Here's How to Do All Your Christmas Shopping on a $500 Budget
Holiday shopping season is upon us once again - and so is the annual struggle to set aside enough money to buy a gift for everyone in your family and still manage to keep your finances above board. There's always temptation to go over budget (hello, Black Friday sales!) but sticking to a super-simplified gift list can help you stay on track. Whether you're planning to buy just one great gift for everyone on your list, or selecting a few smaller items for each person, here are some gift ideas for the whole family that fit within a $500 spending budget.
If You're Buying Just One Item for Everyone on Your List
There's no reason to stress yourself out while attempting to shower your loved ones with gifts. Sometimes you just need to find one perfect present that'll put a smile on their faces.
Everyone Will Love: Bluetooth Record Player
No matter how they listen to music, this all-in-one system has 'em covered. If they strictly stream, connect a phone to the system's Bluetooth - or if they like to keep it old-school, they can even convert an old collection (vinyl, CD, cassette) to MP3.
For Her: K. Midd's Hat
You may have spotted this cruelty-free fur hat on Kate Middleton's head, which is fitting because it has the power to make anyone who wears it feel like royalty. It's soft, luxurious, and has a matching scarf ... just in case you're looking to blow the budget and splurge on the special lady in your life. Check out more great gifts for her.
For Him: Old-School Gaming Console
Fortnite might be all the rage right now, but retro consoles are also having a moment. Atari did it. Nintendo did it with both original NES and SNES systems, and then Sega quickly joined the party. Any of these options make great gifts, but Genesis wins out because it comes with 85 classic games pre-loaded. Check out more great gifts for him.
For Younger Kids: Kitchen Playset
Children can't resist a play kitchen. It requires some assembly time and those little accessories are probably going to get lost over time, but your kid is going to love cooking you up something special, and that's all that matters! Check out more great gifts for kids.
For Older Kids: DIY Robot
Introduce your kids (7-12) to the fun of STEM with this 847-piece robot LEGO kit that they build and code themselves. This set can be built into five different models, which means plenty of playtime. Check out more great gifts for tweens.
If You're Buying a Few Smaller Gifts for Each Person
When it's down to the wire and you're having trouble making decisions, why choose? Your budget can take you pretty far if you stick to a few smaller items - and nobody is going to complain when they have more presents to unwrap.
Everyone Will Love: Air Fryer
Put an end to the dinner debate and join the air frying revolution. Every member of the family will love this buzzy kitchen appliance, which cooks using just a small amount of oil. Take our word for it, we wrote the book on it. Check out our top-tested air fryers.
Everyone Will Love: Cornhole Set
Cornhole is so easy to play and it can be done just about anywhere. Get the whole family together to toss some beanbags. Just try not to get too competitive!
For Her: Echo Dot
It's time to let Alexa organize her life. Amazon introduced the Echo speakers back in 2014 and they've only gotten smarter since then. Set alarms ... control lights ... make a shopping list and have Alexa place the order. The possibilities are endless. It can even be her personal trainer ...
For Her: Smart Yoga Mat
This yoga mat pairs with Amazon Alexa, so you can listen to your daily flow from our friends at Women's Health with just a simple voice command. Also cool: It uses an internal locking mechanism to force it back into the rolled-up position within a few seconds - similar to the way a snap bracelet works. It's 5 millimeters thick, giving it much more cushion than most mats on the market, and it's grippy enough to withstand sweaty classes. (Note: We are affiliated with Backslash Fit.)
For Him: Activity Tracker
There's a common misconception that fitness trackers are just for health nuts. While they certainly help people step up their fitness game, they're also important for maintaining general health. The Huawei Band 2 counts his steps, monitors his heart rate, and can also be used to track sleep. It's also waterproof and can go up to 21 days on a single battery charge.
For Him: Cozy Blanket
It'll be time to unwind after he gets his daily steps in. Eddie Bauer's Plaid Flannel Throw blanket is perfect for getting cozy on the couch in front of the TV or with a good book.
For Kids: Smart Cycle
Typical winter weather isn't conducive for riding bikes outdoors, but the little ones could still get their cycling time thanks to this Fisher-Price offering. The bike works with an app (available for most tablets and smart TVs) adding a video game element that's both fun to play and educational. It's ideal for kids 3-6 years old.
For Kids: Toy Sloth
When it's time to get tucked in for the night, every child needs a snuggle buddy. Slumberkins provides that comfort along with a story book to send them off to dreamland. The company's entire collection was designed to serve a therapeutic purpose and teach children social and emotional life skills.
For Kids: Kooky Game
For a little bit of silly fun during game night, try Greedy Granny. The object is to swipe treats off of Granny's plate without waking her up and making her dentures shoot out from her mouth. Meant for children 4 and up, it's guaranteed to make them giggle.
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