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The best Christmas gifts under $50 in 2024
All Trails; Atlas Coffee Club
The holidays can be so expensive. Buying gifts for your family, friends and co-workers can really add up. If you’re sticking to a tight holiday budget this year, don’t worry — the shopping experts at CBS Essentials have found plenty of Christmas gifts under $50 that everyone will love. We’ve found Christmas gift ideas under $50 for men, women and children.
Whether you’re looking for a gift idea for your best friend, your nephew or your boss, check out our selection below. These gifts from Stanley, AllTrails, Apple and more won’t bust your budget. They’re reviewer- and staff-loved, plus they’ll work for a range of people, from the outdoorsy type to the beauty addict. We know it may seem early to shop, but there’s no need to stress yourself out and wait until the uber-busy holiday season to get all your gifts together.
The best Christmas gifts under $50 in 2024
Shop these top gifts from Amazon, Walmart and more.
For the passenger princess: Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate tumbler (40 oz.)
Scheels
Get them their first Stanley cup or add to their Stanley collection, or help build a growing one out. This jumbo stainless-steel mug with a handle can keep drinks cold for 11 hours and hot for 7 hours. Iced drinks can even stay cold for up to two days.
Stanley cups fit in car cup holders despite their large size, making them perfect for any passenger royalty. They also have a straw that makes staying hydrated just a little more fun. They’ve garnered quite a buzz among influencers — so much so that the Stanley site has a 20-item limit on how many cups you’re allowed to order in response to Stanley hoarders and resellers. The viral version of the Stanley cup is the 40-ounce model, likely because drinking two of them almost equals the suggested daily water intake for women.
For the book lover: Oprah’s “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier”
Amazon
Oprah Winfrey’s latest book is here, and it’s flying off the shelves.
The lifestyle mogul teamed up with Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, famed for his lessons on happiness, to write a book about finding enjoyment and meaning in your life.
You can read our excerpt of “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” before purchasing the book.
Buy the hardcover or Kindle edition on Amazon.
What we like about this book:
Who wouldn’t like to be happier? This new book is an excellent gift for almost anyone.
For the baker: Dash stand mixer
Amazon
A top-rated stand mixer for under $50? It exists, and in fun colors, too.
The retro-look Dash stand mixer offers six speeds and has a three-quart mixing bowl. It comes with dough hooks and mixer beaters. It makes a great low-cost gift for the chef in your life.
Find this charming stand mixer in six colors. It stands at only 10.4 inches tall.
What we like about this stand mixer:
This budget-friendly stand mixer is ideal for smaller spaces. Plus, it weighs less than five pounds, making it easier to transport around the kitchen than many other stand mixers.
For the traveler: Jack Black Skin Saviors
Amazon
This skincare gift set from Jack Black is ideal for holiday travels.
The Skin Saviors set comes with a travel-size Pure Clean daily facial cleanser, Face Buff energizing scrub, Double-Duty face moisturizer (SPF 20) and a lip balm (SPF 25). These products create the ideal base for a clean shave and to protect the face after.
This set is a $57 value.
What we like about this set:
Get them nice TSA-approved skincare for their holiday travels for less than buying each item separately.
For Barbie: Barbie The Movie collectible doll
Walmart
Hey, Barbie! (Or, Ken.) The “Barbie” movie collectible doll keeps going in and out of stock, but she’s available right now, so trust us: This is the time to strike.
This doll depicts Margot Robbie’s Barbie in a pink gingham dress, daisy necklace and pastel pumps. Her hair is styled half-up and tied with a pink ribbon to show off her daisy drop earrings.
This Barbie is currently $25, reduced from $65.
What we like about this Barbie:
It’s the year of Barbie, and this doll will be a collector’s item for years to come.
For the coffee lover: Atlas Coffee Club coffee world tour gift subscription
Atlas coffee club
Real coffee lovers like to explore new tastes and terroirs. Plus, coffee drinkers are likely going to buy new coffee each month anyway, so this subscription is a great clutter-free gift that any coffee enthusiast will enjoy.
Each month the Atlas Coffee Club subscription features a coffee from a different country. You can select whole beans, ground coffee, espresso, Keurig cups and more. There are also different roast options, so your gift recipient can get a light, medium or dark roast to suit their preferences.
Get a one-year coffee subscription for $199.
Why they’ll love the Atlas Coffee Club coffee world tour subscription:
- Each coffee comes with a postcard from the coffee’s country of origin with tasting notes and the origin story of the coffee.
- It’s a fun way for the recipient to try all kinds of coffee while still getting their preferred bean style and strength.
- It’s a gift that keeps on giving for an entire year.
For the aspiring dentist: Melissa & Doug Super Smile toy dentist kit
Walmart
Inspire them with this 25-piece toy dentist kit from Melissa & Doug for ages three and up. With it, they can do teeth cleanings, treat cavities and fit retainers and braces on a set of pretend teeth.
This kit comes with pretend teeth, “cavity” stickers, examination tools, a toothbrush, a toothpaste tube, a dental rinse bottle and cup, two gauze pads, two tooth polish cups, top and bottom retainers and braces, a mask, a reusable ID tag on a lanyard and a double-sided reusable activity card.
What we like about this toy:
Kids can test their chops as a dentist with this play set.
For the fashionista: Bestow gold hoop earrings
Amazon
The Bestow Collection 18K gold-plated hoops are hypoallergenic and lightweight, making them ideal for daily wear. Available in three versatile sizes, these stylish earrings are a perfect gift for any fashion lover.
They also have a perfect 5-star rating on Amazon with one reviewer sharing, “These earrings are absolutely gorgeous! I love how light they are and how they literally go with everything.”
What we like about these earrings:
The unique earring back mirrors the sleek styling of the hoop itself.
For the free spirit: Apple AirTag
Amazon
They can keep better track of their possessions with an Apple AirTag. Your free spirit can attach one to their luggage, wallet, handbag or keys to always know its exact location.
The Apple AirTag, which is about the size of a quarter, is designed exclusively for Apple users. It syncs with devices like the iPhone, iPad and MacBook.
The AirTag’s battery life lasts up to a year per tracker. When it’s dead, they can just replace the internal CR2032 battery. They’ll receive alerts if they walk off without their possession with an AirTag attached to it, and receive warnings if their phone happens to detect an unknown AirTag traveling with them (for safety).
Apple AirTags are currently $25, reduced from $29.
What we like about this smart tracker:
This useful gift seamlessly integrates with Apple’s Find My network for precise tracking. Plus, its battery lasts up to a year before needing to be replaced.
You can also purchase AirTags in a four-pack, though that rings up above $50.
For the outdoorsy: AllTrails subscription
AllTrails
If they’re an avid hiker, they likely want an AllTrails subscription.
With this app, they can download maps to stay on track even when they don’t have service. The app offers off-route notifications so they never miss a turn. And there’s a lifeline feature that keeps friends and family informed of their whereabouts.
To gift this annual subscription, you’ll be billed once for $36. You can either send it via email or print it out. You can choose a gift card design you like and add a personalized message.
What we like about this subscription:
If they love to hike, they’re likely sick of running into the AllTrails paywall. This subscription solves that and even helps you keep track of them on a hike. It can provide you with their real-time location on a map plotted against his planned route and more.
For the life-long learner: MasterClass
MasterClass
MasterClass is a service that allows users to explore their interests with a wide range of virtual classes led by celebrities and industry experts.
MasterClass has something for everyone. The recipient can learn about fashion design from Marc Jacobs, take a cooking class from Gordon Ramsey, study science with Bill Nye, or learn to improve their basketball skills with Steph Curry.
Why they’ll love MasterClass:
- There are a wide variety of classes to suit different interests.
- The classes are taught by highly experienced industry experts.
For the cozy girly: Aerie quarter snap sweatshirt
Aerie
You can’t go wrong with gifting a sweatshirt to cozy up in during the cold winter months.
This quarter snap with a ribbed trim from Aerie is fleece-lined and comes in six colors. It has comfy bubble sleeves. Aerie says it’s going fast, so be sure to shop now.
This sweatshirt is currently sold out. Check back in case it comes back into stock.
What we like about this sweatshirt:
Aerie makes basics that you can’t go wrong with. This sweatshirt is simple yet cute.
For someone who deserves a vacation: ResortPass gift card
ResortPass
Whether the doctor ordered a relaxing day at the spa or a party at the pool, ResortPass delivers. They can take a daycation at the world’s best hotels thanks to the service.
You can purchase a gift card starting at $50 to grant them the daycation of their dreams on ResortPass.
Why they’ll love ResortPass:
- They’ll find pool, spa, beach access and more at over 1,600 top hotels.
- ResortPasses may include perks like meal passes, reduced parking costs and more.
- ResortPass is in more than 400 cities and 30 countries.
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CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione arrives in New York after waiving extradition in Pennsylvania
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“Sleepmaxxing” trend has young adults optimizing their sleep. Experts share some do’s and don’ts.
How to get an ideal night of sleep has been trending on social media. It’s called sleep optimization, or “sleepmaxxing,” and it’s particularly popular among younger Americans.
From using sleep trackers to sleeping with mouth tape, social media users are sharing tips online for what they do to catch more Z’s — and millions of people are paying attention.
Kamila Charles, a college senior in Florida, is among the many young adults who are now prioritizing their sleep routine.
“Magnesium, I do my skin care, I put my hair in rollers,” she said of her nightly rituals. “I’m trying to figure out what works for me because it is hard.”
Another student, Craig James, told CBS News he makes sure his room is dark, quiet and cold for optimal sleep. “No television on, no nothing,” he said. Many sleep experts echo that advice.
One recent analysis found members of Gen-Z spend more time sleeping than any other generation. That same survey showed they also spent more time exercising and prioritizing self-care than others.
“They just want to make the quality better, which is a good thing,” Dr. Rafael Pelayo, a clinical professor at Stanford University’s Sleep Medicine division, told CBS News. “Even though they may be considered good sleepers overall, they want to make their sleep even better.”
A recent Gallup survey found a majority of Americans — 57% — said they would feel better if they got more sleep.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, though it depends on age and other factors.
Middle schoolers should get about 9 to 12 hours a night, high schoolers about 8 to 10 hours, and adults more than 7 hours, Dr. Nidhi Kumar recently told CBS News New York.
“How many high schoolers are really sleeping that much?” Kumar said. “We are a country that is chronically sleep deprived.”
Sleep scientist Vanessa Hill recently told CBS News the sleepmaxxing trend may be beneficial because it gets people thinking about their sleep.
“So I think overall, it’s good,” she said, but warned, “sometimes when people can be too perfectionistic about their sleep, it can backfire.”
Risks of the sleepmaxxing trend
Despite the wellness intentions, experts say some aspects of this trend could do more harm than good.
“A lot of the things people do are not necessarily evidence-based,” Pelayo said. He also warns against obsessing over smartphone sleep trackers.
Kumar agrees, saying the problem with tracking your sleep is it can become obsessive.
“People can actually start dealing with an anxiety about trying to get to sleep,” she said.
She also says people should avoid mouth taping, a practice many have seen on social media.
“I’m going to say a hard no to mouth taping. It can actually be quite dangerous. It can increase snoring. It can cause anxiety, suffocation. It can cause a reduction in oxygen levels in certain susceptible individuals,” she said.
Kumar advises against the many pills and potions being promoted online, but says two supplements can be useful.
“Certain forms of magnesium, magnesium threonate, crosses the blood brain barrier (and) can help with sleep,” she said. “And if you’re dealing with jet lag, melatonin can be helpful. Other than these two supplements, nothing else has really been shown to work.”
Benefits of better sleep
Sleepmaxxing is helping to repopularize certain aspects of good sleep hygiene that everyone should try to embrace, Hill said.
“Things like try not to use your devices for half an hour or so before bed. Try to stick to a consistent bedtime. Try to have a relaxing wind-down routine. All of these things can set us up for a good night’s sleep,” she said.
Improving sleep is a positive step for overall health.
Kumar said quality sleep can lead to fewer sick days because it boosts your immune system. It can also help you maintain better weight control and reduce your risk of other serious conditions.
“Lower rates of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure; better mood, better attention, less stress, less anxiety,” she said.
If you are having trouble with your sleep, it’s best to consult your doctor.
“TikTok is not the answer when you really do have a problem, and there are a lot of sleep problems out there,” Hill said.
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CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione arrives in New York after waiving extradition in Pennsylvania
“Sleepmaxxing” trend has young adults optimizing their sleep. Experts share some do’s and don’ts.
What happened inside the courtroom as Luigi Mangione waived extradition
CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione arrives in New York after waiving extradition in Pennsylvania
“Sleepmaxxing” trend has young adults optimizing their sleep. Experts share some do’s and don’ts.