Shopping for adults can be tough. For many of us, we have adult money so we just get the things we want – or it’s something expensive and beyond normal budget so we don’t get it, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a good gift when considering holiday budgets then.
Below is my idea list of things for different interest types. There are ideas here for all genders!
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Stocking Stuffers
Some folks recommend things like Apple AirPods as Stocking Stuffers, but my rule of thumb is that if the item is over $20-ish ballpark, it belongs under the tree as a primary gift so all of these suggestions are under $20 and are great stocking stuffers.
A good go-to are your person’s favorite snacks – a single-serving bag of their favorite chips, their favorite candy, or beef jerky! This keychain Tobasco to-go is great for your person who always thinks food needs to be just a *bit* more spicy. Righteous Felon Beef Jerky is one of our favorites and this Righteous Felon sampler pack includes 4 packs (and while the 4-pack is $29, that has each bag priced at $7.25). Their flavors are delicious and their names are so clever.
One of my favorite candy suggestions are these Ghirardelli squares – you can get a variety pack and split the squares between multiple stockings or you can gift the whole bag to one recipient. (Bonus tip: if you get the milk chocolate caramel ones, you can sprinkle a little Himalayan salt onto them for an extra salty salted caramel flavor.)
For a funny candy addition, you can get “coal” for your person by gifting them this Sour Patch Kids Coal Candy.
Phone Chargers and Screen-Cleaning Wipes are also a great addition. These phone chargers are sturdy (I keep one in my car right now) and these screen-cleaning wipes are great for on-the-go. The box comes with 100 packed wipes so you can split these between multiple people’s stockings!
Fuzzy Socks are an amazing addition. I always love some cozy socks. These are Lavender and Vitamin E infused for some extra coziness!
A gift certificate to a local place for some ice cream is a fun addition that also facilitates a great connection later. If you do your stockings or Christmas-celebration on a different day than December 25th many places will be open and you can go for a post-present outing as a family!
I’ll be outing my nerd-side here with these last two suggestions, but a nice pen and some correction tape will have your organized person so happy. These U Brands U-Eco Recycled Gel Click Pens and Uniball Zento Gel Pens are some of my favorites. I used to be a non-click-pen girly then I had kids and my pen caps would go missing so now I just go with click pens.
This correction tape is one of favorites! It covers mistakes really well and is easy to write on.
For The Self-Care Friend
A local massage certificate is a great go-to when you aren’t sure exactly what your self-care friend would love.
Andar is a favorite of mine (I have so many things from them – bags, wallet, AirTag holder, etc) and their chapstick holder is equally great for your friend who’s always looking for their latest chapstick.
The Five-Minute Journal gives your friend an opportunity to pause and reflect and lean into a mindful moment. While they are journaling, they can curl up under this STELLAR blanket from Target. I received this a few days ago in a Dirty Santa Exchange and I’m so glad I did. I was shocked to see that it was only $15!
Bonus: they can pre-warm their blanket in this Towel Warmer! We purchased this towel warmer in 2022 and it is still going strong – we alternate between using it in the Living Room to warm blankets and using it to warm towels in the bathroom.
As far as smaller products go, these are all items I’ve purchased, used, and rebought again: LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask for a good lip refresh
this Bath Oil lasts forever because you only use a capful at a time
this eye mask is admittedly one I haven’t rebought because my first one is still in great condition, but it is so nice because it is concave and doesn’t press against your eyes or lashes. The multi-pack is great because you can have on your nightstand, one in your travel bag, and one to gift to another friend!
These makeup spatulas are great for getting the last bit of product. We love a good product, but we also love being frugal and using all of it before we toss the container.
If your person has any acne-prone skin, they likely would love Mighty Patches. These Micropoint ones are great for sub-surface blemish before they become a full-on zit, this chin one is great for when you have a hormonal breakout across your chin, and the original ones are great for any zit or blemish!
To top it off, you can get them a skincare fridge to keep serums and eye patches cool (or face towels warm) and rechargeable hand warmers to warm them on-the-go.
For Tech-Loving Friend
To continue with my love of Andar, their Apple AirTag holder is so nice! You don’t have to worry about the AirTag falling out at all.
Sony Headphones are my go-to the last few years. I have these over-the-ear WH-1000XM5 and they are great for noise-canceling. I use them at the gym weekly! I also have the in-ear WF-1000XM3s. The XM3s are an older model, but they are still working so well that I haven’t had a need to replace them. The current WF-1000XM5s are at a great price point, and again, these are great with noise-canceling.
This laptop case has been a favorite of mine this year. My kids are tough on my stuff because they are rough-and-tumble and this case has helped keep my laptop scuff-free and damage-free.
Speaking of laptops, a new laptop tote is always a great option. And if you’re going for a laptop tote, and also looking for a SPLURGE item – I hands-down recommend Cuyana! I have one of their older style bags and it still looks so good years later. It’s genuine leather and such a nice bag. This Classic Easy Tote holds up to a 16″ laptop!
Amazon Echos are great for hands-free tech wether you’re asking Alexa how many Tablespoons are in a quarter cup (something I ask each week when I make Miso-Glazed Fish), asking the weather, or playing music, adding an Alexa into the mix is a level up. I’d recommend an Echo Dot or even an Echo Show!
One final item that I can’t skip recommending is this Moft Tripod Stand. It folds so small and is so handy. I often toss mine in my purse for any on-the-go photos or videos we want to make effortlessly while we’re going about our daily lives.
For the Friend Who Has Everything
If your friend is like some of mine, they seem to have everything so what more could we get them? Here are a few ideas that might fit your maximalist friend too!
I mentioned our love for Righteous Felon Jerky in the stocking stuffers section, but this option is a larger selection of sampling 8 flavors!
In the same vein of food-related gifts, we love this Bonne Maman Holiday Gift Set and this Truff Mini Variety Sauce Pack.
If your friend loves their car, this car cleaning supply kit is great and this car seat gap filler is a great option too.
If your friend has Apple accessories, this Apple Charging Stand is great to charge their phone, watch, and AirPods all in one. A Leather Apple Watch band is always a nice addition too.
If your friend is health-conscious, this pre-workout is a favorite in Eddie’s book, these silicone wedding bands are great for travel or the gym, and this massage tool will help ease sore muscles post-workout.
Let me know what you think!
I truly hope these gift suggestions bring joy to your crew during this fun-filled holiday season.
Let me know how it goes – I’d love to connect, hear if these gifts were a hit with your family as much as they have been with ours!
Follow me on socials, comment on the social media post letting me know which one you loved, and even pop into my DMs to reach out – you can find me @appmanda on all platforms!