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HCJMU’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide!

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Kelly Ford Student Contributor, James Madison University
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Alexa Johnson Student Contributor, James Madison University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

‘Tis the season of presents! Okay okay, so Hanukkah and Christmas are about celebration and spending time with the people you love, but come on – who doesn’t love a good present?! Even though the excitement of opening a present is unparalleled, it always feels really good when you get someone a gift that they love. But, with so many people to shop for – your parents, siblings, friends, extended family, etc. – it can become a challenge. Consider this your complete holiday gift guide! It will surely take care of everyone on your list and make this a stress-free holiday shopping season. Happy holidays and happy shopping!
 
For the Traveler


This scratch off map is such a fun twist on the normal wall maps that people hang in their rooms. Instead of creating holes in the wall and using tacks, this map lets you scratch off the countries you’ve been to – each with a different color beneath the surface. As you travel to more places, the map will become a beautiful assortment of colors. 

I hope you all haven’t forgotten about PBTeen! Their new Puffer Sleepover Collection is so adorable and probably could be doubled as pillows! These bags are super spacious and absolutely perfect for any traveling occasion. You can also monogram them with your initials, school, sorority – anything really! So go snatch up one of these bags before they’re gone! 

Traveling is so much fun, but of course you’re going to need something to plan and remember all of your trips in! Knock-knock is one of the best websites for gag-gifts and other fun items and they’re all at a reasonable price. 

For the Make-Up Junkie

Benefit cosmetics’ Prrrowl mascara and lip-gloss is one of the greatest makeup products ever released. Newcomers to makeup as well as long-time addicts will love this gift because it’s two products in one. One end is a blue iridescent mascara topcoat that is applied over your normal mascara to add sparkle and shine. The pink lip-gloss on the other end is a universally flattering color that has blue undertones and shimmer in it to subtly make your teeth look whiter. What could possibly get better than this?!

Deborah Lippmann is the number one best brand for glittery and glamorous nail polishes. Reviewers everywhere agree that her polishes are absolutely stunning because they cover your nail completely with glitter that looks high-end and that doesn’t require 10 coats to fully fill your nail like most polishes. These coveted nail varnishes are gorgeous for the holidays or for anyone with an interest in beauty. It will be tempting just to buy one set – don’t you want one for yourself too?

Anyone that is even vaguely tuned into the beauty world knows about the infamous Mac Cosmetics Holiday collection. Each year they put together packages of complementary pigments, lip-glosses, and more that are sure to please. Pick up one of these beautiful Dazzlesphere’s before they’re gone! 

For the Chef

Pizza stones are a really great thing to have in the kitchen because you can use them to reheat or bake pizzas, breads and other oven cooked foods. It seems like a simple and relatively unimportant gift, but people that own these actually use them significantly more than other trays, and they are great because they ensure even heating so the food is perfectly cooked. The chef in your life, that doesn’t already own one of these will definitely love adding it to their collection.

This wok is a bit of a splurge but it is so amazing because you can use it to make stir-fry and other Asian cuisine. The style and shape of the pan make it so that the food is exposed to more surface area of heat, while keeping it all contained and very user friendly – even for people new to cooking. This is also a great gift for college students because stir-fry is such an easy and healthy dish to make – it’s very delicious too.

This last cooking gift is a Steel Grill Frying pan. This is great for the men in your life that you know love to grill. What this is really useful for is allowing you to grill smaller items like sliced meats and vegetables. That way you can achieve the flavor and cooking style of the grill on any food. Most people don’t own these in their kitchens, but it is actually a really great and useful tool! 

For the Musician

Don’t underestimate these speakers for their small size. This XMINI2 Generation Speaker is comparable, if not greater than the speakers in your computer. This is great for music lovers on the go who want the volume of speakers but the convenience and portability of something smaller. This speaker also has an internal battery that can be charged via the USB port in your computer so you’ll never have to buy batteries for it. 

Djay3 is an amazing product by Apple that pros and beginner DJs alike would easily enjoy. This product uses your iTunes Library and allows you to mix and record your own songs. This is an awesome present because it allows everyone to experience and learn about making music, but it comes at a reasonable price and without the bulk of actual DJ equipment. 

For the Caffeine Addict

If you haven’t jumped on the Keurig bandwagon yet, it’s not too late! These coffee makers are great for any person on your list. Who wants to deal with all of the problems of those old-fashioned coffee pots?! Spills, messes, wasting coffee – those are all problems of the past. Don’t forget to pick up some assorted coffees for the people on your list too! 

The caffeine addict in your life is going to need something to drink their coffee out of! So why not find them a cute handmade or specially designed mug to match their personality. Urban Outfitters has some fun selections but the one seen above is from Etsy, but is also fun to search and go through the pages to see all of the beautiful designs. Etsy is great because you can find gifts at a reasonable price, but at the same time, you are helping the designers and artists that make them instead of buying from popular retail locations!

This is the coffee-lovers tea and one of the best selling tea combinations from the wonderful Teavana store. It is Matevana Herbal Tea mixed with Rooibos Chai Tea. This combination is not only delicious but has many health benefits. It supports healthy digestion and a strong immune system, as well as promoting energy and even doubling as a mild appetite suppressant. Tea has been making such a comeback in recent years and is great for people that want a caffeine fix, but who don’t enjoy the taste of coffee. Anyone on your list would enjoy this gift!

For the Artist

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts book is the Holy Grail of crafting, art, home décor and more. With 400 pages of inspiration, the artist in your life will never have a lack of ideas. It has absolutely every art craft in its pages, but of course you probably already knew that from its title.

Prismacolor markers are as valued in the art industry as David Yurman is to the jewelry world. They are coveted among many artists alike. Right now on A.I. Friedman you can get them in various sets – some of which are even on sale! There is no doubt that this gift would be appreciated. 

Artist supplies are very expensive, and the one thing that is always overlooked is the brush collection. Getting a fresh set of brushes can sometimes be the best present for someone into art because they are the most important and basic tools. These Green Loft Long Handle brushes are gorgeous and would be a wonderful addition to any collection. 

For the Bookworm

These days, everything is becoming electronic. For most book lovers this is a sad thing. It is so fun for many people to see their libraries grow over the years and be able to have something tangible to look back on. This gift is hilarious, but something that bookworms would actually love – a perfume/fragrance that smells like books. 

Following a similar trend as the Demeter cologne above, another great gift that bookworms would enjoy is this laptop case designed to look like an antique book. It is so adorable and something that would be really unique and special to own.

This gift, those seemingly ordinary, is such a good gift idea! Haven’t you ever found yourself reading a large or heavy book, and unsuccessfully or uncomfortably tried to hold it with just one hand? With this “Thumb Thing,” reading a book can be so much more comfortable. 

The bookworm in your life can never have enough bookmarks. These stylish book dates make saving pages and marking passages easier than ever. They are thin enough that using multiple won’t make the book unmanageable, and they are a better option than folding and ruining the pages of your book.  

For the Spa Lover

Candles are such a great gift for anyone on your list because they really brighten up a room and make it smell delicious. Especially with all of the holiday scents that are being released this season, there is even more reason to buy them. Diamond Candles is a company that sells amazing natural soy candles – but what’s especially amazing about them is that each candle includes a diamond ring. Once your candle melts down there is a ring (wrapped in aluminum and a bag to keep it protected) that is either worth $10, $100, $1,000, or $5,000 dollars! This is like two gifts in one! Once you get your ring you can use the code that comes with your candle to go online and see how much it’s worth. These candles are so unexpected that they would make a great gift for anyone on your list! 

The Aromatherapy collection from Bath and Body Works is one of their best selling lines. With three scent collections to choose from, they are a perfect gift to get for any one of your friends or family members that deserves some pampering and relaxation. Get Lavender Vanilla to promote sleep, Orange Ginger for energy, or Eucalyptus Spearmint for stress relief. 

Philosophy is such a wonderful company with some of the best skincare products out there. Each holiday season they release the most amazing limited edition lotions, lip glosses, bubble baths, and more! This Sweet Kisses and Merry Wishes collection has four scents – each with its complementary lip shine and gel. This gel is a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath in one so it is such an amazing gift! The scents of this collection are Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake, Peppermint Bark, Pomegranate Bubbly, and Old Fashioned Eggnog. 

For the Fashionista

What to Wear, Where is filled with over 150 pages of style advice for over 50 social situations. Give this to your fashionable friends or those that need some style help. People who receive this gift will love flipping through the pages and learning about trends and outfits. It is a great gift because it shows how to incorporate pieces in your own wardrobe into looks that keep up with current trends!

I know! It’s another book! But come on – who doesn’t want 192 pages of style expertise from top stylist Rachel Zoe?! This essential guide is another must-have for any fashionista’s collection. 

Now that you have a complete guide for holiday shopping and an abundance of ideas, get out there and become everyone’s favorite person this season. But be careful – some of these items are so tempting, that once you buy them, you’ll want them all for yourself. Happy holidays everyone!
 
Other Sources:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-holiday-book-gifts-…

Alexa is a junior from Cream Ridge, New Jersey.  She is studying Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Corporate Communication and minors in Creative Writing and Anthropology.  She works for the JMU Office of Residence Life as a Program Adviser and as the Graphics Editor for The Breeze.  She loves watching The Bachelor, pinning to her fashion boards and running outside.   Alexa aspires to work in the glamouous fashion magazine industry in New York City or LA.