Now that December is finally here it’s time to start thinking about your holiday shopping list. One of the best parts about the holiday season is exchanging gifts with the ones you love. Watching a bright smile form on your partner's face as they open your gift is a special feeling that you won’t want to forget.
Shopping for your partner can be stressful because you want their gift to be special. If you’re feeling lost about what to get your partner for the holidays, read below to find some gift ideas.
Gift ideas for him
Alo:
Alo is a great place to buy some nice basics that will look flattering on your boyfriend. I specifically recommend browsing through their selection of pants and shirts, both of which offer a variety of different styles. If your boyfriend needs some more athletic apparel, I suggest looking at the Conquer Reform Crewneck Short Sleeve, 7” Conquer React Performance Short and the Triumph Long Sleeve Tee. These items are under $70 each and will have your partner looking stylish during his workouts.
Alo also offers a wide selection of trendy lifestyle clothing. Two pieces that deserve an honorable mention are the Double Take Short Sleeve and the Triumph Restore Crewneck. These are perfect for a casual date night and cost less than $90. If you’re looking for a nicer style that will last a long time, you can buy the Conquer Revitalize Pant for $118. Any one of these items will please your boyfriend this December and they’re all listed on the Men’s Best Sellers. If you’re eager to see what else Alo offers, take a look at its website.
Abercrombie & Fitch:
If your boyfriend’s closet offers few options for stylish going out clothes, then make your way to Abercrombie & Fitch this holiday season. A staple pair of jeans makes all the difference. Abercrombie & Fitch offers an abundance of high-quality jeans for less than $100. straight leg jean fit usually looks the best on guys. My favorite jean looks from Abercrombie & Fitch are the ‘90s Straight Jean (dark wash) and the Athletic Straight Jean. I also recommend looking through their NFL collection as it offers a wide selection of gear including hats, sweatshirts, vests, T-shirts and more. The collection also offers an abundance of vintage-styled clothing that are under $70. Visit the company’s website to find the different styles highlighting your boyfriend’s favorite team.
Gifts for her:
Madewell:
I think Madewell is one of the best stores to find the perfect holiday gift for your girlfriend. Not only do they sell stylish clothing, but they also offer a variety of accessories and shoes. You can never go wrong with a nice necklace, but every girl has a distinct style. You can easily find a necklace shape suited to your girlfriend's taste. If she likes the look of a simple chain, I recommend checking out the Demi-Fine Skinny Herringbone Chain. The Three-Pack Mother of Pearl Necklace Set and the Freshwater Pearl Dangle Chain Choker Necklace are also some fun styes to look at. All of these options are under $60, which would go perfectly with a nice clutch or top. Check out “The Madewell Good Gift Guide” to find the perfect addition to some Madewell Jewelry. The Pouch Clutch in Leather, the Mini Bag and the Sculptural Mini Shoulder Bag are all exceptional options if you’re considering a two-part gift.
Ulta Beauty:
You can never go wrong with a nice fragrance or beauty product for the holidays. Every girl loves a new elegant scent. Ulta’s website has a helpful gift guide that directs you to the type of product and price you’re going for. It even has lots of three-piece sets, which include different variations of the scent. Usually, the set includes the main perfume, a roller perfume and a lotion. This allows your partner to make the most of the scent and cherish the gift even longer. Some top-rated items are the Ariana Grande six-piece Mini Coffret Gift Set, Billie Eilish’s No. 2 Gift Set and the Marc Jacobs Daisy Discovery four-piece Mini Holiday Gift Set. You can even find the Clinique makeup and skincare gift set for under $60, which includes a variety of everyday skincare and makeup products. Another favorite purchase is the Sol De Janeiro Shower Ritual, as it includes all of the classic beauty bum lotions and fragrances.
Thrift shops
I’ve found some of Bloomington’s best second-hand shops if you’re shopping locally for the holidays. I haven’t always appreciated thrift stores for their reliable gift finds, but I was proven wrong this semester. I visited the Bloomington Thrift Shop and My Sister’s Closet of Monroe County, both of which had some of the best finds I’ve ever gotten. I ended my thrift shopping trip with leather boots, antique glass ice cream bowls and a vintage Barbour jacket. All of the items I found at Bloomington Thrift Shop were under $10 each. Usually, my finds at My Sister’s Closet don’t exceed the price of $40. I guarantee you will find a gift at one of these thrift stores that will hold much more value than any typical department store. You just have to be patient when browsing at these stores. Whenever I find something special at a thrift store, I either look up the brand or ask the clerk. These tips have always helped me figure out how valuable something is. My Sister’s Closet and Bloomington Thrift Shop are both short drives off IU’s campus, check out their websites to find their hours and extra information.
Gender neutral gifts
It can be quite stressful to find a gift that will bring a true smile to your partner’s face. Here are some fun gift ideas that are enticing for everyone.
Kindle
This is a great gift idea for those that like to read in their free time. Kindle recently came out with a new Light and Compact version, which is perfect for whenever you're on the go. It’s both thoughtful and easy to buy, as it’s currently on sale on Amazon. Let your partner read effortlessly in any light with this unique gift.
Slippers
Why not ensure your significant other is always comfy and cozy this winter with a quality pair of slippers. Don’t worry about paying a pretty penny for a pair of UGG slippers, because there are quite a few options that are cheaper. DSW offers a wide selection of slippers that are both trendy and affordable. There are many stylish options of Bearpaw slippers that are currently under $60 on DSW’s website. I highly suggest taking a look now to order a pair while they are still available.
Bluetooth speaker
A speaker is a fabulous gift idea for music lovers and those who always have company over. This item is great because it can serve multiple purposes and it’s easily attainable to buy. Various tech companies now sell a wide range of different speakers, for as cheap or expensive as you’d like. If you want to focus on the cheaper side, you can purchase an Amazon Echo speaker for just $22.99 on Target’s website. If you’re looking for something of higher quality, Walmart is selling JBL portable Bluetooth speakers for just about $40 right now. You could also go bigger and get an Altec Lansing Everything Speaker for about $64 at Best Buy. While you don’t have to buy these specific items, these are just some ideas to push you in the right direction this holiday season.
