Jane Yermakov

This busy holiday season is usually portrayed as a time of joy seeping through the air. What else seems to be seeping through the air? Stress, procrastination, coldness and more. Hopefully, this list can prove helpful in the endeavor that is gift giving and get one thing off the to-do checklist. Graphic by Jane Yermakov

‘Tis the season of frantically buying gifts, getting shocked by the dramatic changes in the weather and thinking about the looming excitement of the nearing holiday. All through the house not a thing was stirring… except for wildly beating hearts that ache of stress. Although exciting, with the busy end of year tests for students and quotas to meet for adults, the added stress of finding the perfect thing for that special person does nothing short of take away the magical cheeriness of this time of year. 

For those who find such a tale relatable, have no fear, for I am here! Allow me to take some of the stress off your shoulders with a special list of gift ideas. As a teenager myself, I am relatively well equipped with top-notch, super secret (not really) information on some things someone of my demographic would want, as well as great, affordable gifts in general.

Accessories

Jewelry shopping has an abundance of shapes, sizes, styles, colors, and many more factors to take into account – it’s safe to say that this is a pretty daunting category to consider. It’s not only daunting though, there’s always going to be something perfect for everyone. With jewelry, it’s oftentimes difficult to strike a balance between personal taste and timeless appeal. Although subjective, it’s all about attention to detail. Jewelry is a way to present exactly how much you pay attention to their tastes, making it an endearing and intimate gift.

Two popular options from the ever-changing trends of the internet are a personalized charm necklace as well as Italian charm bracelets. You get to choose the charms yourself, making it all the more unique. 

A more underrated idea would be wallets, card holders, small clutches or other storage devices of that nature. Some might find this to be a more lame idea, but those who do fail to realize the benefits. Wallets are a daily essential item for most and yet people often don’t put much thought into what they use to hold the things they need. Victoria Secret, Coach and other brands have options for all age groups. A newer and nicer wallet is an excellent way to spruce up everyday life and add extra convenience to someone’s day.

An increasingly common staple in the lives of teenagers are disposable cameras. Pictures hold memories and eventually sentimental attachment after enough time. With this gift, not only do the photos hold memory, but so does the camera. The grainy nostalgic energy of the pictures will make great decorations for bedrooms and will be a constant reminder of all the good things in life. In a world dominated by digital photography and phones, this camera provides a tangible way to capture and relive moments – and to build more.

Self Care

Sephora is probably one of the scariest places on Earth for someone who is unfamiliar with beauty products. Similar to the subjectivity of jewelry, makeup’s variety in shades, brands, formulas, products, colors, and more all make it difficult to narrow down. Luckily, buying a set of makeup or skincare is usually cheaper and more compact than buying it individually. This means less waste if the recipient doesn’t like it or bragging rights for you since you discovered their new favorite product.

On a similar note, we have perfumes and colognes. This is another difficult category since there is usually quite a bit of fragrance in a normal size bottle and if the recipient doesn’t like the scent, they’re stuck with something they have no use for. Discovery sets are a great solution to this problem. The smaller size, but increased quantity, provides an opportunity to try something new without the commitment of deciding to wear a new scent immediately.

Miscellaneous

The broadest category of all! A little bit of everything for basically everyone.

Some might say that a stuffed animal might be a gift for someone of a younger age, but I beg to differ, especially with the increasing popularity of a specific brand: Jellycats. This brand has gained a cult following on Tiktok and Pinterest because of their creative and impossibly cute stuffed animals.

Jellycats were the main mention for the category of stuffed animals, but it’s really not hard to find a super cute stuffie. Squishmallows and most other brands alike achieve the same goal as a Jellycat, but even making one yourself could add the missing personal touch.

(For a potential secret admirer: get me the penguin Jellycat with the fluffy head.)

Another one of my personal favorites: legos. This might seem extremely childish (in some cases, it is), but Lego has some sets that are definitely out of the skillset or interest of a child. They’re extremely fun to build, either individually or together (bonding moment!) and a brilliant addition to the visuals in a home.

Not everyone has the time or expertise to make something DIY, but it’s still an option to take into account if the ideas are really lacking. This is a reminder that a thoughtful card can go much further than a nice bag with a big ol’ price tag on it. There is nothing wrong with an imperfect crocheted creation or handmade painting.

Gift giving is just an avenue to express love, appreciation and understanding for those who hold special places in our hearts. It’s not only about the material exchange of objects, but the intangible exchange of what goes unspoken. The most priceless gift is what already exists between you and your gift-recipient. Happy holidays!