Breezy Mama’s Lan -a.k.a. our uber hip NY editor — gives us her picks for gifts under $100!
From Lan:
December can be overwhelming, between school events, office gatherings and holiday shopping. Often, shopping for your spouse is a last minute affair, if not postponed until after the mad rush. One holiday season, my husband and I completely forgot to get each other something.
Show you care with these great affordable gifts that are just a click away:
GIFTS FOR HER
Sweet smell of home
You can never go wrong with hand-milled soaps and scented candles. We love these natural soy candles from Prize Candle. They come in 23 delicious scents – our favorites include Escape, First Snow and Honeysuckle. And each candle ($24.99 though the limited edition Noir scent is $199.99) comes with a surprise – a ring that ranges from $10 to $10,000!
Dress up a wardrobe
The fashionista will love these gorgeous silk and modal scarves and tops from new fashion company VIDA. The San Francisco-based company partners with more than 200 local artists and designers from Tokyo to London and responsible manufacturers that offer craftspeople living wages and literacy classes. Scarves start at $40; tops start at $75.
Keep track of everything
A tech friend of mine swears by Tile. Download the app, stick the small, water resistant, square Tiles on items that you tend to lose and they will cast a Bluetooth signal up to 100 feet to your cellphone. Gone will be those frustrating mornings searching for keys, wallet and work bag! Tile starts at $25.
For the pedicure lover
To make sure that pedicure stays smudge free, the Pedi Princess Pedicure flip flops are a must have. These super cute and durable flip flops have rhinstone toe separators so you can walk into the salon wearing them, have your nails done, and walk out–without ever having to remove them. (Unless of course, she’s splurging on the spa pedicure). Prices start at $12.00.
Show off her beautiful tresses
Give her a unique hair accessory from Republic of Pigtails. Most of the designs are made from salvaged/recycled material collected from a variety of sources and no two designs are the same; each accessory is just as unique as the person wearing them. There’s something for everyone–including little bow ties for the young gents in your life. Prices vary.
Give beautiful pieces with meaning
The Irish Jewelry Company creates gorgeous jewelry centered around the designer’s Celtic heritage. From the classic Claddagh Ring to eternity knots and spirals, they’ve imbued the ancient art forms of Irish and Celtic jewelry with contemporary design elements that can be passed from one generation to the next. Create a new tradition and give the women in your life a Celtic Sisters Knot pendant ($59.00), so each time you wear them, you think of one another. Prices vary.
Personalize those gifts
Have someone who’s hard to shop for? Send a personalized gift. A bag or mouse pad with her favorite photo is always a hit. But why not think outside of the box and send her gelatos, ice creams and sorbets from eCreamery that you created especially for her? Custom orders start at $59.99 plus shipping.
GIFTS FOR HIM
Stay well groomed
Sign him up for Dollar Shave Club and he’ll never have to survive a dull razor again. Select from three razor styles – the Humble Twin ($1 per month + S&H), the 4x ($6 per month) and the 6-blade Executive ($9 each month) – and once a month, DSC will deliver these affordable blades right to his doorstep. He can then also test out DSC’s clear Easy Shave Butter ($8) and stop stealing your face moisturizer when he opts for Post Shave ($9) and Miracle Repair Serum ($12). And like most dads, he’ll understand the value of One Wipe Charlies ($4, $7.50), flushable butt-wipes.
Get gear happy
Backpacks may be trendy but not quite right for every office environment. I love Cotopaxi’s water resistant nylon and canvas Kpong satchel with a suede leather bottom. It’s roomy enough to hold a laptop, water bottle and other essentials. Just as attractive: by purchasing the $89 bag, you’ll be supporting Brighten Your Corner, which is helping rebuild a school in Kpong, Ghana. Choose from five colors.
Best feet forward
Dress shoes are like a guy’s version of heels – he knows he has to wear them for those occasions but he hates them because they are quite painful. So I can’t wait until the husband checks out a pair from Jack Erwin. These American crafted, European made styles are gorgeous, comfortable and affordable. Select a style, send in your size (they recommend ordering a size down) and Jack Erwin will deliver them right to his front steps. Prices start at $95.
Get Outfitted
Is your guy planning a trip to the snow, but doesn’t have all the cold weather gear? Give him a gift certificate to GetOutfitted–an online ski and snow apparel shop. Just click what you want, and it comes delivered to your door. When done, just stick it back in the prepaid box and throw it in the mail. (And the guys aren’t limited to this service, you can outfit the whole family). Prices start at $23.00 a day.
Toast 2015
Wine handpicked for your palate – who wouldn’t want that? After answering a questionnaire about your taste preferences, Club W will make wine recommendations based the flavor profile and deliver the bottles to your front door. Gift cards start at $50 for one month of wine.
GIFTS FOR THE KIDS
Give them a furry friend
No, not a live one, but a WorryWoo Monster–a loveable, huggable creature which helps kids learn to deal with difficult emotions. From Wince the Worrier, to Twitch the Monster of Frustration, there is an emotion for every child (and teen!). Each monster has his/her own storybook which helps the child learn to identify the emotion. Book and stuffed animal sets start at $36.00.
Watch their feet grow
Squatchi may be more useful for a caregiver, but what child doesn’t like to measure themselves? With Squatchi, a child places their foot on the thin, plastic “foot”, and can see how big their foot is. Mom marks it and knows what shoe size to buy. A win win for everyone! $19.99.