Practical $25 or Less Gift Guide(ance) 🏷️

Including a gift so terrible that if someone spent $400 on it for me I'd cut up their credit card and return it in front of them.

If you were getting tested on your gift giving, I’d say this “guide” is more like one of those cheatsheets you can bring into the test instead of the answer key… a jumping off point more than a shopping destination… enjoy!

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I’m someone for whom the holiday season brings a lot of joy and a lot of stress—I’m obviously not alone in that. I’m always worried I’m not buying thoughtful enough gifts, or fancy enough gifts, or straight-up enough gifts. My parents are separated, which means for the past many, many Christmases my brother and I individually get them each gifts. And, as the eldest daughter, I worry about making the holiday as special for my parents as they always make it for us.

Every year I find myself texting my brother on December 23rd telling him I’m running around the city for additional, very random gifts because I feel like we didn’t get enough. And every year he’s like what the hell are you doing. Panic gifts from random places are the worst gifts ever. And I have given so many of them to my family.

I’m also a gift guide hater (to a degree)—from bigger publications, they tend to be soulless and they are ALWAYS getting weirder as they try to stop sounding cookie cutter…

If someone spent $400 on this ^ as a gift for me, I’d cut up their credit card and return it in front of them. Maybe this is a rich person thing I can’t relate to? A chic umbrella would be better IMO.

My point is—if you’re spending a lot of money on something from a gift guide, chances are you should not be spending a lot of money on that thing.

So, here are a handful of gifting idea categories aka gift guidance—almost all $25 or under—as you continue (or start if you’re me) your holiday shopping.

🏷️ Something Fancy & Edible

Last year, I wrote a gift guide last year asking five cool people the best gifts they have been given. Abi Balingit, James Beard Award-winning author of the cookbook Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed (which has the greatest cookie recipe ever—Adobo cookies), said she loves being gifted vanilla bean. That is the inspiration for my first idea: a fancy little ingredient.

A good way to figure out what might make a good gift in this category is: Think of a random thing you might see at the grocery store, want to get because it looks or sounds delicious, and then put back after you see the price tag.

1. Saffron ($11.50)

2. Fancy tinned fish ($$ varies)

3. Sumac ($18)

4. Maldon salt ($10.95)

5. Vanilla bean ($24)

6. Olive Oil ($18)

…You can level up any of these gifts by pairing them with cute tableware (below!), a recipe you love, or a cookbook that you swear by.

🏷️ Something Vintage/Thrifted

Shopping secondhand, you can find a gift for everyone on your list. This also nearly guarantees a unique gift. Below are a few thought-starters of things I’d love to receive, but you can creative! I once had a birthday where a friend showed up with a bag of gifts from a pawnshop, and they were all so fun.

1. Old Kirkland Cashmere ($19+) …Bonus points: get them the Costco cashmere and embroider it with their name!

2. Chrome Cream & Sugar Set ($22) For a coffee lover. Pair this with a bag of coffee you know they love.

3. Vintage Handmade Colored Cabbage Ware Plates, Set of 4 ($30). These are a little over budget, but they seemed too good not to include.

4. A Unique Brooch ($22). Something like this, this, or this. Put it in a cute little box.

5. Pair of 1970’s Felt Stockings ($26). I got a pair of these for me and my husband and I am obsessed. I meannnnnn… There are so many.

🏷️ Something personalized

Get thee to EVA JOAN! I’ve gotten so many gifts embroidered there; it’s a simple way to level your gift up. I also had the idea of getting someone a set of custom paper travel cups ($4.90 ea)—my husband makes coffee everyday and I’d love to give him some “Aaron Cafe” cups, or better yet, a custom espresso mug ($24). You can put all your gifts in a monogrammed mini boat and tote ($25).

🏷️ Something delightful but unnecessary enough that the person wouldn’t want to spend money on it

This is my personal favorite category of gift. I mentioned these last year, but a friend got me these matches nearly two years ago now, and I am still in love with them, though I would not think to spend $16 on matches on my own!

🏷️ Something in the giftee’s daily routine

Last year, I asked for CeraVe, these cotton pads, and Lotion P50 (RIP phenol). This year I’d love some Welda Skin Food or any very minty toothpaste,.

🏷️ A gift card to somewhere you know they love

Yeah I said it! DOWN with the narrative that gift cards are unthoughtful! I love a gift card.