The most wonderful time of the year is here, collegiettes! It’s the time of year where you can actually see people walk with a little more pep in their step and a smile on their face. It’s also gift-giving season. Did you know that Americans will spend roughly $465 BILLION on Christmas this year? Now, while we’d all love to splurge on everyone we love for the holidays, we know this isn’t the smartest idea. Because we don’t need to. To make you, your wallet, and everyone else you’re shopping for happy this season, HC Montclair has put together a list of 10 awesome gifts that are all under $20!
A not-so-ugly Christmas sweater. It seems that every year, you hear about (or attend) an “Ugly Christmas Sweater” party. Because of this, Christmas sweaters and the idea of getting one for Christmas conjure up bad ideas of huge sweaters adorned with reindeer heads and Santa’s elves. However, there are some adorable Christmas sweaters that are much more attractive to the eye such as this one from H&M! Originally $34.95, this sweater is on sale for $19.95 and is the perfect gift for any lady who likes to be cozy, festive and fashionable!
Glamour kit. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed makeup junkie or are looking for something for your little sister so she can have fun (and stay out of your stash!), this Beauty Gems Glamour Kit from Ulta is the perfect Christmas gift! It comes with 46 shimmery and matte eyeshadows, 3 color correctors, 2 blush colors, 3 makeup applicators, 2 powder sponges, matte bronzer, shimmer highlighter and a light matte face powder all for $9.74!
Memory book. A great gift and stocking stuffer, this memory book is perfect for anyone in your family! Found at Urban Outfitters for $16.95, this book covers five years and is a great way for someone to share and reflect on the “ups and downs of life.” And if you’re lucky, maybe they’ll share their memories with you in five years!
High-end beauty sets. Perfect for mom or any of the makeup junkies in your family, this bareMinerals Magnificent Seven Marvelous Moxie Lip Set from Ulta comes with seven of their best selling shades in pocket sizes for just $18.00!
Crayola art set. No matter how old you get, you’ll always remember how much you loved Crayola as a kid. This Crayola Inspiration Art Case comes with 64 crayons, 22 colored pencils, 40 washable markers and 30 sheets of paper all for $19.95 on Amazon! Perfect for a little brother, sister, or cousin, they’re bound to have hours and hours of fun with this set while letting their imagination run wild. They might even let you join in on the fun, too.
Personalized books of love. These little books are great for a girlfriend, boyfriend, bestfriend, or anyone you want to tell why they are special to you. Simply fill out the book with your own responses from the heart, and they’ll have a personalized book of reasons they’re important to you. Best of all? They’re only $10 from Urban Outfitters!
Vinyl. Over the last couple years, we’ve seen a big resurgence of Vinyl! If you didn’t already have one in your house, you found everyone you know and yourself wanting (and buying) a record player. Now that so many people have them again, they’re a great Christmas gift. You can find so many current artists have their albums on Vinyl but I’ve got a surprise and another reason being a RedHawk has its privileges. Not too far from Montclair State, in downtown Montclair, there is the Montclair Book Center. Not only do they carry tons of new, old, vintage, and rare books, their whole bottom floor is a record shop. While you won’t be finding Lana Del Rey and Bruno Mars on vinyl here, you’ll find classics from every genre and era from The Beatles to Wu Tang Clan for a great price. Their vinyls rarely cost over $6.99, so you can find a bunch of great albums to add to you or your friends’ collections and it’s only a quick train ride from campus! *Located at 221 Glenridge Ave, Right off of Bloomfield Ave, Stop at Bay Street Station*
Wreck This Journal. This is the perfect gift for anyone in your life that enjoys a little destruction here and there. Wreck This Journal comes in at around $15 from Urban Outfitters and is the most fun you or anyone you give this too will have! You’re supposed to have coffee rings on some pages, take it in the shower with you next and finish off that day by throwing it in the mud. It’s fun for people of all ages and for people who aren’t fond of books. You think you’re little brother or sister hates reading? Show them reading and books can be fun with this awesome gift.
Fortune Cookie Soap. This is one of my favorites on the list, Fortune Cookie Soap! Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, soap shaped like a fortune cookie. This set from fortunecookiesoap.com costs $16.95 and come with four soaps that you can choose at checkout. Explore their website and discover all the great and crazy scents they create. They’re famous for their “In The Loop” soap, which smells so much like Fruit Loops you’ll find yourself asking, “HOW do they do that?” It’s different, it’s fun and it bound to have whomever you gift it to reveling in the sweet scents for months.
Gift cards. Ah, the good old gift card! Perfect for everyone in between. No one’s ever turned down a $20 gift card to Home Depot, Starbucks or Home Goods.