What I Will Be Gifting for Christmas
gifts that are worth it and would make your loved one happy
I’ve been told I’m a great gift giver. In my opinion, the best gifts are the ones that are intentional. My best advice is to be on the lookout for clues on what your significant other, mother, brother, sister, etc mention throughout time. Personally, there is no greater feeling than seeing a loved one’s face light up as they open a gift. As always, shop responsibly!
For the loved one who is into skincare & beauty
Under $50
I started using this a few weeks ago and I am impressed. It has a subtle smell of bergamot that doesn’t linger for too long. It also leaves my hair feeling hydrated and nourished. A side effect I really love is that it gives me beautiful air dry waves unlike anything I’ve been able to accomplish with other products before. I also love that it has heat protection built in. While I’m air drying my hair 99% of the time, I will occasionally use heat on my front framing pieces. I want to try their styling oil next.
Crown Affair’s Leave In Conditioner
If you’re looking for a stronger smell of bergamot then this is the one for you. If you’re looking for the smell without the serum check out their hair fragrance.
Specifically the Tender Beige color. It’s the perfect neutral for multiple skin tones. Every time I need to purchase this, it somehow manages to be sold out. It’s long lasting and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything. It comes with a gloss applicator if you like the extra shine.
I use these daily and have acquired several pairs. I gave these as gifts to a few friends and they loved them. I love that they are reusable and can be paired with your favorite eye serum.
$50+
It might sound a little ridiculous to purchase hair clips for $50+ dollars. Trust me, I was holding out for the longest time. I get it. All that said, they are magical. I air dry my hair 99% of the time and use these clips to create waves.
I would be ecstatic to receive this oil. My skin drinks this up, especially during the winter months. It absorbs really well and doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily. In the winter I love to top it with lotion for extra hydration. If you don’t believe me, believe the raving reviews.
My husband just came back from a work conference and told me he wanted to stock the house with this shower gel. He was lucky to stay in a very fancy hotel that also had Diptyque shampoo and conditioner which you unfortunately can’t buy on their website. My husband is even pickier than I am with his skincare routine so these products must have been quite good for him to mention them as soon as he got home.
$100+
Okay, I must admit I haven’t personally tried this. However, it has been on my list and I think it’d make a perfect gift. Some friends have recently purchased and are loving their results. There is currently a buy 1 get 1 free sale going on. It’s a great “gift for me me, gift for you” deal.
Robes
I own the parachute cloud robe and absolutely love it. I use it daily and it’s perfect for my after shower routine. If you’re looking to gift something that is even softer and more cozy, I’d go with this Barefoot Dreams robe or this one.
$200+
This would be perfect for someone looking to pack minimal makeup products on the go. It’s a beautiful leather and comes in several colors. I personally love the terracotta color. If they own a System Tote or Easy Zipper Tote, the detachable pouch from the Travel Roll can be snapped onto either.
Cuyana’s customer service is also fantastic. I was gifted a purse that had some markings last year and they were quick to exchange it for me.
Splurges
This has been on my list for a long time. Since then many alternatives have come out, like the Shark’s Flexstyle System that is about half the cost. If you’re looking for something that won’t damage my hair while helping you style it, these are both great options.
For the loved one who loves home decor
Under $50
These make taking care of candles so much easier. They also make a great stocking stuffer!
Candles help elevate any dining table. This is a simple design, but you can find many more unique options on Food52.
You’re probably noticing a theme here. I like the shape of these and the color variety. They help add some character to your typical tapered candle options.
$50+
I love a good coffee table book. I came across this one at a local bookstore and found it to be a great conversation starter, like any coffee table book should be!
This would make a great decorative tray near an entry table or on a coffee table. I especially love the scalloped edge. It’s neutral so it’ll pair with most decor items.
I originally saw these while I was in Europe and I knew I needed to have one. We received one of these as a wedding gift and use it almost daily. Its intended use is for water, but we use it to store any leftover juice and smoothies too. If I’m not in Europe, I can at least pretend!
My mother in law passed some of these down to me that use to belong to her grandma. They are still in excellent shape and we use them almost daily. You can sometimes get lucky and find ones with your initials. I’ve managed to find some with my husband's initials on them to expand our collection. If you prefer some without initials, you can find those too!
$100+
While this is technically a personalized gift, I think it still falls within the home decor category. If you’re looking for a gift you can customize while still looking chic, look no further. I love the minimal style and there are a variety of colors to choose from.
If they love antiques and French linens, look no further than Madame de la Maison. I purchased linens a few years back and they’ve held up really nicely. I love that they are 100% flax linen too. The antiques tend to be one-of-a-kind finds and are guaranteed to make any decor lover a fan.
$200+
These plates would make great dessert plates. They come in a variety of colors, but are still subtle enough to go with any existing dishware. Plus, who doesn’t want champagne?
This is a very Christmas core gift. It’s a set of 12 plates that are hand painted and each have a different design that symbolize the 12 days of Christmas. I find these plates unique and a fun addition to a home that loves entertaining during the holidays.
Splurges
I’ve loved Katharina’s work for a few years now. You can find art prints and if you’re lucky enough, some originals that are for sale on her site. She paints a lot of quaint towns, like this Parisian inspired cityscape. There is something so beautiful about owning a one of a kind piece.
For the loved one who loves personalized gifts
Under $50
Mystery Book Section
My local bookshop has a mystery book section that I love. Instead of judging a book by its cover, which I know you shouldn’t do but I’m definitely guilty of, the book is covered in brown paper and a description is added to the outside. Basically, you choose based on a theme. If you know your book lover well, I think this would be a fun idea and a great way to showcase some thoughtful gift giving.
An alternative to this would be to make them a “coupon” that entails you taking them book shopping. I’ve even seen people make a game out of it. They give the person 2 minutes to look around the store and then 3 minutes to grab as many books as they’d like. The latter option may get a bit pricey depending on how fast they are grabbing books.
I love sending snail mail so any opportunity to use this address stamp is a win for me. I recently purchased one to address Christmas envelopes. I find this to be significantly cheaper than purchasing the option to include a return address on pre-printed envelopes. You can choose from many different types of stamps and fonts too. It’s a great option for newlyweds or homeowners!
$50+
Season’s Boutique Travel Journal
If they love traveling and journaling, I think this would be a perfect gift. I’d pair this with an analog instax and some washi tape so they can “print” out pictures of their travels to accompany their entries.
$100+
I’ve purchased several of these clay ornaments and absolutely adore them. I love that you can personalize them and incorporate meaningful things into each one. I just ordered another one to symbolize our marriage. I can’t wait for it to arrive!
$200+
If they’ve been eyeing a Tote from Cuyana, you can get their name or initials added to this bag. I have a clutch and it has held up well. Side note: I wouldn’t purchase this unless you are certain they want this. You cannot return bags that have been customized.
Splurge
I love subtle letter necklaces. I find them to be sentimental but also beautiful. This is solid 14k gold and has an adjustable length of 16” to 18”. In my opinion, the perfect length. These are made to order and take a few weeks to ship. If you’re looking for a little extra, you can get this necklace with a bezel set diamond. Their Black Friday sale has started and you can get 15% off with KINNBF23.
For the loved one who loves jewelry
Under $50
I’ve had this necklace for 5+ years and wear it almost daily. I get lots of compliments on it and am often asked where it’s from. I think it's versatile and a great addition to any stack. The chain is gold filled and the charm is vermeil. Since I wear it almost daily, I have seen some discoloration on it which is to be expected since it’s not solid gold. Regardless, I still find this to be a great option if you can’t splurge.
$50+
I’ve been on a brass jewelry kick lately. They are so lightweight and a cute addition to any outfit. I have the turquoise version, but they also have obsidian as an option. I find myself getting compliments frequently when I wear these.
This is another necklace I wear often. It comes in a sterling silver or gold filled option. It pairs nicely with any stack and you can purchase it in various lengths. Another great option if you can’t splurge.
While I don’t have one of these myself, I purchased my bridesmaids this necklace as a gift. It’s simple and they all continue to wear theirs!
$100+
This jewelry is handmade and one of a kind out of Portland. I purchased these earrings earlier this summer and I absolutely adore them. These would make such a beautiful addition to anyone’s collection. You can see more of their beautiful work here.
Splurges
Okie, these really are splurges.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention AB. My husband purchased my engagement ring at AB and we also purchased our wedding bands from them earlier this year. I absolutely adore their customer service, they are always helpful and quick to answer any and all questions I’ve had over the years. Naturally, I would love to add more rings from AB to my collection in the future. The one at the top of my wishlist (I hope my husband is reading this) is an Anchor band. I wouldn’t be mad if he also purchased me an Andria band to go on my right hand. Not asking for much here (I can already see him rolling his eyes!).
You can’t go wrong with anything at Kinn. While there is so much to choose from, I’ll list a few things I hope to add to my solid gold collection in the future: a Marquise necklace, Class Hoop Earrings, Herringbone Chain I, and Tear Drop Earrings. Their Black Friday sale has started and you can get 15% off with KINNBF23.
For the loved one who loves new hobbies
Under $50
Flower Press by June & December
If you think they might enjoy pressing and preserving flowers, get them a flower press book. June & December has several options that range in price, but at the lowest price you can snag one for just $36. I would recommend this option over a book they already own, because they might ruin a few pages as they start. Trust me, I’ve ruined a few myself.
If they’re looking to get started with painting, paint by numbers is perfect for beginners! It allows them to follow a blueprint while still feeling good about the outcome. I personally find painting a bit hard without some guidance, unless it’s straight abstract art.
Coloring Books
I find coloring to be relaxing and a great escape from the world. I love that it pushes me to be in the moment. My favorite coloring book is Maria Schoettler's A Garden for All Seasons. I picked it up at take heart, but you can also find them at Anthropologie. I plan to add Maria’s Buds Along The Path to my collection. I would include these color pencils or markers. I have these markers, but you definitely don’t need this entire set.
Note: It’s slightly cheaper if you buy directly from Maria’s website. You will have to pay for shipping. If you’re only buying the coloring book it’s still cheaper than doing so at Anthropologie. If you’re purchasing other items from Anthropologie and have free shipping, they might be the way to go.
$50+
If they like candles they might enjoy making their own as well. I’ve made candles before and it’s a fairly easy and quick activity. Rest assured, it won’t take all afternoon to make and enjoy the candles.
$100+
Floral Design Class
I recently did one of these and it was so much fun. I learned so much on how to spruce up a grocery store bouquet. If you can’t find something locally, checkout Maurice’s Floral Arrangement course on Master Class. While you’d need to purchase a subscription, this would give them access to other classes as well.
$200+
I love film photography. If your loved one is interested in getting into film photography here are a few cameras I would recommend.
For the one looking for minimal effort, I recommend a point and shoot camera. I personally love my Canon Telemax and can vouch for it. Other ones I considered were the Olympus mju II, and Canon Sureshot.
If you’re looking for a step up and something that will take a bit more time to master, I love my Canon AE-1. It’s the camera I started with and recommend to anyone who is seriously considering film photography.
Note: I find they are more expensive at Cute Camera but you know they work and can purchase a warranty. Otherwise, I’d recommend eBay. I would read the reviews and descriptions carefully to make sure they’ve been tested and there is no damage!
Splurge
Pottery Classes
This would require you to find something locally. Based on my experience, they sell out really fast and require a weekly commitment of a few months. My local studio also offers date nights that are slightly cheaper.
For the loved one who loves experiences
Under $50
Virtual Cooking Class
We booked a class from Alexa Fueled Naturally earlier this year and loved it. It was a virtual group cooking class where we made a dish together. It’s perfect for those who have dairy restrictions or prefer vegan food. We don’t exclusively eat vegan and we loved the dish we made.
$50+
Plan a Day Date
The price will vary heavily on how many stops you plan, but nonetheless this can be an incredibly thoughtful gift. I’d suggest starting out with breakfast at their favorite place, followed by a stop to their favorite shop or activity around town. I’ve found most of the time, people want quality time and enjoy the thoughtfulness behind the gesture over where you actually end up going.
$100+
Book a Facial
For those who could use some relaxation but might not enjoy a massage, I would recommend a facial. I would look for a local spa who offers a signature facial. Major plus if they can use the booking credit toward another service in case they would like to upgrade!
$200+
Book a Massage
Who doesn’t love a day at the spa? This is a great option for those who need a little help relaxing and rarely splurge on themselves. I would look for a package at a local spa that includes a massage, sauna and possibly a mani pedi option.
Private Chef at Home
I really love this as an option. You can focus on each other while enjoying delicious food. It’s also one of those more unique gifts that allow you to pamper someone else and yourself!
Splurge
Plan a surprise trip! While I know this is not feasible for everyone, I absolutely loved being surprised by my husband. He planned us a surprise trip to Amsterdam. You can also plan a staycation and stay in a hotel nearby. I have friends who have done this and loved creating that experience close to home.
I’d love to know what you’re gifting for Christmas and if there are gifts you’ve received that you really loved!
xx Ofelia
This is such a good roundup of gift ideas!