Gifts that wont break the bank or break in your suitcase
I’ve lived 2,500 miles away from my nuclear family for 10+ years (and away from my extended family always), so packing up any holiday gifts and zipping them into a piece of luggage has become the norm for me, and I’d like to think I’ve gotten quite good at it.
My tips? Number 1: opt for gifts that aren’t breakable and will wrap easily with whatever materials you can scavenge at whatever random family member’s house you end up at. Number 2: Always have a back up gift for the cousin you never see who no one ever told you was coming this year.
Everyone’s family, giftee and luggage set up is different, so I’m sharing some of my favorites in different sizes and price points! I’m also a bit of a sustainability nut (curating design-forward sustainable brands was my job in a past life), so I really try to give gifts that I am confident are actually of use to the giftee and aren’t headed straight for landfill.
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Boy Smells, Holiday Votive Set
Break the bank rating: 2/5
Break in your luggage rating: 2/5
Easily wrappable box, delectably scented interior, very holiday-y packaging. I think this makes for a great gift for your Gen Z cousin or your nephew’s girlfriend or to keep handy for the inevitable person you forget to get something for. Pull this out of your bag or the trunk of your car and boom, embarrassment avoided.
Crown Affair, Limited Edition Healthy Hair Set
Break the bank rating: 2/5
Break in your luggage rating: 4/5
Special holiday packaging and Thingtesting user beloved goodies inside that anyone with hair will actually get some real use out of. That’s a home run, IMO. To be honest with you, I am going to buy this for myself. Two products I love that are typically $93 total are boxed up all cute in special edition packaging for $65? Yes.
Quince, $50 Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Break the bank rating: 1/5
Break in your luggage rating: 0/5
First of all, can you believe the price on this sweater? I’ve gotten so Quince-pilled in this era of inflation where a cold brew in New York City costs $9— it’s so nice to have quality pieces that are priced in ways that don’t induce immediate rage. A sweater like this is such a classic basic and solid staple that you could pretty much gift it to anyone. It’s nice, it feels luxe, it won’t take up too much room in a suitcase and it is impossible to break or spill. Nailed it.
Break the bank rating: 1/5
Break in your luggage rating: 0/5
Justice for my coworkers in the EU: this one comes from Parisian homeware purveyor Merci and is not an America-only option. Cute stocking stuffer, unique, and design-y without being too over the top. (Reminds me of the Gohar World lemon squeezer.) I will say: this one should go in your checked bag and not a carry-on, lest TSA think you are up to something.
Break the bank rating: 5/5
Break in your luggage rating: 4/5
Here’s a highly personal option: upload a photo that you know is special to your giftee, have it framed and matted in one of Framebridge’s luxe options, and tuck that shipping box into your luggage. Expensive? Yes. Breakable? Yes, though unlikely if you pack it in its packaging. Unique, personal, priceless? Definitely.
Piecework Puzzles, New York Diner Puzzle
Break the bank rating: 2/5
Break in your luggage rating: 0/5
Call me unoriginal but I get puzzles for my family every single year. (As an additive gift, not the sole gift!) My family loves puzzles, I know we’ll all do it together and it’s not a gift that’s going to go unused, unappreciated, or straight to landfill. (As a sustainability-nut, this is my biggest concern with gifts in general.) This one is classic New York, which is a fun nod to where I live now and a nice gift for my very not-New Yorker family. (This bagel themed 12-puzzles-in-one kit is an equally excellent contender.)
Experiment Beauty, Reusable Face Mask
Break the bank rating: 0/5
Break in your luggage rating: 0/5
This has basically the same footprint in your luggage as a holiday card, but you can use it forever, which I love. Layer on your most hydrating actives or skin care products and top it with this reusable silicone mask for that sheet mask effect. I love this— you can eek more out of your fancy skincare products and do the whole single-use-mask vibe without the waste. (Not sure what to layer under the mask? Experiment’s Super Saturated Serum can come bundled with the mask and is excellently priced for its incredibly hydrating effect.)
Material Kitchen, Kid’s Utensil Set
Break the bank rating: 1/5
Break in your luggage rating: 0/5
I don’t have kids or grandkids or nieces or nephews but this set makes me wish I did. This set looks fun. The quality of Material Kitchen’s grown-up products is top notch, and I admire their sustainability efforts and smart packaging.
Hanni Hydration, Duo Body Care Set
Break the bank rating: 3/5
Break in your luggage rating: 3/5
These are super unique body care products with a really lush scent and easy-to-apply format. (You apply the balm in the shower and the mist just out of the shower!) The matching travel case is an excellent added plus to keep ‘em safe in transit.
Dorsey, White Sapphire Lucien Leverback Earrings
Break the bank rating: 5/5
Break in your luggage rating: 1/5
Just an announcement to my partner and everyone in my life: jewelry is a great gift for every occasion and always somehow manages to fit in your suitcase. Funny how that works! I’ve seen these earrings on every fashion forward influencer this year and Dorsey’s lab grown jewels give you the classic diamond look without the classic diamond price.
Little Beast, National Treasure Sweater
Break the bank rating: 2/5
Break in your luggage rating: 0/5
Ready to win the holidays? You already know this is the perfect gift for the over-the-top pet parent in your life. (We all know at least one. I might be one.) A cozy, photo-opp ready sweater for their pet that says National Treasure on it in giant letters? Yeah, hard to beat. Stressed about picking the right size? Little Beast makes a neckerchief version too.
