Neat Gifts for Newlyweds—Twenty Bucks or Less

I don't know about you, but I've been invited to 4 weddings that took place within the last month, and I know it won't stop there. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, which means wedding season is well on its way. If you need some gift ideas for the newlyweds, you've come to the right place!

Most newlywed couples are fairly young, which means their close friends are probably fairly young, too. Fairly young often means fairly poor (or at least it does in my case). That's why everything on this list is $20 or under.*

If you are looking for a nifty gift that both practical and unique, this is the list for you. If you are a newlywed, these might be items you didn't think to register for. Either way, this is a list of useful stuff that won't break the bank.

OXO Good Grips Adjustable Measuring Cup. A.K.A. measuring cup for sticky stuff—great for corn syrup or peanut butter, but you can also use it to measure ingredients like flour and water. I love a multitasker! This will adjust to any measurement you need up to one cup. These come in adjustable two cup and ⅛ cup sizes as well. Available from Amazon for $6-12 (depending on size). A similar measuring cup is available from Pampered Chef, if you prefer.

Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin. This rolling pin makes it easy to roll dough to a uniform thickness. Plus, the one with multi-color discs is cute (it also comes in grey and putty color schemes). Available from Amazon for about $20.

Norpro Flexible Cutting Boards. I love these babies. They make it easy to cut, transport, and pour ingredients. Set of 3 available from Amazon for about $6.

AccuSharp Knife Sharpener. The newlyweds might get some nice cutlery, and they'll want to maintain those sharp edges. This sharpener is recommended by America’s Test Kitchen. I always trust recommendations from ATK. Available from Amazon for about $9.

Microplane Zester/Grater. Completely awesome for zesting lemons or grating nutmeg. It will also give you super-fine shreds of parmesan cheese. It will feel like you are at the Olive Garden...except this isn’t the grater they have at the Olive Garden. Even so, this is a truly magical tool. Available from Amazon for about $13.

Ball Plastic Storage Caps. Since Mason jars are all the rage, why not get some storage caps for those suckers? These plastic caps are great for fridge or freezer storage, and they won’t rust. They come in both regular and wide-mouth sizes. Set of 8 available from Amazon for $3-4.

Perfect Grip Nail Clippers & Tweezers Set. Everyone uses nail clippers, but not everyone will splurge to get some nice ones. My sister and brother-in-law like this set. He says these clippers are easier to grip with his pudgy fingers...er...large man hands. Available from Drugstore.com for about $6. I’ve also seen them at Walmart.

Folding Board. Just like Sheldon Cooper’s. This is a neat tool for perfectly folded clothes with no hassle. Available from Amazon for about $8.

Kikkerland Hedgehog Dryer Balls. These little guys replace dryer sheets. They reduce static and improve airflow in the dryer. Use them over and over again. You can find plain dryer balls that serve the same purpose, but these hedgies are so darn cute. Set of 2 available from Amazon for about $7. Puffer fish dryer balls are available now, too!

Personal Library Kit. This one is a little quirky. The set includes self-adhesive pockets and check-out cards, just like a real library! It also comes with a pencil, adjustable date stamp, and ink pad. Perfect for merging his and her book collections (or his and his or hers and hers as the case may be). If you’re not a true book lover, you won’t see the appeal. If you are a bibliophile, you want one yourself. Available from Amazon for about $12.

Pilot G2 Pens. The new couple will have a lot of thank-you notes to write, and these pens are reliable. A bit pricey, but they last a long time and write consistently. Plus, the newlyweds can buy ink cartridge refills instead of buying more pens. Savings! Box of 12 available from Amazon for about $14. Of course, smaller packages are available for cheaper. I’ve seen these pens at Target, Walmart, Staples, and Office Depot. I linked to the 0.7 mm tip size, but they are available in 0.38 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1.0 mm also. Sometimes you can find them in fun colors, too.

Postage Stamps. Also for thank-yous. Sometimes the small things are the nicest to have around. Booklet of 20 available for under $10 from USPS.

Happy Gifting!

*Please let me know if any of these prices have changed, and I will update this post. Thanks!