A holiday gift buying guide for all

Homemade Christmas cookies

A holiday gift guide for everyone on your list.

Mom

Aqua Zinger Flavored Water Maker

1. Whether your mom’s New Year’s resolution is to become more fit or she simply enjoys a little flavor in her water, the Aqua Zinger Flavored Water Maker makes for a sweet gift. For only $25.99 at brookstone.com, this stainless-steel water bottle allows your mom to drink naturally-flavored water on the go. Just toss any fruit into the bottom grinder, screw the bottom lid back on, fill the bottle with water, shake, and voila, she has a healthy treat. And coming in an assortment of bright colors, she will want to take this bottle everywhere.

Too Faced’s Jingle All the Way

2. Get mom two gifts for the price of one with Too Faced’s Jingle All the Way makeup pallette. Not only will she be thrilled with 11 new eyeshadows, a blush, and a bronzer compact enough to keep in a purse, but mom will also have a brand-new phone case for her iPhone 5. Order it from sephora.com and three free samples will ship with the order. Now, whether to add those to her present or keep it for yourself is up to you.

Monogram tote

3. With all your mom is up to, she is always running out of bags to tow her stuff in from this to that. Instead of shelling out the cash to buy her another generic bag, visit your local craft store to make her a personalized monogram tote. All you need is a plain canvas tote, a vinyl letter, and some decorations, such as flowers or ribbon, at your choice. Rub on the vinyl letter onto the center of the bag, slowly peel off the top paper on the vinyl, and then embellish using fabric glue, thread, etc. depending on your accents. For around $10, this is a simple to make, customized gift you can’t beat.

Dad

UGG Slippers

1. Though he may seem rugged to others, you know your dad has a soft side, and with that he would love a pair of plush slippers. Ranging from $80 to $380, a pair of UGG slippers is worth the investment as genuine sheepskin will keep his toes toasty warm and stylish for a good number of years. Plus certain styles can be worn outside, such as when picking up that morning paper from the porch. On a tighter budget? Consider more lower priced styles from brands such as Sorel or Bearpaw, the latter being available in stores like Famous Footwear or Big 5 Sporting Goods.

Homemade tablet holder

2. Is your dad your family’s own personal chef? Help him use his tablet towards this hobby by creating this rustic tablet holder. Even if your dad isn’t into the kitchen, you can still make this holder he will appreciate with a plain piece of wood from the craft store. Using wood glue, attach a scrabble tile holder to the front of wooden cutting board or rectangle piece of wood and a slanted block to the back. Use a wood paint or stain if desirable, and you have a unique present for under $20.

Touchscreen capable gloves

3. Nothing is worse than having to slip your gloves off on a frigid day in order to tap a text out on a touchscreen. Save your dad from this horror by purchasing him a pair of touchscreen-compatible gloves. Sold in a wide range of stores, prices, colors, and styles, this accessory truly fits any budgets or personality. Stop by Target for a more affordable pair or pick up some from The North Face for the true adventurer. No matter the price tags, he won’t take warmth for granted. $20-$50

Sibling

Goodie jar

1. With mason jars being a revamped classic, you can’t go wrong with making a Goodie Jar for your sibling. Head to a grocery or craft store and select a small or large, blue or clear mason jar, fill it up with whatever they love, and decorate accordingly. Big brother attending college? Fill it up with candy, granola bars, pens and pencils, and anything he needs to survive the new semester. Sister loves to paint her nails? Create her own manicure set (pictured) with cotton balls, polishes, and tools needed to groom her tips. No matter how you fill it, once they use it they will still have a pretty jar they can use for drinks or decoration. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. Under $15

Face Mug

2. Forget the boring Christmas mug and get your brother or sister what they really need, a mug that will hold both their milk and cookies. The $18 Face Mug on the Uncommongoods websites provides your sibling a bit of humor and a handy place to keep their cookie, doughnut, or whatever they call breakfast right by their morning joe. Your younger sister isn’t much of a coffee drinker? No worries, the mug’s lower compartment is the perfect size to fit a few Oreos with her milk. Hello your sibling’s and milk’s favorite mug.

Band Tee

3. Being their sibling, you should know your brother’s or sister’s true favorite band by heart, hence the reason why you are the perfect person to buy them their favorite band tee. Okay, maybe you don’t understand your sister’s One Direction obsession or you can’t stand hearing another indie track from your brother, but do this one favor and buy them that T-shirt that feels more genuine than one more from Pink or Nike. Where you get it, from a local store or online will skew the price, but as long as it looks cool, you are good. $20-$60

Significant Other

1. Dinner

Made with love by you

Price: $0-$15

Having someone make dinner for you is highly overrated. If you really want to woo your lover, make them dinner. Find out what they enjoy eating, and gather your ingredients. Set the mood by lighting candles and refrain from burning things. Your boyfriend or girlfriend will appreciate your handmade gesture, and your wallet will too!

2. Fuzzy Holiday Socks

Sold at: Target, Walmart, Fred Meyer, JC Penney, Old Navy, and ShopKo

Price: $3.99-$10.99

The iconic holiday gift no one wants: socks. But who could turn down a pair of fuzzy socks with festive themes? No one. Keeping your toes cozy warm will be a breeze, whether you are sledding, making a snow man or cuddling at home with your sweetheart. Bonus points if you buy each other matching socks.

3. Disposable Camera

Sold at: Walmart, Target, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Costco, Walgreens. Film can be developed at Costco Wholesale, Walgreens

Price: $2.99-$5.99

Spend a day with your significant other with your camera. Whether it’s a day out or a day in, use all the camera’s shots. Get the camera developed at a store listed above. Here’s the part where you can get creative: frame your favorite photos or give your sweetheart the entire stack. Now they will have plenty of photos to hold on to as keepsakes.

Favorite Teacher

1. Homemade Christmas Cookies

Made with love by you (or your mom)

Price: $0-$10

Cookies are a no brainer. Everyone loves a set of gingerbread men complete with gumdrop buttons, or a classic reindeer shaped sugar cookie. If you have the necessary baking ingredients, all you need to do is find an hour or two to create your sugary masterpieces! If you want to try something against the cookie cutter, Pinterest has a host of ideas for the creative mastermind.

2. Coffee

Sold at: Grocery stores like Fred Meyer, Safeway and Walmart, and coffee shops like Caffe Mela, Starbucks and Java Station

Whether it be a bag of coffee beans or a set of Keurig cups, teachers will jump for joy at the sight of caffeine. What, they don’t like coffee? Never fear, herbal tea will always do the trick!

3. Bookstore gift card

Sold at: Hastings, Barnes and Noble, Borders

Price: Whatever you feel comfortable with

A classic and slightly cliched gift for teachers: books. Bookstores have expanded to carry not only books, but journals, posters, and even teaching supplies. Any teacher is sure to find something to suit their fancy.

Best Friend

1. The Ugly Sweater Kit

Sold at Fred Meyer

Price: $24.99

Ever wanted an ugly sweater, but unable to find one at Goodwill? Now you can make your own! Each kit includes one eight- by 11-inch sheet of white felt, two felted reindeer, two felted snowflakes, 12 pom-poms, two googly eyes, two felted bows, eight assorted ornaments, eight wrapped presents, one gold-tone bead necklace, one sewing kit, one green glitter gel, one tube of fabric glue and one red sweater. There are small, medium, large, extra large and extra extra large sizes. Buy two and have a party with your best friend!

2. Instagram Magnets

Order at stickygram.com

Price: $14.99 and free shipping!

It’s safe to say, most teenagers these days have an Instagram. Magnets made out of instagram photos is the perfect gift for your friends. An order comes with a sheet of nine magnets, five centimeters by five centimeters. Maybe skip over the “selfie sunday” posts, though.

3. Swants

Sweaters sold at thrift stores such as Goodwill, Salvation Army and Philadelphia House

Price: $2-$10

In case creating a personalized ugly sweater is just too mainstream, make sweaters into pants for your dearest friend. “Swants,” as coined by the creator Stephen West of westknits.com, are a pair of pants made with just one sweater. Estimate on their size of sweater, find a particularly cringe inducing sweater and cut away! Instructions can be found on http://westknits.com/index.php/2013/11/swants-tutorial/.