Every holiday season, I treat gift-giving more like a sport than a casual experience, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. There is just something so thrilling about finding the perfect gift that is chic, meaningful, and actually useful for the special people in your life. That being said, I know more than anyone the troubles that come with buying the perfect gift (especially when you are on a budget). The most important thing to remember is that gift-giving doesn’t have to be stressful; it just has to be thoughtful. In order to make holiday shopping a bit easier this season, I’ve pulled together a list of pieces that feel personal without requiring a large budget. Whether you are shopping for the girls with a particular aesthetic or the guy who swears he “doesn’t need anything”, hopefully you can find the perfect gift idea in my curated guide below. All thoughtful, stylish, and elevated so that you are guaranteed to become everyone’s favorite Santa Claus this Christmas.
For the Girls
- The Elevated Essentials
Every fashion girl knows that the best lifestyle basics need to be elevated. So, for that friend who loves a timeless staple in their life, think about picking something that is still classic but has just a bit of added glimmer. Some ideas I’ve been considering this season are a nice luxe scarf, a sleek new wallet, or some cute layering style jewelry pieces. All these items are simple and can be used way beyond the holiday season, but I guarantee whoever you give them to will appreciate the upgrade to their essentials.
Shop: Aritizia, COS, Ana Luisa, Quince.
- Beauty Sleep Staples
100% soft, cozy, and self-care coded. This one’s for those girls in your life who enjoy taking the time to give themselves a bit of extra attention at the end of the day and who are fully embracing their soft girl era. I’m personally loving the idea of gifting satin pj sets, silk pillowcases, plush robes, or a cute spa headband. I mean, let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t want to treat herself to some spa time before bed every night?
Shop: Skims, Victoria’s Secret, Brooklinen, Kitsch, Amazon
- Clean Girl Beauty Kit
If we want to be a little bit more on the practical side, here are some curated beauty products I think would make great gifts. When it comes to the girls who never once forget/skip their skin care routine, I would recommend some glossy lip oils, hydrating serums, claw clips, or a minimal makeup bag. The options with this one are quite endless, but if you want to make it a bit more personal, see if you can find any products you know they’ve been wanting to try or use all the time.
Shop: Sephora, Rare Beauty, Summer Fridays, Glossier, Ulta
- Aesthetic Home Add-Ons
I adore all of the little items and touches in my room that make it feel like a home. If you have a person in your life who is more of a homebody and lives for those cozy vibes, this is gonna be the right option for them. Consider getting them some aesthetic candles, coffee or matcha sets, or a cozy throw blanket. Make sure to consider the aesthetic of the person’s home and what will fit their personal lifestyle best.
Shop: Anthropologie, Target, Etsy, Urban Outfitters, Bath and Body Works
- The It-Girl Personal Touch
This one is probably my personal favorite option because it’s something that’s both thoughtful and custom. This is perfect for the sentimental girl in your life who loves a good personal moment. Some of my suggestions would be an initial necklace, a custom tote bag, a photo keychain, or an engraved piece. There is a lot of room for you to be creative with this one because almost anything you can think of has the ability to be customized.
Shop: Etsy, Baublebar, Caseify, Made by Mary
For the Boys
- The Sleek Grooming Upgrade
Let’s be honest, men will use whatever you put in front of them, so might as well make it cute. A lot of guys like to keep it simple, but they still want to look put together, so this gift item will be virtually good for any of the men in your life (and is relatively inexpensive). Consider a skincare starter kit, Beard oils, cologne minis, or a fresh body wash set for a practical yet elevated touch to their routine.
Shop: Lumin, Every Man Jack, Sephora sampler sets
- Cozy Classics He’ll Actually Wear
Every man, when shopping, emphasizes comfort, and while that’s really important, it’s up to us to give it to them in style. Any piece of apparel would do, but some things I’ve been looking at in particular are quarter zips, beanies, fitted tees, and fleece joggers. These are perfect for those guys who live in comfy basics but could use a bit of a style upgrade.
Shop: Nike, Carhartt, Uniqlo, Abercrombie, H&M
- Everyday Tech + Accessories
One of my favorite gifts during the holiday season is something that’s both functional but also aesthetic. So for that practical guy in your life who loves gadgets, consider a portable charger, a new watch, key organizers, or a new wallet. The piece I would go for is definitely the watch if who you’re shopping for doesn’t have one already. It’s just one of those staple pieces that will elevate any man’s outfit. We could also totally go down the tech rabbit hole (the options are endless), but just consider whatever is going to work best with this person’s style.
Shop: Amazon, Bellroy, Fossil, Nordgreen, Daniel Wellington
- Hobby- Coded Gifts
Take a moment to tap into the mind of the person you are buying for. Think about the things he enjoys doing or being a part of, which is going to be especially easy if this person basically makes his hobbies his entire personality. When it comes to this guy, some ideas would be gym accessories, record store credits, golf tees, or gaming add ons but it really depends on what he is into. This option is great if you are looking for a gift with a slightly more personal touch to it while still giving you a broad list of items to choose from.
Shop: Dicks Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, GameStop, Local record stores
- The Thoughtful Personalized pick
Similar to option five from the girls’ list, it’s always a great idea to look into some custom pieces that feel like they’re just for him. Perfect for the sentimental guy who loves meaningful gifts (even if he doesn’t say it out loud). An engraved bracelet, custom photo frame, initial keychain, or printed memo book fit in this category perfectly, but like I mentioned earlier, don’t be afraid to be creative because nothing is off the table.
Shop: Etsy, Leatherology, Shutterfly