The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Gifts for Everyone On Your List From $5 to $50

Some people are easy to shop for (think perfumed soaps and PJ sets), while others leave us scratching our heads. For recipients that pose a challenge to even the savviest shopper, here are 14 great gift ideas priced from just $5 to $50.

Socially-Conscious Cousin
Lovely Lotus Earrings
($12, globalgirlfriend.com)

These elegant lotus flower earrings represent health, honor, and good luck, and are produced by a fair trade organization in India that creates employment for economically disadvantaged women artisans in a home-based sector. Need I say more?



The Social Butterfly
Don't you know who I am? card case
($7.50, flingco.com)

Encourage the outgoing friend on your list to spread her social butterfly wings even further with this tongue in cheek card case that reads "Don't you know who I am?" A great gift for all your PR peeps, too.



Hard to Please Dad Wicked Good Moccasins
($49.95, llbean.com)

What to get for the father (or grandfather) who only wants the pleasure of your company for the holidays? Why, L.L. Bean slippers, of course! These top-notch mocs are sure to put a smile on his face all winter long.



World's Greatest Mom
Large Round Gilded Ornament
($40, metoperashop.org)

Fact: Moms love holiday ornaments. It's in their DNA. Add the words "hand made" and "opera" to a holiday ornament and you've got yourself a winning gift that's guaranteed to impress your Mom. Then again, she's impressed by just about everything you do, but that's beside the point.



Girl Who Has Everything
Clipa Handbag Hanger
($25, shopintuition.com)

She wears the latest styles, knows the chef at that new restaurant you just discovered, and lets you watch not-yet-released movies on her iPhone. But does the girl who has everything have a nifty hanger for keeping that beautiful Botkier off the floor? Perhaps, but I doubt she has one as sleek (and tastefully inconspicuous) as this.



The Perpetually Cold Cube-Mate
SmartWool Margarita Socks
(sale $8.95, sierratradingpost.com)

She starts interoffice wars by constantly turning up the thermostat. She keeps a portable radiator under her desk. Yes, she is always cold—but she will call you God after you gift her with SmartWool socks! I should know, that girl was once me. Laugh in the face of frostbite.



Your BBF (Best Blogger Friend)
Closet Confidential: Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way by Winona Dimeo-Ediger
($12.89, amazon.com)

Fashionistas and bookworms alike will love reading Closet Confidential, a laugh-out-loud guide to style written by the blogger behind Daddy Likey. I'm in the middle of this book and it's hard to put down. Winona is the Dave Barry of the fashion world (translation: beyond smart and hi-freakin-larious!).



Your BFB (Blogger Friend's Boyfriend
The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman
(sale $16.50, amazon.com)

Behind many a great fashion blogger is a patient, supportive boyfriend or husband, a man who is willing to engage in "photo shoots" and tell you that high-waisted pants don't make you look fat, and that mustard yellow goes great with forest green. Inspire him further with the ultimate street-fashion photography book.



Mom on the Go
Corduroy Mini Satchel
(sale $19.99, coldwatercreek.com)

Something as simple as a cross-body bag that keeps hands free and keys within reach can make a big difference in a friend's life, especially when that friend is a new mom who's always on the go. Choose from five stylish color combinations.



The Chic Vegan
No Animals Harmed Necklace
($27.50, vautecouture.com)

Vegans can either make you want to eat a hamburger or these proponents of peaceful living can actually make you want to be a better you. The three vegans in my life make me want to do the latter. Treat the vegan, vegetarian or just plain ol' animal lover in your life to this handcut recycled aluminum necklace with a message that reads "No animals harmed in the making of."



Your BFF from Grade School
Plush sushi
($9.99 each, thinkgeek.com)

There's little need to impress someone you've known since the 4th grade. Revert to childish behavior by gifting the friend you've had for years with something lighthearted and goofy, like these adorable smiling sushi pillows. They'll have you giggling like schoolgirls all over again.



The Student
Bodum Chambord French Press
($27.99 to $47.99, worldmarket.com)

My morning wouldn't be complete without my freshly ground, free-trade, French Press coffee. There's no substitute, and college kids need you to tell them this. Students who've recently completed a study abroad program (where everything was sooo much cooler) will be especially grateful to get a taste of "real" café back home.



Your Boss, Hair Dresser or Therapist
Bird Vase
($19.99, target.com)

I'm not sure what those people have in common other than that they are very important people in your life and they would all certainly appreciate this cheerfully simple bird vase. Present this gift with a single flower stem so that it's ready to be enjoyed right away.



Secret Santa
Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers, 5-pack
($4.99, target.com)

At first glance, hangers seem like a mundane gift. But these are no ordinary hangers: Huggable hangers keep clothes from slipping and double your closet space! Amazing, I know. I found mine super cheap at TJ Maxx (velvet hangers by Lauren Ralph Lauren, pretty much identical). Your Secret Santa will, well, hug you.



Everyone Else
Sigg water bottles, various designs
($21.99, smallflower.com)

Eco-friendly, toxin-free, Swiss-made Sigg water bottles make great gifts for everyone on your list that likes to drink water. Get one for your brother, your brother's girlfriend, and your old college room-mate. Score extra points with recipients who actually like to exercise and/or recycle regularly.


Comments
I love them all but the Sushi pillows are hilarious! LOL I have a childhood friend who this would be perfect for! (she is my sushi dinner date @ least once a week:)
#1 nora on 2009-12-05 09:43 (Reply)
Great gift ideas BB I kinda of want to get the BFB present for myself! HA HA.

P.S. DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY SHOPBOP GIVEAWAY.

xoxo
J

www.talkprettytome.blogspot.com
#2 Talk Pretty To Me (Homepage) on 2009-12-05 10:37 (Reply)
This mom must have rogue DNA. Christmas ornaments...feh.
#3 webdoyenne on 2009-12-05 17:26 (Reply)
Those books are on my Christmas wishlist!
#4 Lizzy (Homepage) on 2009-12-05 18:54 (Reply)
love the little bird vase...great gift for anyone that "tweets" lol
#5 sohoaccessories (Homepage) on 2009-12-06 09:39 (Reply)
now THAT is a clever idea! i have more than one person on my list who would appreciate the humor. :-)
#5.1 The Budget Babe on 2009-12-06 12:41 (Reply)
Great article! Love how you incorporated ethically and environmentally responsible suggestions.
#6 Jo from Canada (Homepage) on 2009-12-07 12:09 (Reply)
Cute list! I especially like the French Press. I might get one of these babies for myself :-) What about a list of budget friendly gift ideas for your boss? That's my biggest obstacle each year!
#7 Maddy (Homepage) on 2009-12-07 12:31 (Reply)
The flocked hangers are great. Bed, Bath & Beyond also sells their own brand of them in different colors and in larger quatities... 50 for $40. I changed over my entire closet and now have room for more clothes :-)
#8 Jen on 2009-12-07 12:31 (Reply)
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