Molly’s Last-Minute, Affordable Gift Guide 2012!
I’m gonna be totally honest with you guys. I have been a wee frustrated by most of the gift guides I’ve seen in blog land this year. No, I’m not making a hasty generalization and saying ALL of the gift guides – some of y’all are speaking my language – but the majority of the gift guides I’ve seen are all “under $100” or sometimes, OVER $100.
Now, “under $100” sounds fine and dandy, but when you are like me and no longer put anything on a credit card and only spend what you make, $100 is basically half, if not MOST of my / your entire Christmas gift budget for family and friends.
Sure! A $75 Kate Spade bangle sounds fine and dandy, but that’s a heck of a lot of money to spend on one small gift.
So, while these types of posts are not usually ones I do, I thought, why not? Instead of complaining about the expensive gift guides out there, why not make my own?
Also, I realize this is totally last minute, but per usual, life has gotten in the way and all of a sudden it’s December 13th and I’ve still got quite a bit of Christmas shopping to do. Woops.
So, here are a few cheapo gifts I’ve found for the lady in your life (mom, sister, girlfriends, etc.)
[Glow Kouture Onyx Mini Pouch – $16.50 | Glow Kouture Mustard Mini Pouch – $16.50]
(Used code MOLLY30 for 30% off until December 15th!)
[Vintage Black Leather Purse – $15.00 | Vintage Faux Leather Crossbody Handbag – $25.00]
(use code MOLLY15 for 15% off!)
[Believes in Angels Tee or Believes in Love Tee – $35.00]
[Argyle Infinity Scarf – $12.00 | Fair Isle Reindeer Infinity Scarf – $14.99]
[Emerald Scarf – $7.48 | Emerald Lace Top – $17.99]
[Flannel PJs – $15.00 | Boyfriend Watch in Burgundy – $14.99]
So, there are a few ideas for you. And yes, I will go ahead and say that some of these choices are from small businesses that happen to also be sponsors and/or just good friends of mine.
They didn’t pay me to put them in this little post, I chose their stuff because I genuinely love their products, they’re affordable, and I’d much rather support a small business than a corporate giant. Not that I have anything against a corporate giant… which is why I also picked a few items from my favorite corporate giant: TARGET!
I’m just being real with you. I’m working on trying to come up with a similar list of items for the male in your life, but man, men are HARD to shop for. I don’t care who you are. Seriously. My husband, my dad, my brother-in-law, father-in-law… they are TOUGH to shop for! Am I right, ladies? Why can’t men get on Pinterest and just create a Pinterest wish list board with stuff they want… life would be so much easier.
Anyway. Now I’m rambling.
What are some great, affordable gift guides you’ve seen so far this year? I’d loveeee for you to leave some examples or suggestions in the comments! I’m ALWAYS on the lookout for ideas!
This is such a good gift guide!!! I bought the Ooh Baby Infinity Scarf for my sister! And I’m still totally in love with the I Believe In Love too!
Love Love Love this Molly! It looks fantastic and I’m taking you up on a few suggestions!
Plus of course I love that you included Mingo! Thanks so much for being amazing!
Merry Christmas!
I agree! Around $100 for a gift is not practical for me! I’d like to spend around $30-50 for immediate family members and a little more for my husband. Around $10-$15 for friends. And I think a stocking stuffer should cost a couple bucks! haha….
~Jessica
Well…….you know I have to say it…..Stella & dot has studs and friendship bracelets around $20!!!!!!!!!!!! And I agree….. I love my friends but I sure as heck can’t afford to spend $100 on them!!
Brooke @ what2wear
I included a few affordable and homemade things on my gift guide today! 🙂 But you can’t really get around a Michael Kors watch, I mean we can all dream right?!?
I would love if my husband created a pinterest of his wishlist, but then again it’d probably just be video games, jerseys/sports gear, and bacon flavored things.
Great gift guide, Molly1 Thanks for sharing!
Love
Juneli from Fashionably Yours
I definitely asked my mom for a new comfy pajama set for Christmas. I blame it on New Girl.
and I definitely agree with a lot of the gift guides on here! We posted ones for $25 and under on With Luck and I don’t think it took any more work to put together than it would for a higher priced version.
I love this budget conscious gift guide! There are so many great gift ideas here. I love the reindeer infinity scarf!
-Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com
You speak my language, Molly! I have been skipping over the gift guides that pop up in my reader feed, because 98% of them are completely out of my budget. We have a lot of people to buy for, and we try to keep our total around $700-$800. That doesn’t go far at all! So, we have to be creative with how we shop and what we buy. It makes it more fun, though!
I will admit — I went over budget for my hubby. But!! Now, I have Valentine’s Day and his birthday taken care of 😛 It’s so funny you posted this today, because we were just going over our Christmas stuff last night.
I love the watch, great color!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
I love those scarves–especially the festive one! These are great picks, Molly!
Alyssa
The Glossy Life
I agree that a lot of gift guides out there aren’t realistic so thank you for including one that I could actually afford! Men are sooo hard to shop for. Last year my hubby and I didn’t do gifts which was actually kind of nice 🙂
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Earrings Giveaway!
Seriously, Thank you for an affordable gift guide. I have enjoyed the other gift guides very much, gorgeous gifts, but like you said, who can afford that? I’m already browsing these stores!!
Love this, and how did I miss that adorable tshirt? I need one!
Off to check out her shop now!!
Carly
http://www.lipglossandcrayons.com
Great list! And I love that you are honest about your budget..we are in the same boat and I’m sure the majority of your readers are as well. If you want an idea for your men’s guide, I’m going to get my hubby one of these: http://www.etsy.com/listing/117596253/iphone-android-smartphones-stand-bamboo?ref=usr_faveitems
Dear Molly – what would I do without you? 🙂
I agree with the gift guides. Another problem is that adults are so expensive to shop for now-a-days. In casual conversation, my boyfriend said he wanted an iPod ($250) and my mom said she wanted a tempurpedic memory foam pillow ($100+). I’m just like ahhh! My total budget is $200, and I haven’t even added in my father and neices/nephews. I guess I’ll have to think of something else for them!
Great list of affordable ideas! Only problem – I now want to add to “my” list! 🙂
I completely agree with you on the gift guides out there! Most of them contain such expensive items or the cheaper items are so small they wouldn’t be much of a gift on their own. I like your suggestions – I’m definitely gifting a few scarves myself!! 🙂
I’m jealous of your budgeting!! I love the reversible pouch – and I agree with you – my budget is around $60 a person… which adds up quickly 🙂
XO
Pearls & Paws
Ugh, I’ve got a really large family and my husband’s family is pretty large as well, so a hundred dollars a person would bankrupt us! I’m always on the lookout for little gifts throughout the year so it’s not such a money drain during the holidays, but we try to do really personal gifts as well. Men are crazy hard to shop for, all of the guys I know want either socks, books, candy or tools. (Men and socks. I just don’t get that, I feel awful giving someone just a pack of socks, but guys love new socks out of the bag.)