Ah, December. It’s the month that signals the end of what may have or may not have been a great year. It sometimes brings out the nice in people, but what it definitely ushers in are fabulous opportunities for buying gifts, either for you or those you love.

It can be challenging to find quality gifts on a budget, but with these great ideas, you won’t be out more than $50! There’s so much to choose from this season, so let’s get started.



For Men

Wallets are always a good choice for men, especially those inclined towards sports and the like. A wallet that isn’t bulky yet is stylish at the same time can be found in the newly launched Markisa line (markisaco.com). Started by professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez, Markisa’s mission is all about style and function. The soft leather is durable, and the price is right in line with your budget friendly holiday shopping. Plus, there are only 500 pieces made of certain designs. Can you say extra special?

Clothing is always a good gift option for boys. There are way too many labels to mention, but thankfully online stores like boundlessny.com and karmaloop.com have condensed up-and-coming street wear brands into one mega shopping experience. Brands like Los Angeles’ based the 7th Letter, Stussy and NYC’s King Stampede’s holiday lines offer everything from t-shirts to hats. Both Web sites are offering discounted shipping – another score!

For his grooming needs, make sure his shave stays close, and he gets rid of those pesky nose hairs with a trimmer. The ACE Dual Action Trimmer (aceformen.com) has a two-sided system with a rotating head for nose/ear hair, while the other side reciprocates for sideburns, face and neck hair. It also features a built-in fingernail clipper that catches clippings. The Comfort Flex grooming brush with its open vent technology will keep his hair nice and neat, or emo ... whatever style he favors.



For Women

One evident thing with this year’s offerings is that brands have been paying attention. Take for instance Goody (goody.com), a hair company we all know and love, has stepped up its line of cute accessories with the sophisticated Midnight Glamour Collection. There are chiffon bows, feather accents with clips, bobbies and headbands galore.

Of course, it’s nice to have sleek hair to put said accessories in, and that’s where JASON products (jason-natural.com) come in. All natural and all protective, the vitamin enriched Thin-to-Thick Hair Thickening Shampoo removes product build-up with plant-based ingredients and fruit acids.

Keeping your skin toned during the harsh winter months can be a concern for some of us. Skin care becomes therapeutic with Zia Natural Skincare (zianatural.com). Your skin should reflect your lifestyle, which is why Zia makes specific products for each complexion type.

For the fashionista in you, a newly launched brand, TSbyRainbow’s apparel (tsbyrainbow.com) will turn some heads. Transparent Systems is a line based on the “belief that today’s society is accumulated into systems that can be found depending on one’s self.” The fashion-forward line is geared towards ladies who like to make a statement through their clothing, in a classy way, just like some of the iconic images on the tees. All of the tees and hoodies are made with sustainable products.



Last but not least, if you’d like to keep it simple with stocking stuffers, you can’t go wrong with these options: Soft Hugwear Socks ($3, available exclusively at select Wal-Mart and walmart.com) and Noah’s Naturals Hand Salve ($7.99, available at Wal-Mart and noahsnaturals.com).