Is this free crowdsourcing ideas that are going to be regurgitated into a PCmag article or something?

If you're up for doing work and going bargain hunting for broken keyboards to salvage parts from then you could make a macro-pad(there are other designs besides 4x4, but I like this one). Instantly gives way way more than $25 value with minimal spending.

I like making keyboards otherwise, and you can get a nice set of keycap under your price limit if you're willing to buy from Aliexpress. Or maybe a couple of artisan keycaps.

You can get magsafe attachments for a phone or tablet. You can get a wallet or kickstand attachment. Phone cases can be decent gifts too.

I buy all my electronics secondhand now and there's great value to be had. If you're ok with gifting used things in excellent condition, then I recently got a couple of top tier game controllers for a bit more than your budget (Flydigi Vader 4 Pro for £26 and a Gamesir Cyclone 2 for £28). Also needed an extra set of speakers for my garage gym and got a secondhand Logitech x230 speaker 2.1 system for £22 and it punches way above its weight.

Depends on what your friends are interested in. I would be very happy with a gift of a gigabit switch.

USB C chargers are always handy, and you can get a branded 65W PD laptop charger within your budget on eBay.

If they have a Steam Deck or something then there are plenty of accessories (holders, stands, cases, etc).

Remote with keyboard and wand mouse would be pretty cheap.

Chinese mice from AliExpress are now top tier. Or could get a cheap trackball if preferred.

A FLIRC USB dongle is $25 and makes your TV IR remote work with your media PC.