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I like to think I’m good at budgeting, but when the holidays come around, my efforts to save go out the window. It comes from a good place: I search far and wide for a special gift for each person in my life. But then I end up snagging a backup gift to my original present last minute—and then a backup for that backup. Plus my list keeps growing. I’ve got a large stepfamily, and now also my boyfriend’s family, who we’ll be spending Christmas Day with this year, to take into consideration. This week’s Home Front is my effort to hold myself to a $500 budget for the 14 people I’ll be shopping for this year. —Lydia Geisel, home editor

After working on Domino’s under-$50 gift guide the other week, I confirmed that it is absolutely possible to get just one really thoughtful, useful, and well-designed gift for someone without spending a ton. I’m my best example! It might not be as fancy as a KitchenAid mixer or cashmere sweater, but I swear if someone got me these über-fuzzy Crocs slippers, I’d wear them every day around the house (hint, hint!).

Photography by Jason Frank Rothenberg; Styling by Kate Berry

Here’s my 2024 holiday budget breakdown:

I’ll impress my boyfriend’s garden-savvy dad by letting him know that these $28 pruners are Martha Stewart approved.
What better way to celebrate my brother’s recent engagement than by framing the proposal photo in this chunky option that’s only $40?
And for the other couple in my life (my stepbrother and his fiancée) who are about to embark on wedding planning: $20 flutes for all the champagne coming their way.
My oldest stepbrother will be in Seoul for the holidays. I plan to give him this set of $30 packing cubes before he jets off.
My stepsister and her dog are a package deal, so this $18 Splatter pet bowl is really a gift for both of them.
My stepmom technically doesn’t need another cookbook, which is why Tom Colicchio’s recent release ($30) is perfect: It’s more of a memoir.
My boyfriend’s oldest sister is itching to entertain in her new apartment, so this graphic $18 tablecloth will be the perfect scene setter for her first dinner party.
I don’t pretend to know what teens are wearing these days, but I have a feeling my art-loving 18-year-old stepbrother will appreciate these $10 Basquiat crew socks.
My S.O.’s parents are embarking on a powder room reno in the new year. I hope this $35 resin soap dispenser gets his mom excited about decorating the space post-construction.
If my bad habit is overspending on gifts, my dad’s is losing his phone charger. To help him out, he’s getting a fresh charger pack ($24) and a $15 marble cable holder to remind him where it is.
My boyfriend has been complaining about his wallet looking dingy. The fact that Bellroy’s traditional design is on sale for $65 right now makes it a no-brainer purchase.
This $27 duffel with separate compartments for shoes and dirty clothes is perfect for my stepdad, who starts every day at the gym.
Jewelry is usually the default for my mom, so this time I’m following up with the $59 catchall I spotted in Clare Vivier’s living room.
My boyfriend’s youngest sister, a recent college grad, has that magic ability to make sweatpants look chic. A Barbie-pink pair for only $29 feels like a fitting addition to her collection.

The grand total: $448

Photo Courtesy of Target; Photo Courtesy of H&M Home; Photo Courtesy of IKEA

Seeing that I’ve come in under budget with my main gift haul (*pats self on back*), I can scoop up special stocking stuffers. I discovered some pretty sweet presents at my favorite big-box stores—each for $15 or less.

1. Target

It’s probably the first place you think to shop for stocking stuffers thanks to the special discount section located at the front of every store. But don’t forget to wander around Target’s home aisle, too—that’s where I found these gems.

2. H&M Home

I find it helpful to narrow in on a theme. At H&M Home, I could kit someone out for a DIY spa day.

3. IKEA

Don’t sleep on IKEA’s Marketplace (the shoppable area on the ground level of the warehouse). In the past, I’ve unearthed great gifts in the kitchen aisle alone, but these clever presents are also top contenders.

Homemade gifts are underrated, and I’ve got some time on my hands between now and December 25 to churn out a few. I already have a couple of needlepoint projects under way and have been learning the basics of knitting (thanks, YouTube), but here are a few other crafts I’m thinking of working into the mix.

• With Susan Alexandra’s Essentials Bead Box ($65), I can string together a necklace for every lady in my life and still make a little somethin’ for myself.

• Now that I’ve successfully knitted a scarf, I plan to follow Homey Oh My’s potholder tutorial.

• Kimberly Moore’s abstract works are inspiring me to buy a small canvas, some paint, and a vintage frame and release my inner artist.

• I can see myself pulling an all-nighter designing custom matchbooks for all the newly engaged folks in my life.

• This embroidered Etsy pillow reminded me that adding someone’s name to any textile is a surefire hit.

Today’s Topic… What’s your strategy for staying on budget during the holidays?

The people I’m seeing IRL are the only ones getting presents.

I shop in bulk at one retailer—hello, free shipping!

From Last Week… When in doubt, I always gift a __.

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