Start shopping smart

Christmas budget piggy bank
Christmas budget piggy bank
Piggy bank Christmas budget; Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

By Vanessa Selle

Before shopping gets too crazy, your Collegiate staff has put together a list of fun, budget-friendly gifts for friends and family. Many of these gifts are perfect for an apartment or dorm room and are great universal gifts for anyone on your list. 

  1. Ecolution Micro-pop Microwave Popcorn Popper amazon.com

This is an excellent gift for those who love popcorn but do not want expensive, single-use prepackaged bags containing unwanted chemicals and excessive calories. This incredible gift is perfect for a one-person snack and is dishwasher-safe. It is available in multiple colors and even comes in a bigger family size if needed. 

  1. DASH Mini Waffle Maker Machine amazon.com

This little machine is perfect for waffles. Any breakfast favorite would work as a waffle shape is perfect for this machine. It is a simple plug-in-and-go and small for those with space limits. This gift is available in multiple colors and patterns and includes a recipe guide!

  1. Dosmix Portable Bluetooth Vintage Speaker amazon.com

This Bluetooth speaker puts a classic twist on a trendy technology favorite. Everyone could use a good Bluetooth speaker, and making it unique is even better. This speaker is designed to be portable and is small enough to fit in a bag or even a large pocket. It works for audio and hands-free calls and has a rechargeable battery with a USB cable. 

  1. FaceTory Best of Seven Facial Masks Collection amazon.com

These face masks are perfect for pampering your friends’ skincare needs. Whether this pack includes classic favorites or introduces new favorites, it is a great universal gift for close friends or acquaintances. 

  1. Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Maker amazon.com

This cold brew coffee maker is great for the coffee lover. It is a French press style, 51 oz, and all components are dishwasher safe. The locking lid keeps coffee hot or cold! The small size saves space and is convenient for refrigerator storage.