Target Holiday 2014 Shopping: 10 Must Haves

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Our Top 10 Gift Picks To Give or Receive from Target

Confession: the holidays are not always my favorite time of year. I mean, I’m not quite at the point where I’m ready to install the Festivus pole or anything, but huge crowds and relentless loops of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” wears on a girl after a while, you know?

That being said, there are some foolproof cures for impending Scrooge-hood: the first glittering flakes of snow drifting from the sky, a gingerbread latte with an extra shot of espresso, a perfectly imperfect Charlie Brown-style Christmas tree, and the exact right gift for someone special. Gift giving means a lot to me – I’m not a gift card or generic-present kind of gifter, so I focus on specialized goodies, like design-your-own sneakers or customized Etsy creations or hand-made beauty potions.

However, I have another card up my sleeve – Target. Yes, Target is a big box store, but never underestimate the power of the red bulls-eye. I can always find stocking stuffers, home décor, and affordable but creative presents there. To prove I’m not a total Scrooge, I’ve shared my top ten treasures to get you and yours through the holidays, festive moods intact:

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Decking your halls: I can’t get over how cute these “Sugar Cookies for Santa” kitchen towels are. They’d be adorable in your own kitchen, but they’d also make the best wrapping for a gift of homemade cookies (the recipe is on the towel, you guys, so super easy if you don’t have a go-to recipe already). If Santa is into something a little harder than milk – and who could blame the poor guy – serve up some piping hot libations in this stoneware beverage dispenser with matching animal-head steins ($34.99). I’m thinking mulled wine would taste even better out of a wolf-head stein.

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For the lover of all things beauty: I’ve long been a fan of Sonia Kashuk, and her brushes are affordable and high quality, so they make great gifts. Her 10 piece limited edition “All that Jazz” brush set ($34.99) has everything a beauty maven needs in one sleek gold package – the contouring brush is really stellar. To go along with those snazzy brushes, pick up this Pixi by Petra Ultimate Beauty Kit ($34) – a palette of shadows, blushes, and glosses in both Warm and Cool to put your whole face on in a hurry. Wrap the whole shebang up with some leopard-print ribbon and you’re good to go.

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For the fitness enthusiast: Ok, I’m coveting both of these fabulous Orla Kiely items and cannot be blamed if I gift myself with them, seriously. First are these botanical print yoga mats ($24.99) in Rose, Sunflower, Apple Green, and Graphite. And what’s a yoga session without an adorable water bottle ($24.99), like these glass ones in matching prints? Yoga is a non-competitive sport, yes, but your giftee will win the stylish accessories contest, hands down.

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For the pet-lover: I firmly believe pets should get holiday presents, too – no Grinch-ing out on our four-legged BFF’s. There’s a whole range of sturdy and bright dog toys, like this set of Christmas tree bulbs on a rope, plus toy-filled stockings ($9.99) for your cat. What I’m really excited about, though, are these antler headbands ($5.99) for your pup. Now, these headbands are really a gift for you, because your pet will probably hate you for it, but think of the photo ops. (We just got a Saint Bernard puppy, and trust me, these antlers will be making an appearance on him for sure).

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Stocking stuffers: There are a ton of inexpensive options here – don’t forget the dollar aisles by the front store entrances, especially if you are shopping for kids. Because I know beauty loot is near and dear to all our hearts, I’d recommend the Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm in Pumpkin Spice ($2.99), it’s limited edition, and you can only get it at Target. I already picked this up, and it’s really good – the typical creamy, soothing balm with a hint of pumpkin scent and flavor. Another great pick goes back to Sonia Kashuk: her limited edition Eye Palette in Deco Starlet ($19.99) houses chocolate, black, cream and gold shadow. This gives you a great base (the chocolate), while the white/gold acts as a perfect highlight and the black provides lining drama.

Looking over this list has actually made me excited for the holidays – guess I’ll call off the annual airing of the grievances. If you need me, I’ll be listening to “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses’ and inflicting antler-headband torture on my puppy.

we heartsters – What do you pick up at Target for the holidays? Are you also obsessed with Orla Kiely? And are you pro a Festivus for the Rest of Us, or is it easy to get in the holiday spirit?

Amity writes and teaches in Central PA. Her obsessions include: Rodarte (she can’t afford any Rodarte, mind you, but a girl can dream), espresso, books, vintage/thrift fashion and fountain pens. She thinks you should dress like a weirdo once in a while, just to shake things up.
skin tone: NC15
skin type: Combination
favorite beauty product: felt-tipped eyeliners

Author

  • Amity

    Amity teaches rhetoric, composition, and creative writing in Central PA. Her non-fiction has appeared in xojane and Story, as well as on Snap Judgement and This American Life; her fiction has appeared in Hobart. She is the cohost of Bone Palace Ballet, a true crime podcast focusing on murder, mysteries, and the macabre.

12 Comments

  1. I swore I was going to avoid shopping for one Black Friday of my life, but you’ve ruined that now, @amity ! Your picks make me want to jump in the car right now! I love the Christmas tree bulbs on a rope, the Pixi palette, and– wait, Burt’s Bees makes Pumpkin Spice lip balm?! I can’t believe I might have missed it. Happy Festivus, and happy shopping!

    1. I’m sorry! But there really is so much cute stuff there right now, and you kind of NEED that LE Burt’s Bees balm…

  2. I’m with you on not loving the Christmas mobs, @amity! I make a list, and buy online. But yes, those stocking stuffers are fun to shop for, and Target is a great place for it. There is no pressure when shopping for stocking stuffers. I can enjoy the throngs of people, that Starbucks latte, and all those other folks’ last minute excitement. Yup, Target is great.

    1. You are a girl after my own heart!

  3. Limited edition, only available at Target Pumpkin Spice Burt’s Bees sound like something I may need to hoard! Thanks for the fun list!

  4. I love Target I always find fantastic buys and great gifts. They are well organized and I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience there (except spending too much)! They have adorable dog jammies for $10.00 that Penny will love! Great gift ideas!!!

  5. I love Orla Kieley designs!! I buy anything with her print on it including soap, make-up bags, etc…. She makes such fresh and cheery prints! I am also looking forward to those luxe Sonia Kashuk holiday make-up brushes. They are beautiful and a bit more affordable for this broke social worker than the awesome Prada Grumbel MAC brushes. Also, I had no idea that Burt’s Bee’s has a limited edition pumpkin lip balm!! Pure insanity!! I love it and must make several tubes, at least mine!!! Great list!! Love Target Too Much!!!

  6. LOVE TARGET!! I just picked up a Toms Blanket that I love but there’s always something there I love… they have the best buyers.

  7. Love Target, I just bought a Toms blanket there that I love but I always find something to love… they have the best buyers!

  8. I work in a shopping center so I know better than to come near it on Black Friday, unless I have to work it! I’m so getting Burt’s Bees Pumpkin Spice lip balm, if available, my next trip to Target. I think Sprouts may have it there too! :)

  9. Sonia Kashuk brushes are the best! I’m a sucker for them and own more sets from her than I’m comfortable admitting.

    I was so bummed that the Burt’s Bees pumpkin lip balm escaped me–all of my Targets are sold out. wah waaaaaah *sad trombone*

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