25 Favorite Things Giveaway and Blog Hop

It is that time of year once again, and we say: let the shopping begin!! It’s always a daunting task to find that perfect gift for the people we love (or even just a gift they’ll like!). Today, 25 creative bloggers have gathered together to share THEIR favorite things in a gift giving guide, and nearly all of the items are under $25! This list can offer a long lasting gift guide to refer back to when you need that special gift, along with links to where you can get them. 

We are so excited to share some of OUR favorite things with you today, along with some fabulous prizes from the other bloggers! So sit down, relax, and let the gift ideas roll! :)
Here’s what to do:
1.Take a quick glance at the gift collage below
2. Scroll to the bottom to see ours up-close with details and links to buy our favorite items
3. Enter to win our gift basket at the giveaway below ($50 value)
4. HOP to all of the other sites to enter to win their gifts!
5. Look around and enjoy the sites of the 25 creative bloggers–they will not disappoint!
For more details about the baskets above, be sure to hop on over to all the great blogs to see some of their favorite things.


Here’s what included in our basket:
1. “The PianoGuys” CD. If you haven’t heard these amazing men rock out on the piano yet, you definitely need to check them out! Right now!  They are all extremely gifted, and when you combine the 5 of them, magic happens!  They put a spin on classical and modern music that can put anyone in a good mood.  This is our mom’s favorite, but it quickly became ours, too.
2. $15 iTunes Gift Card. This is one of our go-to gifts.  Not only is it simple and quick, but your picky gift-receiver will love getting to choose their own music (just in case they don’t like #1).
3. Forever 21 Light Blue Bow Necklace. In our family, anything from Forever 21 is a guaranteed win!  No matter what, you can’t go wrong!  They have the cutest accessories, and they are ALL reasonable priced.
4. Forever 21 Nail Polish in Jade. Not only does this color look amazing (really, we don’t leave the house without it!), it is a perfect stocking stuffer!  Growing up, we always had nail polish waiting for us in our stockings, and we still get excited about all the fabulous shades that are waiting for us Christmas morning!
5. Forever 21 Gold Earrings.  There is nothing like a new pair of earrings to spice up an old outfit! See #3 for how much we love this store! :)
6. Forever 21 Long Fingerless Mittens.  It gets so cold during the winter time, and nothing makes us happier than a pair of cute, cozy mittens – especially fingerless ones! We thought these long, striped mittens were so cute that we had to buy a couple of pairs, and we wanted to share them with you!
Enter below to win a few of our favorite things!
{This giveaway is now CLOSED}

  1. Angela Diaz says:
    November 4, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    I think one of my favorite gifts under $25 usually are movies. They sort of are a go to gift in my family. We either will purcahse a movie we know the person has wanted or we’ll get them a gift card to get it.

    Reply
  8. Veronica says:
    November 4, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    My favorite under $25 gifts are of the homemade kind! Ever year I send baked goods to the people who mean the most and this year I’m attempting peppermint body scrub!! :)

    Reply
  20. Mrs. Elton says:
    November 4, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    One of my favorite gift ideas under $25 is a movie tub – bucket o’ popcorn, candy, cola and a gift card to amazon instant video/blockbuster/local movie store. It’s a hit every year at the Chinese Gift Exchange. :)

    Reply
  27. StacyC says:
    November 4, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    I’m always looking for new music to look for so the Piano Guys CD sounds great! Plus, gift cards are lovely gifts :)

    P.S. – the links in the blog hop aren’t working. They have extra code in them – .

    Can’t wait to see the other sites!

    Reply
  50. Flamingo says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    Pretty much everything I love is under $25! :) Coffee, chocolate, Starbucks gift cards, candles, cute mittens or socks, homemade cards, ornaments or photo books, a flashy coffee mug, cute memo pads, a Christmas cd… you name it! :)

    Reply
  54. Danielle King says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    I love to make homemade gifts – so much easier to give something unique and special and keep it in the budget! If I have to buy, I love to give recipe kits, like a box of cupcake mix, wrappers, frosting tubes etc.

    Reply
  56. Sarah says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Homemade gifts are great! Cheaper than more store bought items and so much more heartfelt. One of my favorites is a “movie night” gift basket. Popcorn, DVD, candies, etc.

    Reply
  57. Robin says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    fave gifts under $25 include: baby cakes waffle maker, a cupcake holder, cozy fashion forward blankets, serving ware, scarf/hat and giftcards (but giftcards are given out with random numbers on them and in a crafty way.)

    Reply
  69. Cortney says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    I love homemade gifts… and now with pinterest helping to direct us to all these amazing blogs and connecting all these talented people, the possibilities for handmade gift ideas are endless!

    Reply
  71. Deborah says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    My favorite gifts under $25 are probably homemade ones. Like the cute fluffy scarves I knitted last year or the Christmas ornaments I give out as neighbor gifts each year.

    Reply
  75. annzito says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    I love Bath and Body Works stuff – they have great little gift baskets around the holidays. And quick little knit gifts like cozy hats and scarves, and the oh-so-popular right now, cowls.

    Reply
  83. Jourdan @ Two Million Miles says:
    November 4, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    I sell clothes and jewelry {www.jourdansjewels.com}, as well as Perfectly Posh {pampering products} {www.perfectlyposh.us/jourdan}, so I love to give all things that I sell! Almost ALL of my items are under $25!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  88. Kimberly T. says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    One of my favorite gifts I’ve given was two CDs to my husband shortly after we were married. They were to CDs of the same cassette tapes I had borrowed when we were dating. They had both been melted in my car in the hot summer sun. I felt terrible, especially since one of them the group was no longer together and very hard to find. So it was a great surprise to him when I found them on eBay.

    Reply
  97. keeshaobrien says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    Little Carry All Caddy from Thirty-One ($12 or $19 embroidered) filled with a nice pen, notepad, candy or a coffee mug, hot chocolate and candy. Ouch Pocuh from Pillow Sew Cute on Etsy filled with baby items for a baby shower and generic first aid items for a birthday/wedding.

    Reply
  99. Brooke says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    I love giving Target scarves because they are inexpensive, so versitile, and you are sure to find one to match the individual style of whomever you are gifting.

    Reply
  111. tiffunny says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    Favorite gifts are amazon gift cards, gift cards for places to eat, or precisely what is going on here where you buy a few of your favorite little things and put them in a cute basket or container.

    Reply
  117. Tracy says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    I love your recipes! That depends on the person! Often gift cards so they can choose, or coffee and a mug for that coffee lover, books, lotions. I can go on and on cause it just depends on the person!

    Reply
  125. Ana Dame says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    Forever 21 is a great option for inexpensive gifts. I love to make things, like cards, scrap books or crochet dish towels. anything I can put thought in to my gift & make it my own

    Reply
  128. { L } says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    I am in LOVE with this entire idea of all of you teaming together to do these giveaways. It’s so fun to see all the FAVORITES. :) Thank you for the anticipation and giveaway.

    Love, love those long striped mittens!

    Reply
  131. Anjie Behunin says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    I am a gift card giver! I like to give GC’s for a friend’s fave lunch spot, coffee shop, store (Target is a BIG one) and wrap them all cute in a Chinese take-out box, or a pillow box or even a cellophane bag tied with tulle.

    Reply
  133. Stacy Lawrence says:
    November 4, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    I love giving gift baskets…find cute containers at Target or Michels and add a gift card, chocolate, a journal, homemade tile coasters…..the sky is the limit, for the kids I’ve done science experiment kits and craft baskets…I

    Reply
  140. Trina says:
    November 4, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    My favorite under $25 gifts to give include hand painted ornaments, photo coasters, personalized bookmarks, homemade cookies… Last year my friends and I did all handmade gifts, it was great!

    Reply
  165. Christie says:
    November 4, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    Itunes gift cards and Amazon gift cards are my favorite go-to gifts. Anybody can find something they like there. But I’m also a fan of homemade or personalized gifts. Great giveaway! It’s so funny because I just heard The Piano Guys the first time this morning. I was trying to find Christmas songs on YouTube and one of theirs came up. Loved it!

    craemac@gmail.com

    Reply
  166. Miranda King says:
    November 4, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    I like to give pretty scarves to the older nieces and dress up items to the little girls and if they are old and vintage, it’s even better! For the boys, single Lego packs work every time. Adults enjoy whatever I bake up! :)

    Reply
  173. inkhappi says:
    November 5, 2012 at 1:05 am

    Your blog has become one of my very fav’s in the last month or two. You have inspired me so much and I I am usually pinning every recipe as soon as I see it! You are right, i-tunes and Forever 21 are never go wrong items, and the piano guys sound amazing! I love fun unique things that can go in a purse, such as a nice little room spray, a cute cosmetic or card holding case, a slim picture holding brag book. I also love fun little books, magazines, subscriptions, movie tickets and the ever popular gift card. All fun stuff under $25. :)

    Reply
  174. KT says:
    November 5, 2012 at 1:25 am

    I like thoughtfull gifts under $25, like a giftcard to their favorite store/restaurant or just do a random bag of things they love that add up to $25.

    Reply
  191. Janet Slusser says:
    November 5, 2012 at 4:49 am

    I “Pinned it” …. and favorite gift to give under $25 are gift cards to stores that I know that particular friend likes to shop at – it allows them to use it as they wish and/or put it with other monies and get something big!

    Reply
  198. vhoiten says:
    November 5, 2012 at 5:19 am

    I love giving away home made goodies, like caramels…super easy to make and they cost a fraction of what you would pay in a store. Also, candles are usually well under $25 and everyone loves a good smelling candle!

    Reply
  213. Kelly Lynn says:
    November 5, 2012 at 5:53 am

    I like to consider their lives and personality and put a little package of fun things together. Last year for 20 something sister who lives in Chicago and has an active life I gave a Smashbook and lots of the little goodies so that she have a place for all the ticket stubs or bits of memorabilia she collects along the way. She loved it!

    Reply
  225. MR says:
    November 5, 2012 at 6:35 am

    Great Giveaway! My sister is a basket making machine at christmas so it would be fun to put one together for her with these great ideas

    Reply
  231. Christine says:
    November 5, 2012 at 6:44 am

    This is probably one of the cheapest things you can go for but I love making people mixes with really great music they most likely haven’t heard before. It’s personal and they last a really long time.

    Reply
  234. ourrealdeal says:
    November 5, 2012 at 6:51 am

    I love: stay at home socks, candles, cds, bubble bath… fun coffees and a favorite mug or drink mixes and a “togo” glass (with lid and straw) flavored lip glosses and lotions… Girls are easy – LOL

    Reply
  262. S.B. says:
    November 5, 2012 at 8:08 am

    I love handmade soaps, scented candles, homemade pies and cakes (everybody loves a bit of sweet), cooking oils with spices (they are useful AND pretty decoration!), homemade caramelized almonds are a hit! :)

    Reply
  269. Kristi Wolff says:
    November 5, 2012 at 8:19 am

    One of my favorite under $25 gift ideas is to do a magazine subscription. It is a gift that doesn’t clutter people’s houses but is something they can enjoy all year long.

    Reply
  271. Mel says:
    November 5, 2012 at 8:22 am

    One of my favorite gifts under 25 dollars would be makeup :) I love love love lip gloss….everyone needs alittle bit of sparkle and shine

    Reply
  286. Lorie says:
    November 5, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Depends on the person getting the gift, usually I like to do homemade goodies in a gift basket, other things: lotions/soaps, gift cards are always worth it-I like coffee or smoothie places so the 25.00 can stretch

    Reply
  294. Lydia Goodman says:
    November 5, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Itunes cards have become one of my go to gift ideas under $25. I try to keep a few on hand for those times when one of the kids comes home and says “mooommmm, i need a present for a birthday party, tomorrow!” quick, easy and always a hit.

    Reply
  299. Katherine says:
    November 5, 2012 at 9:13 am

    I love making crafty gifts for under $25 – collages in nice frames are a favorite! Or a small gift basket with a manicure gift card and a new nail polish! So fun! There’s so much to give that’s under $25!

    Reply
  303. stacey says:
    November 5, 2012 at 9:15 am

    My favorite gift ideas under $25 are customized gift baskets. It is fun to find fun little things and put them all together in a theme gift basket

    Reply
  304. Carrie says:
    November 5, 2012 at 9:21 am

    I would love, love, love to win your basket! I am boring and my favorite gift to give is a Fresh Balsam candel from Bath and Body works. I also like to give handmade soap with a cute soap dish.

    Reply
  323. Marilyn says:
    November 5, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Under $25 my favorites: Barnes and Noble Gift Card – because you never have enough books! Bath and Body Works Lip Gloss (I like the C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Pomegranate), EOS Lip Balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew, Sharpies, Altoid Smalls in Wintergreen, Vanilla Flavored Tootsie ROlls, Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, anything Chocolate, Red Vines Licorice, Jewelry, Makeup, and Craft Stuff.

    Reply
  329. Molly says:
    November 5, 2012 at 10:02 am

    I like to make part of every gift which helps to keep the cost down, but my fav gifts under $25 are gloves and hand cream, travel mug and star bucks gift card, food gifts, Itunes giftcard and funky earbuds. Picture frae and disposable camera.

    Reply
  333. Alice says:
    November 5, 2012 at 10:07 am

    favorite gift under $25 would be a cute tote bag filled with my favorite chapstick, lotion, mascara, and a $5 gift card to sonic. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  349. Lisa says:
    November 5, 2012 at 11:05 am

    I love homemade gifts. Anything homemade! Recent gifts I have made are rosette headbands for babies, and flower pins and nest necklaces for friends…I love giving pictures of Jesus because everyone loves those!

    Reply
  372. Leslie says:
    November 5, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    I used to think that Gift cards were a cop out to not have to come up with a gift but these days, I think it can be perfect for allowing a couple to go out to dinner for free! I love that idea

    Reply
  374. T says:
    November 5, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    There is a store out here called Charming Charlies that has some of the neatest jewelry sets, scarves, clothes etc. that I would almost get everything from there! But I love cute baskets to throw things in with pretty hair ties and bows to pull it all together.

    Reply
  375. lifewithyou1222 says:
    November 5, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Of course there is always gift cards. But the past couple of years I’ve enjoyed web sites like Dayspring.com and looking on their clearance. Got some really great gifts there this year!!
    -Bonnie

    Reply
  386. Jessica Steele says:
    November 5, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    It depends on who the gift is for, but my favorite gifts to give under $25 are books or cooking stuff. My MIL loved the vintage cookbook and flat whisk wrapped in a handmade apron last year.

    Reply
  409. Rob and Corrie says:
    November 5, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    I love giving pretty paper napkins…they’re a fun splurge {and something people often don’t buy for themselves}, but it’s also something they can use up, so they don’t feel obligated to keep it forever! :o )

    Reply
  413. Steph says:
    November 5, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    I am in love with Pier 1′s white scalloped cake stands, they are under $15 and are so versatile! I use them for decorating, party throwing, and cake/cupcake displaying (obviously ;) Such a fun giveaway!!

    Reply
  427. Kellie says:
    November 5, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    I love the basket! I love to give bath items to women and homemade goodies to men. This year I will probably be giving some of my men friends your Butterfinger Blondies! Haven’t seen a man yet that didn’t love those…even my health nut friends! :)

    Reply
  437. Carrie says:
    November 5, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I love to give personal and handmade gifts. But when it is store bought a gift basket personalized for a spa night, or movie night or something like that is fun go put together and give!

    Reply
  459. Christina says:
    November 5, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    A favorite picture of the person receiving the gift and I with some homemade coookies and something small I found that reminds me of them, simple but always more appreciated than anything expensive.

    Reply
  480. Amy Coose says:
    November 5, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    This basket is amazing, I am loving everything you’ve included, especially that bow necklace! I love finding a pair of earrings or other costume jewelry to give as gifts.

    Reply
  524. Seaweed and Raine says:
    November 6, 2012 at 3:24 am

    I love your basket of favourite things… Hmm must make a pintrest account one day! (right after a load of washing, feeding the baby, scrubbing the floor, and making lunch for the older boys! ;) heheheh) I came across the piano guys about a week ago – those guys are phenominal!!!

    Reply
  534. KS says:
    November 6, 2012 at 7:46 am

    I got together with one of my brothers and my sister and we are really excited to give our parents a 2 qt homemade ice cream maker. Much better for just the two of them. For a gift under $25, I’m excited to give my parents and my in-laws the book “Seven Miracles that Saved America.” I checked it out from the library and it is facinating. I know they will both love it.

    Reply
  535. KS says:
    November 6, 2012 at 7:49 am

    This year, I’m excited to give my parents and my in-laws the book “Seven Miracles that Changed America.” I checked it out from our local library and have really enjoyed it. Both sets of parents love to get new books and I know they will love this one.

    Reply
  536. Jessica Carten says:
    November 6, 2012 at 7:50 am

    My favorite gift to give under 25 would have to something baked or music. My husband and I love cooking for others so it really comes from the heart. We like to try and figure out who we are baking for and make their favorite dish in our family.

    Reply
  539. Brittney says:
    November 6, 2012 at 8:20 am

    My favorite gifts to give are books. I love reading and it always fun to give someone a book you’ve read and know is great that you know they are going to love.

    Reply
  545. Sandy says:
    November 6, 2012 at 10:02 am

    I like to find something the recipient really likes and then give them a gift card for it… Dairy Queen, ITunes, Home Depot, their fav place to eat, whatever!

    Reply
  608. sunberry2 says:
    November 6, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    I love to give something away that relates to someone’s favorite drink. So sometimes it’s a new mug for coffee or tea, a cup cozy or a gift card to the coffee shop!

    Reply
  609. Kj says:
    November 6, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    We cheat every year and give our grandparents family portraits as gifts! Normally just with pictures taken by friends :) Such an easy fun gift!

    Reply
  611. JCTarectecan says:
    November 7, 2012 at 4:40 am

    I like making personalized mini gift baskets for my younger cousins/nephews. Small toys, crayons, and fun snacks in a reusable container are fun to open & impressive to look at!

    Reply
  637. Ariane says:
    November 7, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    Of course it always depends on the recipient, but I really do love giving homemade things. I am lucky enough now that Pinterest is here and I can have all my craft and gift ideas all together. For a couple wedding gifts, I etched their last name on the bottom of a glass baking dish.

    Reply
  643. Elizabeth says:
    November 7, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    My favorite gifts to give under $25 are anything homemade (baked goods, scarves, etc) and things like my favorite lotion or things that relate to something (movie, band) I know the receiver loves.

    Reply
  651. Meg says:
    November 7, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    I love hitting up the dollar section at the front of Target – stocking stuffers, care packages, they usually have some useful stuff or just the stuff for laughs

    Reply
  657. Dominique M says:
    November 7, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    One of my favorite things to give are homemade snowglobes. You just use a mason jar, water, glitter, and little trinkets on the inside. Hold some down using a hot glue gun :)

    Reply
  663. The martins says:
    November 8, 2012 at 3:43 am

    I have a lot of teens to buy for so my favorite under $25 gift is a gift card to their favorite store, iTunes, the movies anything that they are interested in at the time.

    Reply
  695. Shauna says:
    November 8, 2012 at 11:15 pm

    Fav $25 gift, and soooo worth it, is Trish McEvoy eye base. You can buy at Nordstrom. I received a sample once, and now can’t live without it! Wear it alone, with no eyeshadow on top and it totally makes your eyes look brighter and that “beautiful without trying” look. :-)

    Reply
  699. Jackie says:
    November 9, 2012 at 8:42 am

    What an awesome basket…someone is going to be lucky to win!
    Some of my favorite gifts under $25 are makeup, earrings, craft items, small photo frames, lip gloss, hair accessories…these are things that my daughters like anyway! :)
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

    Reply
  743. Kat says:
    November 11, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Favorite gift idea under 25 is for people who love sweets, but don’t like to bake. I make cookies dough. roll it into logs, double wrap in parchment or freezer paper. Tie ends with bakers twine, write baking instructions on wrapped log, and freeze. These are great hostess gifts. It’s great that they are frozen and can be made and enjoyed after the holidays are over and the rest of the sweets are gone. You know that let down. Then, aha! You have some homemade cookie dough in the freezer!

    Reply
  748. Christy says:
    November 11, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Definitely depends on the recipient. Bath and Body Works is always a winner and so are candles. I love giving baked goodies and presents my kids have made or helped make.

    Reply
  753. Dawn says:
    November 11, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    One of my favorite gifts to give that’s under $25 is a spiced kumquat recipe from Cooking Light article. People don’t always know what they are but fall in love after they try them. Thanks for all you inspiring ideas and the great giveaways.

    Reply
  768. Stephanie says:
    November 12, 2012 at 5:53 am

    I love give some of my favorite thing and some of those are; philosophy lip gloss, essie nail polish, fun and colorful kitchen gadgets, or something handmade especially for them! : )

    Reply
  773. Unknown says:
    November 12, 2012 at 9:06 am

    My most ideal gifts are anything to do with music. iTunes gift cards, sheet music, cd’s, clarinet reeds, etc. I’m a music major so I’m always up for some music.

    Reply
  782. JMD says:
    November 12, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    Some of my favorite gifts under $25 include: Starbucks coffee, Bath & Body Works anything, scrapbooking supplies, sewing supplies, self-help books, nail polish, makeup, iTunes, gadgets (I love gadgets!).

    Reply
  789. MeganB says:
    November 12, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    Something homemade that I canned (chile verde sauce, spaghetti sauce, salsa) with whatever it goes with (cream cheese and chips, spaghetti, chips). Everyone love it!

    Reply