“Oh no!” I forgot to get them a present!

Never fear– the present expert is here.

If you’re anything like I am, you’re an overwhelmed, overworked college teen.

If you’re also anything like me, you try your damnedest to get everybody presents, but sometimes you forget due to the above issues.

So I’m going to list people that you may have forgotten to get presents for, and some cheap, easy ideas for you.

ORDER: Mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, person you don’t give a shit about but have to get them a present anyways to conform to social norms, boyfriend, girlfriend, teachers, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandpa, grandma, secret santa, and pets.

Mom

Quality over quantity.

• A gift certificate to get your nails done together
• A greatest mom in the world DIY gift
• A tasteful statement necklace
• DIY sugar scrub or lip balms
• Religious paraphernalia
• New dishes
• A beauty subscription box
• Makeup (Nice makeup. Raid Ulta’s clearance if you’re broke.)
• A bunch of fuzzy socks
• A nice robe

Dad

Something they will definitely, for-sure actually use.

• WWE garb from their website
• Their favorite record framed
• Indulge in their fanboy-ness (Star Wars, Marvel, DC, etc.) with toys or collectibles etc.
• Something for their car (Steering wheel cover, gear decoration, ornament for the mirror, stickers if they’re into that, etc)
• A nice sweater
• Apparel from their favorite sports team (Amazon > other stores OR discount racks at sports stores)
• A subscription box for fanboys

One year I got my Dad a Cowboys steering wheel cover and he used it until it wore out!

Sister

Quantity over quality.

• Gift card to their favorite store or fast food place (My sisters LOVE Chick-Fil-A)
• A shirt that will remind her of one of your inside jokes
• Cheap makeup (Colourpop, Essence, etc.)
• Nail polish
• Graphic Tee’s
• A movie date
• Cute school supplies mom would never “waste money” on

Brother

They just want something cool. (I have a younger brother so go easy on me when you make fun of me on these ones!)

• Comic books
• A nice shirt (Like Polo or something)
• Joke book
• Stamp set and stickers
• Roshes (I got some for $30 so)
• Sports gear (Skateboard, helmet, baseball bat)

Aunt

Like mother gifts, but you don’t have to spend as much money.

• Jewelry (JcPenny’s)
• A scarf + mittens
• A book of quotes
• A planner
• Rollerball perfume

Uncle

Like father gifts, but not as personal.

• A knife (You can get cool Marine ones on Amazon for $10)
• A wallet
• A tie
• A necklace
• Small bottle of cologne

Person you don’t give a shit about but have to get them a present anyways to conform to social norms

Just something to say you got them something.

• Travel sized perfume
• Fun sized Bath and Body Works lotion
• A movie
• Headphones
• Flip-flops
• A $2 Starbucks reusable cup
• Pencils and pens
• Raid the clearance of Ulta, a bookstore, Earthbound, etc. Anything that’s cheap and pointless.

Boyfriend

Kind of like Dads in the sense that it has to be something they’ll actually use.

• A necklace
• Fan boy gifts (Sports, books, etc)
• A nice, decent sized bottle of cologne
• A “nice” outfit. (Button-down and tie)
• Shoes they’ve been eye-balling
• Male Bath and Body Works soap
• Hats
• A night-in kit (A huge blanket, popcorn, sparking juice, and a movie you both love)
• Polos

Girlfriend

Basically anything you see on Instagram or Pinterest that girls seem to fan over. (I’ll probably be the best at this one because I’m a girlfriend.) Think of a younger version of your mom, I guess.

• A day out
• Shoes (Heels, sneakers, whatever we just love shoes)
• The outfit she’s been eyeballing for a month
• PINK stuff (You can never go wrong here. We want all of it but its too expensive. They have backpacks, beauty products, and clothes if you aren’t comfortable getting her bras and underwear.)
• “Calvins” A Calvin Klein sports bra and matching underwear
• Take her to get her nails done
• LUSH bathbombs
• A nice statement necklace with a matching bracelet
• A little Polaroid camera
• Bath and Body Works set
• A magazine subscription
• A monthly box subscription
• A nice robe

Teachers

Something small to say “thanks”. Unless they were a AWESOME teacher.

• Candy canes with a “happy holidays” note
• A nice e-mail about what you learned and liked about them and their class
• A note about the same thing as above
• Candles that say “You’re a scent-sational teacher”
• Candy with a witty teacher note (Lolipops, gummy bears, whatever)
• Bath and Body Works lotion (Like when they have the buy 3 get 3 free deals or the mini bottles)

Mother-In-Law

I’m guessing you have to impress her, because I’m pretty sure 9/10 mother-in-laws hate their daughter-in-laws. (I’m lucky!) Go for a mixture of mom and grandma. Quality is more important than quantity.

• Jewelry
• Photos of you and her son (and your kids if you have them)
• Handmade grandma things (if you have kids, of course)
• New dishes
• Bath and Body Works gift set of their favorite scent
• A small Coach wallet
• Nice soaps

Father-In-Law

Like a mixture of dad and grandpa. Personal but not too personal.

• Handmade grandpa things (if you have kids)
• A set of shot glasses
• Male Bath and Body Works soap
• A nice sweater
• Sports gear

I think my boyfriend’s dad’s favorite gift that I’ve given him is a Bible-Verse-A-Day book.

Grandfather

Think of the “olden days”– they’re not going to want technology. Go for something that is sweet, old-school, and/or sentimental.

• Military stuff (If they served)
• Best grandpa things
• A handwritten card
• Photographs
• Man Cave decorations
• A gift card to that place they always talk about

Grandma

Think of the “olden days”– they’re not going to want technology. Go for something that is sweet, old-school, and/or sentimental.

• Gift card to their favorite store (Kohl’s, Dress Barn, The Christmas Tree Shop, etc)
• Grandmother things
• Something for her pet
• Cute, small furniture like decorative pillows
• Perfume
• “Spa” stuff (Bubble bath, deep conditioning treatment, bath salts, soap…)
• Something you knitted

Secret Santa

Cheap, and to the point.

• Gift card (Only $5 or $10 MAX)
• Fuzzy socks
• Lip balm
• Small, cheap makeup
• Hot chocolate kit (mug, marshmallows, hot chocolate powder, whipped cream)
• A Christmas movie

Pets

• Treats, duh
• Wet food
• Toys from PetSmart
• Hand make a braided toy or this DIY Pet Toy 

If you have any ideas or want me to add anybody, let me know!

Other Holiday/Gift Posts by Me:

I’m Dreaming… Of a White Christmas…

Post-Christmas Sales Worth Your Time 

8 Fresh Ideas on What to Get Your Boyfriend for His Birthday!

Sweet & Simple Family Valentines 

Valentine’s For Your Single Girls! 

DIY Pet Toy 

The 4 Cutest and Least Expensive 2016 Planners 

 

 

Not my photo in the featured photo.