Eeeek – we’ve all been there. Your bestie lives out of town and you need to send her a pick me up. Or maybe your sister moved for her job and you want to send her the best birthday gift ever since she’s away. Fear no more, you’ll be a gifting pro after this post.

A lot of people immediately turn to the gift card route, but there’s a ton of options that can be fun and colorful to send out to someone.

TJ Maxx is one of my favorite places to start the hunt for gift basket/box goodies. Everything in my local store seems to get refreshed regularly so there’s always new stuff that I haven’t seen and because they buy from such a wide variety of stores and retailers, you can often find things from a brand you love at a reduced price. #StayThrifty

I’m mug crazy and usually include a mug in all gifts, because I have no more room for anymore of my own but can’t seem to stop buying them. Hoarder tendencies, I know.

Cards are one of my favorite ways to make a package personal. Aside from the message and your signature, there are millions to choose from and you can always find something special. For example, my uncle is obsessed with his dachshunds, so if I see a dachshund card, I snag it because I know he’ll get a kick out of it.

Paper goods are one of my favorite things so these are usually something you’ll find a gift basket from me. There’s a variety of options to go with from sticky notes for your college bound bestie (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) or thank you cards for your friend that teaches (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Pretty up your packaging! We all know that first impressions, whether they’re fair or not, are something that register. You don’t have to spend a ton — I usually pick up a few bubble mailers every couple months when I see them on sale in different designs, but they can also be found in the Target dollar spot (my home away from home) in chevron and kraft, which is super easy to dress up with washi tape and metallic sharpies.

Stationery doesn’t have to be crazy expensive either. Granted, I love me some Paper Source, but I always have multiple bundles of $1 stationery packs on hand and will line them with glitter wrapping paper, like you see above, for a more personal touch that lasts forever.

Paper tape, or washi tape, is fun to use to decorate envelopes and boxes like I said above. I use mine a lot to spruce up my planner and there are tons of different colors and patterns available. I love the Kate Spade one that is available in this desk set as well as this set of glitter tapes.

Makeup sample kits are an inexpensive way to try new items without fully committing them and are the perfect gift for your friend that loves makeup and the friend that isn’t always adventurous with makeup.

Benefit has several different options for you to gift, as does Tarte (a new beauty fave of mine, thanks Ulta!), Urban Decay has a few, you name the brand — they probably have a gift set of sample or travel sizes and Ulta and Sephora will run these at promo prices from time to time.

I put these boxes together for two of the girls that live in the sorority house I’m on a board for and obviously had to throw together some personalized mugs. Here is the tutorial I’ve used to create Sharpie mugs that are washable.

Don’t forget to throw in a bottle of nail polish as a #TreatYoSelf kind of little gift. I usually do one of two things. 1. Buy a bottle from a brand new polish release. 2. Buy a mini set.

Lately I’m loving the new OPI Venice collection, the mini set is available here, but the collection features several shades I adore including this soft peach, a gorgeous nude, and a soft mint. I’m admittedly partial to OPI polishes, I like the formula and the brushes are always great, but this new Essie shade has me all heart eye emoji too.

It’s Fashion Friday so I can’t NOT show you the latest item on my wish list. Pretty sure leopard print booties are a need and hello it’s for a good cause. Also, crushing on these perforated booties (on sale), this concealer (the Tarte makeup artist at Ulta was a goddess that made my bags disappear in seconds + it doesn’t crease), this shirt, and this cross body (winning lottery ticket, please).