Whether the holidays snuck up on you sooner than you expected or you’ve just simply been too busy with classes and homework to make time to shop, it can be challenging to find gifts that are both personal and “poor college student” budget friendly. Whether it’s your best friend since middle school, your new roommate, your parents, or someone in between, these ideas are suited for a variety of people and are easy to purchase. These 10 ideas are comprised of gifts you can buy online, gifts you can purchase in stores, and even gifts that are do-it-yourself.
1. Alex and Ani Bangle Bracelet
http://www.alexandani.com/bangles.html
These bracelets are perfect for any of the women in your life. You’re bound to find something for everyone with the wide variety of charms they offer from mermaids to cowboy boots, birthstones to sorority symbols, and everything you could think of in between.
2. DIY Manicure in a Mason Jar
This simple gift idea is a great way to give a good friend something that is homemade, reusable, personalized, and visually appealing. All you really need to get started is a mason jar, a bottle of nail polish, a mini nail file, and a small tube of moisturizer. The rest is up to you! Some other possibilities of things to include are cuticle scissors or nail clippers, cuticle oil, and a nail pen. Once you put everything inside, get crafty and add your own personal touch to the outside of the jar with paint, glitter, or even ribbon.
3. Scented Soy Candle
Candles are something that everyone is able to enjoy. Whether it’s a family member or your boyfriend’s mom, you’re bound to find a candle for him or her from the 60 scents available from Beanpod. One of the perks of purchasing soy candles from Beanpod Candles is that they’re made in the USA and have a lead free wick. So not only do they provide a method of relaxation and warming scents, but they also provide a healthier alternative to the mass produced non-soy candle.
4. Personalized DIY Coffee Mug, Wine Glass, or Shot Glasses
Using simple supplies like glitter, paint, stencils, ribbon, or many other craft supplies, you can create a personalized gift for anyone. For the coffee or tea drinkers in your life, a coffee mug personalized with a message or design is a gift they can use every day that also serves as a reminder of your family or friendship. Wine glasses or shot glasses are also a nice alternative.
5. Monthly Subscription
There are tons of subscriptions out there to choose from. For your girlfriends there’s Birch Box, POP Sugar, and Wantable. For the man in your life or even your dad, there’s Cigar of the Month, Beer of the Month, and Shirt of the Month, and many others. This is a great way for your friend to have the opportunity to try new products and they can continue the subscription or purchase the products they enjoyed.
6. Home Beer Brewing Kit
Home beer brewing kits like the ones from Brooklyn BrewShop are the perfect gift for the beer connoisseur in your life. This unique and inexpensive gift is something that is personal and is sure to make the receiver feel all warm and fuzzy. Maybe that’s just the beer they brewed with the fancy new brewer, but they appreciate you too.
7. Print of a Captured Memory
We all have those photographs that remind us of a special event or memory that we shared with someone. If you have access to a photo that means a lot to someone, why not give them the gift of personalized artwork? By having a personal photo printed on a canvas, it is something that can be displayed for a lifetime.
8. DIY Grooming Products Basket/Box
It’s a known fact that most men will not buy their own grooming products like hair styling gel, cologne, after shave, exfoliating scrubs, body gels, etc. You can even include products you know he already uses. If you purchase these products, however, he will be more than happy to use these products if they were a gift from you. So, it’s the best of both worlds. He gets awesome products to use and you get to enjoy a man who maintains his appearance. What more could you ask for?
9. CaféPress.com
Café Press is the go to place to find gifts for those quirky friends or family that everyone has. You can design your own t-shirt, bag, or pretty much anything you can think of, or you can purchase something in stock. From the television show the Big Bang Theory, to having a career in Engineering, Café Press has items that represent everyone.
10. Chromecast
We all have a tech savvy movie buff in our lives who can be a challenge to buy for. With Chromecast by Google, he or she can watch Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, and more on an HDTV.
It goes without saying that no matter who is on your “to buy for” list, there is a personalized gift for everyone out there that fits into every collegiette’s budget.