I adore gift-giving, the whole art and anticipation and drama of it, but let’s face it, some people make going to the store a bore. And yes, I’m talking about dads and husbands and the other impossible-to-shop-for people on your list. Sure, pajamas and ties are standbys, but what if you want something with a little more oomph. Something that shows you truly thought of them.
I’ve gone digging in the depths of the internet to find some of these finds, for some of the finickiest people on my list. And yes, these are the actual items I’ll be gifting this year, from the game I bought for a Christmas Party hostess to the shirt I got for my husband. (I just hope they don’t see this before Christmas!).
I’ve broken them up into 5 categories of recipients, from Girlfriends to Teens, to make choosing the right gift for the right person a no-brainer.
Gifts for Men
If you never listen to anything else I say, just listen to this: Technology gifts are not your friend. You will never buy the right model/color/specifications and will wind up paying a huge restocking fee when you return it.
Don’t ask me how I know this.
Instead, stick to thoughtful, practical gifts you can choose without a Ph.D. in mind-reading, like the sure things on this list. You can find all of the items in my holiday catalog, or click these links to go straight to the item of your choice: Gekks, True Tees, Groove Belt, And Collar, and Lingua Franca Cashmere.
GEKKS are socks that are installed in your shoes, don’t need to be washed or switched out, and prevent foot odor. $16 Lingua Franca will embroider a special phrase or quote on a luxe cashmere crew, $350 And Collar makes unwrinkleable, untainable shirts out of recycled materials at great prices. Maldives dress shirt, $40 Groove Belt combines technology and style, with a comfortable, durable band, strong magnetic closure, and no flaps to hang down. $60 True Tees are well-fitting tees that flatter a dad bod, hugging the arms and the neck but with a bit more room in the front. And they don’t get stretched out. 3 for $55
Gifts for Teens
Teens are a tough crowd. I’m not going to lie. I refuse to buy a teen clothes unless they ask for something specific, and I’m a personal stylist, so I suggest staying clear of clothes and opting for beauty gifts and accessories instead. It helps to know what they are in to, but these crowd-pleasers are pretty much a sure thing for a girl who is into beauty and makeup. You can find all of the items in my holiday catalog, or click these links to go straight to the item of your choice: Tangle Teezer, Eye patches, Mini Macaron nail set, Makeup Eraser, and Bandolier.
Tangle Teezer is the ultimate detangling brush, and it’s pretty too. $14 KNC Beauty Eye Patches are beautiful leaf shaped eye patches for Instagram-worthy pics, $25 MACARON gel nail kit includes a macaron-shaped LED nail dryer and a 1-step gel polish for a gel manicure at home, $35 Makeup Eraser gently removes ALL makeup with just water, $25 Bandolier crossbody phone case holds all her essentials safely and compactly, starting at $65
Gifts for Best Friends/Sisters/Women
I’ve done a full gift guide on things to buy for yourself, which could have also been titled Best Gifts for Her, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to highlight a few more fab finds. As always, a personalized touch like monogramming is a great option, but the key with gifts for other women is to buy something a little indulgent, something they will love but may not buy for themselves. These fit the bill.
You can find all of the items in my holiday catalog, or click these links to go straight to the item of your choice: Cadence, Mama Stone, Paper Sunday, Silk pillowcase, and Wonderblade.
Cadence is a set of magnetic travel organizers that are chic and leakproof. Use as many or as few as you like and they all attach together. $42/3 Kate McLeod Mama Stone is an unscented solid moisturizer designed to smooth over your skin for a spa-like experience Paper Sunday offers monogrammed and personalized scripture journals in a variety of designs, $32 Silken Pure pillowcases from Molto Bella are the ultimate indulgence, $78 WonderLips blading kit is a system that creates an all day, lifeproof lip stain, $32
Gifts for Moms/Mothers-in-Law
If you’re lucky enough to have the kind of mom and mother-in-law that I have, then treat them to meaningful gifts that show them how much you care, whether it’s memorable or practical. One of these items should be perfect for the mom on your list.
You can find all of the items in my holiday catalog, or click these links to go straight to the item of your choice: Bird Feeder, StoryFile, Cosori kettle, Diptyque car diffuser, Letter blanket.
This bird feeder attaches to a window to offer a clear view of feathered friends, about $30 StoryFIle lets you record interactive video questions for future generations, starting at $49 Cosori is a stylish way to heat up beverages in a hurry, about $70 The iconic Baies scent from Diptyque in a stylish car diffuser for the woman who has everything, $108 A letter or special note printed on a high quality throw blanket makes the perfect gift, $140
Gifts for Hostesses
The perfect party gift is a small token of thanks for an invitation or an overnight stay. It should be thoughtful and well-chosen. If the party-thrower is a special friend, show that you know them with something specifically chosen with their tastes in mind, or pick one of these guaranteed hostess-pleasers.
You can find all of the items in my holiday catalog, or click these links to go straight to the item of your choice: Wavelength, Glu candle, Eeboo puzzle, Exploding Kittens game, Agate cheese board, Palm treen bottle opener, monogram coasters.
Wavelength is a fun party game and also looks chic on a shelf. $35 GLU Candles are designed for self-care rituals, including journaling, stretching, and doing your hair. 🙂 $39 An artsy and pretty puzzle is a great choice for a family, $15 THE hot game of the season is fun for all ages, $20 An elegant cheese board is always a good idea. This comes in different colors, $78 Palmy Nights bottle opener, $32, from Molto Bella, is a perfect choice for a beachy locale Mark & Graham monogrammed acrylic coasters are chic and practical, $59
Which of these gift ideas is your favorite? And which do you plan to buy for yourself? You can check out all of my ideas in this holiday gift guide catalog.
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