The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
By Kaitlyn Brezosky (‘22)
The season we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Only coming once a year, the holiday season is a time to reflect on all the good memories we’ve made and celebrate the joy in our lives, no matter how big or small. It is a time to be spent with the people who matter most to you in life and what better way is there to show just how much you appreciate them than giving them the ultimate gift?
Don’t be intimidated by holiday shopping; there’s no need for a gift to be extravagant. Heartfelt gifts are always the most special and they won’t hurt your pockets! I’m here to help you find the perfect, affordable holiday gift that your family will love.
I understand that it can be grueling to try and scrape together enough money to be able to afford a gift for everyone. If you’re like the majority of teens, you simply cannot. However, don’t fear, that’s what DIY’s are for. DIY’s are quite simple really; it stands for do it yourself. Any parent would be ecstatic to receive a homemade gift from their son or daughter.
My top 3 DIY’s for your mother, or any special woman in your life around the holidays are as follows:
Coming in at number 3 is a holiday mug. Check out these photos from tatertotsandjello.com and pinterest.com! The supplies you will need are a plain white mug, which you can find at the dollar store for only $1, and sharpie markers that cost around $1 each as well. To ensure that the sharpie will stay on, these mugs will need to be baked. For less than $5 you can make a gift every mother would adore!
Coming in at number two is a DIY Christmas ornament. This one is pretty generic. It’s up to you to be an artist and let your creativity shine. Depending on what you decide to do, supplies may vary. Here’s some photos to help spark your imagination.
Number one is slightly pricier than the others, but nonetheless will still save you money. Here's a tutorial from Paradise fibers on how to make a chunky blanket that is just perfect for the cold winter months!
We can’t forget about the men we love most. The next additions to my holiday gift guide are presents for Dad that will knock his socks off!
Item number one is for those of you ballin’ on a budget. Seriously, this one will cost you absolutely nothing. All it requires is a writing utensil, scissors and some paper. A coupon book is perfect for anyone looking to gift something meaningful for Dad, but isn’t exactly sure what to buy. A coupon book is a compilation of coupons made specifically for your Dad, that he can “cash in” at any given time throughout the year. They typically are done by you, and can be for anything he likes, something that would lend him a helping hand in daily duties such as a chore and anything else you wish!
Another great gift for a coffee loving Dad would be a Yeti Mug. This one is a bit more expensive, but is perfect for a working father who loves his coffee. This insulated mug is known for keeping contents hot all day long, making it an exceptional choice for a mug to take to work.
Item 3 on the list for Dad is a winter necessity. When the weather gets cold, it’s important to bundle up. A good quality winter hat will keep you warm, which is why it makes a good gift around the holiday season. If you’re unsure what to buy, you can’t go wrong with a hat. The Carhartt brand is one that I recommend!
If you’re fortunate enough to have a sibling to worry about buying a gift for, I’ve got you covered. If your sibling is a teenage girl, some cheap jewelry, or clothing is probably something they will have on their wishlist. If you can afford it, then that’s great, go for it! However if you find that it exceeds your budget, your sister may also enjoy the chunky blanket DIY I mentioned earlier, as well as baked goods.
Or, if you don’t think this is her style, try a starbucks reusable cup. These cups have grown in popularity tremendously over a short period of time. I see highschool girls with these cups all over, which means they’re clearly all the rage.
Not a Starbucks girl? That’s okay. Something small that I love to receive during the holidays is, as silly as it may sound, some fuzzy socks and chapstick. Trust me on this one. This gift seems like something small, but during the winter, every girl could use a good pair of socks and something to heal her chapped lips. Some extremely comfortable ones that I love are called cabin socks.
If it’s a brother you’re shopping for or a teenage boy, here’s some presents I would recommend. For the athletes, a game like spikeball may be a decent option. In this game, you are able to let your athletic ability, teamwork skills and competitive nature shine.
My second gift for teenage boys that could be for anyone is a “Smell Good” gift set. These gift sets typically include hygienic products like deodorant, body wash, and some variation of cologne. Throughout the years, I have seen many of these sets offered at a discounted price during the holidays.
The final three items in this guide are generic gifts that can be given to almost anyone.
One trending DIY I’ve seen a lot of this year is what’s known as a hot chocolate bomb. They are so festive and fun that anyone would be undoubtedly excited to receive one. A hot chocolate bomb is a hollowed out sphere made entirely of chocolate. It’s core is filled with hot cocoa powder and mini marshmallows. Watch as the bomb melts and your hot cocoa is made after dropping your creation into hot milk. You can add your own touch to your bombs and decorate in whatever way you desire! Here’s an image of what a typical hot chocolate bomb looks like!
The second item in this section of the guide is a scented candle. Candles are the perfect option for anyone’s gift that you are undecided on. There are thousands of scents to choose from. Candles are such a simple way to get into the holiday spirit. This gift can also be a DIY opportunity!
The final item on this guide is a coronavirus protection gift basket. It is important for everyone to stay safe and healthy during the holidays. Some items I would include in my protection basket are hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, hand soap, and blue light glasses to minimize the effect staring at a computer screen will have on your eyes. Be creative with your baskets! Pick out fun scented soaps, hand sanitizers and masks that have patterns you think the recipient would like.
I hope this guide was helpful. Happy holidays and be safe everyone!