Can you believe it? Another holiday season is around the corner! It feels like summer just arrived on the scene, and now we’re a couple of months away from hot cocoa, knit sweaters, Hallmark movies, and all that seasonal shopping. It’s hard not to embrace the festive holiday spirit, but let’s be honest: finding the perfect gifts can be quite a chore. And that’s why this Gift Guide exists—to take the stress out of shopping, so you can focus on spreading cheer to those you love most. From the trendiest gifts to the top in-store and online selections, to practical money-saving tips, here’s all you need to know for a successful haul that covers everyone on your list. Step aside, Santa Claus: a new holiday gift expert is coming to town this year!
Table of Contents
What to Give All Your Family and Friends
We all have that one friend or family member who fits into a niche that’s hard to shop for. If you could use an extra dose of inspiration to score the most meaningful items for all those unique personalities in your life, look no further than this curated list below (PSA: each gift idea is less than $40, so your wallet can smile too!).
- For the techie: Amazon 4th Generation Echo Dot ($35). This tiny smart home device is also eco-conscious, with its recycled fabric, plastic, and aluminum design.
- For the gourmand: Chefman Compact Air Fryer ($36). This kitchen essential is perfect for a foodie who wants to create healthier versions of their fried favorites.
- For the mixologist: UncommonGoods Flavored Simple Syrups ($30). This set of four botanical infusers will give at-home cocktails a delicious, aromatic finish.
- For the creative: Dellabella Soy Wax Candle Making Kit ($17). This DIY bundle comes with all the materials for that crafter on your list to dip their candles.
- For the fashionista: Pearich Stackable Rings ($14). This five-piece set of 14-carat gold stackable rings is the perfect, stylish fusion of trendiness and elegance.
- For the bookworm: Dozyant Bamboo Bathtub Reading Tray ($29). This personal book stand will let literary fans catch up on a novel while soaking in the bathtub.
- For the traveler: LinkedWin Our Adventure Book ($28). This vintage journal inspired by the Pixar film Up is what any globetrotter needs to store their memories.
- For the audiophile: Tuinyo Wireless Headphones ($28). This sleek pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones will turn an errand run or work commute into a concert.
- For the wellness lover: Skin Gym Facial Roller ($28). This self-care tool activates the natural energy of rose quartz to improve skin health and reduce tension.
- For the sports fan: YouTheFan NFL Grilling Set ($36). This trio of BBQ utensils can be customized with any football team’s logo for the ultimate game-day cookout.
Where to Score the Best Quality and Prices
As recent projections from Salesforce indicate, consumers will start holiday shopping earlier this year, driving some retailers to roll out their seasonal discounts well before Black Friday. Whether in-store or online, here are a few retailers with the best sales and selections to help you locate the perfect gifts for affordable costs:
- Amazon: This e-commerce giant is an obvious choice due to its enormous inventory, fast shipping, and an “Epic Deals” sale that will be available as soon as October.
- Etsy: This creative marketplace is the ultimate destination for custom artwork, jewelry, clothing, home décor, or other unique gifts you just can’t find anywhere else.
- Uncommon Goods: This online retailer is exactly what it sounds like—a place to score quirky, personal, one-of-a-kind gifts at “uncommonly” reasonable price tags.
- Target: This fan favorite retailer is a one-stop shop for every possible gift on your list—plus, the clearance section (in-store or online) is always full of hidden gems.
- Best Buy: This electronics retailer is where you’ll want to shop for those tech junkies in your life (FYI: Black Friday preview sales are projected to launch in October).
- Zappos: This online fashion store makes it easy to snag all the top trends in clothing, shoes, jewelry, or accessories—there’s also plenty to choose from for under $50.
- Look Human: This novelty shop will ensure that your gifts are far from generic with tons of quirky pop-culture-themed shirts, coffee mugs, stickers, artwork and more.
- Macy’s: This department store not only has a massive selection, but its discounts are on point, too—check out the Last Act tab on the Macy’s website for deep savings.
Bonus: Thrifty Hacks for a Budget Shopper
According to a recent survey, more than a quarter of Americans regret how much they spent over the holidays in 2021, and 40 percent still make payments on some of their holiday purchases in 2022. If this describes your financial situation—or you just want to score gifts on the cheap this year—don’t sweat it. This season can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Just follow these thrifty hacks for a budget-conscious holiday haul:
- Start as soon as possible. Don’t wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Beat all the crowds, scope out the pre-season sales, and give yourself a head start on shopping, so there’s plenty of time to recoup the costs over these next few months.
- Think outside the (gift) box. Not every present needs to be a material item bought from a store. Get creative and resourceful with your gift ideas. Is your friend passionate about social justice? Surprise them with a donation in their name to an organization they care about. Does your sibling love outdoor activities? Take them on an adventure to a local nature preserve or hiking trail. Could your parents use a date night? Cook and serve them a romantic dinner for two. Cheap and memorable—that’s a win!
- Do a Secret Santa exchange. If you can’t afford to shop for every friend or family member, coordinate a Secret Santa exchange for the whole crew. So rather than maxing out their budgets on everyone, each participant only has to focus on just one gift. You can also set a spending limit (under $50?) to cut the costs even further.
- Give a meaningful experience. Sometimes money is better spent on lasting memories than on shiny new objects. It’s fun to unwrap a gift, but experiences feel more special and meaningful. So treat your loved ones to an outing curated just for them.
Thrill Your Family and Friends with this Official Holiday Gift Guide
No matter who you’re shopping for this season, these tips and tricks will set you up to give Santa Claus a run for his money. No need to stress over the expense and hassle of holiday shopping—this Gift Guide has you covered!