We get it: You don’t have the time to look at a list of over 30 gifts. You’ve simply got too many people to shop for! We’ve been there too, and that’s why we put our heads together to select a list of just 14 essential gifts, all under $100, that can work for pretty much anyone on your list.On the hunt for a cute and quirky stocking stuffer? You’ll find it here. Need a totally utilitarian option for that person who said they “don’t want anything”? We have that too. These gifts are crowd-pleasers for kids, adults and everyone in between — but with the holidays inching ever closer, you’ll want to get a move on and order them ASAP to make sure they arrive in time.AmazonA mindfulness water painting board"I've been primarily using a Buddha Board to keep my toddler entertained at restaurants, but I have found myself doodling on it frequently," wrote senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe in her roundup of the year's best gifts. "It could be a lovely gift for someone looking to cultivate a mindfulness practice or who could use a bit of zen in their life. It includes a slate and water pen and can be used by people of all ages. It'll calm even the busiest mind."Why it's a great gift: Like Uribe said, this is a great gift for kids and adults alike, so it's a nice option if you're shopping for a family or just for one person. If you are shopping for a kid, this is about as mess-free as art projects get, which their parent will likely appreciate.Raj Punjabi/HuffPost/GapA HuffPost editor-beloved sweater from GapA sweater so good three of our editors wore it to the office on the same day? Sounds like a slam dunk gift to me. This cozy 100% cotton sweater delivers a put-together look that still feels relaxed and indulgent thanks to the oversized fit and drop shoulders. The ribbed hem and cuffs add an extra classic touch. Find the sweater in women's sizes XXS-XXL (with tall options available) and in eight colorways and in men's sizes XS-XXXL and in six colors – and stock on all appears to be going fast.FYI, the three HuffPosters here are wearing the men's version of the sweater. According to editorial director Kristen Aiken (center) who owns both the men's and women's versions, the men's fabrication is a slightly thinner, lighter weight than the women's.Why it's a great gift: Everyone needs a good basic sweater in their wardrobe, and this one is classic without being boring — the kind of top basically anyone could pull off.GapOr a slouchier Gap hoodie for the more casual personIf the aforementioned sweater isn't really your recipient's vibe, you can still gift them some soft Gap clothing that's popular among HuffPost readers and writers. We featured this heavyweight oversized hoodie in a men's gift guide after it was recommended by Marcus Manoogian, 41, who said that Gap “consistently nails cozy cotton basics," and that the hoodie “lasts, softens with age, and becomes one of those pieces you reach for constantly."For another option, shopping writer Griffin Wynne said they "have been dreaming about" this classic zip-front hoodie with kangaroo pockets, which comes in more vibrant colors like the hot pink shown here, Wynne's personal favorite.Why it's a great gift: A hoodie is the ultimate casual staple. Your recipient can wear it on nights in, nights out, during travel and pretty much year-round.AmazonSome fancy (or lo-fi) measuring tapeThough it may not seem like the most gift-y option, a good tape measure can be a great gift for the right kind of person. "I first heard of this digital laser measuring tape from my 39-year-old brother, who’s both hard to shop for and has many niche interests," Uribe wrote in one of our gift guides for men. "It includes a digital tape, laser measurer and a green cross-line laser in one handy device. It's incredibly accurate and ideal for precise leveling and alignment. The LED display is easy to read while the tape measure itself is easy to use."The digital Fanttik tape is definitely more of a splurge, so if you're looking for something more affordable, executive Kate Palmer says her husband loves this more lo-fi, under-$10 FastCap tape measure that still offers plenty of features. It works for right- and left-handed people, comes with a built-in pencil sharpener and erasable notepad, and measures down to sixteenth-inches.Why it's a great gift: If you're shopping for someone who likes to make crafts, take on DIY projects or fix things around the house, this is an ultra-practical gift that can be a fun stocking stuffer (in its more affordable form) or a splurgier choice.Uncommon GoodsA deck of behavior-decoding cards for the pet parentOriginally featured in our white elephant gift guide, these "How to Speak Dog" and "How to Speak Cat" decks feature 100 cards chock-full of information about pets' behavioral cues. It's a creative and useful stocking stuffer for anyone you know who has a pet (especially first-time owners). Both decks have earned over 4.8 stars, with tons of reviewers mentioning that the recipients they gifted the cards to found them insightful and fun.Why it's a great gift: In my experience, pet parents love pretty much any gift related to their furry friends, and this is one that not only takes up very little space (and doesn't cost a ton), but can also help them better understand their pet's behavior.Erica Kam/Emily Ruane/HuffPostA warm pair of touchscreen-friendly glovesShopping for someone who lives in a colder climate? A step up from a nice pair of socks, some warm gloves can be a thoughtful and useful gift for people of any gender.I, like many HuffPost readers, bought these Isotoner women's gloves on sale for Black Friday, and have used them almost every day since they arrived. I find them super soft and warm, with a soft fleece lining and water-repellant technology, and the ability to use my phone to text or check directions without having to take the gloves of is a huge plus. The gloves come in a bunch of colors and patterns, in one size fits most (I opted for classic black).HuffPost's managing editor of commerce Emily Ruane said her husband likes these Smartwool liner gloves that similarly have touchscreen compatibility. (He just purchased them at their local Army-Navy store and apparently urged her to put them into a gift guide because he likes them so much.) They're thinner than the Isotoner option, but are temperature-regulating and odor-resistant. Grab a pair in five colors, sizes XS-L.Why it's a great gift: Depending on where your recipient lives or whether they like to camp or travel, a pair of gloves is pretty foolproof, and the touchscreen compatibility helps prevent you from gifting them another problem.EtsySome under-$5 retro VHS magnetsWhether your recipient is a fan of old horror movies, action flicks or family and comedy films, there's something for everyone with these retro magnets designed to look like worn-in VHS tape covers of classic movies. From "Star Wars to "Footloose" and "The Wizard of Oz" to "Jaws," you can choose your recipient's favorites to display on their fridge or another magnetic surface to add some nostalgia to their home.Why it's a great gift: The price can't be beat — this is probably the cheapest way to personalize a gift to their interests, and are perfect for anyone who loves returning to nostalgic media.Lily Alig/HuffPost/BellroyA slim leather wallet"I got my boyfriend this wallet for his birthday a year and a half ago, and it looks practically brand new," said HuffPost shopping analytics editor Lily Alig. "It's a perfectly balanced design: a slim profile that still holds various cards and cash. The Bellroy emblem on the front is unobtrusive and the leather colors are rich neutrals."The wallet comes in nine colors in a premium leather material, or you can spring a little more for a leather alternative. The look is pretty unisex and sleek, and the wallet can hold up to 11 cards with two quick-access slots.Why it's a great gift: How many people do you know walking around with super bulky wallets or disorganized cards? (I'm guilty of this.) A nice wallet is one of those gifts someone may need but wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves, and is also a useful present that can help them cut down on their clutter, rather than adding to it.AmazonA classic mahjong setMahjong is having a moment. The Americanized version (with Jewish roots) of the Chinese tile game is trending, but the original game has been entertaining groups for centuries. As a Chinese and Jewish kid, I grew up learning the original Chinese version, the rules of which are a little like gin rummy.Playing mahjong with my parents, brother, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends has gotten me through everything from holiday evenings to power outages where we played by flashlight. This classic Chinese set has Arabic numerals and English letters on all of the tiles to make it easy for those who don't know the Chinese characters or suits yet, and looks nearly identical to the tiles I've been playing with since I was a child.It does lack the annual rule cards and Joker tiles associated with the American version of the game, but I find the unchanging rules of the Chinese version a little more beginner-friendly, not to mention less confusing when we pull the game out to play a few rounds no matter the year.Why it's a great gift: This four-player game is great for families, friend groups and anyone who likes to collect tabletop games. It's a conversation starter and good for kids and adults to play together (I was a bit of a late bloomer, learning at 12).TargetA suitcase-backpack hybrid that’s astonishingly roomyA popular choice from our men's gift guide that would work for anyone, this generously-sized Target backpack has a stunning number of long-winded five-star reviews testifying to its supreme functionality — and over 600+ reviews. It’s earned a 4.6-star rating.The 35-liter capacity bag has a clamshell closure, which opens completely flat, and one exterior zip pocket that opens to reveal a series of slip pockets for small essentials like passports, reading material and the like. The interior reveals two zipper-protected sides that are equipped with every conceivable shape of compartment for keeping clothing, toiletries and more organized with scientific precision, and the rear laptop sleeve holds a machine measuring up to 17 inches.If you’re looking for a winning travel gift that won’t break the $50 mark, you’ve come to the right place — this is a longtime HuffPost-reader favorite.Why it's a great gift: This is the type of practical, convenient gift that feels a little splurgey without breaking the bank. It's also pretty unisex, and is something any traveler in your life will likely reach for for years.AmazonA trendy Jellycat toy beloved by all agesGen Z has crowned the next viral soft toy, and it's Jellycat Amuseables. Known for their friendly smiles, skinny little legs and tons of fun designs like the espresso cup, croissant and sun shown here, these plushies are selling like hotcakes and have even inspired similar merch like these adorable clay magnets, which could be a cute stocking stuffer. They're cute toys for young kids, but they've also become a viral collector's item for people of all ages: My teenage cousin is a big fan, and I know plenty of adults who have bought one for themselves.Why it's a great gift: There are Jellycat collectors of all ages, from young kids to adults, making this a crowd-pleasing option with so much potential for customization. Finding an Amuseable of your recipient's favorite animal or food, or another object that relates to their interests can be a thoughtful and fun way to show them you care.Erica KamMy favorite slipper of all, the Bombas Sunday slipperMeet the top-selling product from our handy slipper gift guide. One reviewer said the Bombas Sunday slipper feels "like having clouds" on their feet, and as a recent Bombas convert myself, I'm inclined to agree. The Sunday slipper is covered in sherpa for a softness that feels as cozy as it looks. The memory foam midsole and rubber outsole provide comfortable support that you — or your recipient, if you're gifting this — can wear outside (I have run down to my building's laundry room wearing these multiple times with no issue). Best of all, Bombas' "one purchased, one donated" business model means you're helping get clothing to people who need it when you buy this gift. You can buy these in a bunch of colors (though they're selling out pretty quick!), in women's sizes 5-11 or men's sizes 7-13.Why it's a great gift: Slippers achieve that delicate balance of being both cozy and practical, and something they'll use everyday around the house. If the Bombas slippers are out of your price range, Amazon makes a strikingly similar version that's also been a popular choice among HuffPost readers lately.AnthropologieAnthropologie's viral (and adorable) Icon juice glassesThese Icon juice glasses are made with handblown glass and hand-pressed glass beads in different fun shapes, like fruit, bows, clouds and more. They've gone viral and have become a collectible item for some shoppers, thanks to the whimsy they provide and their genuine usefulness (you can drink out of them, put snacks in them, simply display them as decor — you get the idea). Reviews mention shoppers buying several of them to gift or own, and they've been known to sell out (some designs went quick during Black Friday sales), so don't miss your chance.Why it's a great gift: The different little "icons" on these cups are a fantastic way to connect with your recipient's personality, and contribute to the overall aesthetic of their home, especially if you know what they like. This also isn't like buying useless decor that will just collect dust; now they can think of you and smile when they open their cabinet to grab a drink.EtsyA personalized morse code necklaceJewelry can be an incredibly crowd-pleasing holiday gift — when in doubt, get a little bling. That doesn't mean you have to break the bank. This thoughtful necklace can be customized to spell out anything you want in morse code, up to 25 dots and dashes (the product page has an alphabet chart so you can check your message's length). It's a special secret that's stylish and endlessly wearable. You can get it in sterling silver, gold-plated and or rose-gold plated in a variety of different lengths. Why it's a great gift: Personalized jewelry like this doesn't always come so cheap, and this is a subtler, sleeker way to customize a gift than, say, a bulky charm bracelet that may not go with every outfit.
I've Spent So Much Time Looking At Gift Guides. These 14 Gifts Are The Only Ones You Need To Know About.
These crowd-pleasers are great gifts for anyone on your list. Let us tell you why.
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