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30 Best Favorite Things Party Gift Ideas Under $20 - Tik Tok Favorites!

  • Writer: The Betty Edit
    The Betty Edit
  • Oct 28, 2024
  • 6 min read

Updated: Feb 20

I've attended my fair share of White Elephant and Secret Santa parties in the past. For reference, a classic white elephant is when you exchange silly and unexpected gifts (often something from your house that you no longer want or need OR a prank gift and a Secret Santa is the ever-mysterious gift-giver reveal. These seem to be popular December parties but last year my friends and I discovered the "favorite things party" courtesy of a trend one of my girlfriends was seeing all over Tik Tok.


The concept is as simple as it sounds: guests bring their most-loved item from the past year — maybe a must-have kitchen gadget, a beauty essential they swear by, cute affordable jewelery or that cozy find they rely on all winter. It’s a fantastic idea because you get to share a go-to item with friends, knowing they’ll likely love it too!


We did a "favorite things" party for our end-of-the-year bookclub gathering. Our book club is fairly small, with only six of us, so we set a $15 - $20 limit on gifts and gave each person one of our favorite things. Everyone was squealing with delight upon opening all of the gifts. You would have thought these women were little girls on Christmas morning. It was a HIT! We've decided to do it again this year.


If you're in a larger group and $15 - $20 will be WAY too much to spend to gift to everyone, an alternative is each guest brings 3 of their favorite item, and you draw to decide which three gifts you go home with. Have a crafty group of friends? You can also suggest a DIY gift, which can help save on costs.


Some thing to keep in mind when planning a Favorite Things Party:

  • Set a budget - most people agree upon $10 - $15 items but feel free to discuss with your group to find what you're all most comfortable with!

  • Consider Your Audience - Remember that your gift needs to work for everyone attending your party. I was considering giving some super cute pearl studded headbands but there are 2 in my group that I know headbands just aren't their style so I went with something that appealed to everyone - a dry bar hairbrush.

  • Find a Gift in your price range - Feel free to deviate from Amazon where you know you can get things cheap and quick. Consider shopping on Etsy to support a local artisan or head to your local boutiques on Small Business Saturday.


These are some great options for the Favorite things party all under $20. There's really a wide range so I hope you can find something that suits your group of friends! Cheers to celebrating and introducting your pals to your favorite things this holiday season!


Favorite Things Holiday Party Juvia Place Magic Lip Oil Under $20


This lip oil plumpens, hydrates and makes lips shine! It's not at all sticky and is great for those winter chapped lips.







Chunky Gold Teardrop Earring Dupes great for holiday favorite things parties under $20

These earrings are great dupes for a pair that normally retails for $50. I own these teardrop earrings and love them!





Anthropologie Gilded Agate Coasters perfect for White Elephant Favorite Things Holiday Party Under $20


So pretty and elegant. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who didn't love these!


Buy at Anthropologie: Gilded Agate Coaster






Hard Boiled Egg Maker Favorite Things Holiday Gift Idea Under $20


I own this, and use it every week! This egg cooker is fast and makes the perfect hard boiled egg!


Buy on Amazon: DASH Rapid Egg Cooker



gift idea for favorite things white elephant holiday party for book lovers



For all those doing a Favorite Things holiday party with their bookclub, like me, this is a perfect idea!


Buy on Amazon: Bookclub Candle




Favorite Things Holiday Party Gift Idea Tylers Glamorous Wash Diva Detergent Three Pack



There's a reason why this laundry detergent has a cult following. You get three 4 oz bottles which is pefect for figuring out which scent you like best.






Holiday Favorite Things Gift Idea Satin Pillowcase under $20 gift

A great gift for those ladies who want to keep their hair and skin looking amazing!





favorite things gift ideas under $20



For all the Pickleball enthusiasts - send them off to the court with these chic one-of-a-kind pickleballs.


Buy on Amazon: Luxe Pickleballs






plus velvet jewelry box perfect for a favorite things holiday gift idea under $20


Compact jewelry box perfect for friends that like to travel or are on-the-go.





boxed bee notecards perfect gift idea for a holiday favorite things party gift exchange


These are the sweetest little notecards that your friends can use for any occassion. So simple and lovely.






Favorite Things Holiday party gift idea tassel earrings under $20


These are so fun and whimsical. Perfect addition to holiday outfits or packing for a mid-winter sunny vacation.


Buy on Amazon: Tassel Earrings





Ice Roller for Face and Eyes Holiday Gift idea for Favorite Things Party under $20



Helps to calm skin, reduce inflammation and relieve fatigured skin. We got this at our party last year and it was a hit!







Hella 90's Pop Trivia Game perfect gift idea for Favorite Things party under $20


Want something a little outside the box and give a gift that isn't beauty-related? This game is so much fun! Sure to be a hit with any millennial friend.







favorite things gift ideas under $20



For all the beauty queens in your life, you can't go wrong with the classic lash curler. This is extra chic in the rose gold. Everyone will appreciate this!






face wash headband perfect gift idea for favorite things holiday party under $20


Another thing I see all over Tik Tok are these sponge headbands and wristbands for washing your face. Keep those extra drips from going into your hair or down your arm.





dry bar detangling hairbrush gift idea for holiday favorite things party under $20




This was the gift I gave last year at our favorite things holiday party. As far as detangling hairbrushes go this is the best one I've found to-date. Everyone was super excited to receive this!










Favorite Thing Holiday Gift Idea Hair Scrunchie Scarves under $20


So cute and feminine. Just be sure everyone in your group has hair that these will work with!


Buy on Amazon: Hair Scrunchie Scarves


Leopard Print Belt




Holiday Gift idea for Favorite Things party Sushi Making Kit under $20


Another outside-the-box idea, this is a fun one! Who doesn't want to make their on sushi? Yes, please!


Buy on Amazon: Luney Sushi Making Kit






Anthropologie bistro mug great gift idea for holiday favorite things party under $20



I love a personalized gift. This is so chic and a great option for coffee and tea loving friends.


Buy at Anthropologie: Bistro Tile Mug





Vacation Chardonnay Lip Oil perfect gift for holiday favorite things party under $20


Another great lip treatment, I love the Vacation brand line of products. This nourishes, shines and plumps. Added bonus is that has SPF 30.








Favorite Things Holiday party gift idea Clinique Take the day off makeup remover for lids under $20



Clinique is making a comeback! I used to love this brand in the 90's and I bet your friends will love seeing its return as well. Super fun somewhat nostalgic gift.










holiday favorite things gift idea under $20


Great for nourishing and strengthening hair - your friends will thank you for this one.





favorite things holiday gift idea mini waffle maker under $20 gift idea


How cute is this? It makes snack sized waffles. Easy to use, easy to clean.


Buy on Amazon: Dash Mini Waffle Maker





favorite things holiday party gift idea st. tropez self tan purity mini kit


A great way for your friends to try out self tanning without an investment in pricey products. Who doesn't need an extra boost of warmth during the winter months?





favorite things holiday party gift idea kitsch spiral hair ties under $20


I love these. They don't leave dents in my hair and feel super comfortable.







Favorite Things Holiday party Gift idea TRUFF original black truffle hot sauce under $20

If you have some adventurous friends when it comes to food, give this truffle hot sauce. Man is it good on eggs!








Favorite Things Holiday party gift idea under $20 box cutter


Here me out... we all get so many deliveries especially during the holidays. Your friends will sing your praises once they start using this little guy.


Buy on Amazon: Box Cutter






Great for lattes or other liquid food, I never knew how much I'd love this little kitchen gadget until I had one.


Buy on Amazon: Milk Frother







Favorite Things Holiday Party Gift idea Mini Emergency Kit under $20

Perfect for any handbag, this holds 17 essentials from band aids to double sided tape. A great functional gift.





favorite things holiday party gift idea reusable shopping bag under $20



For your environmentally minded friends, this is a perfect gift option. I love to just leave these in my car for runs to the grocery store or farmer's market.


Buy on Amazon: Reusable Shopping Bag








Love, love, love this layered necklace. I can't imagine anyone not liking this! Adorable and affordable.


Buy at J.Crew Factory: Three Layered Necklace






favorite things holiday party gift idea anua heartleaf korean skincare cleansing oil under $20 gift idea


So gentle, this cleansing oil removes all traces of makeup while minimizing pores. How can you go wrong gifting this for any holiday gift exchange?




 

Disclaimer: The Betty Edit is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you purchase something through the links above, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I'm a former digital marketer turned stay-at-home mom looking to make a few extra bucks for coffee runs and new books. I only recommend products I genuinely like, use, or come recommended by trusted friends. Thank you for supporting me!

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About The Betty Edit

I love curating all aspects of life from food to travel to design. I hope sharing what I find beautiful, interesting, and useful is an enjoyable addition to your own walk thru this world. 

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