50 Of The Best Gifts From Indie and Small Businesses

T.J. Maxx Fashion Finds For The Stylish Girl On A Budget

1. Dreamers by Debut Bow Applique Cardigan, $30

If you don't buy this bow cardigan for Valentine's Day, I will. I'm partially in my cute grandma era, so I've been looking for more to add to my closet. Aside from the red color, the pink bows add a 'coquette' vibe to it, which reminds me of one of the fashion trends that stylists say should be on your radar.

2. Linea Donatella Satin Wrapper Robe, $14 (Was $17)

You'll feel like a sultry diva in this satin robe while getting ready for a hot date. It's a nice Barbie pink that has lace-trimmed sleeves and a cute tie to keep your goodies from spilling out.

3. Idem Ditto Short Sleeve Mini Dress, $17

This short sleeve mini dress is perfect for grabbing dinner with your crush or friends because it doesn't give off a super sexy vibe. It's on the shorter side, but it's still an appropriate length for different settings!

4. Le Lis Pff The Shoulder Crossover Bodysuit, $13

You don't have to wear a dress on love day if you don't want to! There's always this crossover bodysuit and a pair of nice jeans you can comfortably wear.

P.S. Add a pair of matching red flats or heels to really lean into the V-Day spirit.

5. Madden Girl Sleeveless Bubble Dress, $17

Planning on going to a V-Day party? Wear this sleeveless bubble dress so that you have the freedom to move the way you want. I do recommend wearing a pair of bike shorts underneath so you don't accidentally flash anyone!

Bargain Beauty Finds For The Hair, Makeup, & Skincare-Obsessed Girl 

6. Foxy Bae Spring Clip Curling Iron, $17

T.J. Maxx is starting off strong with aesthetic beauty products because this cute mauve curling iron looks like it belongs in a feminine bathroom. Do you or I need another styling tool in 2025? Probably not, but you won't feel bad about the $17 price tag if you do decide to add it to your counter.

7. Cala 8pc Hair Setting Clips, $6

Psst — you need hair clips to help set the curls you created with your new pink curling iron! They're work on every hair type and don't leave weird creases in your hair like some can. They're also great to use when you're doing your skincare or makeup routine!

8. Studio Dry Satin Pillowcase, $7

When nighttime falls, you need a satin pillowcase to lay your head on. It helps reduce friction and frizz that can be caused by cotton pillowcases, plus it keeps moisture in your hair. I always buy every few months so that I can rotate them.

9. Cala 12pc Cosmetic Powder Puffs, $8

If you're a setting or pressed powder girl, you need flat puffs to lock them into your makeup. I've noticed that using one helps create a smoother base, making my makeup look airbrushed. Even if it's not the look you're going for, a puff helps minimize the mess of using loose powders down.

10. Le Monde Gourmand 1oz Rose Riche Eau De Parfum, $13

I love fragrances as much as the next person, but sometimes I don't have $60+ to drop on a new perfume. If you're looking for something that smells good and won't interfere with your grocery store cash, this Eau de Parfum will make you smell like a million bucks.

It has notes of Madagascar vanilla, cedar, and bergamot for a feminine scent that'll make your Valentine's Day date want to cuddle all night.

Bargain Home Finds For The Girl Who Loves Dopamine Decor

11. Hearts And Kisses Set Of 2 Heart Shaped Dessert Dishes, $10

After you've cooked you and your spouse's favorite meal, dish something sweet and savory in these heart shaped bowls. They're perfect for the love bird energy that's sure to be coursing through your veins!

12. Enchante 5x7 Beveled Glass Picture Frame, $10

Place your favorite picture of you and your gal pals in this gold frame as a reminder of why you have the best crew ever. Make sure it's on full display during your Galentine's get-together so you can reminisce about what happened when the picture was taken!

13. Cupcakes And Cashmere Striped Tufted Hearts Throw Blanket, $25

Curl up with this tufted hearts blanket and a good romance book any day of the week. It'll be a nice addition to your living room if you don't want to spend a ton of money changing your decor every holiday.

14. Shabby Chic 4pk Ruffle Heart Placemats, $13

Bridgertonfans will love these ruffle heart placemats! You get four in a pack which is great if you're having an intimate dinner party with close friends. As far as I'm concerned, you never need a reason to eat good food with friends and laugh.

15. Made In India Large 2 Tier Bling Heart Server, $17

You'll always have a reason to bake tasty desserts once you get your hands on this heart serving tray. It has two tiers for all manners of macaroons, cake pops, and cookies topped off with a cute blinged-out heart at the top.

Kiehl's Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask

This face mask made with avocado delivers results that are just as fun and satisfying as applying it is. It promises "soft and hydrated skin in just 15 minutes."

Lifelines Flameless Candle / Essential Oil Diffuser

Essential oil lovers will love this flameless diffuser since it's compatible with any kind of essential oil. There's no flame, smoke, or spilled wax to clean up after use, plus it's gonna look beautiful on any bookshelf or bedside table.

Touchland Glow Mist Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer Spray

This hand sanitizer has got to be one of the weirdest (but most amazing) formats for a beauty product I've ever seen. One tiny container delivers 500 sprays full of rose petals, blackcurrant buds, and rosewater to replenish your skin's moisture, all while fighting common germs and smelling delish.

Starument Portable Hand Vacuum Cleaner

This "ultra-powerful" cordless vacuum easily sucks up dirt, dust, and other particles off of any surface. It's insanely compact and portable, perfect for cleaning up smaller spaces like your car or work cubicle!

Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask

Good sleep is the first step to true self-care. This weighted sleep mask provides even pressure and blocks out 100% of light to really help you wind down. You can even pop it in the freezer before use to help tackle pesky mid-day headaches!

Alleyoop Tip Off Liquid-Filled Makeup Removing Swabs

These makeup remover-filled cotton swabs are great to keep in your purse for those random makeup mishaps or smudges. The formula is effective but equally calm, so it won't irritate your sensitive eye area or other parts of your skin.

COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

Made with snail mucin (yes, real snail mucin), this skincare essence has a surprising cult following for its ability to repair dry skin and provide long-lasting hydration. It's a must-have addition to level up your 2025 skincare routine!

Good Weird Cold Brew Undereye Cream

Wake up! This under eye cream is powered by caffeine to help de-puff the under eye area, essentially working like an "espresso shot for your face," per the brand. Its unique formula smooths, blurs, diminishes fine lines, brightens skin, and promotes collagen production all at once.

Feierdun Adjustable Dumbbells

If you're strapped for space when it comes to at-home workouts, these weird but amazing dumbbells provide the perfect solution, so you don't have to keep multiple sets lying around. They range from 2 to 10 pounds, and are adjustable in 2-pound increments to suit your personal goals.

Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel

Exfoliation is key in retaining healthy, glowing skin! Keep this shower towel on-hand to lather up and clean your skin, all while scrubbing away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.

Viozon Tablet Stand Pillow

Resting can be just as productive as working out, journaling, or locking in on your self-care routine are. When it's time to wind down and let your body and mind catch up, this tablet or phone stand pillow comes in super handy with a hands-free design. Simply grab some snacks and post up with this pillow to veg out and watch your fave TV shows or YouTube vids!

Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick

Aquaphor... in stick form? I'll take 10 of them, thank you! This is the only formula to truly nourish and heal my dry lips, skin, and cuticles, especially in the winter. The stick format looks so much more convenient than their traditional squeezable tube.

Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps

These food wraps made from beeswax will help you eliminate (or simply just diminish) your use of single-use plastics in the kitchen. Made entirely of organic materials, you won't be crossing paths with any microplastics or toxic chemicals any time soon. When the wraps no longer retain their shape, they can be easily composted or used as a fire starter!

Monstake Automatic Soap Dispenser

This automatic soap dispenser just seems like such a fun purchase, plus it'll upgrade any bathroom or kitchen sink setup. It's compatible with any foaming hand soap, dish soap, or body wash for a luxe feel.

LED Light Therapy Face Mask

We adore red light therapy tools over here. This face mask makes reaping the benefits super easy, since you can rock it hands-free. It even has four different modes to target specific skincare concerns like dullness, redness, and acne.

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"