It's the gift-givingest time of the year — and I have something to confess. Every year, I forget someone. It's true: In the holiday hustle, I have forgotten my sister's new partner or my neighbor or a cousin (who, in my defense, was not supposed to be in town). And then there are the drop-ins! Someone from church stops by with a lovely gift, and I've kicked myself for not having a little something for her in return. My new gym bestie will surprise me with something so sweet, and I'll wish I would have gotten something for her. Has this happened to you? (I know I'm not alone on this one...)
I have the solution: This year, I did a Target run (and by "Target run," I mean I made a Target pick-up) of the cutest gifts that I would confidently and proudly give anyone. These are gifts that I'm certifying as universally appealing: Even if they already have a pretty throw blanket, for example, they'll still squeal over this sleigh-red scalloped one. These gifts are all under $30, and they're all something I'd want for myself, so they pass the test. Best of all, Target's Black Friday offers start TODAY — so you'll get the best price while also scoring thoughtful points.
Gifts Under $30
Cream & Rust Stripe Hand Towel $11 - These look and feel so high-end, but they're affordable enough to swap out seasonally.
Spoon Card Game Set $19 - This is an elegant an easy after-dinner game. Wrap it up and gift it with dessert, and your guest will want to play it on the spot.
Copper Salt and Pepper Crank Grinder $12 - This viral pepper grinder is so gorgeous and functional. It reads as an heirloom, and your giftee will proudly display this in their kitchen.
Red Knit Scalloped Edge Throw Blanket $30 - Talk about a show-stopper. This blanket is *thick* and soft and feels so special and Christmas-y. This is their pop of red this year :)
Frenshe Cashmere Vanilla Bath Bomb Set $14 - Gift them a little R&R with this fancy, decadent-smelling bath bomb set. "You deserve some downtime," you'll tell them.
Gold Charm Set $10 - Everyone's putting charms on their Stanley PMI cups! These are the cutest I've seen, and they'll look so darling anywhere your friend decides to clip them.
Stanley 20 oz Flip Straw Tumbler $22 - The gift of hydration! The best thing about gifting a Stanley PMI cup is that even if they have one, they "need" another one :)
Salt Oil Glass Reed Diffuser $19 - Gift this one to someone you *really* need a big gift for and make it a token for an experience gift: "You and I need a spa day, and I'm booking it."
Glass & Brass Keepsake Box $14 - This is such a sentimental gift! We put little Instax photos in ours and display this on the coffee table, but your recipient might use it to elegantly show off this year's Christmas cards.
Round Wooden Serving Board $9 - You can never have too many pretty charcuterie boards. If gifting this to a good friend, say, "Let's have a regular girl's night as soon as the holidays are over — just me and you. You have the board; I'll bring the snacks!"
More Under $30 Ideas:
Christmas Popcorn Gift Set $7 - This is such a festive gift for a whole *family*. The flavors are fun, which will put a new spin on movie night.
Candy Cane Stuffed Cookies $4 - These are so JOYFUL and festive that I bought a few. We'll bring them with us to holiday parties and send them home with neighbors who drop by. (They're also going to be so cute in the gift basket we put in our guest room this Christmas.)
Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer $9 - Drop this coveted hand sanitizer in a gift bag and give it to the crossing guard at your kids' school.
Burt's Bees Lip Balm Festive Gift Set $11- Lip balm is the #1 MUST in a stocking, imo. I bought a few of these festive gift sets — one for each of my girls and (don't tell them) a few for their friends. Kids want to get in on the gift-giving, too.
Vera Bradley 4 Piece Cosmetic Set $19 - This is such a *beautiful* travel set. It really makes me want to travel this holiday season. This would be a great gift for someone staying in your guest room.
16" Engraved Tree Pattern Rolling Pin $12 - I squealed when I saw this! I can't wait to get baking with the girls, using this adorable rolling pin! This would be a great gift with a tin of cookies.
Today Studio McGee launches their fall 2024 line for Target, and let me tell you, this collection is really really good. Yes, I hear you, summer is barely upon us, but these items will sell out so it's worth it to think ahead and scoop up the things you love. And even though there are some pumpkins in the collection, the overall colors of the line fit so much into our moody color palette that we don't have to wait until fall to incorporate them into our home. Sometimes new collections at Target are really hard to find online, so I rounded up my picks from their Threshold launch right now so you can scope them out in store too!
Shop Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee: Tabletop Decor
Large White Marble Pumpkin$25Yes, I know Summer is just barely beginning, but I also know how fast these pumpkins are going to sell out!
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Remember the thrill of unwrapping a gift that felt just right? Let's bring that magic back this holiday season!! Our curated gift guides for 2024 are filled with thoughtful picks that will make your loved ones feel special. That's what it's all about, after all. Whether you're shopping for your main guy, your clutch coworker, […]
This post is sponsored by Wayfair. By the time Cyber Monday rolls around, I've usually grabbed the Christmas gifts I plan to buy for others and have moved on to home decor (my other favorite thing to shop for). My head is spinning with ideas on what my home needs for holiday parties on the […]
We collected all of the best deals of the holiday season—from tech to home decor—in one place for easy reference. Whether you want the lowest price on one of the best gifts of the year or you have a furniture item in your cart waiting for a discount, we’ve rounded up our recommendations. We're also […]
Baking Dish | Striped Dish Towel (similar) I have a few recipes that are perfect for the holidays, and this is one of them. I make a really delicious brownie that can be made gluten-free and dairy-free, but you won't even know it's missing those elements when the peppermint flavor hits. It's really simple, and […]
Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations