Wednesday, November 27, 2013

All I Want for Christmas...For Under $100

Tomorrow is Turkey Day and you know what that means? Christmas is a mere month away! My family has always been Christmas fanatics, further emphasized by the fact that I was born on Christmas Eve thus making the holiday season extra hectic. Every year, I think I get more of a rush buying gifts for friends and family than actually receiving gifts. It's fun to try and narrow down that perfect gift without blowing your budget on one person. For the few people that are important to me, I try to keep it below $100. This year, I've compiled some ideas for the different personalities you may run across in your own family. All the links are included when you click on the pictures if you'd like a closer look. 

For the Fitness Junkie:

Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband, $99

 

This is truly a great gift for someone who enjoys being physically active. It tracks your calories burned, distance, and number of steps the entire day you wear it. The lights in the front of the wristband indicate how close you are to reaching your fitness goal for the day. When you sleep, it tracks the number of hours you get and the quality. To step it up a notch, you can then sync it with your phone or computer and track your fitness levels or progress over time. I like it because it's very sleek and modern-looking as opposed to several other fitness wristbands that have come out in the past few years. I work in a professional environment but I can easily imagine myself wearing this to work with no problems. It comes in several different colors and it's water resistant, so you don't have to worry about taking it off before hopping in the shower after a workout. While coming in just under the $100 mark, it's a great price in comparison to all the other workout gear that's been advertised this Christmas. In my opinion, it's well worth it and the recipient will absolutely love it. 

For the Makeup Connoisseur:

Luxery Deluxe Wood Cosmetic Box with Mirror by Lori Greiner, $79.96


My mother and I are QVC enthusiasts and we saw this item a few weeks ago from Lori Greiner. My mouth dropped because I've truly never seen anything like it. If you're like me, you keep all your makeup jam-packed in a makeup bag on your dresser which you rifle through every morning until you find that one particular shade of brown eyeshadow. Your makeup gets dirty and lost and, in general, it's not a good system. This changes everything. It closes up to look like a mini dresser, but opens up to several drawers and shelves within the box itself. There's large compartments for concealer and lotion, smaller ones for brushes and blush, and a divider for lipsticks and glosses. It even includes a mirror to eliminate further hassle! All the reviews on QVC says its a life-changer and I love it because it's unique and extremely useful. It also looks beautiful when closed and comes in four different shades of wood. For the price tag, I think it's a brilliant buy. 

For the Music Lover:

FRENDS Ella Rose Gold Earbuds, $99


Designer headphones and earbuds are all the rage right now but a lot of products come with a hefty price tag. I wear earbuds often, whether I'm at the gym or on a bus, and I like the idea of having musical accessories that match your individual style. I saw an ad in a magazine for FRENDS headphones and instantly fell in love. Not only do they sound great but they look amazing. They plug into any device like a normal pair of earbuds, but offer a sleek, rose gold accent to the cable which transpires up to the actual earbud. There's also a volume control  option built into the earbuds which is done in the same rose gold accents. I think anyone who's addicted to their iPod will love this gift.

For the Master Organizer:

Erin Condren Classic Life Planner, $50


I can tell you one thing: this is not your mother's planner. I was once told by a few college friends that this planner saved their life and I can absolutely believe it. This planner has everything you could ever want: laminated cover and tabs, weekly and monthly spreads, meal and exercises lists, page holder, note pages, folders, stickers, and contact lists. I highly encourage you to check out the link if you're interested. On top of all those goodies, you can select your favorite cover (they have a variety to choose from) and they will personalize it with your name. Additionally, you can add extras to your planner like markers (+$8.95), personalized stickers (+$5.00), or a pen holder ($2.50) to max out your perfect planner. This would make a great gift for anyone of any age that enjoys planning and organization. 

For the Fashion Plate: 

ASOS Metal Plate Day Bag, $67.63

Every fashionista needs a good bag, and ASOS offers a great selection. I'm always suprised to hear when people say they've never heard of ASOS because it's a great brand with fun clothing and accessories at a very reasonably price. I love this bag because it has great structure to it, which is all the rage in handbags right now, and pairs nicely with just about any outfit you could come up with. The metal accents are bold but not overbearing, and the pop of pink is the perfect soft compliment to the fierceness of the bag. You can either carry it by the handles or use the strap and double it as a larger crossbody bag. A great buy that will easily transition from winter into the spring months. 

For the Trendy Tweeter:

Baublebar Mini Twitter-Plate Necklace, $100


I adore this necklace. Nowadays, almost everyone has a Twitter and what better way to advertise than put your name on a necklace! You can personalize this piece for either your username or any hashtag you want (up to 15 characters each), choose the font type, and choose the necklace length. For an additional $10, you can have it made in yellow gold. I love this piece because it's unique and relevant. It's fun and trendy but sophisicated at the same time. 

For the Snuggle Bug:

Gap Fair Isle Open-Front Cardigan, $79.95

Nothing beats receiving a comfy sweater for Christmas. The winter months are still ahead and snuggling up to a fire on the weekends sounds amazing. But it's even better when you can do it stylishly. This Gap cardigan is beautifully made and is 30% wool, NOT the itchy kind. It pairs with just about anything, jeans, khakis, leggings, and can be dressed up or dressed down. It comes in navy or gray, and the open front makes it a little easier to determine the right size. 

For the Romantic Heart:

International Star Registry Custom Star Kit, $54


If you're thinking of a gift to get that special someone, have you thought about reaching for the stars? This is what Interntional Star Registry aims to do. For the Custom Star Kit, you are given a unique star which you can name in someone's honor and dedicate. The Kit includes a certificate stating the star's name, a detailed star chart with your star highlighted with the coordinates, and an astronomy booklet for further research. The Deluxe Star Kit will frame the certificate for you in a double matte, gold metallic frame ($109.95) and the Ultimate Star Kit will additionally frame the star chart for you as well ($154.95). I think the idea of sharing something with someone that will be eternal is incredibly kind and throughtful. You'll always be able to look up to the sky and know that you have your own place up in the heavens. 

For the Caffeine Addict:

Starbucks Coffee Press Gift Set, $74.89


I'm sure we all know a few coffee enthusiasts out there and I think this is a fun gift to someone who enjoys their daily cup of joe. Starbucks offers gorgeous coffee presses, and this gift set of a coffee press, electric grinder, and limited edition Christmas blend coffee beans is a great price for everything you get. Imagine being able to wake up on a Sunday morning and grind your own coffee however you like. You can even add a pair of mugs to this gift set and make it a couples' gift for aunts and uncles, moms and dads, or grandmas and grandpas, all for under $100! 

For the Cooking Machine:

RedEnvelope Personalized Cutting Board, $59.95


What better way to celebrate a great chef than with a personalized cutting board? RedEnvelope gives you several templates to choose from, including "Best Backyard BBQ," "Fresh from the Kitchen," or "Creator of Delictable Edibles," which can then be personalized with the chef's name. It is imprinted into a solid maple cutting board which measures in at 20" x 14" x 1". Each cutting board is unique due to the natural variations of the wood, all handmade in the USA. Not only will they love the sturdiness and quality of the cutting board, but the added touch of personalization will go the extra mile. 

Still stuck? How about a gift card! Some of my favorite stores this year: 


Sometime next week, I'll be posting "All I Want for Christmas...For Under $50," so stay tuned!

xo Jessica

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