Christmas decorations have been up for weeks and I started making my holiday playlist on Spotify... it's official - the Christmas season is upon us. Lots of us will find ourselves scratching our heads over what to get certain people on our gift lists. Office gift exchanges, family parties, dinner parties with friends - occasions where you need something between a stocking stuffer and a gifty-gift. And then there are the people that fall into a miscellaneous category (baby/pet sitters, regular delivery people, hair stylists, etc.), while you could lump those all together into the "gift card" category, wouldn't it be more fun to let me hunt around for other ideas that might inspire you to think outside the gift card box?
This week I'm bringing you Cheap Thrills that might help you deal with those hard-to-shop-for holiday gifts, without resorting to a ho-hum box of chocolate or a tired old coffee mug. There's a big list ahead, hold on to your candy canes!
Since I went a little cuckoo with the list, I decided to group them into categories to make it easier to sort through. Keep an eye out for online deals going on, sign up for mailing lists to receive coupon codes and exclusive sales. And don't forget to sign up with Ebates to earn cash back when you shop online!
Men
The trickiest category for me! The gents in my life don't always make it easy, but I search high and low to try to find at least a stocking stuffer that will put a smile on their face.
How cool is this?! Of course, you might have some ladies on your list that would enjoy this little speaker, and why not? Less than $30, for your own little cube shaped boom box, totally radical.
Even if they aren't smokers, some fellas might like this pipe shaped match striker, what's more manly than using your brute strength to create FIRE?!
Jack Black Hand & Lip Duo - Sephora $12 ($18 value)
Sometimes cologne and grooming products might be a little too personal for casual gifts, but this hand and lip duo from Jack Black is a good choice without getting too awkward.
If the guy you're shopping for is a fan of grooming products, this might be your blockbuster gift. Birchbox Mex has launched! For now, it's a one time box chock full of goodies for $45. Unlike the regular box, you'll know exactly what this one will include - click on the link for the full description, you'll be impressed!
Gekkota Pocket Knife - CRKT $29.99
Every guy I've ever dated has had a pocket knife, I don't know if they're assigned them at puberty or what, but lots of men like these things. This one is manly and also kind of cute - it can hang on a key chain and has a blade, screwdriver and bottle opener. CRKT is offering free shipping on any order over $25, woo!
Ladies
Only slightly less tricky to shop for (for me) are the women in my life! I rounded up a few fun items that work for the various kinds of chicas in our lives.
This little guy is portable and rechargeable, with a 3 hour play time so you can take your dance party anywhere you go.
Tough but cute, just like all my favorite ladies! This ring fits over two fingers and packs a mean dose of adorable. I want two.
I adore Stila Lip Glaze (my shade of choice is blackberry, fyi), this set is an amazing deal for only $25! If someone on your list is a lip gloss fanatic, this has her name written all over it.
Totes are a great gift - they're handy to have around, are unisex, and there's no need to worry about the right size! This one is from Mod Cloth and is in a nice large size, big enough to use as a book bag or take to the grocery store. If bicycles aren't your giftee's thing you can create your own at sites like Vista Print, which always has awesome deals on personalized totes.
Sephora has some craaazy deals on Stila Palettes, this one is my favorite because it comes with my beloved Lip Glaze. You get four eye shadows, a blush, a bronzer and the Lip Glaze, all for $10! The other palettes are $9, great stocking stuffers for the beauty mavens on your Christmas list.
These are a much cuter alternative to a booooring box of See's Candy! They flip open to reveal a mirror and come in chocolate or strawberry, small enough to keep in your purse or desk so your gal pal can gaze at herself all she likes.
Foodies
Chefs, bakers, fryers and mess makers, we've all got friends who like spending time in the kitchen cooking up delicious calories for us to gobble up.
Fresh ground pepper? I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this, I'm fairly certain you will be known as the coolest person ever once your foodie friend unwraps this.
This set comes with three molds of Star Wars vehicles - Jedi’s Knight’s X-Wing Fighter, Darth Vader’s Tie Fighter and Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. William-Sonoma is offering free shipping through December 4th with all orders, just use the code SHIP4FREE.
Let your OCD friends chop-chop-chop to their hearts content! Perpetual Kid has a 10% savings on all orders using the code SAVINGS at check out, and 20% savings plus free shipping on orders over $100 (use the code CYBER).
What are the holidays without a little creepiness? Fred Flare has these cookie stampers that will let your baker friend bring a little morbid fun to their next batch of holiday treats.
Co-Workers (and Misc. folks)
Cardboard sleeves are just more unnecessary waste, let your friends keep their drinks warm with these crocheted coffee cup cozies instead. Much more pizazz and personality than the boring sleeve millions of other people have on their morning (noon, afternoon and night) coffee.
A gift for men or women that's thoughtful and budget friendly, what more could you ask? Burt's Bees puts some of their best products in this kit for your hands and feet. Help your friends and co-workers battle winter skin with this TLC gift set.
Hugh Jackman's coffee company has some tasty coffee (yes, I've already ordered some of my own), your caffeine fiends might enjoy this gift set that includes their house blend, called 184, and a Laughing Man mug. The company donates all proceeds to charity, so you can give while you give!
I always think it's a good idea to keep extra gifts on hand in case you run into surprise gift situations - if someone gives you a gift and you don't have anything specifically for them or you run into someone you weren't expecting to see. These little lollipop pens are just the thing! Only $5, and they're cute and festive. Plus, the person you gave it to will think of you every time they pick up their pen.
Charlotte raved about her Vapur in her giveaway post, and now I'll rave about my Bobble. My friend Ayrabeth turned me on to them, and I love it as my office water bottle. They look cool, and save me major bucks on bottled water. Share the love with this gift set from Target, which includes a bottle and a cool insulated lunch bag.
Rawr! Spice up your co-worker's cuppa tea with this super fun dinosaur tea infuser from Fred Flare. Don't get mad if they can't stop making Godzilla noises every morning, okay?
How's that for a holiday gift giving kick off? If there are any other ideas you guys have, leave them in the comments, I'd be happy to see more ideas! Until next time, my lovelies...
Naughty candy cane by Natalie Dee
This is by far my favorite edition of cheap thrills! Love it! I totally just bought the star wars pancake molds lol. Thanks alot jerk! I also have strongly been coveting the HK ring and the Gingerbread Skeleton stamp! NOthing like chewing on Dead Mens Bones...MMM Ryan Gosling and Dead Man's Bones
ReplyDeletealso, i forgot
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P293611&categoryId=C10214&shouldPaginate=true
is an amazing deal on TooFaced On the Prowl kit which would be great for any makeup lover!
I had that Too Faced deal on my original list, but I had to edit it down. I KNEW you'd find it though, you go glenn coco!
ReplyDeleteI want that darn bow ring! Oh and the trex tea holder - saw it in person the other day and its adorable! And everyone should have a bobble - hydration is one good way to keep away dull winter skin
ReplyDelete