29 Gift Ideas for a 20-Something

JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!

I am oozing gingerbread out of my pores.

That’s gross, my b.

While I was home for Thanksgiving last weekend, my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I drew a blank. World peace? A way to reverse global warming and Alzheimer’s? Love and affection? Money??? That’s all I ever need, just pump cold hard cash straight into my bank account and my veins. Maybe just that first option…

But fo’ real, I never know what to suggest. I’d rather give gifts than receive them. It fuels the depths of my soul watching someone open a gift. I enjoy “experience” types of gifts over something material, and I think this goes for a lot of ladies I know. HOWEVER, if I am looking for something material, it needs to either be something practical or a big ol’ “treating myself” sort of thing. Sorry, but nobody actually needs another coffee mug.

SO. Here we are. Four weeks before Christmas and I’m hooking you up with a list of some gift ideas for the twenty-something gal on your list, based on your price range. This post is not sponsored by any of the brands listed…but I wouldn’t be mad if it was. Ho ho ho, let’s go!

IF YOU’RE…Ballin’ on a Budget

• BEAUTY
  • Face masks – This package by TONYMOLY includes 13 different masks. Even better…it’s only $25!
  • Moisturizers – I’ve heard FAB things about The Skincare Set by Glossier. Skin care is a bit tricky to give as a gift, depending on your gal’s skin type, but trying new products is always a bonus.
  • Hair mask – Winter is BRUTAL on your hair, so what better gift than a moisturizing hair mask? This one from Moroccanoil has some great reviews.
  • Lip scrub – Chapped lips are LITERALLY my worst nightmare, but Burt’s Bees is a life saver. Lip scrub is also easy to make by yourself for a cute DIY gift.
  • Bath bombs – How often do I have time to take a bath? Never. This is a great “treat yourself” gift for someone who deserves some unwind time. LUSH wins all the things in terms of natural products with yummy smells, fun colors, and shapes.
    
• FUZZY COZY THINGS
  • Throw blankets – Everyone loves a throw blanket. This one is a top rated pick on Amazon, so obviously it’s a good idea. Wrap yourself in sherpa warmth.
  • UGGS socks – Like heaven on your feet for $20. Get some for yourself first.
  • Sherpa hoodie – Sherpa. Sherpasherpasherpa. Just all the sherpa.
• MISC.
  • BaubleBar earrings – If your girl wears fun statement jewelry, these are a great option. They have a TON on sale right now.
  • Portable phone charger – One of the best, most practical gifts I’ve ever received was a portable phone charger. If you’re shopping for someone who’s always on the go, DING DING DING. This is it.
  • Streaming service – The gift that keeps on giving. My aunt always gifted my family a year’s worth of Netflix. It was THE BEST. You can usually get gift cards for Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services at local retailers like Target or Walgreens.

 

IF YOU’RE…Middle of the Road

• The Growing Candle – Candles seem to be a pretty typical gift, but THIS…this is revolutionary. The packaging label on this candle is embedded with flower seeds, so you can plant it inside the container when your candle is all burnt out. Eco-friendly and multipurpose for about $30!
  
• Bluetooth speaker – A portable speaker is great because you can charge it up and take it wherever you want. Party, beach, park, you name it. This one comes in a ton of colors and is less than $100.
• Mani/Pedi – This could be a treat for a hardworking lady in your life. Even if she gets her nails done regularly, the price can add up, so this gift is thoughtful and appreciated! Majority of nail salons offer gift certificates, just pop in and ask.
• Kendra Scott Elisa necklace – This piece is SO special. It’s Kendra Scott’s #1 best seller and there are so many stones and colors to choose from. It’s a simple, timeless piece that will be cherished for a long time. Looking for something a little different? Kendra Scott has a bunch of different jewelry pieces that can fit your budget and the style of the lady you’re shopping for.
  
• Perfume sampler – Full-size fragrances stress me out because I like to switch up scents before the whole bottle is gone. A sampler pack is a great way to take perfume on the go or test out a few new ones.
• Subscription Boxes
  • Wine of the Month – Um..wine. Need I say more?
  • Fab Fit Fun – These HUGE seasonal gift boxes are available for just $49.99! There is one box distributed in spring, summer, fall, and winter, all stocked FULL of $200+ worth of beauty products, home goods, accessories, and more. It’s like Christmas year-round.
  • Earthlove – Sustainable, eco-friendly products make up this box. Each one includes a book, 6-8 different products, a mini magazine with tips on how to live more consciously, and information about their environmental non-profit partners. Customize it based on your price range and give the gift of the EARRRRTH!
  • HelloFresh – Listen, I can’t cook. If I’m going to make something, it needs to be easy with a short list of ingredients and steps. HelloFresh is always running deals for weekly deliveries of fresh ingredients and delishhh easy recipes.
  • Birchbox – I usually only sample beauty products when I’m spending too much time at Ulta or Sephora. This is a step up from that. Whether you choose a 3- 6- or 12-month subscription, this is a great gift for a beauty lover to try some fun new products.

 

IF YOU’RE…Makin’ it Rain

• PAMPERING
  • Massage – We all need a massage. They can get a little pricey depending on the duration, add-ons, and where you go. This is a special gift for someone who needs some TLC.
  • Clairsonic facial cleansing device – The gift of clear skin is one I wish I was blessed with. LUCKILY, products like this exist. It’s like an exfoliator and cleanser all in one. Thanks, Obama.
    
• EVENT TICKETS
  • Cooking class – Austin gifted me a culinary class at Sur La Table for my birthday and it was a blast! Many culinary schools, cookware stores, or restaurants offer classes. Search around your city and pick up a gift certificate!
  • Concert or festival – Concert tickets are THE BEST. This is a splurge sort of gift, so if you want to give something big, this is the way to go!
  • Sports – Like concert tickets, tickets to sporting events can also be on the expensive side. This is an awesome “experience” type of gift if you want to ball out.
• TRAVEL
  • Luggage – Before I went on a trip to Washington D.C. recently, I realized I didn’t have ANY decent luggage (hey there, gross duffel bags from college, nice to see you again). This is the perfect gift for a twenty-something who is traveling or moving often. Nordstrom Rack has a bunch on sale right now!
    
  • Airline gift card – What holds most people back from traveling? COST. SERIOUSLY. WTF. Most major airlines like Southwest, American Airlines, or Delta offer gift cards. Pick one up online and put a hundo or two on it toward an upcoming vacation for someone special.
  • Hotel or Airbnb gift card – You can usually find some pretty cheap places to stay while traveling, but a great gift would be a nice hotel or a cool Airbnb for someone on your list. Airbnb gift cards can be found at local retail stores like Target or Walgreens, or find a hotel chain that you can snag a certificate from.

 

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…GIFT CARDS. Some people think gift cards are impersonal, but in this house, we live for gift cards. Twenty-somethings are LITERALLY just trying to survive. We appreciate ANYTHING. Gift cards to places we frequent, like Amazon, Target, grocery stores, restaurants, Ulta, Sephora, etc. are the best gifts, because you know they’ll be used. Guaranteed. It’s the most fail-proof way to let a picky or hard-to-buy-for person choose what they really need or want.

BOOM. There you go. You’re welcome. Are you inspired? I hope you all have a lovely holiday season! Share some good times with friends and family, reflect on the past year, and fill yourselves up to the brim with eggnog and memories. Maybe not eggnog, you don’t have to pretend to like it.

Love always,

Jessica xoxo