Holiday Gift Ideas

I am getting this post up later than I had anticipated, but the last few weeks have been crazy busy and I just started (and finished!) my gift shopping this past weekend…whoops! If you are a last minute shopper like I was this year, here are a couple of gift ideas that might inspire you. To support cost savings initiatives, all gifts are under $50.

For the Lipstick Lover:

If you have any makeup lovers in your life, makeup sets are the best way to go during the holidays because they are such a great value. There are many, many wonderful sets to choose from. This one is the Best Bite Rewind gift set from Bite Beauty, sold for $29 at Sephora. Bite has wonderful, pigmented lip products made from food-grade ingredients, and any lipstick lover would love to receive this set for Christmas.

For the Hair Lover:

Any girl who loves taking care of her hair will love the brand Living Proof, a luxurious brand that makes your hair feel wonderfully silky. There are a lot of sample-sized Living Proof sets at Sephora. The one above is called the Full Volume & Body Boosting Travel Kit and you can find it for $39.

For the Hardworking Mom:

Obviously, this gift isn’t just for moms. I call it the gift for the hardworking mom because my mom, as well as many of my coworkers who are mothers, say they have dry hands from washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. etc…not that I’m saying all mothers have dry hands. This L’Occitane Hand Indulgences gift set, for $32 CAD, is an indulgent treat for anyone whose hands deserve a little TLC.

 

For the Homebody:

For any of your friends who enjoy staying in more than going out, there are a lot of things you can get them for gifts that will give their home a special touch and make it feel more cozy  – vases, pillows and throws, candles, as well as prints they can keep in their office or room. I’ve seen prints like the one above from $10-$50 in places like bookstores, markets, and on Etsy. The print and the faux fur throw above are both from Chapters (the throw above is $99, but you get the idea…Costco has some really nice throws for under $50.)

For the Hostess:

If you have any friends hosting Christmas parties this year, they deserve more than just a bottle of wine, which is likely what everyone else will be bringing to the party as well. If they are hosting the party, chances are they enjoy hosting parties, and it is the perfect opportunity for you to get them beautiful tools they can use for the events they throw – monogrammed cutting boards, cake stands, and mugs would be some great ideas. These cute Kate Spade glasses, sold in a set of 4, can be found at The Bay or on http://www.katespade.com for $50.

 

For the Dude:

Let me start off by saying that I am really bad at getting gifts for men. While most girls have a wish list the length of an anaconda, guys never seem to want anything. However, I find that most guys appreciate practical gifts. This Jack Black Jet Set Traveller is perfect for guys when they travel – they can still have a shaving routine while on the go without having to fit large jars and tubes of skincare into their suitcases. If you have a whiskey lover in your life, the on the rock whiskey glass, which comes with an ice ball mold, is a pretty cool gift. Other inexpensive gift ideas for men include books, movies, or you paying for a fun experience together like Paint Night or a cooking class.

 

DIY:

Photo from http://www.lovegrowswild.com

 

Hot Cocoa Mix

This is not a novel idea, but it’s a cute idea. If you want to go the DIY route for your gifts, put some hot chocolate mix into a jar, along with some of your favourite hot chocolate toppings. For an extra personalized touch, make your own label or tag for the jar. You can do the same thing with ingredients for a cookie recipe, which I have received as a gift before  loved! There is a great how-to for hot chocolate at lovegrowswild.

Photo from http://www.herbsandoilsworld.com/how-to-make-homemade-sugar-scrubs-with-essential-oils/

Sugar Scrub

Similar to the Hot Cocoa Mix idea, you can DIY a sugar scrub and scoop it into a jar as a simple gift. Mix 1 cup (more or less depending on how big your jar is) of brown and/or white sugar with 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 cup of your choice of olive or coconut oil. As an added step, add a few drops of an essential oil to personalize the scent, which can be fun when you choose a different scent for everyone you’re gifting this to.

 

Jewelry

For anyone good at making things, jewelry that you made by hand is a wonderful and thoughtful gift to give a friend. I’ve received some homemade jewelry as gifts myself, and I’ve always appreciated the gesture and effort it took!

There are many, many more ideas out there, but I better stop here otherwise this post would turn into a book!