This is just a collection of some things that I like myself, or things that I have given in the past that have been well received. My usual gift strategy is to ask for things that are high maintenance/expensive that I don’t want to buy myself, or to ask for practical things that I need anyway so I can spend my own money on fun stuff. Anyway, here’s everything I could think of. I do not know what small children or boys of any age like I’m SORRY.
One thing I want to say before diving in: a lot of these things are very high maintenance. If you know me in real life you will not be surprised by this at all, but I am not a low maintenance person. I like THINGS and a lot of them are ridiculous and it is what it is. I really lean into this when giving and asking for gifts, because I think gifts should be things people do not want to buy for themselves. I am not a practical, minimalist type of person. I own a facial steamer and over 100 bottles of nail polish. I do not feel bad about this but I do recognize that I am in an immensely privileged position so I did feel the need to preface what you are about to read. This has been a PSA. Let’s get into the list.
I would guess that any woman in their 20’s would be happy to receive any of these things:
Olive and June manicure set: I am a crazy person who has painted her nails at home once a week for the past 10 years, so I have not personally tried this kit, but I have heard from many people that it is a game changer if you are bad at painting your nails at home. I have tried Olive and June nail polish and I think it’s very good.
Luv Scrub: This is like a loofah but way better and lasts for over a year. I love mine.
Mejuri jewelry: Everything on this website is very simple and nice, good quality without being ridiculously expensive. Just good staples.
Aquis Hair Turban: I put off buying one of these for so long and now I am mad at myself. This is so much better than walking around with a whole towel on your head, and my hair dries significantly faster in this.
Stocking Stuffers:
Barefoot Dreams socks: I have given these as a gift multiple times and they are always a hit. So comfortable, and not necessarily something people buy for themselves.
Rechargable lighter: If you know someone who burns candles this is a must have. It makes lighting them once they’ve burned a lot really easy, and it holds a charge for a really long time.
Ice Roller: This seems like a ridiculous skin care item but I cannot express enough how luxurious this feels on my face every morning. Absolute LUXURY for only $15, who are you to say no?
Baby Foot: This is a weird one, but hear me out. This is a foot mask that you leave on for an hour and then 3-5 days later an entire layer of skin peels off of your feet. This is GROSS but it is also so satisfying and your feet feel brand new after. And you have to do it in the winter because you are walking around for several days shedding a layer of skin like a snake and you need to be wearing socks. Beauty is pain (this doesn’t hurt at all).
iPhone charging cords: I absolutely refuse to ever invest in nice ones and instead insist on purchasing cheap ones every six months. These ones are nice and LONG, which is ideal.
Rechargable hand warmer: Ideal for someone with a dog that needs to be walked, or someone with a commute that involves being outside, or just someone who has cold hands all the time.
If you’re spending time with your family:
Ticket to Ride: If your mother is like my mother then once you hit day three of a holiday break she is bored and starts asking everyone to play board games. This one is very fun and family friendly, I’d say four people max.
White Mountain Puzzles: This is the best puzzle brand. I think the collage ones are the best, but there are tons of options here.
Codenames: Another good family game option!
For a workplace gift exchange:
Anker PowerCore Fusion: This again feels like the type of thing no one ever wants to buy for themselves but always wants to own. This is the best of both worlds because it is both a portable charger and a wall plug, so you never have to remember to charge it.
Yeti Tumbler: I feel like anyone could use one of these, and they are so nice. Several different price points.
I like to give a bag of coffee beans from a small local coffee shop, you could pick one near your office.
Desk calendar: There are so many good calendar options on Etsy. I like this one, or this one.
For your dad:
I have had good luck picking out a non-fiction book for my dad the past few years, usually about some historical topic. Full list of non-fiction books I recommend here.
Mophie wireless charge pad: If your dad loves Apple products, this charging pad can hold a phone, airpods, and an apple watch at the same time.
Smartwool socks: These are the best socks and come in so many patterns and styles.
For your mom/grandma/a woman who is hard to shop for:
Notecards: Again, so many options on Etsy here.
East Olivia dried floral arrangement: A blogger I follow on Instagram posts about these all the time and I think they are so gorgeous. Because they are dried you can keep them for a long time.
Candles: sometimes you just gotta go for a fancy candle. Brands that I like: Otherland, NEST, I have never tried but am very curious about Hotel Lobby Candles.
I think it can be very fun to gift a subscription service of some kind. A gift that keeps on giving! Here are some I like:
Nicely Noted: Monthly, comes with three cards of different themes (blank inside) and fun stamps. I personally LOVE sending and receiving mail that is not credit card offers or bills of some kind, so I think this is very fun. I think this could also be a great gift for a grandparent.
The New Yorker: Three months of The New Yorker is only $12, plus you get the tote bag.
Book of the Month: If you know someone who loves to read, this is a good subscription service! Every month you pick from one of five choices, usually new and anticipated releases.
Urban Stems: Fresh flowers! There are a few different price tiers here and you can pick how often they get delivered.
For someone who likes to cook:
Pasta Machine: the effort vs the payoff here is absolutely worth it, and this is a fun thing to figure out and try new things with.
Pizza Stone: Thank you to my father who sent me this one month into quarantine. Everyone can make good pizza at home! It’s fun!
Brightland Olive Oil: Who doesn’t love a fancy olive oil? The creator of this brand was interviewed on a podcast I listen to and now I am so intrigued and dying to try this.
Measuring cups and spoons: Why is everyone (except for anyone who got married in the past three years and had a registry) in some weird standoff with themselves and refusing to just buy a nice set of these things? We can all do better than the plastic sets with the numbers rubbed off that are missing pieces! I want this for us!
Haus Sampler Set: This is more for someone who likes to *drink,* but close enough. Good gift for someone who has a bar cart.
Pasta Bowls: I bought a set of these last year and they are my most used kitchen dishes. Plates? No thank you!
Stasher Bag Bundle: I meant to buy these forever and then I finally just put them on a Christmas list last year. I use them all the time, for everything.
Skincare
Skincare can be hard to gift because everyone’s skin is so different and everyone has varying levels of interest and tolerance here. If you have someone who is very into skincare they probably know what they want and you should honestly just ask them! Here are some things that I think are fairly universal:
Farmacy Green Clean cleansing balm: I want to force everyone who wears makeup to try a cleansing balm. This is the best way to remove makeup, and this one is my favorite that I’ve tried.
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser: I LOVE this face wash. This is so nice, Indie Lee is Clean at Sephora, this comes in a glass bottle that feels so fancy.
Laniege Water Bank Moisture Cream: This is such a nice, lightweight moisturizer that I think would work for most skin types.
Paula’s Choice C15 Vitamin C Booster: This is one of my favorite Vitamin C serums. Vitamin C is good for evening out skin tone, it can lighten dark spots, prevent sun damage, and is good for anti aging. Just all around good for your skin.
Tata Harper Resurfacing BHA Glow Mask: This is one of my favorite masks. It makes your skin looks so glowy and refreshed.
A selection of fancy lotions that I love to own and hate to buy myself:
The Body Shop Body Butter: I think these are luxurious and they have so many scents.
fresh body lotion: This grapefruit scent is my favorite but they have several good ones.
Sol de Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum cream: This smells SO GOOD, I want to smell like this all the time but especially in the summer/at the beach.
Necessaire Body Lotion: This is unscented and great for someone who has sensitive skin.
Dior Cuticle Cream: I said I was high maintenance and I am here to deliver. This stuff is amazing and also this is basically a lifetime supply.
A selection of fancy lip balms that I love to own and hate to buy myself:
Smith’s Rosebud Salve: This is my favorite lip balm of all time and I have no less than five tubes strategically placed throughout my house at all times. The best.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm: This is very nice and many different scent options. I prefer mint.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: I love this stuff and cannot go without it. Every night!
Tatcha lip mask: this is more of a jelly consistency and feels very nice. I go back and forth between this and the Laneige one.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy: This is just super nice and more lightweight. Unscented.
When I need a gift for someone and I have zero ideas I start here:
Uncommon Goods: This website is a treasure trove of fun things that no one would ever buy for themselves, so they make great gifts. I could scroll through this for hours.
Gee thanks, just bought it Gift Guides: This is a shopping podcast that I don’t listen to, but I do follow the instagram account and she always has great recommendations. They always do a ton of gift guides for a bunch of different categories and I think they’re pretty good.
Sephora gift sets: I think things like this make great gifts. They are a great way to try new products and always a pretty good deal. I think the fragrance sampler sets in particular are great gifts, they come with several mini size scents and a voucher to redeem for a full size of your favorite one. Also, I think people forget that Sephora sells candles! Tons of good sets here.