18 Holiday Gift ideas under $20

18 Holiday Gift Ideas for Around $20 and how to Score the Best Deal on Them

I try really hard to not be a last minute shopper and always want to get the perfect gift for everyone. I have an ongoing list in my phone of gifts to get people for Christmas or birthdays or just because. Anytime someone mentions they want something or I had an idea I’ll just add it to the list. I’ve rarely given a gift card. A book is always a great idea. You can find the right book for anyone. Here’s my list of 18 other not-just-a-gift-card ideas.

1. A NICE BAG OF COFFEE, A  MILK FROTHER AND STENCILS FOR LATTE ART

Latte art stencils are a great gift for any coffee drinker. Etsy has cute ones and you can even order custom ones with names or shapes of your choosing. If you haven’t shopped on Etsy before, check it out. There’s lots of cool unique small businesses. www.etsy.com/market/coffee_stencil

2. A CUSTOM DRAWING FROM FIVERR

I’m gonna let you guys in on a secret of mine… I love this website Fiverr. You can hire freelancers for almost everything. I got my friend a drawing of her dog in a Nike track suit for Christmas last year. Find someone with good reviews and a lot of them. Be really specific with your requests, because a lot of the sellers are from other countries and English might not be their first language. www.fiverr.com/lu4ever/great-christmas-present-with-yellow-character

3. SHOWER SPEAKER

Someone got this as a gift for me and I love it. I didn’t realize how much I would use it. Not only is it good for music but its also great for books on tape or learning a new language. http://skingenuity.myshopify.com/products/waterproof-wireless-shower-speaker-with-microphone

4. THE WIDOW CLICQUOT

This is such a good book about the history of the Veuve Champagne house. It’s an interesting story if you haven’t heard it. http://www.amazon.com/The-Widow-Clicquot-Champagne-Empire/dp/0061288586

5. A ENAMEL LAPEL PIN

!Yesterdays Co has the cutest ones. They’re designed and made right in Orange County. There’s about 30 different designs mostly about pop culture or random funny things. My favorite is the pop tart one. http://www.yesterdays.co/

6. WINE OR WHISKEY

Who doesn’t like wine?. Ask a recommendation of someone at Bevmo and get something different. http://www.reversewinesnob.com/2014/01/top-10-red-wines-under-20-dollars.html

7. THE LITTLE BOOK OF CHEESE TIPS

Pair this with some great cheese and the wine in a cute basket. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home-gift-the-little-book-of-cheese-tips/25296651

8. FACE MASK

I love Eminence skincare. It’s made with a lot of natural ingredients. My favorite product is their Citrus and Kale Masque. https://eminenceorganics.com/us/body-product-type/face/masques-treatments

9. CHOCOLATE

Mmmmmm. Delicious and easy last minute. Do I need to say more?

10. TRY THE WORLD

This is one of the cuter monthly subscriptions I’ve seen. Every month they send you a package of snack from a different country. This is definitely on my Christmas list this year. http://www.trytheworld.com/

11. BLUE APRON

I haven’t tried this yet myself, but a lot of my friends have and love it. The send you a package with everything you need to make a gourmet meal at home. Everything is prepackaged and proportioned out for you. I noticed it was recently on Groupon. www.groupon.com/deals/blue-apron-27-las-vegas

12. PRINTS OF ART IN A NICE FRAME

If a real painting isn’t in your budget there are a lot of prints you can buy from distributors or artists directly for lower prices. Put it in a nice frame and you’re good to go. Mark Ryden is one of my favorites. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-PRINT-by-Mark-Ryden-/272060534379

13. FACE CREAM

I love this one. It’s all natural and made with coconut oil, sweet almond oil and aloe vera gel. Its a good gift because its good for all skin types. It’s anti-aging but it doesn’t like say “takes away wrinkles” on the package so you won’t feel rude gifting it. They’re offering free shipping now for the holidays and I saw if you use the promo code “HOLIDAY” it’s 10% off.

http://islandsharvest.com/products/coconut-oil-facial-moisturizer

14. POLARID PRINTER THAT CONNECTS TO SMARTPHONE

My friend Lily always brings this to parties and it’s so much fun. It’s more than $20 but I’m gonna throw it out there anyways. www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/printers/

15. CITIX GUIDES

This is a great gift for anyone you know that loves to travel. They’re little guides books written by 60 locals to favorite cities around the world. They mention more than just the obvious monuments and shopping you would normally see recommended.  Curated by a select group of artists, designers, chefs, architects, musicians, photographers and filmmakers that call each city home, these books provide an insider s look at the hidden gems that make a trip memorable. Listed in the guides are these talents’ prides — creatives’ hangouts, respected institutions, favorite retail stores and neighborhood eateries awash with passion and rich in stories. The cover folds out to a frameable illustrated map. There’s guides to: London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Portland http://store.asissued.com/products/citix60-map-guides

16. FACIAL

If you live in Vegas check out the Aveda salon (school) here. I’ve used the Groupon for this facial and it was great. I like getting services done at schools even though everyone is still in training. They don’t let students work on customers until they are well trained and they are also still being watched so they all do a great job so you give good feedback to their instructors. https://www.groupon.com/deals/aveda-institute-las-vegas-4-8

17. WIRELESS REMOTE, SELFIE LIGHT OR TRIPOD FOR SMARTPHONE

Most girls secretly want this but maybe won’t admit it. http://skingenuity.myshopify.com/products/smartphone-bluetooth-remote-control-shutter-tripod-mount-camera-lens

18. LOVE LOOKS NOT WITH THE EYES: THIRTEEN YEARS WITH LEE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

A good coffee table book on art or fashion is a pretty safe gift that a lot of people would like.  I love this McQueen one. http://www.amazon.com/Love-Looks-Not-Eyes-Alexander/dp/1419704486

Now that you have some ideas, here’s how to get the best deals. First off, Ebates is the shit. I’m obsessed. Saks 5th Avenue right now is 8% cash back. You just go to Ebates first and then shop from their link and they send you a “Big Fat Check” as they call it. I think I’ve gotten about $530 back year to date. Maybe that means I shop online a lot, but still, I’ll take it. It feels like I’m getting paid to shop. If I remember right Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals were the best all year, but in general they give more cash back around the holidays than any time of year so buy whatever you need to buy now. Ebates is separate from store discounts so you can still use whatever discount the store is having. Trust me! Sign up here: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=OBwFfAmr%2BprRDLB8WR68rg%3D%3D&eeid=28187

Happy Holidays!!!! Zoe

Twitter @zoeabel

Instagram @zoeabel

xo,