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Posted: 2024-03-04T10:45:07Z | Updated: 2024-03-04T10:45:07Z 30 Affordable 'Little Treats' Under $30 That Our Editors Bought For Themselves | HuffPost Life

30 Affordable 'Little Treats' Under $30 That Our Editors Bought For Themselves

Little treats are for everyone.
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Amazon, Fly By Jing, Uniqlo
L'Occitane moisturizer, Fly By Jing chili crisp and Uniqlo ribbed sock

We all deserve little treats. They help brighten up stressful afternoons at work, long errands and general everyday life while letting us pamper ourselves just a little bit. Little treat culture has gone viral on TikTok for just this reason.

Part of the beauty of little treats is that theyre little. They are not meant to be big splurges that rock your budget. Instead, theyre reminders to enjoy the little pleasures in life, whether thats perfectly soft socks, a luxurious new hand cream or a cute little figurine for your desk.

We asked HuffPost editors what delightful little treats theyve bought for themselves lately, and they did not disappoint. Read on for some of their gems, all of which are under $30 (with some costing no more than $4), including a fascinating twist-to-shred chicken shredder, a surprising number of Mrs. Meyers products (were not mad about it) and a magnesium-packed body serum stick.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
A four-pack of mini mushroom bookmarks
"These dainty little mushroom bookmarks... make me so happy." Lydia O'Connor , senior reporter
2
A two-pack of Mrs. Meyer's scented candles
"To usher in spring, I always buy Mrs. Meyer's lavender-scented candles. They're affordable and the package from Amazon contains two of these great-smelling candles. They fill the room but aren't overwhelming. I love them for early spring/end of winter!" Jillian Wilson , wellness reporter
3
A box of instant Thai iced tea just add hot water and milk
"I bought this pack of Thai iced tea bags!" Erin Evans , senior culture editor

The pack comes with a tea spoon for stirring, too.
4
A colorful pair of finely ribbed Uniqlo socks
"I'm obsessed with these colorful unisex Uniqlo socks, I just got a batch in the mail. They're 4 for $15 and they come in literally 57 colors... They're nice and tall and just the right thinness/thickness." Kristen Aiken , editorial director of Life and Commerce

The socks are available in unisex 811 sizing.
5
A hydrating body serum stick packed with magnesium
"I bought myself this magnesium stick that I saw someone on TikTok recommend its from Ashley Tisdales Target line and its supposed to help with tension/pain. I carry so much tension in my shoulders so Ill just use it whenever Im really feeling tense and it helps and smells amazing." Alexandra Niforos , operations associate
6
A tube of L'Occitane shea butter hand cream
"I looove to treat myself to the big tubes of L'Occitane hand lotion." Lilli Peterson , news editor

It's also available in a smaller size for $13 at Amazon and Ulta .
7
A cherubic Sonny Angel figurine
"This adorable little stocking stuffer has taken the hearts of TikTok users everywhere, myself included. If you're not familiar with the Sonny Angel phenomenon , they are a collection of sweet figurines that come in blind bag packaging and in tons of different series, from animals to baked goods to vegetables. Recently, the company launched their Hipper line, which feature a forever-sticky adhesive so the Sonny Angel can be mounted on any flat surface. I have a few on my laptop and one on my phone case, and I cannot tell you the joy that it gives me everyday when I see it." Tessa Flores , shopping writer
8
Anthropologie
A set of four cherry garnish cocktail picks
"Garnish all your martinis and at-home drinks with this sweet little quad of cherry cocktail picks made from brass and stainless steel. They also come in olives !" Flores
9
A delightful tube of Marvis toothpaste
"If you're not yet aware of the joy that is Marvis toothpaste, know that it's vintage formula hailing from Florence, Italy and packaged in the world's most charming little tube that will look impeccable displayed on your bathroom counter. It whitens and protects teeth from plaque and comes in tons of remarkable flavors like ginger, chocolate and florally jasmine mint." Flores
10
An elegant glass cloche for matches with a strike spot
"If you're a maximalist, you'll probably take great delight in seeing your matches displayed in this ombre glass cloche already equipped with a strike spot and a bundle of sleek white-tipped matches." Flores
11
A chicken and meat shredder
"It has changed how I cook, it makes shredding chicken (something I hate) enjoyable!" Paige Lavender , senior breaking news editor

To use the shredder, just put your meat inside and twist. Amazon reviewers are also obsessed with this find: One reviewer wrote that it "[c]ut my shredding time in half, and the results are perfect every time."
12
An expensive-looking Old Navy button-down
"I am militantly devoted to button-down shirts and Old Navy secretly makes really great ones. They're soft, perfectly oversized and affordable enough that I feel comfortable letting my kids destroy them. Even though I already own three in different colors, I just treated myself to this one for $15. It looks a lot like a MUCH pricier Nili Lotan one that I bought from Nordstrom Rack several years ago." Emily Ruane, shopping managing editor

It's available in sizes M4X and in petite and tall sizes, plus in five other colors.
13
A cozy self-warming pet bed
This cozy bed was a treat for my cat, Bee, but seeing her enjoy it so much makes it a treat for myself, too. This pet bed is surprisingly affordable given how popular it is and how cool its features are. It's designed to reflect pets' body heat using the same technology as mylar space blankets, so your pet will be warm and cozy, no electricity required. I have to admit I was skeptical it would actually do this before buying it, but once I saw how obsessed Bee was with it she now chooses this over my bed and her other cat beds it's clear to me that there's some magic to it. I can also feel how warm it keeps her when I put my hand underneath her while she's in it. It's covered in faux lambswool for extra comfy softness, and frankly I want one for myself. It's available in multiple sizes and in round or rectangular styles, so it can accommodate small and medium sized dogs, too.
14
A soft satin and cotton scarf
"I bought this scarf recently and it's really nice. Keeps me cozy without adding bulk or making me sweat." Greta Geiselman, senior workplace and security director
15
A ceramide-rich hydrating facial spray
"I got this Curel spray for my face, which is dry like a desert! Moisturizing day and night wasn't enough, so now I also spray this on a few times a day and it adds a surprisingly effective layer of moisture on my face! And it takes no time! Its $15. A little treat for my face." Aiken
16
A bottle of Mrs. Meyer's hand soap
"[A] small luxury I allow myself because I wash my hands too much." Sara Boboltz , reporter
17
Some travel-sized Mrs. Meyer's hand sanitizers
"I bought some travel Mrs. Meyer's hand sanitizers recently too and dropped them in all my bags." Evans
18
A mini "blind box" gourmet snack vinyl figurine
"I bought myself three of these recently as a little treat. They're ridiculous and a splurge (even though they're only $11) but now that I have an anthropomorphic grape soda, bag of cheese balls and pack of gum sitting on my desk keeping me company while I work, my life seems exponentially better!" Noah Michelson , editorial director, Personal
19
A classic children's book
We went to a book sale at our local library last week and I shopped until I effing dropped. The book one that I was most excited about was 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' It was one of my favorites growing up and so far my kids seem pretty enthralled by it, too. Ruane
20
A spool of rainbow 3D printer filament
"I bought some cool rainbow 3D printer filament to print these Fidget cubes that my family is obsessed with, can probably print 20 of these for $20 of filament." Chris McGonigal , senior photo editor
21
A trio of flameless LED candles
"I went glamping in a fancy trailer for my birthday that had battery candles in the bedroom. I've always been anti anti-electric candle, as I love the smell and ambiance of a real one, but I felt so delightful falling asleep to the flickering light, like an old-timey sea wench or something. There was just something really soothing and spa-like about falling asleep to (fake) candlelight. I just got this little trio that literally has a remote I can use from my bed for actual regal vibes. If you have trouble winding down to go to sleep, I would try getting a flickering fake candle." Griffin Wynne , shopping writer
22
A tin of Smith's Rosebud Salve
"I come from a long line of little to no makeup wearers and yet we all foam at the mouth for this versatile rose salve (and often put it in each others stockings at Christmas). I use it all over my face, love it around my eyes and can use it I guess as like a 'highlighter' kind of (on tip of nose and cheek bones) as it catches the sun. The tin makes it feel vintage and a lot fancier than it is and its super easy to carry around in a bag." Wynne
23
Fly By Jing
A jar of spicy Sichuan chili crisp
"If you struggle to cook/feed yourself because of depression (as do I), I have learned the name of the m-f game is sauces and general toppings. They instantly transform otherwise plain foods like eggs or those microwave-packed of rice, making it feel like a full and unique meal. For the spice heads in the room, I cannot recommend Fly By Jing's Sichuan chili crisp enough, I literally put it on everything and it makes me look forward to having a little snack even when my appetite is off." Wynne
24
A snuggly plush throw
"For my housewarming, a dear friend got me a super snuggly plush throw blanket that I've been wearing like a cape non-stop. It was such a sweet gift that brings me so much comfort (emotionally and like literally tactical) and it feels like my friend is giving me a hug whenever I snuggle under it. It made me realize that a little fuzzy blanket is kind of the ideal little treat to get yourself or to give a friend. Because it's just a throw, it doesn't need to match the rest of the house, and honestly, I really like the look of a bunch of mismatched cozy throw blankets around. I keep one in my office chair, one on my bed and a few by the couch." Wynne

This throw blanket comes in silver, blue, teal and pink.
25
Wax Buffalo
A nourishing roll on fragrance
"I discovered this little roll on perfume on the Listen to America bus tour stop in Lincoln, NE, at this adorable store." Kate Palmer , executive editor

Palmer recommended the blood orange scent . It's also available in eight other scents, including rosemary + mint and sweet tobacco.
26
Smallflower
A refreshing and softening sea salt soap
"These are my favorite." Palmer

You can use this to cleanse your body and face, or even as a shaving soap. It promises to last longer than other soaps due to its dense, mineral-rich composition.
27
Capri Blue
A fragranced car diffuser set
"I bought these for my car recently and love it." Palmer

The set comes with a reusable car diffuser and four cult-favorite 'Volcano ' fragranced reeds.
28
Girl Scouts
A box (or two, or three) of Girl Scout cookies
"I also recently bought some Girl Scout Cookies! Thin Mints, Tagalongs and a new s'mores flavor that I love." Ruane
29
Barrio Drive
A cool print whose proceeds support DACA renewal applicants
"I just bought an inexpensive print that I'm excited to get! Proceeds go to a fund to assist DACA renewal applicants." Matt Shuham , national desk reporter
30
Rituel de Fille
A customizable sample set of Rituel de Fille makeup
Rituel de Fille is one of my favorite makeup brands; it's founded by two sisters and uses natural ingredients to create products that are meant to feel magical. They live up to the hype: Their products are truly unlike what you'll find anywhere else, with unique, nuanced shades and buildable formulas that let you have fun with your makeup and still look professional at work or at dinner. One of my favorite things about Rituel de Fille is their commitment to accessibility. They offer this $15 customizable sampling set so you can try out five different products and shades without having to commit to buying a full-sized product first. Then, perhaps coolest of all, they provide a $10 discount for whatever full-sized product you buy from your sample set up to 90 days after your purchase. I tried this cool sheer yellow "Wasp " balm that is surprisingly subtle and pretty on cheekbones and lips, plus a taupe "Intuition " blush that has knocked my socks off. Each sample is supposed to last two uses, but I've found that my samples last me far beyond that, providing me with 15 wears.

Before You Go

HuffPosters Said These Under-$25 Impulse Buys Will Pay For Themselves
The Chom Chom reusable pet hair remover(01 of18)
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"The Chom Chom! If you have pets, its a must. It saves me from having to vacuum my couches daily to get all the fur off. Love my Chom, worth every penny!" Jennifer Hershey, Facebook (credit:Amazon)
A stylish reusable Baggu carry-all(02 of18)
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"I impulse bought this big strawberry Baggu reusable bag last year and I have used it soooo much since then, whether for laundry or shopping trips, etc. The pattern is so cute." Alexandra Niforos,HuffPost operations associate (credit:Baggu)
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi plugs(03 of18)
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"[A colleague] convinced me to buy them when I was editing her story on it for Prime Day , and now I have bought many more! The way it 'pays for itself' is that every time I leave my apartment and realize I have left on my air purifier or my Christmas lights, now I can turn it off with my phone and save on my electricity bill!" Kristen Aiken , head of HuffPost Life

These handy Kasa smart plugs allow you to turn your home electronics on and off from anywhere so you never have to waste money on your electric bill after forgetting to turn off your fan or lamp again. An added perk? By being able to turn lights off and on while you're gone, you can make it look like you're home even while you're on vacation.




(credit:Amazon)
Some super-soft Hanna Andersson pajama pants(04 of18)
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"I'm so obsessed with Hanna Andersson pajamas that I'm doing the opposite of gatekeeping: I'm instead preaching to anyone who will listen that these are the absolute best PJs ever. They're like slipping into freshly washed sheets, every night. And they're also super affordable, making them an inarguably worthwhile impulse buy.

"Hannas are deliciously soft, made of breathable organic cotton that gets even softer the more you wash it. Their true magic, in my opinion, lies in the fact that Hanna Andersson primarily manufactures childrens clothes and pajamas . This makes their adult pajamas extra soft and smooth, the kind of high-quality rib knit designed to please even picky, sensitive children. It follows that this kind of fabric for adults, who no longer get to wear the seamless, soft clothing of their youth, is simply luxurious. I wear my four pairs so much that they've more than paid for themselves." Haley Zovickian , shopping writer

These PJ pants are currently 40% off, so take advantage of their under-$25 sale price tag while it lasts.
(credit:Hanna Andersson)
A two-pack of rotating LED GE nightlights(05 of18)
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"I had always assumed nightlights were for children who struggled with a fear of the dark. But when a previous roommate wordlessly put a nightlight in our apartments shared bathroom, I quickly realized how subtly revolutionary these practical little gadgets are. I absolutely loved never having to turn on the overhead light late at night, so I could actually fall back asleep after a bathroom trip. I now swear by my these for my bathroom, kitchen and dark staircases, so much so that once I moved into a new place, I, too, wordlessly bought and plugged in nightlights of my own.

"These ones are light-sensing, so they stay off during the daytime and light up at dusk when a room grows dark. I love how they rotate a full 360-degrees so you can direct their light directly to where you want it (I like to concentrate the light above my sink), plus theyre sleek enough that youll have room to utilize the outlets above or beneath them." Zovickian
(credit:Amazon)
A portable pill organizer trio(06 of18)
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"One day I got hit with a migraine while I was out without access to my Excedrin one too many times, and I decided it was time to invest in (read: impulse buy) these portable pill holders. They've quickly become one of the most important items in my bag, and I don't go anywhere without them. They make me feel prepared for basically anything.

"They're convenient, secure and surprisingly chic thanks to their sleek, minimal design, so I can use them while I'm out without feeling self-conscious. I use the six smaller compartments for a.m. and p.m. medications, and the two larger ones for vitamins and medicines for headaches, nausea, allergies, etc. Ive even carried them through TSA many a time without an issue. Since they come in a set of three, I'm able to keep one at home, one in my car and one in my tote. I swear by them." Zovickian
(credit:Amazon)
A six-pack of Affresh washing machine cleaning tablets(07 of18)
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"Washing machines need cleaning, too, and these Affresh tablets do the job with just a toss into your washer. I'm obsessed with the results and love how they're essentially effortless. Definitely one of my best impulse buys this year I wish I'd taken the plunge sooner." Zovickian (credit:Amazon)
An electric rechargeable lighter(08 of18)
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"Im a big-time candle gal regardless of season, which means that over the years Ive had to find creative ways to stock up on and subsequently store a large volume of matchbooks. But if were being honest, theyre not exactly convenient or safe when trying to light deep candle jars or get the stove or a grill going...Im pleased to report that this simple, affordable and easy-to-use USB-compatible Surprus lighter is an absolute game-changer...[it's] portable, convenient, lightweight and intuitive. All you do is slide open the safety lock and press a button that ignites a spark. The lighter has an auto-stop safety function that stops the spark after seven seconds, and can swiftly be re-ignited by pushing down on the switch once more. As a worrier, I appreciate that it has an intuitive, thoughtful design that emphasizes safety." Lourdes Avila Uribe , HuffPost senior shopping writer (credit:Amazon)
A bestselling pair of gardening shears(09 of18)
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"I love having fresh flowers in my home, but have been oddly resistant to purchasing real gardening shears. I figured it was only something you needed for big backyards or gardens. But after ruining several pairs of kitchen scissors I finally bit the bullet and snagged this popular pair of gardening shears and my world will never be the same again. It's so much easier to trim stems and branches without risk to life and limb. It's such a simple item but one that I know is worth its weight in gold. I use it weekly and it's as good as it was on day one over a year ago." Uribe (credit:Amazon)
A pineapple corer(10 of18)
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"A pineapple corer. It takes 2 minutes and [is] worth the $10." Casey O'Co, Facebook

This handy stainless-steel pineapple corer can quickly de-core and slice pineapples, and is dishwasher-safe.
(credit:Amazon)
A two-pack of Lazy Susan turntables(11 of18)
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"Lazy Susan for my pantry (and my fridge). Saves time and money!" Rebecca Siegel Burstein, Facebook

These non-slip turntables can help keep your pantry, fridge, vanity or other shelves organized, with all your items easily accessible. They're available in various colors.
(credit:Amazon)
A three-pack of Purse Hooks(12 of18)
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"Purse Hooks! Toss one in every damn bag, they are so convenient for when you're at a coffee shop or restaurant and suddenly have nowhere to put your bag or jacket except the floor." Lilli Peterson , HuffPost news editor

These purse hooks sport anti-slip mats so you can hang them off coffee shop, bar or restaurant tables while you're out and your purse will never have to touch a dirty floor. They're tiny enough to fit easily in your bag and can also be used for hanging coats. You may also appreciate that you'll be able to keep your bag or jacket right in front of you, instead of at the back of your seat where they can fall or be exposed to theft.
(credit:Amazon)
The Rocketbook smart notebook(13 of18)
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"The Rocketbook notebook. I take notes in church on the sermon - it helps keep me focused. The Rocket Book has the option to uploading the page, but I generally just erase. Has saved me a ton of money on journals that I would just set aside and never look at it again." Sandra Riek Gill, Facebook

This smart notebook allows you to take pen-to-paper notes as you normally would, which you can then send to your email, Google Drive or cloud of your choice. Once the notes have been digitized, you can just erase the page with a damp cloth and start over. It's available in two sizes and various colors.

(credit:Amazon)
A two-pack of 10-foot charging cords(14 of18)
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"A 10-foot iPhone charger cord is ALWAYS needed." Noah Michelson , editorial director, HuffPost Personal

These extra-long iPhone chargers are designed with fast-charging capability and sport durable, bendable braided nylon cords to help ensure their longevity.
(credit:Amazon)
A "Cooking For One" cookbook(15 of18)
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"I recently got this $22 cookbook 'Cooking For One' and I feel like it's paid for itself in cutting back on my food waste!" Lydia O'Connor , HuffPost senior reporter (credit:Amazon)
The Drunk Elephant Baby Bar travel duo(16 of18)
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"This travel-size drunk elephant cleanser/exfoliator duo is $22 and lasts forever! It's great for travel to cut back on liquids." O'Connor

The pack includes two mild mini cleansing bars, a moisturizing Pekee Bar and a lightly exfoliating JuJu Bar , to take care of all your skin needs. They're formulated to be used together or apart. The set also comes with a bright traveling case.
(credit:Drunk Elephant)
A concrete toothbrush holder from a Texas-based Etsy shop(17 of18)
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"It's borderline embarrassing that it took me so long to order one of these, but after about a year of piling my (and my kids') toothbrushes on top of each other in the bathroom cabinet ew, right? I decided there had to be a better way to store them. (For context, our bathroom has zero sink or counter space.) I hit Etsy in search of a toothbrush holder and speed-ordered the first serviceable one I saw this minimal one made from cast concrete and available in a variety of colrs and I am so glad I did. Our toothbrushes line up so nicely in our cabinet now. This Texas-based maker offers single holders in a variety of shapes , the double one pictured here, and the one that I ordered, which has space for four toothbrushes . We use bamboo toothbrushes like the ones in this image, but my husband uses an electric toothbrush and the small plastic heads fit perfectly in the holder, too." Emily Ruane, HuffPost shopping managing editor (credit:Etsy)
A sturdy key organizer(18 of18)
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"My husband suggested this key organizer (he has a different version but works the same as this)." Paige Lavender , HuffPost breaking news editor

This practical, sleek leather key organizer houses two to seven keys so you can keep them by your side without having to hear them incessantly jangle or deal with them scratching your things. It's designed to hold up through snow, wind, dust and rain, and can also hold key fobs. It's available in up to seven colors.
(credit:OrbitKey)

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