24.99
8. For the one who wants nice pajamas: Moonlight Dreams Pajamas
The Moonlight Dream Pajamas from Nordstrom look nearly identical to the high-end Eberjay jammies for a fraction of the price. Plus, they make a great gift because people usually don't buy nice pajamas for themselves. The Moonlight Dream Pajamas have a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,400 reviews at Nordstrom. If you know their size, these would make a great gift for anyone on your list. Aside from long-sleeved, they come in various styles including cropped and short.
Get the Nordstrom Moonlight Dream Crop Pajamas at Nordstrom for $59
Get the Nordstrom Moonlight Dream Short Pajamas at Nordstrom for $49
9. For the wine lover: Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener
If we learned anything from this year, it's that electric wine openers are a hot product, as this one from Oster was a top seller. It comes with a charging base and foil cutter and claims to open a bottle in less than 30 seconds. When we tested it, we found it was very effective and easy to use. Some electric wine openers can be expensive, but this one is under $20, and it's the perfect gift to elevate your vino-loving recipient's wine nights without spending too much.
Get the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener at Amazon for $16.99
10. For the beauty-obsessed one: Alaskan Bear Natural Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases have gotten a lot of hype recently for their ability to reduce frizz in hair and not irritate the skin. While the popular Slip pillowcases cost nearly $100, we found that the inexpensive Alaskan Bear silk pillowcase felt just as soft and offered identical results. It's a great choice for anyone who's been wanting to try one out for themselves and have a softer sleep.
Get the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Pillowcase on Amazon for $23.99
11. For the one who loves to snuggle: YnM Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are one of the hottest products this year, but you don't have to shell out a ton for a quality one. The YnM Weighted Blanket is our favorite affordable one because it feels luxurious and offers a nice distribution of weight at a reasonable price point. It comes in a ton of color options, unlike most weighted blankets on the market.
Get the YnM Weighted Blanket at Amazon for $64.90
12. For the one who loves a good candle: Capri Volcano Candle
One of the best candles on the market is the Capri Blue Candle from Anthropologie. It's just a fact. Iconic and intoxicating, the incredible Volcano scent will instantly make any room in your giftee’s home smell really good. It smells super luxurious but is much cheaper than high-end candle brands like Diptyque.
Get the Capri Blue Iridescent Jar Candle at Anthropologie for $32
13. For the one who loves lounging around: Bliss Plush Robe
You can get your giftee a robe that's just as soft and luxurious as the popular Parachute one for a fraction of the cost. A favorite here at Reviewed is Nordstrom's Bliss Plush Robe for it's soft and cozy feel and costs $70. It's made with plush fleece and has a velvet-like appearance for a polished look.
Get the Bliss Plush Robe at Nordstrom for $69
14. For the skincare obsessed: Mario Badescu Facial Spray
With a big beauty name like Mario Badescu you'd expect all its products to cost a pretty penny. But you can get one of the brand's most popular items for less than $10: the Mario Badescu Facial Spray. This rosewater spray is refreshing and will leave your recipient's dry skin feeling renewed—something we all need during the colder months.
Get the Mario Badescu Facial Spray at Amazon for $5.95
15. For the one who Instagrams pictures of food: A cheese board
For anyone who loves entertaining, a cheese board is a must. This rustic wooden one is particularly great for serving because it works as a Lazy Susan—a.k.a. no more reaching over to try all the meats and cheeses. It looks just as pretty as a marble boards, but costs (and weighs) much less.
Get the B. Smith Bark Wood Lazy Susan at Bed Bath & Beyond for $29.99
16. For the one with cold hands: Harrms Touchscreen Gloves
Leather gloves look and feel expensive, but you can still get a quality pair for less than $25. These ones from Harrms happen to be the best touchscreen gloves we tested at Reviewed, meaning they're fully functional with a smartphone. Not only are they super warm, but all 10 fingers are touchscreen compatible and we had no issues using our phones with them.
Get the Harrms Touchscreen Leather Knitted Cuff Gloves at Amazon for $24.99
17. For the one with cold feet: Parlovable Cross Band Slippers
Parlovable Cross Band Slippers claim to be just as soft as Uggs, but only cost a fraction of the cost. Our apparel expert, Jamie, owns and loves them, and they've earned more than 5,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating for being soft and luxurious. Although they won't hold up as long as Uggs, they're still an excellent dupe.
Get the Parlovable Cross Band Slippers at Amazon for $23.99
18. For the cocktail connoisseur: Urban Map Glass
A good drink needs a better glass—like these fancy Urban Map Glass from Uncommon Goods. Each glass is hand-etched to feature an intricate city map. These custom glasses look way more expensive than they actually are and each one costs just $16.
Get the Urban Map Glass at Uncommon Goods for $16
19. For the one on their feet all day: Best Choice Products Therapeutic Foot Massager
Most people want a foot rub after a long day of work, but most of us can't find someone who will actually do it. Give your giftee a personal foot masseuse with the Therapeutic Foot Massager. It's our favorite affordable foot massager and will completely elevate their life, especially if they work on their feet all day. We found that it rubbed as well as models that cost hundreds of dollars, though it lacks any heat function.
Get the Best Choice Products Therapeutic Foot Massager at Amazon for $94.99
20. For the one who brings the shade: Quay sunglasses
Quay sunglasses have become popular for a reason: the brand offers stylish lenses at a reasonable price. They're so cool, they've even partnered with Lizzo, who created her own shades. Sunglasses start at just $55, making them more affordable than brands like Ray-Ban, and you can find a range of styles for both men and women.
Shop Quay sunglasses starting at $55
21. For the one who loves jewelry: Chunky Medium Hoop Earrings
Sometimes the simplest jewelry makes the biggest statement. That's why people love these Chunky Medium Hoop Earrings from Madewell. Available in gold and silver, these hoops are the perfect size and go with pretty much every look. They're also super high-quality for their low price of $24.
Get the Chunky Medium Hoop Earrings at Madewell for $24
22. For the one who forgets to unplug devices: Eufy Smart Plug
Some smart home tech might seem unattainable, but can actually be quite affordable. Eufy makes our favorite affordable smart plug, which can be controlled via the Eufy Home app, Google Assistant, and Amazon’s Alexa. It's a great gift for anyone who can't remember if they left their straightener or TV on. It’s easy to use, the set up is simple, and it feels like a major upgrade.
Get the Eufy Smart Plug at Amazon for $22.99
23. For the one who could use an extra face mask: Old Navy Face Masks
In the age of the coronavirus pandemic, we could all use a few extra face masks, which is why anyone would appreciate a patterned one. At just $12.50 for a pack of five, these masks from Old Navy are our favorite affordable face masks. We found that they're comfortable, inexpensive, and offer three layers of protection. There are a ton of pattern options to choose from (including seasonal ones!) to best suit your recipient's style.
Get the Triple-Layer Cloth Face Mask, 5-Pack at Old Navy for $12.50
24. For the one who needs wireless 'buds: JLab Audio Go Air True Wireless Earbuds
When it comes to cheaper headphones, you often worry about two things: the sound and how long they'll actually last. But when we tested the JLab Audio Go Air True Wireless Earbuds, we found that their sound was comparable to Apple AirPods and that they connected to our smartphones easily. That's why we named them our favorite affordable true wireless earbuds. These 'buds are a great choice if you can't spring for AirPods but still want to give the gift of cordless earbuds.
Get the JLab Audio Go Air True Wireless Earbuds at Best Buy for $24.99
25. For the one who takes sleep seriously: Mellanni Bed Sheet Set
Getting into bed at the end of the night should feel both amazing and relaxing—and the best way to do so is with a great pair of sheets. Luxury brands charge well over $100, but there are some great options for a fraction of the price. These ones from Mellanni are the best affordable sheets we’ve ever tested. We loved them because they're super soft and cozy, are made from brushed microfiber, don’t wrinkle that much, and don't stain easily, so not only will your recipient feel luxurious, but their bed will look more inviting.
Get the Mellanni Bed Sheet Set at Amazon for $32.97
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 25 best cheap gifts 2020 - Gifts that look expensive, but aren't
