The Best Affordable Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for a holiday gift guide! Something about this time just brings so much warmth and joy into my life, and I’m sure your lives as well.

Between baking cookies, watching movies, cuddling up with a cup of hot chocolate, and just being around loved ones, what’s not to like!?

One of my favorite parts of the holidays has to be giving gifts. There is something so special about watching someone you love open up a gift that you picked out for them. Way more satisfying than receiving! (Most of the time..)

Even though giving gifts can be so much fun and extremely rewarding, it can also be pretty dang hard. Whether you’re shopping for siblings, parents, or your friends, coming up with gifts isn’t always an easy task.

I’m going to be giving my affordable holiday gift guide for college students, siblings, and even parents, that will ease the stress of the holidays! Hint the key word, afforadable.

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An AFFORDABLE Gift Guide

You guys know that I’m all about inexpensive, but still efficient products. You can check out my Amazon beauty essentials and kitchen essentials blog posts that share some more of my favorite, affordable items!

Most of us are college students and do not have the funds to be spending hundreds of dollars on gifts for our loved ones. That would be amazing, but it’s just not realistic.

When making this list, it was really important for me to keep it affordable. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at holiday gift guides, just to see that the cheapest item was $80. Nope, not about that life.

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Holiday Gift Guide for College Students

Disclaimer: Some of the following links are affiliate links, meaning that at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase.

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While I’m not sharing all specific products, I’m just going to be giving a generalized group of products with a few suggestions!

All of these gifts are great for your college friends, siblings, and anyone you think would enjoy these products!

1. Masks

Never did I think in my lifetime I would be talking about surgical masks rather than skincare masks. I guess this one should come at no surprise this year…

It doesn’t seem like masks are going away anytime soon, so we might as well make them cute! These are a great gift for honestly anyone in your life. Here are some masks from Amazon that I LOVE.

2. Planners

You guys know that I love my planner (read more about my planning tips here!) The holidays are the perfect time to receive a planner, because it’s the start of a new year.

Having a pretty planner is a great way to get motivated for school, work, or whatever is going on in your life. After all, when something is cute, it’s more appealing to use!

A lot of planners can be pretty pricy, but I’ve found one that is affordable, efficient, and nice to look at.

3. Self-care

You can never go wrong with self-care. This is a pretty broad subject, so you can really get creative with it.

Some of my favorite self-care items are face masks (the beauty ones), candles, hair masks, essential oils, and body creams. I’ve linked my favorite ones that you can purchase online, but TJ Maxx and Lush have great products in stores that are reasonably priced!

4. Gift-cards

Gift-cards can have its pros and cons. They’re great because whoever you’re giving them to can use them whenever and how they want. On the other hand, they’re not very personal.

Regardless, they can always be appreciated and work in a pinch. Some places I would be ecstatic to receive gift-cards from are Trader Joe’s, TJ Maxx, Bath and Body Works, Starbucks, Target, or Lulu Lemon. Your friend’s favorite restaurant would also be a great option!

5. Cozy accessories

The holidays are the best because of all the cozy clothes and accessories. Nothing is better than snuggling up on a winter night in a fluffy sweatshirt, fuzzy socks, and a warm blanket.

I know that these aren’t always the cheapest, but American Eagle has great sweatshirts at reasonable prices. Fuzzy socks are always an inexpensive go-to, and TJ Maxx has great fleece blankets! No one would be upset about these gifts.

6. Self-help books/journals

Everyone can benefit from journaling and a good self-help book. Journaling can seem scary, but there are so many with prompts out there, that it does all the work for you!

Journals and self-help books are great resources to use and go back to, even if you’re not “struggling.” They are great to discover new things about yourself and learn some tools that will just help you live a better life.

Some great journals and self-help books are The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal, Let That Sh*t Go, You Are a Badass, and She’s Still There.

7. Tech accessories

If you know that your friend has a specific iPhone or AirPods model, getting them a cute case is a great idea that would definitely be appreciated!

Another great accessory are stickers! Laptops with stickers are super cute and a fun way to change up the look of it. Redbubble has awesome stickers for computers and usually offer discounts when you buy multiple.

8. Food

Food is a great and cheap option. You can make a nice little basket with all your friends favorite snacks and candies! Super simple, delicious, and well-appreciated.

9. Dainty Jewelry

I am OBSESSED with dainty jewelry. My newest obsession are gold hoops that I wear in each of my three-hole piercings and cartilage piercings. It seems that whenever I buy hoops, they always tarnish because I like to shower with them and never take them off, which isn’t always the best.

I’m always directed to websites with hundred dollar earrings, but no one has the time or money for that. The earrings from Danae are affordable, super cute, and don’t tarnish! I’ll link the gold hoops and evil eye huggies I got from them. Ana Luisa and Made by Mary also have gorgeous pieces!

10. Workout Gear

If your friend or family member is into health and wellness, they may appreciate some new workout gear!

I absolutely love these leggings from Old Navy, the Free to Be Bra from Lulu Lemon, this lightweight running jacket from Amazon, and the Adidas Questar Ride Running Shoes.

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Holiday Gift Guide for Mom

Shopping for moms can be tricky. Here are some general ideas that most moms will absolutely love!

1. Candles

Have you met a mom that doesn’t have 1,400 candles in their house? Nope… just mine? Bath and Body Works and Target have the best affordable candles that will have your house smelling absolutely amazing.

2. Kitchen tools

Anything that can make their life in the kitchen easier is always appreciated. Some of my personal favorites are lemon squeezers, dishwashing gloves, and a vegetable chopper. If you have the means for it, an air fryer, juicer, or blender would also go a long way!

3. School apparel

You can never go wrong with this one. Check out your college’s website and treat them to a nice sweatshirt, hat, t-shirt, or car magnet!

4. Jewelry

I feel like most moms enjoy getting jewelry for a gift. At least my mom does! Target, TJ Maxx, and Francesca’s all have great affordable options that are also super CUTE!

If you’re looking for some higher-end pieces, Ana Luisa, Made by Mary and Adina’s Jewels have great options that will last a long time.

5. Anything homemade

Cue Pinterest! This is always a solid go-to when you really don’t have much money to spare, but still want to give your parents something meaningful.

I’ve gone this route before and have baked for my mom and made a picture collage. Pinterest has a whole array of ideas for homemade gifts.

6. Water bottles & travel mugs

Every mom is on-the-go and loves their coffee travel mugs. Target has really awesome mugs and travel cups that moms can use if they’re going to work, or even working from home now.

Some other great brands are Hydroflask, Yeti, S’well or W&P.

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Holiday Gift Guide for Dad

This is the hard one. As a 23 year old female college student, I have no idea what a grown man wants to receive for Christmas.

My dad is always so gracious with what we give him, so here are some things that I’ve given him in the past that he’s loved!

1. Snacks

You can’t go wrong with this. My dad is a huge fan of trail mix and peanuts, so any kind of holiday mix is always a winner. Trust me, every man will be excited to receive food. Target has really good snack mixes that are holiday-themed!

2. Echo Dot

I feel like all dads love Alexa. We have an Echo Dot in our kitchen, and my dad is always asking it questions and having it play music.

These are surprisingly affordable and actually make a really great gift. They’re great for dads, but honestly anyone could benefit from one of these! You can ask it questions, set timers, play music, and so much more.

3. Toolbox

Not too familiar with this, but most dads will appreciate something they can use to fix up around the house. This website has a great list that offers some affordable “fixer-upper” gifts that dads will love!

4. Puzzles

My dad is a huge fan of puzzles, especially in the colder months. If your dad is a puzzle guy too, check out Amazon for some inexpensive fun puzzles! You can also get some accessories for them like a puzzle frame if you’re feeling crazy.

5. Drinking accessories

Kind of going with the travel mugs, but digging a bit deeper. A convenient gift that can also be made funny are beer sleeves. Some are sleek, but you can definitely find some funny ones that can be made into a joke.

6. School apparel

Yup, dad will love this gift too! This is always a go-to when you really can’t think of anything that your dad will always appreciate and wear proudly.

7. Socks and clothing

My dad always seems to be running out of socks. Head over to Target and pick up a pair of socks, some plain t-shirts, and maybe a nice pair of sweatpants. The basics are always well appreciated!

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I hope that this holiday gift guide is helpful and can point you in the right direction for your holiday shopping! Any friend, parent, sibling, or significant other would be happy to receive one of these gifts.

And remember, it’s the thought that counts. No amount of money can compare with a gift that is well thought out and comes from the heart. I know, I know, so cheesy.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

xoxo

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