'Foolproof' nail kits and 'Holy Grail' gloves: 11 gifts for $50 or less, recommended by CNBC staff

You don't always have to splurge to make a gift feel thoughtful.

Some of the most appreciated presents are $50-or-less items that genuinely make life easier — a manicure set that's more convenient than going to a salon, a weekly meal planner that actually gets used or a pair of stylish sunglasses that don't break the bank.

If you're looking for gifts that fit that description — perhaps as a stocking stuffer or for a Secret Santa exchange at work — here are 11 inexpensive-yet-practical picks recommended by CNBC staffers.

Price: $15 or less

I love the look of a gel manicure, but hate how they make my natural nails feel. These semi-cured nail strips from HeyHae are my new favorite solution. I apply them and go for a walk to let them cure in direct sunlight (you can also pop them under a UV lamp). After a few minutes, they harden so you can trim and shape them to your nail.

They've lasted me almost two weeks without peeling or chipping, and some hot water and coconut oil pops them right off. Their foolproof designs have been great for my nails and wallet.

— Jennifer Liu, Senior Work Reporter

Price: $17.35

I cannot write or live without Pilot's G2 Ultra Fine Point Premium Gel Roller Pen (0.38 mm). I have packs in my desk at work, in my kitchen drawers at home and spare ones in every bag I own.

I buy them mostly out of vanity: The pens make my my twirly handwriting look neater, and the ink is smear-proof (even for a lefty like me). They're also comfortable to write with, so much so that I get cranky when I have to use any other kind of pen. A pack of 12 lasts me the entire year — I use every pen until the ink runs out.

— Megan Sauer, Success Reporter

Price: $17.50

After years of scrawling grocery lists on notepads and Post-It notes, I purchased a meal planner from Rifle Paper Company on a whim. I've always been the type of person who believes buying a new notebook will magically improve my life, despite knowing it's, well, just paper. But this pad has definitely made things easier.

I'm able to visually plan out my meals for the week while simultaneously making a grocery list. Perforated edges make it easy to separate the list from the rest of the page, so I can hang my plan on the fridge.

Plus, it's pretty, which never hurts in making chores more palatable.

— Emmie Martin, Money Editor

Price: $24

I've been using the Lagenu Oatmeal Shampoo from Pup Studio NYC for my maltipoo, and it's worth every penny. The results are salon-level.

The natural ingredients, like biotin and aloe vera, are gentle enough for sensitive skin, and there are no harsh chemicals. After every bath, his coat is soft, fluffy and smells heavenly!

— Vanna Ben'Ous, Senior Editor, Contributors

Price: $25

A definite must-have for me for the summer (or really any sunny day) is Goodr sunglasses. Finding a decent pair of sunglasses has always been a pain for me. They're either ridiculously expensive or have cheap non-polarized lenses.

Goodrs are affordable, fun and stylish, and they actually stay on my head without feeling like they're cutting off the circulation to my brain.

— Zach Green, Video Producer

Price: $25

As someone whose job involves sitting down and staring at a screen approximately 90% of the time, futzing around the kitchen and doing something with my hands besides typing and clicking feels like an epiphany. It's probably why I find cooking and baking so therapeutic.

But baking in particular also rewards precision and care. So, I bought myself a kitchen scale, the same top pick from Wirecutter my parents and brother already owned. I can now measure the exact number of grams of flour, sugar and anything else going into the bowl rather than hope that what I scooped, leveled or packed is close enough. It helps me get the right consistency and results I feel more confident sharing.

— Stav Ziv, Contributors Editor

Price: $30

I take my Matador pocket blanket with me everywhere in the summer. It's about the size of an iPhone, but unfolds into a tarp large enough for two adults to sit on. The small size makes it easy to throw into my bag and have ready for a spontaneous park hang or bring along for a dry place to sit during a hike. Plus, it's super easy to clean.

— Emmie Martin, Money Editor

Price: $32

Hot summers in New York City are bad enough, but it's somehow worse on the subway platforms, where poor air circulation and a lack of air conditioning routinely push temperatures past 100 degrees. Tired of the sweaty commutes, I finally picked up a portable neck fan this summer — and I've got to say, it actually works.

The model I use has a strong, quiet motor that keeps my neck cool and my hair dry. It's less effective once temperatures top 100 degrees, but still a big improvement over the handheld electric fan I was using and much better than nothing at all. These days, I use it often when I'm outside in the heat.

— Mike Winters, Money Reporter

Price: $35

The one desk item that I'm willing to splurge on is my planner. I am very picky. I need a planner that has plenty of space for my daily to-do list — a monthly calendar just isn't enough. It also has to be big enough for normal handwriting and a pretty cover is the cherry on top. This spiral-bound planner from Paper Source has helped me stay organized all year.

— Sophie Caldwell, Associate Work Reporter

Price: $48

I balked at the price of the K-18 AirWash Dry Shampoo when I first saw it — $48 is a lot of money to spend on a hair product like that. But now that I've tried it, I'm never going back to regular dry shampoo.

To put it simply, the K-18 AirWash is magical. It's damp when it sprays onto your hair, but within about 30 seconds, any oil that was there is completely gone. My hair feels fresh and clean every time I use it and it doesn't leave a chalky residue like other dry shampoos.

Also, it lasts a really long time. I've used this product every other day for months and there's still a lot left in the bottle.

— Ashley Turner, Director of Social Media

Price: $50

After two years of of searching, I finally found my Holy Grail of gloves. My qualifications are twofold:

1. Warm enough for hourlong winter walks, particularly in the fingertips.
2. Thin enough to maintain dexterity, so I can tie up my dog's poop bags without having to take my gloves off.

The Craft Sportswear ADV Lumen Hybrid Gloves have optional mitten covers — warm, fleece-lined ones — which helps them check my first box. I stow the mitten covers away, quickly popping them into a pocket on the backs of the hands, when I need to clean up after my dog or give her a treat.

An unexpected bonus: They're available at REI, so you can try them on before you buy them, an oft-forgotten perk in today's e-commerce age.

— Cameron Albert-Deitch, Success Editor

CNBC Make It independently determines what we cover and recommend in the "Worth the Money" section. Opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

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