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15 Original Gift Ideas Under €30: Clever French Inventions You'll Love
Looking for an original, funny, useful and affordable gift? Something you won't find in every store, and that won't end up forgotten in the back of a drawer?
Welcome to La Boutique du Futur, where everyday objects have decided to stop taking themselves so seriously.
Since 1995, Stilic Force has been creating original inventions, clever accessories and playful design objects. Some of these creations have even won awards at the prestigious French Concours Lépine invention competition.
Here are 15 unusual gift ideas under €30, designed to surprise, entertain and, occasionally, make life easier.
1. VachàBeurre – €12
The gift that makes cold butter spreadable again
You know the problem: butter comes straight out of the fridge, and your slice of toast turns into a construction site.
VachàBeurre is a small cow-shaped butter scraper made from food-grade stainless steel. It produces delicate curls of cold butter that are much easier to spread.
This French invention won a bronze medal at the 2013 Concours Lépine.
Perfect for: food lovers, breakfast enthusiasts and anyone who has ever lost a battle against a slice of toast.
2. SavOsec – €10 for three
The soap holder that never touches the sink
A bar of soap left sitting in water eventually turns into a soggy mess. It's a problem almost as old as soap itself.
SavOsec is a tiny accessory that attaches directly underneath a bar of soap, keeping it raised above the surface. Water can drain away, allowing the soap to dry more easily.
No bulky soap dish, no drilling, no complicated installation.
Perfect for: solid soap enthusiasts, fans of practical inventions and anyone who would rather spend money on soap than on soap soup.
3. Trump à Beurre – €15
Make Butter Soft Again
Politics divides people. Butter brings them together. Well, almost.
This humorous creation featuring Donald Trump brings an unexpected geopolitical dimension to the breakfast table.
A satirical gift for both supporters and critics of the American president.
Perfect for: lovers of political humour and people who already have everything — except a Trump à Beurre.
4. Babyplane – €10
Here comes the airplane... literally!
"Open wide! Here comes the airplane!"
How many parents have said those words while holding an ordinary spoon?
With Babyplane, the airplane really is there. This clever invention turns mealtime into a little aviation adventure.
Designed by French inventor Nicolas Trüb and manufactured in France, Babyplane received a bronze medal at the 2006 Concours Lépine.
Perfect for: original baby gifts, new parents and tiny passengers who love travelling without leaving their high chair.
5. The Squirrel Nutcracker – €10
A nutcracker with real personality
Why use an ordinary kitchen tool when you can entrust your walnuts to a squirrel?
This charming stainless-steel accessory combines a playful animal silhouette with a practical purpose: helping you crack nuts.
A compact, clever and amusing kitchen gift.
Perfect for: nut lovers, animal enthusiasts and collectors of unusual objects.
6. Zoomeur – €10
A monocle for people who think labels are getting smaller
Manufacturers keep printing everything in smaller and smaller letters. At least that's what people over forty tend to believe.
Zoomeur is a small monocle based on the optical principle of the pinhole effect. It is designed to help with occasional close-up viewing in certain situations.
A minimalist object with no batteries, no electronics and no charging cable.
Perfect for: optics enthusiasts, fans of simple technology and anyone celebrating a birthday after forty.
7. Bagboy – €12
The little gadget that carries your shopping bags
Shopping bag handles have a nasty habit of cutting into your fingers.
Bagboy is a compact, elegant and sturdy bag carrier. It also includes a feature for unlocking certain supermarket shopping carts.
A practical little object that deserves a permanent place on your keyring.
Perfect for: practical people, multitool enthusiasts and anyone responsible for the weekly grocery shopping.
8. URSSUCRE – €15
The class struggle comes to the dinner table
Inspired by Soviet imagery, URSSUCRE is a quirky sugar tong that can also handle ice cubes.
It combines design, nostalgia, history and a generous helping of political humour.
Finally, a revolution that won't overthrow anything except perhaps your cup of coffee.
Perfect for: history lovers, fans of provocative design and collectors of political memorabilia.
9. DécapsURSS – €12
The bottle opener that liberates your drinks
The hammer, the sickle and the bottle opener: the revolution was clearly missing one essential tool.
DécapsURSS playfully reinterprets Soviet symbols as a multifunctional accessory that can also be used as a keyring.
Perfect for: beer lovers, collectors and anyone who appreciates a little historical satire.
10. Vox Populi – €17
The megaphone that needs no electricity
Have something important to say, but nobody seems to be listening?
Vox Populi is an acoustic megaphone that works without batteries or electricity.
A delightfully low-tech way to make your voice heard without worrying about charging it.
Perfect for: party hosts, fans of unusual gadgets and anyone who likes making themselves heard without using electricity.
11. Luminange – €15
Give your light bulb wings
Sometimes a tiny accessory is all it takes to turn an ordinary household object into something poetic.
Luminange adds a pair of wings to a compatible light bulb, bringing a little heavenly charm to your lighting.
Simple, surprising and full of imagination.
Perfect for: housewarming gifts, original interior decoration and people who enjoy poetic design.
12. Qstore – €8
The tiny organiser that frees up your sink
First designed in 1996, this little invention proves that a good idea doesn't have to be complicated.
Qstore is a suction-cup sponge holder that can also hold cotton swabs.
A discreet accessory that helps organise small spaces.
Perfect for: tidy people, small apartments and anyone who appreciates thoughtfully designed objects.
13. Sopmalin – €12
The paper towel holder that needs no drilling
Kitchens often run out of space. Paper towel rolls, unfortunately, don't seem to care.
Sopmalin is a suction-cup holder that lets you install a paper towel roll without drilling holes into your furniture.
Compact, practical and easy to install.
Perfect for: small kitchens, renters and fans of clever everyday solutions.
14. ZéroGravity – €15
Make your everyday objects float
ZéroGravity is a spring-based suspension system that keeps everyday objects conveniently within reach.
This French invention won an award at the 2000 Concours Lépine and offers an imaginative alternative to conventional storage.
Because sometimes the best place to keep your belongings is in mid-air.
Perfect for: DIY enthusiasts, fans of functional design and anyone looking to free up worktop space.
15. STOP Umbrella – €29
The umbrella that tells the rain to STOP
Someone had to think of it: turning a STOP road sign into an umbrella.
With its instantly recognisable graphic design, this umbrella is impossible to ignore.
It protects you from the rain while delivering a message that every pedestrian can agree with: STOP!
Perfect for: city dwellers, lovers of unusual accessories and anyone who wants to bring a little humour to rainy days.
Where Can You Find Original Gifts and French Inventions?
All these objects are available from La Boutique du Futur, a French store dedicated to original inventions, creative design and quirky everyday accessories.
Behind these creations is Stilic Force, a French design company founded in 1995 by inventor and designer Nicolas Trüb.
La Boutique du Futur also has a physical store in Montrouge, just outside Paris.
La Boutique du Futur
18 rue Périer
92120 Montrouge
France
Explore our original gift ideas
Frequently Asked Questions About Original Gifts
What is a good original gift under €20?
A useful and unexpected accessory is often a great choice. VachàBeurre at €12, SavOsec at €10 for three, or Babyplane at €10 are examples of affordable French inventions that make unusual and thoughtful gifts.
What funny gift can I buy for someone who already has everything?
An everyday object with a humorous twist can be the perfect solution. Trump à Beurre, DécapsURSS and URSSUCRE are designed to surprise people and start conversations.
Where can I buy unusual design objects near Paris?
La Boutique du Futur is located at 18 rue Périer in Montrouge, just outside Paris. Its original inventions and design accessories are also available online.
Are there French inventions available for less than €30?
Yes. Stilic Force has been designing original objects since 1995, including several award-winning inventions from the Concours Lépine, such as VachàBeurre and ZéroGravity. Manufacturing locations vary depending on the product.
What is a small but useful gift for a colleague?
A clever accessory for the home or office, such as Bagboy, Qstore or SavOsec, is a great choice. These products combine a practical function with an original design idea.
Where can I find unusual French gifts online?
La Boutique du Futur is an online store specialising in inventive, funny and practical design objects created by Stilic Force, a French company established in 1995.
La Boutique du Futur — Since 1995, inventing things you never knew you needed.