21 articles - Page 1 of 4
When it comes to gift-giving, I tend to be a little last-minute. And by “a little,” I mean I’ll remember it’s a friend’s birthday three days before and end up running around the city in a mild panic, searching for the perfect present. Whether I’m rush-shipping a holiday gift for my mom or grabbing a birthday present for my best friend, Amazon is my go-to for its fast delivery (thank you, Prime) and hassle-free returns.
Whether they’re starting their first semester or heading into senior year, college students need a lot of stuff. There are the basics: bed risers, plastic storage bins, and, of course, lots of bedding. Beyond the must-haves, useful tech gadgets, well-made travel essentials, unusual organizers, and dorm-friendly decor are the kinds of gifts college students will be excited to receive.
My love language is giving gifts, and being a shopping writer with a big family means I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Not only do I search for the best deals from sun up to sun down, but I also buy gifts for four nieces across all age ranges, too. With all that personal and professional experience, I’ve become a firm believer that gifts don’t have to be big in order to be good. My favorite gifts to give and get are themed, color-coordinated gift baskets with fun little finds sprinkled throughout. For that reason, Easter baskets are a passion project I take very seriously.
My holiday budget is tighter than ever, and I’m hardly the only one. A recent Gallup poll showed that most Americans adjust their holiday spending plans mid-season, and since October, a majority of us have trimmed back holiday budgets by more than $200. That’s the most significant drop Gallup has recorded since 2008. But despite the bleak statistics, I still intend on shelling out for the three main people in my life—my kid, my partner, and my mom.
As a shopping writer who has spent the last decade curating gift guides, I have strong opinions on white elephant gifts under $25. I firmly believe that white elephant gifts should be cheap (duh!), and also fall into one of two categories: absurdly interesting or extremely functional. If your white elephant gift is neither, then it’s probably going to be thrown out or stored at the back of a junk drawer. Or worse—regifted. And that’s no fun, is it?
very other day of the year, Amazon’s Outlet is my favorite place for finding great deals and low prices on all kinds of things, including fashion finds and home essentials. But now that it’s December, it has become my favorite spot to shop for holiday gifts, too.
