The holidays are upon us again, and with them comes the question of what you’re going to get your family member, friends and co-workers for the holidays. That’s where this gift guide comes in.
We’ve selected 16 popular gifts this year that are sure to be a hit with everyone in your life that covers several price points and range in price from about five dollars up to a couple hundred. We've also included some links to help you get the best deals on these items, as well as some advice to afford gifts at different price points. Enjoy!
Stocking Stuffers:
Reusable Steel Straws
One of the popular eco-trends of the year has been reusable drinking straws. Stainless steel straws aren’t just better for the environment; they also lend your drink a touch of class. You can pick these up for about $5.
Where to find the best deal:
If you’re trying to get the best deal on steel straws, your best bet might be to buy in bulk or wholesale. If you’re planning on gifting sets of these straws to a lot of people, this can be a great option. Amazon sells wholesale steel straws, but you can also find good deals on https://bulkstainlesssteelstraws.com/
Fun Socks
Almost everyone loves fun socks. Whether you’re rocking a pair of warm, fuzzy socks or a foot-hugging Merino wool and spandex blend, socks have rocketed to the front of public attention. You can find some fantastic socks at Knight’s Chamber or Tangerine at Wild Flowers for anywhere from $10 to $30, depending on how fancy you’d like to get.
Where to find the best deal:
Fun socks are also cheaper to buy when you buy them in bulk, so you can get a good deal if you plan on giving out socks to several different people on your wish list. Amazon is still one of the best places to get some good deals on fun socks.
Multi-tool
Thanks to the rise in popularity of Every Day Carry (EDC) items, keyring multi-tools have become commonplace in pockets everywhere. They’re fun little items that never stop being useful, and they range from small pieces of metal like the Gerber Shard to 9-in-1 tools that almost deserve their own carrying case. These range in price from $5 to $3.
Where to find the best deal:
There are a lot of online stores that sell low-priced multitools. Unfortunately, many online stores only sell low-quality knock-offs of existing multitools, so be careful.
If you want the best deal, the Night Ize DoohicKey only costs $4, and is a 5-in-1 tool with a carabiner clip that easily attaches to your keychain.
Sphere Ice Molds
Silicon sphere ice molds are a fun gift that makes any drink seem that much cooler (no pun intended). You can get them almost anywhere for around $10.
Where to find the best deal:
While you can expect to spend $10 for most spherical ice molds. Amazon has a couple vendors that sell them for less. Your best bet is this vendor, which sells spherical ice molds for $7.
How to Afford These Gifts:
The best part about the stocking stuffers is that you won’t break the bank when you buy them. However, make sure you set a budget for what you can spend on these. Five dollars here and there can add up quickly!
Gifts $50 and Under:
Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Mug
If you have a coffee or tea drinker in your life, get them this mug. It keeps your preferred beverage hot or cold for hours, and it has a spout lid to prevent spills when you’re on the go, and it’s made of stainless steel. You can pick this mug up for around $30.
Where to find the best deal:
The best price we found for a Hydro Flask Coffee Mug was at REI Co-op, which is selling them for $23.
Smart Plug
If you want to make someone’s life easier, get them a smart plug, such as the WeMo. When you connect a device like a lamp or a space heater to a smart plug, you can control it remotely with a smartphone app or link it to a smart speaker and control it with your voice. You can find these for around $20.
Where to find the best deal:
If you’re looking for a good deal on smart plugs, Walmart is selling a pack of four smart plugs for $29. It’s worth noting that Amazon is also selling a pack of Alexa smart plugs for $29.
Bespoke Post Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are fun ways to give your family something they’ll love all year long. Bespoke Post has become extremely popular in the last couple years. They have plenty of options available for men and women, and each box costs $45 with a membership, or $55 separately.
Where to find the best deal:
The Bespoke Post website itself has several deals on products, offering up to 65% off some items.
Dash Mini Rice Cooker
This rice cooker is small, convenient and good for much more than just rice. You can also cook stews, pasta and soups, among several other meals. It’s also very simple to use, so even people who prefer to avoid the kitchen won’t be afraid to use it. This rice cooker retails for around $20.
Where to find the best deal:
You can save a few dollars on the Dash Mini Rice Cooker if you go to Kohl’s, where it is on sale for $15.
How to Afford These Gifts:
These kinds of gifts are ideal—they won’t send you too far into debt, and the people you get them for will get a lot of use out of them. However, you’ll still need to be mindful of what you spend.
One of the best ways to do this is to set a limit before you even start shopping. How much are you going to spend on each person? How much will you spend in total?
After you’re finished, withdraw that amount from your bank account, keep it in an envelope, and only use that amount to buy your gifts.
Also, you should be able to find some good deals on items at this price level and above. Make sure to do some comparison shopping to find the best deals. You can also use browser extensions like Honey, as well as apps like Shopular and ShopSavvy to figure out where to get the best prices.
Tech Gifts:
Smart Speaker
Smart speakers are becoming more and more commonplace, and you can use them to do anything from play music to control your home’s temperature. Get an Amazon Alexa or Google Echo for around $30 -$50, and take a giant step into the 21st century. If your household is more Mac-oriented, you can also purchase the Apple HomePod for $230.
Where to find the best deal:
You probably won’t be surprised that you can get the lowest price on an Amazon Echo Dot speaker at Amazon itself, who is selling it for $25. However, you can match that price at both Target and Best Buy.
Nest Video Doorbell
Knowing who is at your door won’t just help you avoid unwanted guests—it’s also a good way to make your home more secure. These retail for $229 and can be found at most big box stores.
Where to find the best deal:
If you want to get a good deal on the Next Video doorbell, Walmart is currently selling it for only $179.
Wireless Earpods
Wireless earbuds have exploded in popularity over the last couple of years. Apple’s new Airpod Pro earbuds are currently the most popular, but many non-Mac people love the Powerbeats Pro and Jabra Elite 75t.
Where to find the best deals:
Unfortunately, the Apple Airpods Pro are so new that the chance of finding a deal is pretty slim. However, several online stores are more than happy to sell Airpod Pro knockoffs, so be careful for any deal that seems too good to be true.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches available. It features easy access to fitness information, medical-grade health features and even a noise app that monitors decibel levels. It retails for $429.
Where to find the best deal:
Currently, Best Buy has the best deal on an Apple Watch. You can buy it on their website for only $384
How to Afford These Gifts:
Many tech gifts are expensive. As such, you’ll probably be using your credit cards to buy these items.
When you use a credit card for holiday, remember to come up with a payment strategy and avoid using the cards with the highest interest rates if you can at all help it. You should also make sure you’re sticking to the amount you budgeted out beforehand. You might be tempted to spend more than you’ve budgeted, but resist the temptation.
Toys:
ImagiNext DC Super Friends Transforming Batmobile R/C
ImagiNext toys have a high level of interactivity, and when you combine that with the inherent coolness of the Batmobile, you have a toy that kids everywhere will enjoy. This Batmobile transforms from car to “battle mode” and features a remote control that lets your child drive the vehicle. You can buy it for $63.
Where to find the best deal:
Target, Walmart and Amazon are all selling the ImagiNext Transforming Batmobile R/C for only $59
LOL Surprise! Amazing Surprise
If you have a child who loves opening up an LOL Surprise doll, this will make their day. The Amazing Surprise box contains 14 dolls and over 70 accessories. The LOL Surprise! Amazing Surprise retails for $98.
Where to find the best deal:
You can save a few dollars on the LOL Surprise! Amazing Surprise if you buy it from Amazon, where it’s being sold for $95.
Lego Mars Research Shuttle
Legos are a perennial favorite of children, and this playset will give your children the chance to build a research space shuttle and Mars rover. They’ll be sure to get hours of fun from this playset, whether it’s constructing the shuttle or building their own creation. This set retails for $32.
Where to find the best deal:
While the Lego Store sells the Lego Mars Research Shuttle for $40, many other stores, such as Target, only charge $32 for the playset.
Nintendo Switch
The Switch is Nintendo’s latest offering to the video-game world, and it has become incredibly popular thanks to the fact that it’s both a home system and handheld system. It’s extremely versatile, and retails for about $320.
Where to find the best deal:
You can save some money on the Nintendo Switch if you buy it from Target, where it’s only $299.
How to Afford These Gifts:
When it comes to toys, many parents want to get their children every item on their letter to Santa, including the hottest toys of the season. Remember—as much as you may want to get your child everything, you shouldn’t do it if you haven’t put that much money in the budget. Instead, make sure your child prioritizes their list, and try to focus on the one or two most important toys to your child.
You might also want to spend some time with your child and impress on them that Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are all about spending time together with the people you love. Getting presents may be nice, but it pales in comparison to the joy of giving and the joy of being around one another.
