Black Friday has come and gone and, while the stores collectively saw more shoppers than they did last year, it’s safe to say there are many FabFrugers out there who dreamed of getting their Christmas shopping done early for once, but missed the boat. I don’t blame them. Cutting one’s beauty rest short to play ninja-warrior with thousands of other overly enthusiastic bargain hunters does not a fabulous morning make.
Of course, the clock is still ticking and we are but a couple of weeks away from the joyous Noël. So, in keeping with the FabFrug school of thought that the best gifts come with small price tags, here’s a list of affordable gift ideas for every unique character in your life…and they each cost less than $30!
The Metrosexual
Everyone has that one guy on their Christmas list whose taste is so discerning that he dare not be given the wrong brand of underwear (Armani please!) or cologne (he’s rotated the same assortment of designer fragrances for the last five years). No fountain pen, tie or button-down shirt you can afford will suit his style. Why not upgrade his one cheap accessory to match the rest of his look? It’s time to sexify his key collection sistah, courtesy Stat Key Company.
At only $11 per key, he can unlock both his apartment and car doors in style. There’s also a 15% discount on orders of 3 or more keys through December.
The Gadget Guru
The thing about people who love gadgets (smart phones, mp3 players, video games, next-generation laptops etc.) is that they’ve probably already bought themselves all the electronic devices they’ve been lusting after, so don’t even bother trying. That’s just how addictions work honey. Instead, you can support their habit with a customized Gelaskin. With more than 100 unique designs for damn near every laptop, smart phone, mp3 player and gaming device under the sun, the sky’s the limit. I bought The Enamored Whale skin for my blackberry about two years ago. Three phones and many clumsy incidents later, it’s still going strong (yes, it’s scratch-proof and they peel off and re-stick without losing adhesiveness).
Gelaskins run anywhere from $15 each (for phones) to $29.95 (for laptops)
Wonderwoman
Female gym-a-holics working in the city value every inch of space in their hand- and gym bags. It’s not easy carrying your life around discretely in two moderately-sized totes. Try packing gym sneakers, sweat pants and toiletries all in one bag and you’ll find that, without fail, the water bottle is always the last man standing. It always seems to occupy too much space, adds an unnecessary extra pound of weight to your already heavy load and quickly becomes the least necessary item because, after all, you can just purchase yet another bottle of overpriced Smart Water at the gym (#FabFrugFail). No more! Reader, meet Vapur. Vapur – reader.
For only $8.95 each, a 16-ounce foldable Vapur bottle can make the city-hustle a tad easier. Get the "holiday special" for the Wonder Woman in your life – 4 bottles for only $29.95!
The College Graduate
Graduating from college when unemployment is at an all-time high friggin sucks. Not only are today’s grads competing with their peers for entry-level positions, but they’re competing with recently laid-off, experienced professionals. How can they set themselves apart in such a competitive job market with relatively little experience? By knowing and being able to discuss their core strengths. I won’t get into the mindless banter that sometimes ensues when interview candidates are asked “what are your strengths?” or “describe the role you typically play on team projects”. Even the most seasoned professionals fumble. StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath costs a mere $20, is a quick read and comes with an access code for the online StrenghsFinder assessment – a 30-minute test that reveals the five fundamental skills that comprise an individual’s work style. Knowing the conditions you need to perform exceptionally enables you to add value to any group while setting you apart from your associates. This book can help any young adult survive, and quite possibly avoid, the dreaded “Quarter Life Crisis” (it exists…you think I kid…I kid not).
The Foodie
I’ve scoured the city (well, kinda) to find the perfect affordable gift for my fellow foodies. A toughie, since the “ideal gift” for a big apple-based epicurean would likely be a gift certificate for dinner at Megu or a one-on-one cooking lesson with the likes of Alain Ducasse. So rather than subject myself to the torture of coming up with alternatives, I’m deferring to the TastingTable clan, whose expert recommendations are encompassed in this $25-and-under gift guide and list of $15-and-under stocking stuffers.
The Travelista
What do you buy for that person whose sole source of happiness is derived from a need to roam the world and experience new cultures? Well, you COULD get them a plane ticket to a far away land like Egypt (hey, a girl can dream). Or you could keep their travel bug well-fed with an exciting read, like Chuck Thompson’s, To Hellholes and Back: Bribes, Lies, and the Art of Extreme Tourism. I haven’t read it myself, but Jaunted‘s trusty correspondent Victor Ozols has and his recap has me sold:
To Hellholes and Back is well-written, funny, and fast-paced, with rich descriptions and metaphors I wish I’d thought of myself. (At one point he refers to a hanger-on as harder to get rid of than a pizza box.) But most of all it’s refreshing to read a travel writer who eschews all the “sun-dappled vista”-style prose and tells it like it is. He clearly loves to travel and relishes his experiences in foreign lands. That he acknowledges the annoying parts only makes his conclusions more valid.
Feel free to leave suggestions for other fabulous gifts under $30!
…And feel free to buy me one 
