5 Thoughtful Gifts Under $100

Jennifer DeWitt
2 days ago
3 min read

In my years as a professional interior designer, I’ve learned not to be a victim to branding. An instantly recognizable name or hefty price tag doesn’t equal quality.

The secret is curation: knowing what’s actually good, what looks more expensive than it is, and what people will use constantly versus what ends up forgotten in a closet.

My top five gifts under $100 feel significantly more thoughtful than their price tag suggests. I either own them, have them on my own wishlist, or know exactly who needs them.

1. Snif Rose Era Perfume

SHOP HERE

Every time I wear this, total strangers stop me to ask what fragrance I’m wearing.

It’s the kind of scent that’s distinctive without being overwhelming and sophisticated without carrying an astronomical price point. (Bonus: it lasts all day without needing to reapply every three hours!)

If you’re buying for someone who appreciates a good fragrance but is tired of smelling like everyone else wearing the same department store perfume, this is it.

2. Night Blooming Jasmine and Damask Rose Candle

SHOP HERE

When I tell you I’m obsessed with this scent… I will be constantly replenishing it for the foreseeable future. I discovered it this summer, and it has now become the signature scent in my home.

People notice it immediately when they walk into my house. It’s floral without being grandma-floral, luxurious without being cloying (a HUGE plus when you are scent sensitive!), and it burns evenly without tunneling.

This is the candle you give to someone who has impeccable taste and appreciates quality. (AKA, the one who will notice the difference between this and whatever’s on the clearance endcap at Target!)

3. Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair

SHOP HERE

This book dives deep into four of my favorite subjects: design, color, fashion, and history. I’ve read it multiple times, and I still pick it up randomly to reread sections.

Each chapter covers a different color and tells the story behind it: where it came from, what it meant historically, why it matters. It’s beautifully written, endlessly interesting, and the kind of book that sits on a coffee table and actually gets opened

For anyone who loves design, history, or understanding the why behind what we see, this is perfect. (My favorite chapter is on the color “peuce.” Wild!)

4. Objecto T1 Foot Heater

SHOP HERE

If you know a woman with a career or desk job, you know someone whose feet freeze at work. Office buildings are kept at temperatures designed for men in suits. Women in dresses and heels spend all day with cold feet, which is miserable, distracting, and completely unnecessary.

This foot heater solves it. It’s small enough to fit under a desk, quiet enough that no one else notices, and effective enough that feet stay warm all day. Revolutionary? No. Life-changing? Absolutely.

5. Crock Pot Mini

SHOP HERE

This seems random until you think about who actually needs it: college kids, single friends, anyone living in a small space who still wants real food. (And the practical side of me loves giving something like this in addition to more over-the-top items.)

It’s small enough to fit on a dorm desk or tiny apartment counter, easy enough that even someone who can’t cook can figure it out, and practical enough that it actually gets used instead of sitting in a cabinet.

For the person in your life who’s eating takeout every night because cooking for one feels pointless, this changes the equation.

Why These Gifts Under $100 Work

None of these gifts are generic. None of them feel like an afterthought. In fact, they all show you really did think about what the person needs or would love.

That’s the difference between a good gift and a forgettable one. It’s not about spending the most money. It’s about spending it well.

All 5 of these gifts (and more gifts under $100) are organized on my ShopMy storefront, which means you can:

Browse by category (person, price, vibe)
Save items to your wishlist and get alerts when they go on sale
Come back whenever you need to, without digging through old Instagram stories and blog posts

I’ll be updating these as we get closer to Black Friday, adding items as I find them and removing anything that sells out or doesn’t meet my standards. By joining ShopMy and adding me to your circle, you’ll never have to hunt down the guides again.

Join ShopMy HERE (it’s free).