Getting to know people from all different walks of life feels like one of the best parts about college. But sometimes that means making friends who live on a Prada budget rather than your Goodwill one. Whether you’re shopping for that friend who has everything, or just want to come off as a sophisticated gift giver from college onward, check out these luxurious gifts with a v affordable price tag.
Here are ten gifts under $10 that will have you feeling like a Hollywood starlet.
1 . Tiffany style necklace
“This is a look alike for a Tiffany and Co. necklace! It’s super nice and dainty, I love love it!” Radford University freshman Kaylin Adams said. This necklace makes a great gift for anyone with a killer statement wardrobe looking for an everyday accent, being one of those pieces you could see yourself even sleeping in. This necklace goes with everything, making it a fantastic gift for the holidays that they can rock year round.
2. 90s style floral choker top
“I picked this Halter V Neck because I’m able to wear it year-round and the inexpensive price ($7.69) is an easy way to look effortlessly chic,” a senior at William & Mary Sammy Venable, said. Channeling back to that 1990s Laura Ashley floral print, these tops feel very in right now (RIP to Laura Ashley though). Everyone from your mom to your most hipster friend will approve.
3. Bath bombs
What’s more luxurious than a bath bomb? In the age of self-care, any college student lucky enough to have access to a bathtub instead of a communal shower stall will definitely feel the love from you with this gift. “I am a huge fan of any of Two Sisters Spa’s bath bombs,” senior at UVA Corinne Singh said. Save your friend a trip to Lush, a horrible place where my friend recently stumbled upon a fourth grade birthday party (true story). Any gift that helps with self-care stuff will be doubly appreciated this holiday season.
4. Champagne gummy bears
If you’d love to buy a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for your best friend but shop on an Andre budget (or sadly have an under 21 ID still), these gummy bears seem like a cute compromise. “These are a sweet treat! Sooo good,” Adams said. Also, champagne is more of a subtle taste than regular gummy bear flavors, so they even taste more grown up. Plus, they’re family Christmas party approved, unlike that bottle of champagne you may or may not have chugged in front of your grandmother last year.
5. Ear warmer head wrap
“Gift this head wrap from Amazon (my not-so guilty pleasure website),” Singh said. Other than alcohol blankets, college gals do not invest in their own warmth too often. Buy a neutral colored head wrap for your sorority’s/gal pal’s secret santa or white elephant party. Come February, whoever you gave this gift to will feel beyond thankful.
6. Geometric earrings
“These earrings are super trendy! They are look alikes also from Uncommon James,” Adams said. The upscale brand Uncommon James sells almost the exact same earrings for $56 dollars, but the Amazon version for $9.70 will make whoever you gift them too look just as on trend.
7. Like, REALLY good hair ties
Okay guys, I know what you’re thinking, I’m not spending this much money on hair ties. But I am dead serious when I tell you that every single one of my friends who I have given upscale hair ties to as a gift has thanked me repeatedly throughout the year. Never having your ponytail too tight or fall out is the ultimate luxury, change my mind.
8. Lindt chocolate
“Anything Lindt chocolate is my true true guilty pleasure,” Singh said. Unless you have one of those chocolate–hating heathens in your life, these chocolates make a great gift for anyone. Check out the peppermint bark flavored ones for the holidays. Honestly, just stay away from anyone who doesn’t like chocolate. Bad vibes everywhere there.
9. Facial Spray
Sometimes it’s the little things in life, like getting a refreshing spritz of good for you herbs and spices lightly misted on your beautiful little face. “Mario Badescu 4oz Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs & Rosewater for $5.25,” recommended Gabrielle Concepcion, a junior at William and Mary. “The Mario Badescu Green Tea Facial Spray is also the same price!” Concepcion said. And if you can’t choose between the two, get both, because chances are you have a stressed out friend in need during the midst of finals.
10. Mini ‘Mergency Kit
“Luxury is defined as ‘an inessential, desirable item that is expensive or difficult to obtain’ meaning that in order for something to be luxury it must be expensive or out of one’s reach. I both agree and disagree [with] this because everyone measures luxury differently based on their desires and their goals,” said Joan Clarke, a college-aged independent consultant for Arbonne International who is currently in the process of transferring schools. “A luxury item that I feel would fall in the ten dollar range would be one of those mini emergency kits that carry the mini emergency things a girl would need, i.e. a nail file, double sided tape, safety pins, tampons, Advil, tweezers, and so on! I consider this a luxury because it’s not something someone often has,” Clarke said.
