It’s December 18th, and you barely have a week to gather gifts for everyone on your list before you end up wrapping an apology letter again. You’re rummaging through the storage closet for that torn-up roll of cheap wrapping paper you bought two years ago, while doing your best to ignore the fact that you have absolutely zero ideas for what to buy with the thirty-seven dollars remaining in your wallet. What do you get for that one friend who already has everything? Or worse, the one who swears they don’t want anything? In this guide, you’ll find a variety of gift ideas for every type of person in your life, from the ones you genuinely appreciate to the ones you’re only shopping for because you drew their name in Secret Santa.
For:
The overachieving student who highlights in 4 colors
- A 36 pack of highlighters – $24
- A study timer shaped like a cat that meows when it’s time for a break – $15
- A very bright desk lamp that they can use when they are studying at 1:00 am for their next test – $29
- A bullet journal for their elaborate to-do list – $14
The friend who complains about being tired all day
- A weighted blanket – $25
- A custom mug for their 5th cup of coffee – $9
- A lavender-scented candle – $5
- A cozy sweater – $32
- Christmas pjs – $24
- A fuzzy blanket hoodie – $20
The hardcore gamer
- Blue light glasses – $12
- LED light strips for their room – $36
- Game gift cards – $25
The friend obsessed with books
- A book set that no one else would be able to finish – $37
- Fancy bookmarks like dried flowers, so that they can mark their never-ending book list – $2
- Barnes & Noble gift card – $10
- A book light – $10
Someone who likes handmade things
- Handmade ceramic mug – $12-$37
- Crocheted stuffed animal – $15-$37
- A personalized keychain – $5-$20
The music-obsessed friend
- Spotify Premium gift card
- A mini Bluetooth speaker eg. JBL Go 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – $37
- A playlist of songs that remind you of them – $0
- Vinyl records of their favorite artists – $15-$30
The friend who is always late because they overslept
- A very loud alarm clock – $20
- A comfy hoodie – $30, branded – $60+
People you forgot about until December 24th
- A scented candle – $10
- Fuzzy socks – $5
- Target gift card
- A handwritten card – $0
- Hot chocolate mix – $13
The skincare enthusiast with a 20-step skincare routine:
- A mini skincare fridge – $35
- The Ordinary serum set – $22
- Starface pimple patches – $15
- A skincare headband – $5
The chronically online friend
- Stanley or Owala water bottle – $25-$30
- A gift card for Starbucks or Crumbl Cookies
- Phone charm or case – $10-$30
- A portable phone charger for all that scrolling – $15-$37
The creative one
- Polymer clay set for making jewelry – $30
- Watercolor pens or paint markers – $10
- A DIY friendship bracelet kit – $8
- A journal for doodles, poems, and random thoughts – $5
The photographer
- Disposable or digital film camera – $11
- Cute photo album or collage frame – $10
- Aesthetic ring light for pictures – $30
Regardless of who’s receiving it or how frantic last-minute shopping was, a practical or considerate present will always be there ready to rescue you. It’s the warm feeling that accompanies the gift that really matters. By making it through this list, you’ve shown that you really care about your friends’ personalities. So whether your friend is phone addicted or the perfect student, there will always be a gift that fits.
