The GFY Community Gift Guide 2023 - Under £50

Welcome to GFY’s annual gift guide series! This is a crowdsourced project where we look to you for the best gift ideas of 2023.

The aims…

To reduce waste by giving loved ones things they want and need (strictly no Lynx Africa gift sets)
To save you money by giving high quality but affordable gifts based on recommendation. Strictly no sponsorship or affiliates.
To support independent retailers where possible

How the lists work

You submit your responses on Instagram (this happened in November)
We’ll count responses for specific items and list 10 items within each price range. Generally, people have listed a type of item as opposed to a brand e.g Bamboo socks. Where there is no consensus on a specific brand, we’ve found the best-reviewed brand within that category
No affiliates or sponsorships. These lists are compiled strictly on a recommendation-only basis. There are no affiliates.

How the links work

None of the links below are affiliate links
There are no sponsorships
Where possible we've tried to find products from independent and sustainable retailers

VIEW THE UNDER £15 GIFT GUIDE HERE

VIEW THE UNDER £100 GIFT GUIDE HERE

**Under £100 and £100+, kids and charity retailers coming this week**

If you'd like to be notified about when the other gift guides are available, join the GFY mailing list

You'll also receive a handy round-up of the latest and greatest financial news stories, every Monday 💌

Welcome to the Under £50 category! The results...

1. Luxury Candles

Who doesn't love a luxury candle...this year the luxury candle took first place.

Specifically:

Diptyque candle: Diptyque - Link

Maquis (Scrub) - Classic Candle Classic | Diptyque Paris

Neom candle: NEOM Organics UK - Link

Neom Real Luxury Scented Candle (1 Wick) | Space NK

Jo Malone candle: Jo Malone London - Link

Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Luxury Scented Candle, 2.1kg

Huge candle that lasts all year - Etsy - Extra Extra Large Candle | 10 Wick | Super Size | Table centrepiece

Extra Extra Large Candle 10 Wick Super Size Table image 1

2. Vouchers & Gift Cards:

Specifically:

Voucher for a custom illustration: You’ll find plenty of these on Etsy. Gift cards from wonderfully talented illustrators and artists. Here’s one you’ll like: Earl Grey Illustration Voucher - Etsy

Gift Card Gift Voucher for Custom Illustration Mistletoe & Wine

Gift voucher for a massage or spa day: Spafinder gift cards offer a relaxing escape with options for massages, spa days, and wellness experiences. Spafinder

Royal Opera House voucher - Perfect for a Ballet or Opera lover. Royal Opera House Gift Certificates

A gift voucher to a lovely restaurant - Give the gift of a meal out. Search the Michelin guide for restaurants nearby. You can also filter by price. Find a local Michelin restaurant

Vouchers for massage, beauticians, or hairdressers - Need I say more? Who doesn’t love a Treatwell voucher Treatwell vouchers

Cookery class voucher - Airbnb Experiences have a range of online and in person ‘experiences’ to pick from. Here’s one I found which is extremely well reveiwed From My House to Yours, Thai Cooking

The Lowdown on Airbnb Experiences - DPGO

Cookery class voucher or experience from Migrateful - An award-winning UK charity with a mission to support migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in their journey to integration. Their work also focuses on shifting negative attitudes about migration and shedding light on important issues related to migrant rights and well-being. Book here.

Migrateful | Support Refugees | Cookery Classes | London | Bristol

Whale watching/sea safari voucher - Slightly over £50 but for an ocean or animal lover, this would be a great gift Virgin Experiences

Alpaca walking voucher - Enjoy a peaceful countryside walk accompanied by friendly alpacas, a unique and memorable experience. Virgin Experiences

Alpaca | Habitat, Diet, Lifespan, & Facts | Britannica

3. Subscriptions & Memberships

We had loads of great subscription and membership recommendations this year.

Specifically:

Book Subscription Boxes: Book of the Month offers a monthly book subscription box service. You can explore their offerings and subscribe at their website.

Promo Image - https://static.bookofthemonth.com/gift/homepage/CS_gift_homepage_desktop.png

Magazine Subscription: For a wide range of magazine subscriptions, you can visit Magazines.com. They offer discounts and deals on various magazine subscriptions. Check out their options here.

Chococo Chocolate Subscription: Chococo provides a chocolate club box subscription for 3, 6, or 12 months. You can find more information and subscribe at Chococo's website.

Curzon Membership: Curzon offers cinema memberships which include free cinema tickets! Curzon website.

The Spicery Spice Subscription: For those interested in a spice subscription, The Spicery offers various options. You can learn more and subscribe at The Spicery's website.

Spice Subscription Gift | The Spicery SpiceBox | Monthly Spice Box – ayearssupplyof

4. Sheepskin Slippers

A winter treat.

Specifically:

Land’s End - Women's Suede Mule Slippers with Shearling Collar

5. Oodie

The Oodie is a super soft ONE SIZE FITS MOST hooded blanket Purple Tie-Dye Oodie

6. Slow Cooker

Lakeland 6L Slow Cooker - currently only £34

Large Family Stainless Steel Slow Cooker 6L | Lakeland

7. Electric Blanket or Electric Foot Warmer

Heated blankets, cushions and foot warmers are growing in popularity amidst the cost of living crisis. The perfect gift some a frugal-minded friend or someone living in a flatshare.

Here are a few options:

VonHaus - Heated Throw Blanket

VonHaus - King Size Electric Blanket

John Lewis - Dreamland Heated Multi Pad, Grey

Boots - Beurer FW20 Extra Cosy Foot Warmer

8. Loop Earplugs:

If you’ve not got them, you’ve been advertised them on social media…Loop offer a variety of earplugs. Some are designed to reduce noise to help you concentrate, others are made to help you sleep.

Check them out here. Loop earplugs