Let’s admit it: We all have different budgets, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make awesome gifts! Today, we’ve curated a selection of 12 wonderful stocking stuffers that, for under $25, make terrific gifts for your loved ones. As usual, this guide includes green options for those of you with a natural spirit.
We have chosen a few traditional Scandinavian Christmas motifs to illustrate our gift guide because at New York For Beginners we keep our European spirit intact. And now, without further ado, here are a few ideas that you wish you had put on your Santa list for yourself!
{Psst… This Stocking Stuffers gift guide has two parts! Please scroll all the way down to unveil the 12 items. Also, don’t forget to click on the beautiful bold pink links to learn more about each product!}
1. Organic Sleep Balm Ornament by Badger ($5.99): Deck the halls with the gift of a good night’s sleep! Badger concocts some of the most effective organic balms that use the power of aromatherapy to help body and mind. The Sleep Balm is one of the staple pieces in my nightstand; I rub a bit on my forehead, neck, and the inside of my wrists to induce a relaxed state of mind and facilitate sleep. This limited edition comes in a gorgeous pyramid that doubles as an eco-friendly ornament. For less than $6 for a .75oz tin, this is a steal! {This product is 100% natural and certified organic by the USDA}
2. Eyeliner pencil in Cuivre by Vert Beauty ($17): Is your BFF always looking for an eye pencil that doesn’t smudge? This one by Vert Beauty could become a staple in her makeup bag. Cuivre is a rich, vibrant copper color that looks great on green and blue eyes, and gives a hint of mystery to brown peeps. Formulated with a vegan formula that includes mango and meadowfoam seed oils, it glides like a dream and takes care of the undereye area. Also, all the ingredients in the formula are naturally derived and sourced. I’m so sold on it that I recommend that you check one out for yourself too. #Sorrynotsorry
3. Mermaid Notebook by Compendium ($6.95): This gorgeous notebook illustrated by MyDeadPony makes a great gift for that bookworm we all have on our lists. A part of the Write Now line of journals, it features an illustrated quote from Anais Nin: “I must be a mermaid… I have no fear of depths, and a great fear of shallow living.” Aside from the beautiful design on the cover, this journal has the perfect size to be carried everywhere in case the inspiration strikes. Bold sentiments, striking artwork, and plenty of lined pages make this cute journal a must-have on your shopping list. {This journal is printed on FSC-certified paper with soy ink}
4. Lemongrass Soap and Candle Stocking Stuffer by LATHER ($18): If you want to surprise a loved one with a memorable gift, I strongly suggest you check LATHER’s latest line of seasonal limited editions. This soap and candle combo includes a high-quality, super moisturizing olive oil soap, plus a soy wax candle infused with lemongrass essential oil. I personally find this unisex fragrance very invigorating, and I can attest to the quality of the soaps created by LATHER because I have an extremely sensitive skin that adores them. {This is a 100% natural product.}
5. Smartphone Selfie Light by Kikkerland ($15): Do you have a friend or relative that is constantly taking selfies? Give them the gift of peace of mind with this selfie light that will illuminate their features seamlessly with the click of a button. Just plug it into the headphone jack of any smartphone to take the best selfies ever. With three settings to capture your loved ones’ beauty, who needs Instagram filters anymore? The Selfie Light includes a USB charging cable to make the art of taking insane pics a breeze. I have personally tested it and I have to admit I’ve been surprised at the difference in my photos! It works great, especially if your smartphone camera needs a bit of help to capture memorable events at night.
6. For the Love of Makeup Artist Palette by Avon ($19.99): When I was a kid, I used to dream with makeup palettes. I was literally obsessed with them, but they were either too expensive or too harsh on my sensitive skin. That is why I love this artist palette by Avon; it literally contains everything that a beauty addict can wish for in a small space. With 30 highly-pigmenting eyeshadows, 5 lip glosses, 3 blushes, 2 highlighters, a contour shade, and three applicators, this is an ideal gift for anyone obsessed with beauty products. Plus, Avon is a company created by women for women. If you buy from your local representative, you’ll help her grow a business of her own. You can’t beat the gift of beauty with a conscience!
7. Joyfull by Butter London ($15): This delightful duo includes a highly pigmented mini gloss in Fruit Cake, a beautiful pink that looks great on all skin tones, and a small soft metallic nail lacquer in Fairy Lights. I’m personally in love with this hydrating liquid lipstick that is very true to the shade shown here; with buildable coverage, it simply looks great with all my holiday looks. This is a perfect gift for the fashionista in your life that loves to discover the latest European brands and trends.
8. Sunset Strip Holiday Polish by ORLY ($8.50 / each): Nail polish makes a great stocking stuffer for a myriad of reasons: 99% of my girlfriends love it, you can never go wrong with a beautiful red shade, and it’s extremely budget friendly. If you add to the mix that it’s made in the USA and it resists virtually anything without chipping, you’ll get why I had to feature ORLY. Their limited-edition Holiday collection, Sunset Strip, has six beautiful shades so you can gift a different one to each of your girl squad and then meet for an afternoon of pre-party manis. Pictured here are the most Christmassy shades: Sunset Blvd (red) and Invite Only (green.) Ho, ho, ho!
9. Classic Lip Balm 4-pack by Badger ($9.99): Badger has such great-quality and eco-conscious products that I had to feature their second-best stocking stuffer of the season: A set of four organic lip balms made in the USA. Super moisturizing and free of synthetic nasties, they are the perfect gift for the entire family now that winter is coming. If you’re on a budget, don’t hesitate to divide and conquer: On their own, each of these beauties make a terrific gift. {This product is 100% natural and certified organic by the USDA}
10. Endless Shine Trio by Burt’s Bees ($9.99): If you want to give the gift of hydration with a hint of color, you should check this limited-edition gift by Burt’s Bees. This trio features three sheer warm shades with a glassy shine for a myriad of looks. Formulated with apricot wax and sunflower seed oil, these glosses are extremely hydrating and a perfect gift for those on your list who don’t have a lot of time to do their makeup in the morning. Made in the USA, the colors featured (Blush, Wink, and Flutter) work great with any skin tones.
11. Seasonal Hand Cream Trio Gift Set by The Body Shop ($18): This set of luscious seasonal hand creams is so indulgent that it’ll sparkle more than one conversation. Featuring three limited edition seasonal hand creams, they will leave your hands soft and your heart warm with the scent of the holidays. This trio, which has a $24 value, includes a Vanilla Chai hand cream (my personal favorite), a Frosted Berries Hand Cream, and a Spiced Apple Hand Cream inside a festive box that can be reused to keep your everyday jewelry tangle-free. Beware: If you purchase this trio as a gift, you might feel tempted to keep at least one of the creams for yourself.
Disclosure level 1: The author received NO compensation to write this post. The author received a sample of some of the products featured for editorial consideration. Receiving a sample didn’t influence the decision to feature a brand nor the opinions expressed by the author. All links provided in the article are for information only and are not part of any affiliate marketing program.