12 best cheap and cool gifts that you can get for under $250

Jigsaw puzzles are cool again. No longer are they for geriatrics with nothing better to do. No, these days, you can find quirky food-shaped jigsaw puzzles that are fun to put together and which double as a cute decoration once completed. Areaware recently rolled out a collection of more than 70 food-themed puzzles including ramen bowls, pizzas, broccoli and hotdogs. For a more sizeable challenge, it even has 100-1,000 piece colour gradient puzzles too. International shipping is available but order soon as it could take up to 20 business days. $120; areaware.com

Tell waste to ‘suck it’ with an awesome Suck It reusable metal straw this Christmas. Aside from bestsellers and self-help books, Bookazine stocks a bunch of lifestyle products and amusing gifts, much like this item. With sustainability being a hot button issue, you can help your friends and families start their zero-waste journey with the nifty straw. Each pack comes with a snazzy carry pouch and a straw cleaner. Better yet, forego any wasteful wrapping paper when you gift it. $120

Got any beauty fans in your inner circle? Get them looking red carpet-ready with celeb fave makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury and its new mini Hollywood lips set. These super portable babies are made from beeswax and sea lavender, which helps keep them smackers smooth and plumper. The set, which comes in two matte colours, can provide instant glamour for any girl on-the-go. $225

We all complain if we receive socks for Christmas but now, they’re like the best thing ever. Online shop Gifts Less Ordinary offers these fun personalised cat nap socks – perfect for busy loved ones who enjoy a cheeky doze here and there. If you want to get some in time for Christmas, make sure to order before December 12! $163; giftslessordinary.com/hk.

Share your local pride in the form of a deck of playing cards. In place of the usual kings, queens, jacks and jokers, there are deities like Kwan Kung, renowned characters from Cantonese opera and dragons. So if your Christmas meal is starting to lull, there’s no better time to whip them out for a game of whist or two. $145

This popular local homeware chain store is known for its eclectic and quirky collection of interior products and furniture. You’re practically guaranteed to find some quirky yet practical gifts here. One that fits both the bill and budget is this tea infuser designed like a submarine. Dangle the chubby sub in your mug and watch the flavour slowly seep out from its windows. It’ll surely bring a smile to the face of any tea lover. $85

Hongkongers have been going wild for Taiwanese noodle brand KiKi Noodle. These are instant noddles that are MSG and preservative free – a true miracle, really. So it’s not too shabby at all to treat the fam with a special Santa’s box stuffed with 10 packs, including flavours like scallion, spicy and old vinegar. And hey, should the Christmas turkey go up in smoke, you can easily break out the Kikis for a backup meal. $138; kikifg.com.hk

Inside this cat-shaped box sits a selection of stationery tools in pastel shades that can help elevate anyone’s workspace. The kit is packed with mini versions of the store’s fan favourites like pencils, a stapler, paper tape, an eraser, sharpener and a mini notepad, all in Kikki K’s signature minimalist designs. Work has never been more fun. $104

Why hello, kitty! In a special collaboration with Sanrio, Beverly Hills confectionary brand Sugarfina has launched a series of candy gift boxes featuring everyone’s favourite cartoon cat – sorry, Garfield. For any friend who loves a nostalgic gift, get them the limited edition bow-shaped candy box that comes with two cubes of gummies and sweets – they’re shaped like Hello Kitty’s bow as well. $228

It’s time to indulge the inner child in all of us and get your buddies (and maybe yourself) a nerf gun for a risk-free yet competitive game of shoot ’em up. You can find a whole range of them at Toys R Us including the Nerf Modulus Mediator, which comes with six darts to light up your enemies with. If you want more, they’re sold separately. $159

You can always trust Typo – Cotton On’s sister stationery shop – to come up with awesome novelty gifts and accessories. And since Star Wars is as popular as ever, Typo has an entire collection of products featuring the characters from a long time ago and a galaxy far, far away. One of the best creations by far is this pair of warm, fuzzy house slippers that looks like it’s stripped straight from Chewbacca’s chest. They are tons of other designs to pick including sloth, flamingo and pink dinosaur feet with silver claws sticking out. $169

You can never go wrong with alcohol. Thanks to Wine Moments, there’s a number of great gifts to pick from for under $200 including bottle coolers and this cheekily named bottle of Horny rosé. Perfect for your ‘thirsty’ friends. With a hint of spice and plenty of fruity notes, this rosé is great to keep for future get-togethers and to get any party started. $105; winemoments.com