Holiday inexpensive gift guide
By Neha Dheen
December 3, 2022
Image Credit: freestocks for Unsplash
The season of giving is just around the corner. Every dorm, apartment and house is blasting Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. The holiday spirit is stronger than ever and this can only mean that the list of gifts to get for friends and family is never-ending. Yet college students are not afforded the luxury of spending hundreds of dollars on gifts. But you don’t need to go bankrupt to bring a smile to someone’s face. All you need is good intentions, a couple of dollars and our carefully curated inexpensive gift guide.
For all the makeup lovers out there, Colour Pop has eye shadow kits and palettes with stunning colors for under $20. Ulta Beauty is also selling a makeup box that includes eyeshadow colors, brushes, lip colors and more for only $29.99. The face value is $180. For more, Sephora has a whole section for “beauty under $20.” Pair these beauty products with this makeup eraser that removes all makeup with just water. And it’s only $12.
To go above and beyond, pair these inexpensive makeup items with personal care products. This sleep kit from Ulta comes with a satin scrunchie, make-up removing cloth, mirror and sleep mask. The perfect tools to get unready. This 18 pack hand cream set and The Ordinary’s hydrating Hyaluronic acid will amount to a total of only $30 and will keep your skin moisturized during cold winter days. Freshman public health major Noa Blumenthal said she would get a self care package from Target for her friends. But if you want your gift to be more personal, Blumenthal said a thoughtful necklace for a close friend would be a hit.
For the creative in your life, grab this $12 plain tote bag from Amazon that they can customize themselves with paint. Festive socks and scented candles are also a crowd pleaser, especially during the holiday season, sophomore computer science major Tejas Iyer said.
Amazon is the hot spot for cheap tech items during the holiday season. Your tech enthusiasts friends will be over the moon upon receiving these gifts. The Yootech wireless charger ($12) is a convenient tool to charge your devices without creating clutter. If you want to be even fancier, get a phone stand that doubles as a charger for only $20. Make every shower singer’s dream with this waterproof bluetooth speaker, so they can live out their Lady Gaga dreams while lathering up.
Have any chefs in your friend group?. This mini waffle maker is cute, portable and practical for only $12. Whether it be the perfect banana bread or lasagna, every chef needs a recipe book ($7.89) to note down their scrumptious creations. If you want to add a personalized flair, try this personalized charcuterie board from Amazon for $15. For the foodies, Iyer said, Uber eats coupon codes would be perfect. Blumenthal said she recommends Amazon snack bundles.
Lastly, if you are unsure of what type of gift to get, here are some unique gift ideas that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Gilmore Girls is everyone’s go-to T.V. show as soon as the leaves turn orange. This Luke’s coffee cup is cute, festive, and only $12.99. Kick back and watch a movie with this movie night popcorn kit for only $22. What’s more meaningful than hand-made gifts? Senior public health major Sonia Tavik said, “I love doing DIY gifts. Scrapbooking and photo albums are super cheap and very meaningful.”
UMD students recommend going to the thrift store to find unique, vintage items. Freshman aerospace engineering Aidan Sachs said, “a trip to the thrift store would be easy” and the amount of cool gifts you could find are limitless.
“You can find some really great books at thrift stores that are in great condition for super cheap,” Tavik said.
Despite what everyone thinks, you do not need to sell a kidney to buy something special and meaningful for your friends and family. $30 and below will do the trick just as well. The gift recipient will be happy to receive such a thoughtful present and you will be just as ecstatic to have a full bank account.
For all the makeup lovers out there, Colour Pop has eye shadow kits and palettes with stunning colors for under $20. Ulta Beauty is also selling a makeup box that includes eyeshadow colors, brushes, lip colors and more for only $29.99. The face value is $180. For more, Sephora has a whole section for “beauty under $20.” Pair these beauty products with this makeup eraser that removes all makeup with just water. And it’s only $12.
To go above and beyond, pair these inexpensive makeup items with personal care products. This sleep kit from Ulta comes with a satin scrunchie, make-up removing cloth, mirror and sleep mask. The perfect tools to get unready. This 18 pack hand cream set and The Ordinary’s hydrating Hyaluronic acid will amount to a total of only $30 and will keep your skin moisturized during cold winter days. Freshman public health major Noa Blumenthal said she would get a self care package from Target for her friends. But if you want your gift to be more personal, Blumenthal said a thoughtful necklace for a close friend would be a hit.
For the creative in your life, grab this $12 plain tote bag from Amazon that they can customize themselves with paint. Festive socks and scented candles are also a crowd pleaser, especially during the holiday season, sophomore computer science major Tejas Iyer said.
Amazon is the hot spot for cheap tech items during the holiday season. Your tech enthusiasts friends will be over the moon upon receiving these gifts. The Yootech wireless charger ($12) is a convenient tool to charge your devices without creating clutter. If you want to be even fancier, get a phone stand that doubles as a charger for only $20. Make every shower singer’s dream with this waterproof bluetooth speaker, so they can live out their Lady Gaga dreams while lathering up.
Have any chefs in your friend group?. This mini waffle maker is cute, portable and practical for only $12. Whether it be the perfect banana bread or lasagna, every chef needs a recipe book ($7.89) to note down their scrumptious creations. If you want to add a personalized flair, try this personalized charcuterie board from Amazon for $15. For the foodies, Iyer said, Uber eats coupon codes would be perfect. Blumenthal said she recommends Amazon snack bundles.
Lastly, if you are unsure of what type of gift to get, here are some unique gift ideas that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Gilmore Girls is everyone’s go-to T.V. show as soon as the leaves turn orange. This Luke’s coffee cup is cute, festive, and only $12.99. Kick back and watch a movie with this movie night popcorn kit for only $22. What’s more meaningful than hand-made gifts? Senior public health major Sonia Tavik said, “I love doing DIY gifts. Scrapbooking and photo albums are super cheap and very meaningful.”
UMD students recommend going to the thrift store to find unique, vintage items. Freshman aerospace engineering Aidan Sachs said, “a trip to the thrift store would be easy” and the amount of cool gifts you could find are limitless.
“You can find some really great books at thrift stores that are in great condition for super cheap,” Tavik said.
Despite what everyone thinks, you do not need to sell a kidney to buy something special and meaningful for your friends and family. $30 and below will do the trick just as well. The gift recipient will be happy to receive such a thoughtful present and you will be just as ecstatic to have a full bank account.