It’s the holiday season! You know what that means. Santa is coming to town! That’s right, Santa. SantaCon NYC, Santa’s workshop and Secret Santa; the miracles of life, where we bring our loved ones precious gifts to showcase how cherished they are in our lovely lives. 

This year, I want to do something special for all my loved ones. So, I’m going to take you with me on my 101 gift-giving gifts as a college student! It’s no surprise that buying gifts is expensive, especially while living here in the city without a proper source of income. However, if you know how to shop smart, I guarantee you can get your loved ones high-quality gifts without breaking the bank. 

First stop, T.J.Maxx. Yes, your local discount department store chain. There are over 1,200 stores in the United States, making it the country’s largest off-price retailer. Here you can find a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, home goods, cooking utensils, sweets, pet treats, toys, jewelry, accessories and off-price apparel from name brands. Endless gift-giving ideas! Also, T.J.Maxx is very season-dependent. The store’s inventory is updated daily, so shoppers can find any new fresh items to purchase. For my mom, I will look in the skin care aisle, since many high-quality Japanese and Korean skin care products are being brought over at discounted prices. Truly a Christmas miracle if you ask me. Fino and Tsubaki hair masks, Ichikami high-quality shampoo and conditioner, Softymo face cleanser. All products should be doubled in price since they are exported from overseas, but T.J.Maxx saves you. It’s the perfect spot for any age group; always something for everyone. 

Second stop: Nuts Factory! Here you can find yourself with endless choices of chocolate, nuts, gummies, licorice, dried fruit, halva, teas and coffee. The perfect gift box of treats, all wrapped up for you. These gift boxes range from $20 to $50, but they are well worth it for their high-quality sweets. My personal favorite is their Dubai Chocolate bar; it really cannot compare to any other brand. The rich, sweet, dense chocolate and pistachio covered kataifi inside is impeccable, melting in your mouth like lava. I guarantee you will impress any family member or friend who is a massive fan of chocolate or nuts. Also, if you don’t know what to get them, give them a gift card! I’m sure they will be pleased to have the opportunity to eat there for free!

Back to retail stores: Macy’s. Macy’s is found in many mall department stores, such as the one on 34th Street. Here, Macy’s provides several options. Jewelry, shoes, clothes, perfume, makeup (I love when they give you free samples), kitchen appliances, shoes and furniture that are similar to Pottery Barn but at a cheaper price! This is perfect for an older female relative. 

Let’s not forget to give our male family members a gift. Personally, shopping for my dad is quite tricky at times. However, I think I’ve nailed a pattern. Gifts that are claimed to be “useful.” This refers to edible gifts, wearable items or interactive objects such as games. Dads are stressed after all (sorry Dad for the high tuition!). This year, I’m planning to buy him some slippers, meditation books, high-quality chocolate and fun games to loosen his spirit. After all, the gifts you buy for someone reflect your thoughtful consideration for them. A gift for someone special to you should reflect something that you know they will enjoy and use from day to day. 

If you’re really stuck and can’t find something that you want at a store, no worries. We have the internet and, of course, Amazon. Amazon has some fantastic deals where items are much cheaper than in-store prices. And a plus if you’re an Amazon Prime member — shipping is free! 

I hope this guide helped you come up with some gift-giving ideas for some tricky gift-recievers. It can be hard around the holidays to find that perfect gift for someone. At the end of the day, your gift-giving is truly the spirit and beauty of the holiday season. You sat down, considered that person’s interests, took the time to find and buy the gift and wrapped it with care. Share your love and get that Christmas shopping started!