by Emily Reuben
Holiday shopping can be hard. Between cryptic gift lists, friends refusing to tell you what they want, or the dreaded "I don't need anything" responses, the seemingly simple task of buying gifts for loved ones can become a nightmare. To make matters worse, getting good gifts can get expensive quickly. No one wants to be the guy that gives out cheap bootleg Pokemon dolls, but you don't want to break the bank either.
Well no worries! We’ve compiled a list of great gift ideas. The best part? All of these items are $25 or less! While every item may not ship in time for the holidays, they are sure not to break the bank.
1) Pokemon Center’s Joyous Winter Tree Holiday Collection
The Pokemon Center website is a pretty solid place to get Pokemon fans great gifts. However, some of their stuff can get pretty pricey for the average consumer. Luckily for us, the company released a holiday collection complete with Christmas themed plushies, greeting cards, mugs, and keychains.
Holiday Tree Pikachu 20 Oz. Mug, 14.95
Pikachu Dedenne Froakie Holiday Pokemon Minis, 9.99
The most expensive pieces in the collection are the three holiday plushies (The Holiday Alolan Vulpix seems to be the most popular) and the Delibird Cape Pikachu, all of which come in at $22.99. For Pokemon fans, you can’t do much better than this!
2) Studio Ghibli Goodies
Look, Studio Ghibli gifts are the best. Even people that haven't seen Ghibli movies can see these characters are crazy adorable. Conveniently, Ghibli merchandise can be found all across the internet at a variety of prices. Here are some of my personal favorite gift options:
My Neighbor Totoro Bamboo 2 Chopsticks set, 20.99
Calcifer and Boh Mouse Studio Ghibli Plush, 14.99
Studio Ghibli Ghibli Kiki’s Delivery Service Towel Box, 8.72
"Finish What You Started Human" Fan Wall Art Print, (7.00 for a 5x7 or 20 for a 8x10)
3) Think Geek’s $20 and under gifts
Think Geek is a treasure trove of potential gift items. The website covers multiple fandoms such as Star Wars, Disney, Nintendo, Destiny, or Firefly so you’re bound to find at least something for somebody on your list. To make things even easier, there is a $20 and under category!
Exclusive Think Geek Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sheikah Eye Lighted Canvas, 19.99
SEGA: Adult Coloring Book, 14.99
Sloth Eraser and Pencil 4pc Set, 11.99
Cats in the Box Eraser and Pencil 4pc Set, 11.99
Disney Chibi Plush, 9.99
4) Stickers
Stickers make great gifts; they're small, cute, cheap, and can be put on just about anything. Does your friend love Pokemon? There's a sticker for that. Anime? You have tons of choices. Gaming? Don't worry about it. Stickers of just about anything you think of exist.
Retailers such as Hot Topic and Amazon have a variety of licensed stickers to choose from, but I personally recommend supporting individual artists. Usually these stickers tend to be far more original in design, and supporting the little guy is always cool (also fan art tends to be a cheaper option). While thousands of sticker options exist, here are some collections I suggest:
Overwatch Stickers Pixel Spray Icons, 0.45 each
Animal Crossing Stickers, 3 pack for 3.00
Die Cut Sailor Moon Chibi Stickers, 1.62 each
So whether you are on a shoestring budget or just have a budget for shoe strings, hopefully this guide has given you some ideas about what to get for people who are difficult to shop for.
Images: Think Geek, Hot Topic, Amazon, Etsy, Pokemon Center, Flickr
