Gift Guide #1 (simple spending gifts)

Gift Guide: Simple Spending for around $20 for those around 20.

 This is the first post of wonderful series! I’ll be having DIY gifts, cheaper price range gifts, and higher end gifts too. I will also recreate some of the suggested gifts and post pictures later on! I hope you enjoy!

 The Gift for a Sophisticated Lady

—A decorative tray: No, it does not have to be $34. They have a great variety for under $5 everywhere. I’ve seen some cute plastic ones at Daiso and also some faux glass or nickel ones at the Dollar Tree!

[Assuming you buy it at one of those places,]

[Decorative tray… $2]

[running total: $2]

—A dainty or stylish cup and glass: this pair is sweet and simple, but also useful— anyone can appreciate these! Again, it does not have to be $24, that was just the best set in the picture data base. You can buy a simple set at Target, Daiso, or the 99c Store!

[Assuming you buy them at one of those places:]

[Decorative tray… $2]

[Stylish cup… $1]

[Matching plate… $1]

[running total: $4]

—A package of coffee or tea mix: K- Cups are awesome and are a $9 for a 12- pack, but a delicious and even more inexpensive alternative can be tea bags or the cans of ground coffee beans for half the price.

[Assuming you buy one of those alternatives:]

[Decorative tray… $2]

[Stylish cup… $1]

[Matching plate… $1]

[Tea/ Coffee… $4.50]

[running total: $8.50]

—A book: these can range in price, but most books would hit around $10… My mom prefers audio books so I plan on creating an audible account for her, which I believe will give you one free purchase for signing up! If that’s not always the case, apps like 8tracks offer a free book or get a referral— one user I’ve heard mention audible is actually Shane Dawson on Youtube so you can click through his description box for that deal! You can print a picture of the cover for presentation and fill the back in with the audible account details!

[Assuming you choose the free audiobook:]

[Decorative tray… $2]

[Stylish cup… $1]

[Matching plate… $1]

[Tea/ Coffee… $4.50]

[Book/ Audiobook… free]

[running total: $8.50]

—A sweet treat: this depends on preferences and quantity. Loads of ladies are gaga over french macarons, but they can get pricey, especially when they average at $2 each, which doesn’t sound like much, but to a college student like me, it is! Buying a simple cupcake or a few cookies for the same price would be much more filling. “More bang for your buck”, but if the recipient truly loves macaroons, it couldn’t hurt to get a couple if you have a little spare cash.

[Assuming you choose a heartier treat:]

[Decorative tray… $2]

[Stylish cup… $1]

[Matching plate… $1]

[Tea/ Coffee… $4.50]

[Book/ Audiobook… free]

[Sweet treat… $2]

[running total: $10.50]*

*I believe that you can just present it sweet & simply on the tray so there is no additional cost for wrapping or packaging.’

The Gift for Any Man

—“Hear good”: most guys I know enjoy speakers or headphones for some reason so one for their phone would be a nice gift whether they’re going to blast music for a party, studying, exercising, etc. They range in price from super cheap at a few dollars to hundreds… The latter half of the spectrum is not in a college budget and buying one that costs $2 may not be reliable so just purchase an $8 one at Target or Walmart or online, it’ll work fine and last until the next year, at least!

[Assuming you find the lower end kind:]

[Decent speakers… $8]

[Running total… $8]

—“Smell good”: don’t lie, you know most people enjoy a man that smells good so help him out and get him some type of cologne or body spray! You could even buy him Axe for maybe $5-6 or some cheaper stuff. As long as it smells nice, it’s a go!

[Assuming you find a basic but nice smell:]

[Decent speakers… $8]

[Body spray/ Cologne… $5]

[Running total… $13]

—“Look good”: a guy has to have his hair product whether he uses it daily or just on some occasions, he’s going to need a good go- to product. I found a nicely priced one on Walmart.com for a 3- pack and it had a high star rating by customer reviews! I’m going to split the cost of the 3 because they probably sell it individually in the actual store.

[Assuming you find a small individual size:]

[Speakers… $8]

[Body spray/ Cologne… $5]

[Hair product… $2]

[Running total… $15]

—“Feel good”: guys stress more and just enjoy massages most of the time so a massage tool is a simple and useful gift for them! They have so many at your typical stores or even Pier 1 which has higher priced items has them for only $5… You can find them for just $2 at Walmart or Target!

[Assuming you find one at the cheaper stores:]

[Speakers… $8]

[Body spray/ Cologne… $5]

[Hair product… $2]

[Massage tool… $2]

[Running total… $17]

—“Taste good”: everyone loves food and many guys I know enjoy taking protein and whey and all of that fitness stuff so a protein bar is nice, filling addition… Clif bars actually taste good and are only about $2! Even if the guy you know doesn’t take those supplements, he might enjoy it or you could just buy the equivalent in other goodies.

[Assuming you find one:]

[Speakers… $8]

[Body spray/ Cologne… $5]

[Hair product… $2]

[Massage tool… $2]

[Snack… $2]

[Running total… $19]

[+ plain wrapping $1… $20]

A Gift for Any Gal

—A nice lippie: lip products can make your face pop even if that’s all you’re wearing. There are so many drugstore brands that provide good quality and color for a low price. ELF, NYC cosmetics, and Wet n’ Wild would be a few.

[Assuming you go for the lower end drugstore brand:]

[Lip product… $2]

[Running total… $2]

—A cute makeup bag: this doubles as your gift packaging and gift. The one above is from H&M online.

[Assuming you find a well- priced one in person:]

[Lip product… $2]

[Makeup bag… $5]

[Running total… $7]

—A sweet bracelet: it adds to the bag and gives a fuller appearance. The variety is a basic way to make it seem like you’re giving more than you really are! You can find cute accessories anywhere for any price, averaging at $6 for a bracelet at the typical stores most girls visit. The one above is from Claire’s!

[Assuming your store has less expensive jewelry:]

[Lip product… $2]

[Makeup bag… $5]

[Bracelet… $5]

[Running total… $12]

—A pretty palette: every girl has to dabble in eyeshadow at one point so hook a sister up with a good one she can easily repurchase if she hits pan! Wet n’ Wild has some of the best for a few dollars in drugstore lines, hands down.

[Assuming you find a well- priced one in person:]

[Lip product… $2]

[Makeup bag… $5]

[Bracelet… $5]

[Eyeshadow palette… $3]

[Running total… $15]

—A fragrant rollerball: a girl should smell good and I personally think lots of girls like to have a signature scent. Forever 21 has this one rollerball for $1.50 that smells great and has the convenience of a marker size!

[Assuming you find one in stock:]

[Lip product… $2]

[Makeup bag… $5]

[Bracelet… $5]

[Eyeshadow palette… $3]

[Rollerball… $1.50]

[+homemade card… free]

[Running total… $16.50]