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14 cheapish things that cheered us up for less than £50
Lars is a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out bargains, including on major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. He is also handy at unravelling tech jargon and anything related to gaming.
It's been a tumultuous year, and it's still not over. War, drought, petrol prices that refuse to go down – need we go on?
As times get tough, lipstick sales tend to rise. In that vein, these are the low-budget luxuries and little treats our experts genuinely loved.
Our picks include some budget-friendly glassware, cosy decor, a comfy pair of trousers and some sweet treats.
We don't take recommendations or freebies from manufacturers or AI. Read on to see the cheap buys that brought a genuine smile to our faces.
Keep an eye on savvy savings in the best deals we've spotted this month.
14 things under £50 that cheered us up
Tony's Chocolonely bars
You can buy bars directly from Tony's Chocolonely or compare prices on a regular bar of milk chocolate below:
I regularly get given Tony's Chocolonely and really look forward to it. The chocolate's gorgeous, plus I love the thickness of it. I have a small(ish) piece with my coffee every day, and it makes me smile.
From Ben & Jerry's dark milk brownie to caramel sea salt, Tony's Chocolonely has a mouth-watering array of flavours, and you can buy bundles of 180g bars.
Each bar is made up of uneven pieces, though, which can sometimes be a bit tricky to break apart.
Bennetto dark chocolate + Forest Feast chocolate sour cherries and almonds
Where to buy:
- Bennetto Raspberry dark chocolate bar: Available from Whole Food Earth (£5)
- Forest Feast chocolate sour cherries: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50030252
- Forest Feast chocolate almonds: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50030251
Working on Which? taste tests has made me more considered about chocolate and olive oil, while working on our healthy living advice has given me roundabout ways to justify said purchases! I love Bennetto dark chocolate, particularly the raspberry and salted caramel versions. Both are dark and satisfying with a hint of sweetness and crunch. The packaging is pretty, and it's fairtrade too. I also really like the Forest Feast Dark chocolate sour cherries and almonds for a post-dinner snack that feels a little bit fancy.
The other day, one of our writers spotted a croissant for £7. Granted, this was in London, but you shouldn't need to break the bank for something sweet.
You can typically get these chocolate-covered goodies for less than a fiver, and they're often in supermarkets.
Next Home twinkling LED candles
Buy LED candles and sets from Next – prices start from £6
I want an LED backlit mirror, but for now, I've just been turning on these twinkling candles, which actually light up my bathroom enough for a really calming, soothing ambience while I shower in the evening.
There's a reason it's called 'mood lighting' – having a cosy atmosphere at home can help you unwind after a long day.
These electronic candles provide a flickering light similar to that of their waxy counterparts, but without the risks of real flames. Just note that some models don't include batteries.
It might also be worth picking up some smart light bulbs. Here's why you should ditch the switch.
John Lewis 'The Colour Edit' Bubble glass tumblers
I swapped my water bottle for these cute little tumblers when at home. They come in a variety of colours – the ochre has a real 70s Italian vibe and reminds me of summer holidays.
Mixing and matching these glasses is a great way to add some colour to the dinner table.
Each glass costs £8, so a set of four will cost £32.
Read the best wellbeing gifts for more little treats.
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Glass Skin Hydrogel Glow Mask
On quiet weekends, I love turning my home into a relaxing sanctuary. After a quick tidy-up, I'll light a scented candle, put on a film and dig out a face mask. I always keep a stash of these Korean-skincare-inspired Garnier sheet masks. They take about 90 minutes to work their magic, but they leave my skin looking glowy and feeling hydrated.
Inspired by Korean skincare, these face masks contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin and adenosine, which could help to moisturise your skin and leave it looking smooth.
Each pack includes four face masks.
You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to smell great – some of the best perfumes for women we tested were less than £50.
A longer lead for the dog
You can find long dog leads online from retailers such as Amazon or Pets at Home.
I got my dog a slightly longer standard lead (not an extendable lead) as a present – he's really into his sniffs, so it gives him more autonomy when we're somewhere he can't be free range. He's happy, which makes me happy.
We love a wander and a meander. We also think walks are better with good company, and if yours is your furry friend, a longer lead could be a great choice to let them roam.
Just be careful you don't let any passersby get tangled.
Need some ideas for a walk? Read our survey results on the best walks in the UK.
Alpine Silence ear plugs
Whenever you have your windows open at night, there inevitably seem to be loud drunken people heading home, bin men collecting rubbish and young children screaming. The quality of my sleep improved exponentially after picking these up, and nothing beats the joy of an uninterrupted night's sleep.
Sleep is very important, and getting a good night's rest is sure to make your next day a bit better.
These ear plugs are claimed to block out up to 22dB of noise and come in a variety of colours.
Did the V shape make these uncomfortable to sleep in? Find out in our review of the best ear plugs.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Some take delight in the juice of the barley, but this whiskey errs more on the side of 'the juice of the corn'. Regardless, it's a tasty choice for a tipple, either on its own or in a cocktail. Plus, you can sometimes find bottles on sale from Tesco for just £18 with a Clubcard.
This Kentucky whiskey is aged between four and eight years. It's not peated, and has notes of cinnamon, toffee, caramel and vanilla.
Prefer wines? Read our reviews of the best red wines or our favourite budget-friendly bubbles.
Le Creuset 2-Stage Kitchen Knife Sharpener
Available from Le Creuset (£27)
Taking the time to sharpen my knives is a real pleasure – it's quite relaxing and satisfying to do. Sharp knives also make food prep miles easier and less of a chore.
When you're trying to make a nice meal, nothing is more frustrating than cutting with a dull knife. This pull-through knife sharpener should leave your kitchen knives feeling good as new. It has two settings – coarse and fine – and comes with instructions for proper use.
It isn't the cheapest model available, but we think it's worth the price.
Read how this sharpener stacked up against other models in our reviews of the best knife sharpeners.
Darn Tough socks
Buy a variety of socks direct from Darn Tough, or compare prices on a midweight pair below:
We love these socks, and so do our members. They're not cheap, but they're worth every penny. I have several pairs and have been wearing them nearly every day the weather permits since 2013, and they still haven't had a single hole. I always bring extra pairs with me on day trips, hikes and holidays.
These socks might not be the cheapest, at £25+ a pair, but they do have a lifetime warranty. If you manage to get a hole in them, Darn Tough will send a replacement pair for free as long as you provide proof of purchase. You can read the full terms on Darn Tough's website.
If that's not something to smile about, we don't know what is.
Houseplants
Find a variety of plants from retailers such as Brookside Nursery, David Austin Roses, or RHS Plants – read our guide on the best places to buy seeds and plants online
It's nice to have some splashes of green inside the house. I was getting houseplant envy after calls with a colleague who has a fabulous alocasia next to their desk, so when I saw one at the garden centre, I couldn't resist buying it. And my variegated monstera (known to be a diva) has grown its second new leaf since I bought it, so I'm obviously doing something right.
As the days get shorter and the weather cools, it can be a good idea to bring as much of nature indoors as possible.
A variety of houseplants can add some green to your living room, and organisations such as the RHS say they offer a range of wellbeing and health benefits, including improved mood and reduced stress.
Read our gardening advice, including the best plants for hanging baskets, and our reviews of the best compost.
Kaweco Sport fountain pen and Shinzi Katoh stationery
You can find Kaweco Sport pens from Cult Pens, and Shinzi Katoh stationery from Misopaper.co.uk
I have several of these pens looking very cheerful on an office shelf. They are very well priced and compact, and in addition to choosing the nib, you can also buy a mini converter to use any compatible ink. I'm particularly fond of using them with the treasure trove of stationery delights from Shinzi Katoh.
Writing is a joy and a delightful art (as writers, of course, we're inclined to say that). Whether you're looking to write poems, do some journaling or just want to send friends and family kind handwritten notes, Kaweco pens are a great choice.
Paired with some of the colourful stationery from Shinzi Katoh, they will help to make your notes and cards look gorgeous.
Le Puzz jigsaw puzzles
You can buy these jigsaws directly from Le Puzz – a 1,000-piece puzzle costs around £36
These are great fun and so satisfying to do! I love the retro images, and they're very high quality.
Doing jigsaws can be a relaxing mindfulness exercise, but outlets such as the BBC say that puzzles can also benefit your brain, working it like you would a muscle during a workout.
These benefits are great, but when the puzzles also look as good as these ones do, that's even better.
Uniqlo Pleated Wide Trousers
Get a pair of these trousers from Uniqlo (£40)
It seems simple, but I absolutely love these. They come in lots of sizes, are sharp enough to wear to a formal event and casual enough to wear daily. They're also quite comfortable – like you're wearing a pair of trackies. Plus, you can have them altered to fit your body type perfectly for just £3 extra.
It's often said that when you look good, you'll feel good. A great pair of trousers can certainly help with that. These sit higher on the waist, have straight legs and can be machine washed.
They're quite thick, so they're not the best choice for the warmer months. If you choose to get them altered, they won't be eligible for a return.
Don't spend your money on this overrated backpack – we've tested better options.
