Zoey Cunningham ‘26, Photo Editor
With winter rolling in, the holidays are quickly approaching. The holidays are a season to care for loved ones and spend time with those you appreciate. But in addition to the holidays comes the stress of choosing gifts. Giving gifts is one of the best ways to show gratitude for others, also allowing you to show you listen and know them as a person. However, it is always good to have some generic ideas on what to get someone:
Mom:
Every mom always says “I don’t need any gifts;” however, it means a lot if you get them one. Moms are often stressed and do not get time to themselves, always taking care of others. Some good ideas for self care gifts you can purchase might be a nail appointment, a facial, or a massage. These gifts allow a mom to get time to herself while also getting pampered and taken care of—every moms dream. Or, you can get the home decor route and give your mom blankets, candles, or other holiday themed decor. Makeup-wise you can also get your mom lip products, blush, or perfume. Sometimes even something homemade or personalized might be the most meaningful choice. Check Etsy for ideas!
Dad:
Dads can seem hard to buy for; they like generic stuff and act happy for any gift. One good idea is winter gear. Dads are the ones shoveling snow for their kids, so winter gear is a must. This could include hats, gloves, new boot warmers, or even shovels. Any other outdoor equipment also works. More obviously, the Lions have been doing very well recently. Getting your dad any Lions themed gift is a super easy way to show your dad you care. Or if your dad is not a Sports fan, getting them a t-shirt or jersey from their favorite team is an option.
Teen boy:
It is difficult to find a gift that a teen boy will like, but not impossible. Try to find their hobbies and buy them gifts relating to that. If your brother is really into a video game, a gift card for that game can work well. Or if he likes cars, getting him some car accessories like car air fresheners, lights to decorate, or car cleaning supplies can be nice. Hoodies are always a nice and easy gift. Some good stores include PacSun, Nike, or Comfrt. If your brother enjoys reading or being creative, getting him some new books or legos can help give him a new outlet. A new cologne can be a nice gift as well. Or, some new headphones can be an option if your brother is really into music. And obviously sports, teen boys love sports. Get them swag from their favorite team or equipment to help them in their current sport.
Teen girls:
Teens, especially girls, are pretty simple to buy for. Some good essentials they might need could include makeup, such as blush, lip products, highlighter, bronzer, or more. Or haircare, is also a good goto with options such as hair masks, a new brush, a curling iron, hair serum, or a heat protectant. Cute clothes are always a good choice for girls, looking for some sweatshirts, pants, or pajamas for the winter season that are still stylish would make any teen girl happy. Try finding their favorite stores, and with the holiday season there will definitely be some sales. Some stores with solid basics include Pacsun, Garage, and Aerie. Bath and Body Works can be a good stop if you have a teen sister; they have an abundance of candles, perfumes, bodywash, lotion, and more. Getting these items in a winter scent will definitely make their holiday.
Tween boy:
Tweens want the next trendy item. This year one big item is the new Nintendo Switch 2, which is obviously a decently pricey item. You can get your brother a new controller or a game to go with their current gaming console. But, also, you can talk with your parents to see if your sibling is getting any new gaming gear and get accessories to go with that. A gift card for their favorite games is always good too, like V-Bucks for example. Speaking of trends, every boy on TikTok has been changing their style: if your brother is into clothes, getting some quarterzips and jeans will help them adhere to the current fashion trends. LED lights for their room are also a good quick and easy gift. Lastly, any sports related items are a must. Getting them new gear for the sport they play or something to support their favorite team is a good way to show you care and support your brother’s passions.
Tween girl:
Tween girls are fun to buy for; all they want is anything trending at the moment which makes your job super easy. First and foremost is anything from Sephora. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm started trending a few years ago, but it is still super popular and an essential to any tween girl. You can also get your sibling any skincare items from any kind of makeup store, some good go-tos are moisturizer, sun protectors, or pimple patches. Adding on to self care, many tween girls like touchland hand sanitizers, you can find them at places like Target, Ulta, and Walmart. Sweatshirts from places like Hollister, Abercrombie Kids, and Target are also a good way to help them find their style.
Giving gifts make for a nice way to show your gratitude for others. The holidays allow an accessible time to show others you care. It can be scary but it is definitely worth it. However, gifts are not the most important part of the holiday, make sure you take the time with your family and friends to enjoy each other’s company.
Lyon Life 