With the holidays getting closer each day, the struggle to find a special gift for your significant other (SO) can be difficult — one always wants to make their gift special and not be the SO that gives their loved one a lame last-minute gift. It also doesn’t help that some of us are the cliche “broke college student.” Not to worry: There are still great and affordable gift ideas for that special someone in mind.
Pinterest Adventures
While some of us may not be so crafty when it comes to difficult and time-consuming DIY’s, Pinterest can give you helpful advice of where to find holiday gifts online. You can search for “Pins” that have links to deals online or even some discount sites.
If you are a crafty person, or are willing to be this holiday, Pinterest has all kinds of ideas for everyone — from beginners to experts. Examples of what can be found on Pinterest include decorating a basic mason jar with ribbons, stickers or spray paint as a great holder for your SO’s favorite candy or snack. If you are more sentimental, creating a pop-up box or flip book with photos and stories you and your significant other to share is a perfect keepsake that you can always look at for an instant trip back down on memory lane. There are a vast variety of gift ideas — from soap scrubs to photo coasters — that anyone can choose from. It’s a hunt, but it’s worth it!
Gift Baskets
This is a collector’s game. Gather some small items that spark your SO’s attention, such as favorite snacks, favorite movies, a much-needed wallet or gifts for winter like gloves and scarves. You can even create a theme for your basket, like movie night or game night, as this endeavor is all about making it personal.
If your SO is a music lover or video gamer, add tidbits of items of their favorite band or game.
Have an inside joke about a random object? Add it in for a laugh. If your SO is a music lover or video gamer, add tidbits of items of their favorite band or game. Small items can be found at many places for low prices and while you may feel that it won’t be enough, having small things in one basket makes the gift appear more carefully thought out. Michael’s, a craft store, usually has sales on baskets or boxes that can hold all these things and The Dollar Tree also has an assortment of boxes and baskets to choose from.
Amazon
During the holidays, Amazon has easier access to hundreds of items every day, adding special categories for holiday gifts like jewelry or home appliances. Amazon also provides an easy way to have gifts shipped to your door with their two-day shipping and with a note on the item stating if it will arrive in time for Christmas. Also, AmazonSmile gives its customers the option to have proceeds go to a charity of their choice.
Etsy
Etsy is another online store that has one-of-a-kind gifts sold at great prices. Buyers can find everything from handmade candles based on books and TV shows to handmade aprons based on the newest Marvel movie. If you know the fandoms your significant other is a part of, Etsy is a magnificent place to find the unique gifts that cater toward those types of gifts. Since shipping varies with retailers being located worldwide, it is suggested to order as soon as you can or to ask the retailer if they have guaranteed shipping before the holidays.
Gift Card
While a gift card may seem like a lazy gift to some, it is a practical choice. Knowing your significant other’s favorite place to shop or eat at and giving them a gift card for said place guarantees that they will get something they want (it also allows you to have a set budget and makes it impossible to going over that limit!). If you want to add something fun to the gift card, add a DIY decorated jar, as stated before, with their favorite candy or savory snack, like trail mix or M&M’s.
… if all else fails, just ask them what they want. It may take away the surprise of it, but it will make it beyond easy to make their holidays a bit brighter.
Although it may feel like a jarring task to find affordable gifts that your significant other will appreciate when school is overbearing and you’re an on-a-budget student, there are affordable ideas and retail stores that hold great gifts that are ideal to give to your significant other. However, if all else fails, just ask them what they want. It may take away the surprise of it, but it will make it beyond easy to make their holidays a bit brighter.
