Thursday, March 28, 2024

Capsule’s Gift Guides: Gifts Under $20

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Welcome to our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide Collection and here’s the ultimate guide for gifts under $20 – perfect for Secret Santa and for workplace presents!

In this guide, it’s your go-to guide for Secret Santa – whether you’re drawing names out of a hat for a under $20 gift in your workplace, or your extended family plays Stealing Santa/Dirty Santa/White Elephant Gift Exchange. If you’ve drawn Beth in accounts, and you’re not quite sure what Beth in accounts likes, or you just need a present that would suit pretty much everyone, here are our top picks for gifts under $20:

Where the Crawdads Sing

I [Alice] am yet to find someone who didn’t LOVE this book. And I’m definitely not alone – it’s won multiple awards and topped best-selling lists, in fact, according to Amazon it was 2019’s most popular title, and sales have barely slowed down in the last two years. It’s also been featured in many book clubs (including Oprah’s) and Reese Witherspoon loved Where the Crawdads Sing so much, it’s not just one of her Book Club recommendations, but she’s currently making a screen adaptation of it.

Remarkably, it’s Delia Owen’s first novel. It follows the story of ‘Marsh Girl’, Kya Clark, a vulnerable young girl who is abandoned by her mother and siblings, owing to her father’s alcohol abuse and violent tendencies. It’s a heart-breaking coming-of-age read, combined with a whodunnit possible murder mystery.

It’s the perfect book to read for summer and a book you can gift, almost guaranteed that it’ll be well received.

Where the Crawdads Sing, $15 (from Kmart)

2021 Origins Prosecco NV

To me [Alice], the drink that screams ‘it’s summer and it’s Chriiiiiistmas!’ is Prosecco. While I’d love to be popping the cork on a beautiful bottle of Champagne for every festive catch up, I already blew all my cash on buying the family matching Christmas pjs, so it makes much more sense to go with the cheaper, but also delicious option of prosecco. And, I can definitely recommend this tasty option by Brown Brothers. Brown Brothers was one of the first winemakers to plant Prosecco in Victoria’s cool climate King Valley. which is climatically the closest region in Australia to northeast Italy. 

Straw in colour with subtle green hues and a delicate nose, it displays delicious apple and pear characters. And, while it retains the freshness and vibrancy that Proseccos known for, and it has a beautiful savoury edge on the palate. If you don’t want to turn up somewhere empty-handed or need a quick inexpensive gift, this is your new go-to!

2021 Origins Prosecco NV, $18.99. 

Buzzy Bee Cat Wand

Ok, if the person you’re gifting to has a cat (or maybe is a cat if you’re including stockings for your pets this year!), this is the present you need to get. They’re an absolute hit with cats – they’re bright in colour to attract attention and trigger feline’s natural instincts to hunt this (adorable) little Buzzy Bee.

The best bit? All profits go directly to caring for pets while their families escape family violence. Yip, it’s all going to Pet Refuge, an absolute genius charity that you can read about here. By buying this toy you’re helping to keep someone else’s beloved fur-baby safe, and perhaps even allowing their owner to escape violence.

Buzzy Bee Cat Wand, $16

Mini Portable Handy Electric Stitch Sewing Machine

Know someone who loves to be prepared? This little tool is SO handy for any minor little sewing or craft issues that pop up. Hem fallen down? No worries! Made a little rip in the curtains? No drama.

Simply pull out this little battery operated mini sewing machine and you’re away laughing, in less time than it would take to even just pull the clunky old sewing machine out of storage.

Mini Portable Handy Electric Stitch Sewing Machine, $10.99 (from The Market)

Salted Caramel Scorched Almonds

As either a stocking stuffer or a secret Santa present, cost isn’t going to matter diddly squat when it comes to these bad boys because everyone – I mean EVERYONE – loves salted caramel.

You just can’t get more Christmas than a Scorched Almond. And if you’re really stretched, the old ‘One for Mummy AND Daddy’ vibe still works even if you’re well into your 30s because, nostalgia.

Nestle Salted Caramel Scorched Almonds, $7.69

Eve Morning Person Mini Supplements

I (Kelly) was once VERY anti-supplements, purely out of my own laziness. Who can remember to take a pill every day?! (Ok sure a lot of women but I am NOT one of them. It’s a miracle I’m still child-free).

But these little babies really did the trick for me, and would make a great little stocking stuffer or Secret Santa for that person in your life who struggles in the mornings, or suffers from brain fog and tiredness. They’re a little burst of energy, without the jitters. Oh and they’re all natural.

Eve Morning Person Mini, $16.95

The Ultimate Pub Quiz Trivia Box

Know someone who is into games and trivia? This could be just the ticket. The trivia box contains 100 questions with 5 different rounds – Sport, Music, Entertainment, General Knowledge and a picture round. It’s perfect for gifting to someone on Christmas Day and using right away at the dinner table, especially if you’re trying to avoid talking about politics or your love life!

The Ultimate Pub Quiz Trivia Box, $16.99 (From Shut the Front Door)

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

I (Emma) always think secret santa gifts should be both festive and a little bit ridiculous (tis the season) and this candy-scented body wash is both of those things, in that it is pink, glittery and smells like you are bathing in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Any age of human will enjoy this, because who doesn’t want to feel like the Sugar Plum Fairy when they bathe? Plus, it’s only available at Christmas time and that’s special!

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel, from $15

Go-To Transformazing Mask

Go-To is one of our favourite skincare brands at Capsule and this wee mask is truly the GOAT of all face masks. It’s perfect for pepping your skin up when you need it to look its best – which makes it a fab little gift!

Te serum-drenched mask transforms dull and dehydrated skin, leaving you with a glowing, luminous look. The blend of natural botanicals, including kakadu plum, finger lime and pepper leaf, along with skin-boosting niacinamide and hyadisine, work to plump and brighten your complexion in just 10 minutes.

Go-To Transformazing Mask, $12

Zodiac Candle

If you know the star sign of the person you’re gifting to (and you know they’re into that kind of thing), these zodiac candles from Typo are super cute. Made from 100% soy wax they each have a subtle, but delicious scent and come in super cute packaging.

Zodiac Candle, $19.99 from Typo (currently half-price, at $9.90!)

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