Gift Guide: Under-$100 Gifts for Him and Her

Gifts for Him, clockwise from upper left, Gap Plaid Scarf ($30) // Rusted Key Floating Shift Cufflinks ($35) // Incase Leather iPhone Case ($15) // Downing Pottery Cityscape Mug ($36) // Echo Flash Drive ($34) // BR Leather Dopp Kit ($70) // Izola Salut Flask ($26)

Gifts for Her, clockwise from upper left, Blu Bijoux Sparkle Stud Earrings ($14) // LoveQuotes Scarf in Portabello ($88) // Vintage Cocktails Book ($50) // Lisa August Oval Link Bracelet ($35) // Agate Jewelry Box ($49-$79) // Citrus Zinger Water Bottle ($18) // Jimmy Choo Exotic Perfume ($88) // Topshop Snakeskin iPhone Case ($16)

For Him. Buying gifts for men can be a challenge.  It’s no wonder why so many women fall back to the old standbys (ties, BBQ equipment, a bottle of bourbon).  These gifts aren’t terribly original, but that doesn’t mean they’re not just what Santa ordered.

Many men use accessories like scarves, socks, cufflinks and ties to express their individuality in a staid professional environment.  While searching for cufflinks, I also found this checkered mother-of-pearl pair and this Alexander McQueen engraved skull pair, both under-$100.  If plaid doesn’t strike your fancy, I also like this charcoal grey Banana Republic scarf with a simple navy accent stripe.

Cases for iPhones, Droids or tablets make a good gift.  I like this simple leather case, but if you’re looking to spend a bit more, try Col. Littleton leather goods.  Several colleagues and friends can’t get enough of their rugged wares.  I also recommend East Dane for tech accessories that are equal parts form and function. I also like the wooden flash drives from Echo, which come in a half-dozen fun colors and patterns.

I love these Downing Pottery mugs from Nordstrom.  They have several different cityscapes from a rather odd collection of locales (no D.C., sadly), or you can pop over to her Etsy shop to purchase some of her original pottery.  And if the gentleman in your life carries a flask, I highly recommend Izola’s cheeky wares.  In addition to the Salut! flask above, they offer flasks with other sayings etched on them as well.

A good quality dope kit is a great gift for a man who travels or a man who likes to visit the gym on his lunch hour.  I like this leather one from Banana Republic for $70, but if you’d like to spend a bit more, try this chic number from Ralph Lauren.

For Her. Buying a gift for someone means taking what you want out of the equation and asking yourself, “What would she want?”  This can be difficult, but above are a few gifts that the ladies in your life might enjoy.

Jewelry is always a good gift, and a unique piece of inexpensive fashion jewelry is a good place to start.  These Blu Bijoux studs come in gold and silver.  I also love the abalone-like chain bracelet from Lisa August, which also comes in tortoise shell.  Both of these pieces came from Max & Chloe, one of my favorite retailers.  They also carry Emily Elizabeth wire pearl drop ring, and these AV Max textured, stackable cuff bracelets.

And while you’re in a jewelry buying mood, why not pick up a chic jewelry box to hold all of her wares?  West Elm has the best ones.  This agate box is so chic, as is their metallic jewelry box. Looking for a jewelry case that can travel?  Check out this Victoria case from Boulevard that has more storage than meets the eye.

My favorite scarves, by far, come from Love Quotes.  But if you’re looking for less expensive options, you can’t beat Zara.  I adore this patterned fringe scarf, and the Extra Soft scarf lives up to its name.

This vintage cocktail book is not only beautifully illustrated, it contains recipes for some of the best classic cocktails ever devised–it would be a welcome addition to any bar.  I also love giving style books for Xmas, and one of my favorites is Shop Your Closet, a guide to using the clothes you already own instead of buying new.  And if you prefer your coffee table books to be more beautiful and less practical, try Vanity Fair: 100 Years or Harper’s Bazaar: Greatest Hits.

Ladies love tech gifts as well.  This snakeskin case will grace my iPhone, just as soon as it arrives, but I also likes this Metallic Scalloped cover from Anthropologie.  And if, like me, you run your battery down to nothing nearly every day, check out this iBoost power charger or this Jonathan Adler On-the-Go charger.

Perfume is a very personal gift, but if you know a woman’s signature scent, there’s no reason not to buy her a bottle.  I’m a big fan of the citrusy musk of this Jimmy Choo Exotic perfume.

Lastly, beverage containers are a useful gift that can be given to people you don’t know very well.  I love this water bottle with the built-in citrus juicer in the bottom for the lady who takes her water with lemon or lime.  I also like this bedside water carafe set, and this BCBG ceramic latte travel cup with laser-cut sleeve.  And if you’re looking for a gift that’s Made in America, check out Tervis Tumblers.