Holiday Gift Guide (40+ Gift Ideas!)
Did you think I’d leave you hanging for gift ideas? Never.
December is host to two of my favorite things: Christmas and my birthday (on the 17th!). I’m just not one of those people who pay no heed to their birthdays. I love ‘em. It’s my excuse to splurge on myself and be queen for a day. Hey, I’m an only child – I like attention.
So in the spirit of the Birthdaymas season, here’s a huge compilation of things I’m drooling over, that I think would make great holiday gifts, from tech accessories to beauty products to books and more. Most of these are on my own wish list, too – though since I’m not handing this list to anyone, if I do get anything from it it’ll be because I bought it myself. (Woo, self-Santa.)
If you’re scrambling for holiday gift inspiration, maybe this’ll help get those creative juices flowing. I tried to provide a range of products at different price ranges, so there’s something for everyone on your list, from pricier items to wallet-friendly ones.
Enough preamble. Let’s jump in. (This is going to be a really long post, so grab a cup of tea or something and get comfortable.)
SCENTED CANDLES
Fancy candles are great hostess gifts, because they beautifully light up a room, smell marvellous, and make a space feel like a home. They also make great gifts for moms, aunts, sisters, friends, and really anyone who enjoys decorating their home.
There’s a slew of fantastic candles out there, but here a few of my personal picks.
Paddywax Jane Austen Candle ($24)
Oscar Wilde, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe, and more also available here. Treat the literary snob or romantic in your life, even if that’s yourself. :)
Diptyque Baies Candle ($67)
Pricey, but a good splurge present for the lady with discerning taste. (This has been on my Pinterest Lust List since the beginning of time.)
Bath & Body Works Peach Bellini 3-Wick Candle ($20)
You really can’t go wrong with candles from Bath & Body Works. They come in every scent imaginable and burn beautifully for a long time. See the whole selection of scents currently available here.
Paddywax Wanderlust London Boxed Candle ($14)
Rome, Paris, and New York also available. Alternate link for the London candle here. Got the travel itch? This is the next best thing to a fully paid-for trip.
Also check out Candles by Victoria, who makes handmade wax concoctions that look good enough to eat.
BEAUTY
Makeup and skincare products are great choices for anyone in your life who loves to pamper themselves, whether that’s your best friend, your girlfriend, or just… you.
Smashbox Full Exposure Palette ($58)
Palettes are perfect gifts because they’re versatile and you don’t have to know exactly what someone likes to give them something they can use and enjoy.
And you can’t go wrong with neutral eye shadows – anyone can use them! (I love this mix of mattes and shimmers, in particular.)
Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Trio ($32)
Fresh lip balms smell incredible and make your pout feel pampered and silky smooth. These tinted ones also add a beautiful, sheer wash of color to your lips.
Sephora has a ton of gift sets this time of year at various price ranges, so check them out and take advantage!
L’Occitane Hand Creams Of Provence ($50)
A perfect gift for mom, grandma, or to split amongst a few friends. L’Occitane hand creams are the epitome of luxury, and they’re always ranked among the top performing hand creams. Ideal for battling dry winter skin!
Laura Mercier Crème Brûlée Honey Bath ($50)
The ultimate in luxury. A foaming, honey-scented moisture bath. Mmm.
(It also comes in Almond Coconut Honey, Crème de Pistache Honey, and Fresh Fig Honey.)
Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer ($190)
If there’s a hair aficionado on your gift list, this is the way to go. It’s a high-end, lightweight blow dryer that uses conditioning nano beads to seal cuticles and adds shine while cutting down on your drying time.
PERFUME & COLOGNE
A high-quality scent is a gift that never goes out of style. The benefit of buying a perfume or cologne for that special person in your life is that you get to ensure they smell amazing, so choose wisely.
I’m currently lusting over this one, and have been for over a year!
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb ($85)
Smells light, sweet, and heavenly; and wears a little differently on each woman, depending on her unique body chemistry.
For the cologne-wearing folk, you can choose a preferred scent for him, or, if you’re feeling generous: give him some say in the matter.
Mini coffrets are a great way to do this. You get a collection of pint-sized colognes to give as a set to one special guy, or divvy-up as stocking stuffers for all the gents in your life. ;)
Calvin Klein Men’s Coffret ($46)
Burberry For Men Coffret ($50) – for the classy guy.
Ralph Lauren Big Pony Coffret ($62) – for the sporty guy.
Don’t worry ladies, Sephora has perfume coffrets for you (and mom) too.
BOOKS
I truly believe that no matter who the person is, you can find them an amazing gift at the bookstore, provided you know them well enough.
There are so many amazing options, from glossy photo coffee table books, to gripping novels, to quirky, humorous autobiographies – and everything in between. Here are just a few I’ve had my eye on.
Humans of New York, Brandon Stanton ($18)
This whole concept makes me feel warm and fuzzy and glad to be human and alive. Get a taste of it here. I would love to have this on my coffee table!
What Would Audrey Do?, Pamela Keogh ($17)
Because we could all stand to be a little more like Audrey. Any fans of Audrey Hepburn or of the grace of ages past will enjoy this quick read.
David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell ($16)
I’m a fan of Gladwell and his way of looking at the world in an entirely new way. I read Outliers and loved it, so I’m eager to read his latest!
TECH ACCESSORIES
Nowadays, almost everyone and their mother (and their mother!) has an iPhone or other smartphone. Technology is everywhere! Giving an accessory that compliments someone’s favorite gadget can be a thoughtful, much-loved gift.
Just make sure you know exactly what model of phone they have if you’re buying a case for it!
Rifle Paper Co. iPhone 5 Case ($34)
Rifle Paper Co. make some of the prettiest smartphone cases I’ve ever seen. They’re mostly for iPhone, but they do make a few for the Galaxy S4 as well. Check out their whole selection!
Kate Spade Dictionary iPad Folio ($125)
I mean… how awesome is this? It looks so adorably vintage and classic on the outside, but is remarkably modern and highly functional. Oh, Kate Spade. You get me. (More Kate Spade iPad folios/cases here.)
Kate Spade iPhone 5 Solid Wristlet ($70)
Very handy for carrying around your phone and a few cards on a night out!
Kate Spade Bow USB ($50)
Look how cute. Who wouldn’t want to bring this little guy everywhere?
Monogram Wreath iPhone and Galaxy Case ($19.50)
Made to order, you get to choose from the four case colors and customize the initial. A lovely, personalized gift for a mom or best friend.
Booski Concealed Dock for iPhone, iPad, or Android ($30-80)
Possibly the most ingenious dock ever. Concealed within a vintage book, you can juice up your gadget in the classiest way possible.
The Etsy shop has a wide variety of books to choose from, from Pride & Prejudice to Shakespeare to Gatsby – or you can even request a custom order!
Urbanears Headphones ($60)
Now that everyone has thousands of their favorite songs at their fingertips, good headphones are key. The ones I use are these lavender Urbanears Plattan. (They don’t sell this color anymore, but I found a pair on Ebay.)
They come in lots of colors, and make a great gift for ladies and gents alike.
COZY WINTER WEAR
I love getting warm things to snuggle into during the holidays. It makes the long, cold winter seem more friendly and full of love. And it’s a gift that can be enjoyed immediately!
Monogram House Robe ($40)
These robes come in white and pink, and have a few different font options for your initial to be monogrammed in. A great, cozy gift to pamper any guy or gal.
View all the robe options here. Ships internationally! (Free for Canadians)
Plush Cable Knit Slippers ($30)
Who wouldn’t want to slip these on on Christmas morning? I’m getting warmer just looking at them. Also available in white.
Victoria’s Secret Flannel Pajamas ($40)
Because pajamas and Christmas go together like peanut butter and jam. Victoria’s Secret make my favorite pajamas and I have a few sets of them for the winter.
They come in variety of colors and patterns, and I love how you can choose the length of the bottoms. (I have long legs, so pajamas tend to be ankle length on me, which is not a good look for sleepwear.) They also come in satin, if you’re feeling fancy.
Warm Knit Socks ($30)
Cozy socks are another holiday essential. I know some people consider socks a lame Christmas present, but I’m not one of those people (as long as the socks in question are super warm and cute).
These are on my own wishlist! Cream | lavender | blush pink
FOOD
Because edible gifts are the best gifts, let’s face it.
Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles ($26)
Treat someone special to these luxury pink chocolate truffles with Marc de Champagne centers, handmade in the UK by the boutique’s confectionery artisans, then delivered in a lovely little gift box.
(Unfortunately this product doesn’t ship to Canada, but any U.S. folks are in luck!)
French Macarons (approx. $1-3 each)
Macarons are my personal favorite treat. I don’t know if I prefer looking at them or eating them. Luckily, I get to do both! I particularly recommend the following flavors: rose, salted caramel, vanilla bean, and pistachio.
Get them at your local gourmet grocery store or pastry shop. Can’t find them where you live? Order them online from the link above.
For the white girl on your Christmas list, a Starbucks gift card is always a safe bet. (I’m joking.) But seriously, I love Starbucks. Their holiday drinks and treats are bomb dot com.
Give someone the gift of endless Peppermint Mochas. Or Gingerbread Lattes. Or Salted Caramel Hot Chocolates. Hmm, I need to go to Starbucks.
Ferrero Rocher Chocolates ($15 for a set of 48)
To me, Ferrero Rocher chocolates go hand in hand with Christmas. They are my mum’s favorite chocolate, so whenever we had chocolate growing up, it was these.
For my third birthday, my mum made my birthday “cake” by stacking these into a golden mountain. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen! *tear* Good times. (You can find these in pretty much every grocery store and most drugstores in Canada.)
FOR THE HOME
If you’re searching for great host or hostess gifts, look no further. Home decor items are great gift alternatives to the traditional bottle of wine. (Save the wine for yourself.)
Decorative Quote Pillows ($40)
Beautiful pillows are a great way to give a solid couch a bit of flair, or perk up a room. See more decorative pillow choices here.
Paddywax Rome Scent Diffuser ($19)
Also available in London and New York, the Paddywax travel collection diffusers come in a beautiful smoked glass and infuse the air with notes of places far away.
Wall Prints ($20)
I want both of these sooooo badly. When I have my own apartment, I’m going to have cute prints all over my walls. (If you’re giving these as a present, it’ll look even nicer if you frame it for them.)
London | Paris | New York | Rome
Good Morning Mugs ($10)
These are a cute idea for the significant other in your life, or if you’re searching for a great couple gift. I wanted to buy these for myself, but then I remembered that I’m single. Sigh.
Good Morning Beautiful | Handsome
Other cute mug options: Paris is Always a Good Idea | Blue Sweater | TEA
MISCELLANEOUS GIFTS
Wallets are a stylish and functional gift. Picking the right wallet for the right person can demonstrate just how well you know them, and they’ll be reminded of you every time they reach for it!
For the glamorous gal: Kate Spade Glitter Bug Stacey Wallet ($98)
For the menfolk: Bellroy Hide & Seek Wallet ($95)
Learn about Bellroy’s “Slim Your Wallet” philosophy here.
Personalized Monogram Stamp ($27)
Such a lovely custom gift for any fans of good ol’ fashioned letter writing.
Macaron Trinket Boxes ($10 each)
A dainty little gift perfect for storing earrings, rings, or any other trinkets you have lying around. Comes in six colors.
Marilyn Pencils ($13)
Also available in Audrey, Paris, Hello Weekend, and Work Hard, Be Kind.
Q&A a Day: 5-Year Daily Journal ($13)
How it works: turn to today’s date, answer the question at the top of the page, and when you finish the journal, start over. As you return to the daily questions again over the years, you’ll notice how your answers change (or don’t)! Such a cute idea.
Custom Ombré Note Cards ($85 for 25 cards)
Choose between pink and blue ombre cards and customize them with your name in a font of your choice. I would absolutely love to get these as a gift, and I think many other people would love to as well!
Lush Bath Bombs ($5-10 each)
Bath bombs make relaxation time roughly 3097852 times better. Throw one in the tub and watch it dissolve while releasing soothing scents and essential oils.
Some of my favorite Lush bath bombs are Phoenix Rising, Fizzbanger, Tisty Tosty, and Blackberry.
And there you have it – that was an exhaustive list, and I’m exhausted for having made it. Phew! If you actually read through the whole thing, leave a comment with the word “phew” in it. ;)
If you find an amazing gift idea of your own, leave a link to it in the comments so everyone can share ideas and benefit. Don’t forget to “like” this post or bookmark it, because I’ll keep updating it throughout December with new gift ideas as I find them.
Good luck holiday shopping, everyone – and remember: ain’t nothin’ wrong with treating yourself, too. xx
Pingback: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: 100+ Ideas for Everyone on Your List • Sara du Jour()