• the cape sundew I keep on my windowsill. As someone with a lot of house plants, it has been a godsend for keeping flies and other pests out of the house.

• my first aid kit. You never want to need one of these, but I've been glad to have it close to hand a fair few times

I don't know if they're still under $50 but I really like my KOSS Porta Pros, they're just ridiculously good headphones for the price.

I got a Swiss army knife and it has come in handy quite a bit.

Looking at my own purchases from the last year:

• spice rack
• flexible outlet extender with USB charging ports and surge protector
• mandolin slicer
• bathtub phone holder (for playing music in the shower)
• 2.4 gallon compost bin that hang off a cabinet door
• a sht load of microfiber clothes (great for cleaning all sorts of things, glasses, tables, walls, etc)
• magnetic dry erase board complete with dry erase markers (great for to do lists or writing down plans)

Weed. Okay maybe the pocket knife is better for a general gift as it is highly practical. I have a Gerber I've used for nigh on 20 years. I miss it when I travel, so I've bought an Opinel and toss it into my checked luggage so I am able to use it on a trip. If I lose it, it was not expensive. Had I lost my Gerber, I would be sad.

Sounds dumb, but dishwashing gloves. I don't have a dishwasher, and not getting my hands clammy when I do dishes makes the process infinitely less horrible.

• Long (6 ft) USB cords that reach from the floor (where the charger is in a power strip) to my desk or couch
• A key hook that I mounted by the door. No more setting off the car alarm with the key in my pocket when in my house

Second on the mandolin that was on someone's list.

Caveat being don't buy a shitty one or it will have the opposite effect.

Waternymph 360 Degree Swivel Sink Faucet Aerator. https://a.co/d/5GcJVli

Cut gloves

Pour over coffee maker

More if or when my back is hurting way less.

Dreamfarm cooking utensils: https://dreamfarm.com/

Squishmallows for comfort

USB-C cable tester, to tell you what a cable can actually support

Velcro cable ties

Cable labels https://a.co/d/jkEJrgl

Label printer

Victorinox kitchen knife

Sharpening stone

Leather strop for sharpening

Ruffwear dog leash

Ruffwear dog leash bag, attaches to the leash and is so useful!

Pepper gel spray with UV dye

Water filled pepper spray training aid

Door stopper security device

Karabiner with screw lock for keys

Nite Ize does all sorts of neat products. This is useful: https://a.co/d/bhSR9I7 a hook that doesn't fall off

Resqme car escape tool

Reusable shopping bags/totes

Pyrex or steel reusable food containers

https://a.co/d/5fx7YJm first in first out can dispensers

A sturdy backpack with good support for the back

Two $20 bills. In all seriousness, there are a lot of board or card games that go for less than $50 dollars.

Definitely the opposite of making life easier but I love the stone mortar and pestle I got. I'm using it regularly not only to grind up spices like pepper or basil, but I also make pesto for pasta or rice dishes.

I have recommendations that depend entirely on lifestyle, so not great general stuff but amazing for the people they're for:

• Wurkkos FC11 Rechargeable LED Flashlights Max 1300Lumen High 90CRI EDC Flash Light USB C Charge,IP67 Waterproof Torch, Magnetic Tailcap, Great for Dog Walking Home use Emergency(5000K) https://a.co/d/fncjQhi

This flashlight is light, bright, cheap, and USB C rechargeable. It has a magnet in its ass so you can easily mount it and do whatever you're trying to do hands-free. As a power plant operator who runs around outside or climbs inside of condensers and tanks and shit, this thing was incredibly handy. Probably pretty good for hikers and campers too.

• Darn Tough Men's Modern https://a.co/d/et9OPPu

It doesn't necessarily need to be this exact pair, but Darn Tough brand wool socks are the general recommendation. They reduce impact, wick sweat/moisture, and they're comfortable. This is the only kind of socks I will wear at work or else my feet hurt and itch and stink.

• OontZ Ultra Bluetooth Speaker, Portable Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Speaker, 14 Watts, up to 100 ft Bluetooth Range, IPX7 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Black) https://a.co/d/dXlV5bY

It's a surprisingly good sound quality waterproof Bluetooth speaker. I take mine into the shower and listen to music. You could use it in the kitchen, outside in the yard, etc. but mine is pretty much entirely used in the shower or sometimes the bedroom 😉

Obviously not for everybody, but these are great bang for your buck if they suit somebody you know!