Best gifts under $40 that still impress anyone

Los Angeles Times · Kailyn Brown · 2026-11-01 11:00 UTC

These thoughtful gift are all under $40 but seem like they would cost much more, from premium incense sticks to sculptural candles and funky coasters.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that good gifts require you to break the bank. Don’t fall for that trap.

Great gifts don’t require deep pockets; they require you be intentional and to pay close attention.

Is your best friend obsessed with making their home smell good? Consider gifting them premium incense sticks that have been hand-rolled in a nearly 200-year-old shop in Kyoto, Japan. Does your little brother go to concerts every weekend? Give him a pair of earplugs that not only look stylish, but protect his hearing. Does your boyfriend love trying new hot sauces? Get him a bottle of El Chilito, which is a sister-owned, family-run brand.

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