With the holiday season among us, you may be scrambling to pick out gifts for the wide range of personalities and characters on your list. While I may be no help giving you gift ideas for your Uncle Tom or next-door neighbor, I've got you covered if you have a South Shore Sweetheart in your life. Since everyone is in a time crunch, and shipping is on major delay, I bring you 10 gift ideas that you can find in any shopping plaza or mall.
1) Cloud Perfume by Ariana Grande:
Statistics show that 9/10 girls on Staten Island own this perfume. Well, that’s just my well-educated guess. Cloud is my go-to scent, and it's gotten to the point where I can recognize it in public when someone briskly walks past me. It’s the perfect perfume for someone who wants a fragrance that isn’t too sweet or floral and lasts all day. With its adorable blue glass cloud cap and charming white cloud holder, there’s no wonder why everyone is raving about this scent. You don’t even need to be the biggest Ariana fan to appreciate this gift! It looks darling on any girl’s vanity and can be found at your local Ulta and select drug stores.
2) Starbucks Cup:
All too often, my friends and I will gawk at the ornate Starbucks cups on display, reluctant to pick which one we find the most beautiful. You can never go wrong with a reusable Starbucks mug or tumbler this holiday season. I am impartial to the tumblers because they are great for filling with water or your favorite refresher. Every location has a relatively unique selection. The Target Starbucks is usually a safe bet, and the pearlescent styles are a favorite among my fellow South Shore Sweethearts. Trust me, even if she already has a dozen reusable cups, one more won’t hurt because she needs a beverage to match every outfit. The added bonus is we are saving the world by cutting down on nonbiodegradable waste and plastic straws.
3) Big Sunglasses:
Since Staten Island is a small, tight-knit community, you practically run into every person you have ever met while picking up coffee at 8 am. The next time she picks up Starbucks or Dunkin, she will need a big pair of sunglasses to go incognito (just in case she bumps into someone from high school). The brand doesn't matter; anything that covers half your face will do just fine. Tj Maxx and Target usually have a wide range of frames and materials. Select a pair that embodies her fashion sense and flair, and you're good to go!
4) Disposable Camera:
Disposable cameras came back in fashion thanks to young women everywhere. In an effort to romanticize our existence, the disposable camera serves as the ideal way to capture a moment with friends and eagerly wait for them to be developed. While our phones possess professional-grade camera quality, the disposable camera gives us something missing from the instantaneous kind: nostalgia and an appreciation for every photo. How many times have you taken a million shots of the same pose, only for it to get lost in the sea that is your camera roll? The disposable camera brought back the practice of developing photos, scrapbooking, and consciously taking meaningful photos. You can find them at any drug store and Target. Disposable cameras are a sure way to make any South Shore Sweetheart’s holiday season.
5) Anything from Lush
I'm honestly convinced anyone would enjoy products from Lush. Whether you are a construction worker with dry skin, an accountant looking for new skincare products, or a teacher in desperate need of self-care products, Lush has something for everyone. The Helping Hands hand cream is ideal for those who experience crackly, winter-ridden hands, the Outback Mate soap bar is refreshing and neutral, and the Revive leave-in conditioner is a perfect everyday staple for those with curly hair. For a South Shore Sweetheart, you can’t go wrong with bath bombs, bubble bars, and anything that smells like candy. Fan favorites include the Twilight bath bomb, Snow Fairy bubble bar, and the Bubble Gum lip scrub. With over 900 locations worldwide, it is relatively accessible to pick up in-store. They even offer pretty pre-wrapped gift sets with complimentary scented products!
6) Once Upon a Skirt Lounge Set
It has long been known that Once Upon a Skirt is the safe haven for every Staten Island girl who needs a last-minute, show-stopping outfit for an event or gathering. I recently saw this comfy, elegant lounge set that I refuse to gatekeep. Coming in three wearable neutral colors, this pairing is ideal for running quick errands or simply looking stylish while watching television. Your besties will be undeniably delighted to receive this for Secret Santa, entering the new year in style. Get them while they're still on the rack!
7) Bath and Body Works Body Wash and Lotion
Bath and Body Works holds a special place in every Staten Island lady's heart. From elegantly crafted candle holders to pumpkin spice hand sanitizer, you are bound to find a scent to please the masses. They are known for their infinite variations of vanilla soaps and seasonal candles that will make your home smell like a bakery. Bath and Body Works won’t let you down. Don’t forget to ask the cashier for cellophane gift wrapping and ribbons so you can package the products neatly.
8) Matching Pajama Set
A matching pajama set is the easiest way to feel like you have your life put together. During the holiday season, Target and Victoria's Secret come out with fashionable matching gift sets that are reasonably priced and ideal for the girl who enjoys holiday photo shoots and pajama parties with her friends. For the colder months, get your South Shore Sweetheart a warm, long-sleeve set with a fun pattern and maybe even a matching robe and slippers.
9) Viccy Secret Makeup Bag
A sturdy travel makeup case is essential for the girl on the go who won’t leave the house without a snatched face. The Viccy Secret travel makeup bag has a sleek design, the optimal choice for anyone who struggles to fit all their eyeshadow pallets and blushes in their luggage. The inside flap has a mini hook, allowing you to hang up the bag in your hotel bathroom so all your products are visible and accessible. The easy-to-clean material is a lifesaver for those cracked bronzer mishaps, ensuring your makeup case will last longer than the next outrageous makeup trend (speaking as a victim of the 2016 pomade eyebrows). I personally own this makeup bag, and I can confidently report that it's been five years strong and not a tear in sight.
10) An Autobiography of a Blonde Celebrity
Since reading is FUNDAMENTAL, gift your South Shore Sweetheart with something educational. How about a memoir written by their favorite blonde icon? In an age where everyone is “writing” memoirs, there is an abundance of books on the market to pique the interest of a South Shore Sweetheart. Their aesthetically pleasing covers were made for displaying on a bookshelf or coffee table. Here are just a few New York Times bestselling novels from iconic blondes we all know and love:
The Woman in Me, Britney Spears
Paris The Memoir, Paris Hilton
I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy
Live Wire, Long-Winded Short Stories Kelly Ripa
Open Book, Jessica Simpson
Love, Pamela: A Memoir of Prose, Poetry, and Truth, Pamela Anderson
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