Dec. 10, 2014
By Vesna Brajkovic
Giving the perfect gift can either be the easiest or most stressful part of Christmas. No matter how well you know someone, there’s still a chance you’ll get stuck. This gift guide will give you some ideas for the perfect, personalized gifts for the special people in your life.
For the traveler
→ Monogramed Passport Cover & Luggage Tags ($29 & $10)
Send off your family and friends in style. Pottery Barn offers leather passport covers and luggage tags that can be monogramed for an additional $8. The best presents are personalized, so I suggest tacking on the extra cost to make it that much more special.
→ Scratch Off World Map ($24-$34)
Scratchmap.org, as well as Urban Outfitters, sells a poster-sized world map that allows you to scratch off (similarly to a scratch card lottery ticket) the countries that you’ve been to. This works great for students who have or will study abroad, international students or students who have an itch for travel.
→ Heart Map ($10)
Long distance relationship? Studying abroad? If you’re up for a simple DIY project, and want to show someone how much you care, buy a road atlas and sew a heart around your city and theirs with red thread. Connect the two hearts by sewing a line of thread between them.
For the musician
→ Engraved Guitar Pick ($25)
Search on Esty.com for “engraved guitar pick.” Whether you go for wood or metal, make sure the shop owner has an engraving feature. Have them personalize the guitar pick to say their name, your special nickname for them or a short lyric. Every time they play they’ll think of you. Take it an extra step and get a wood guitar pick case for it.
→ Portable Speakers ($30-$200)
Depending on quality and brand, the price range can vary greatly. This is one gift that can easily be a chance to splurge on your favorite person.
→ Headphone Splitter ($13)
Trying to share one pair of headphones between two people can be challenging. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the person in your life who loves sharing their music with you.
For the girly girl
→ Jewelry Candle ($25)
If she loves jewelry and candles, this gift is the best of both worlds. Hidden inside of each candle is a piece of jewelry valued anywhere from $10 to $7,500. As the candle burns the jewelry, wrapped in a protective bag, is exposed. The fun part is finding what’s inside days after Christmas. Find this gift at Jewelscent.com
→ Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette ($30)
Cater to the makeup lovers with this compact all-matte, neutral eye shadow palette. It’s the perfect fit for anyone’s makeup collection. Stop by your local Sephora to purchase the popular palette.
→ UV Gel Nail Polish Kit ($30)
Do they love nail polish? Think they have too much? No such thing. Eliminate their need to go to the salon for gel nail polish with their own at-home gel nail kit. They can be found from various brands at Walgreens and Walmart stores.
For the sports buff
→ Nike Elite Basketball Crew Socks ($16)
These popular socks make great stocking stuffers and are sure to be a hit as they’re a popular trend among young adults.
→ Gatorade Squeeze Water Bottle ($10)
You can’t go wrong with a practical water bottle. This inexpensive gift is one anyone that plays sports is sure to appreciate. It can stand on its own or can be added to another sports-related gift. Like game tickets, or a sport team themed tie-blanket.
→ Engraved Coaches Whistle ($23)
If they’re a coach or referee this is a thoughtful gift that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Have their name engraved in a coach’s whistle and it will be a keepsake they will treasure forever. Search on Esty.com for “Personalized Whistle Engraved Coaches Gift.”
