I Asked a Pro Shopper the One Target Gift She’s Giving to Everyone This Year (It’s Only $7!)

Gifting season is here, and, whether you’re buying presents for a White Elephant party, your sibling, or a neighbor, there’s always the question of, what on earth do I get?! You want to find that one perfect gift that isn’t too expensive, won’t make them wish they had a gift receipt, and will, hopefully, earn a permanent spot on their must-have list. You want it to be that elusive item they didn’t know they needed.

In search of the gift that sits at that impossible intersection, I tapped the intel of Glynn Connolly, owner of Oh So Gifted, a gifting concierge business based in Los Angeles that works with clients nationwide. If there’s anyone that knows who to find just the right gift, it’s her. And I asked her for the exact items she’d buy if she was shopping for affordable gifts at Target. 

I gave Connolly a $25-ish threshold, and she offered the four gifts that are sure to be a hit with (nearly) everyone on your gift list this year.

Do you remember playing Uno as a kid? This ridiculously easy and fun card game has been a favorite for generations, and, at under $7, it’s the perfect little gift to wrap up for friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Plus, the cool vintage styling gives it an added appeal.

“A little friendly competition is always a good idea, and the retro version of Uno is absolutely the chicest,” Connolly says. 

Want a practical gift that the recipient will actually use? Connolly suggests this highly rated Pilates ball. “The Bala Pilates ball is a versatile tool for all the fitness lovers on your list, and it doesn’t take up too much space,” she says. 

Pair it with a handmade gift certificate for a workout class and coffee together for the ultimate gift for a friend.

When most people pick up pasta sauce at the grocery store, they probably reach for their tried-and-true brands or what’s on sale. Treating yourself to the more expensive jar would be a luxury. And that’s exactly why it makes the perfect gift. Connolly says of this $8 hot honey marinara from all-natural cool kid brand Sauz, “It’s so delicious even food delivery [lovers] will be motivated to boil water for pasta.”  

Tie it with a good bottle of olive oil or a box of fancy pasta, and you have the perfect host gift for the holiday season.

Ina Garten’s memoir is a must-read list this season, so, if you know your friend still hasn’t read it, be the one to put it on their bookshelf. And, if you’re headed to a White Elephant exchange, you know this is the $21 gift that’s going to get stolen again and again. 

“Get this for your host — it shows you know how much effort goes into creating the perfect meal,” Connolly says.