By Audrey Kim, Opinion Editor
As holiday season rolls around, so does the message of gift-giving, where Secret Santas and White Elephants flourish and stores begin to hang “Buy 1, Get 1 Free!” signs on store displays. For many of us, this also raises the question of exactly what we’re going to give, especially for those who never seem to know what they want themselves. Here are seven gifts under $25 to give to your friends, your family, and (if necessary) yourself.
Wireless Headphones (~$10 at various locations)
Let’s try not to remember the countless times we’ve all broken our headphones and then didn’t bother buying a new one. Make your friends happy with wireless Bluetooth headphones, which you don’t have to spend 10 minutes unraveling and then break in the next two months.
Posters ($5-$25 at Etsy)
Especially for high school seniors heading to college, posters (from pastel-colored art posters to magnified sports photographs) add a bit of flavor to any room and remind them of home. Effect is only amplified when a frame is added. Find plenty at https://www.etsy.com/search?q=poster.
The Meme Bible ($15)
The Holy Meme Bible: New Testament coloring book serves 60 pages of the most relevant memes of 2017, featuring activities such as coloring within the lines, crossword puzzles, and connect the dots. Perfect for that one Internet-geeky friend, it could also serve as a gag gift. If interested, purchase here: https://thememebible.com/.
Old Records ($0-$15)
Although not applicable to everyone, those who do have a record player in their home will always appreciate a few more albums added to their collection. Old records sell at relatively cheap prices and the oldies are always appreciated.
Succulents (~$5 at various locations)
Perhaps cheapest at $1 per plant at IKEA, succulents brighten up any room and are almost disgustingly easy to take care of (watering only to be applied once a week). Make someone a happy plant parent today.
Mugs
Whether it be tasteful or sassy, mugs serve a practical usage as both hot cocoa and coffee is bought to help the sleep-deprived high schooler or office worker survive. Find more at Anthropologie (https://www.anthropologie.com/kitchen-mugs-teacups?cm_sp=REDIRECT-_-SEARCH-_-MUGS0) or Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/market/mug).
Books ($15-$25)
Perhaps considered old-fashioned in a world with instant-gratification Youtube videos and the constant activity of the Internet, books still provide a satisfaction little else can and perfect to curl up in bed as the weather drops. If your friend is interested in thrillers? Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Fantasy? The Magicians series by Lev Grossman. Check out the New York Times bestseller lists for more: https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/.
And remember: if everything else fails, an Amazon gift card is always available.
Audrey can be reached at [email protected].
