43 of the best gift ideas for her
(CNN) —
Gift-giving season is officially here, and if you’re looking to cross holiday shopping off your list sooner rather than later this year, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your significant other or something sentimental for Mom, we’ve rounded up some stellar picks so you won’t find yourself scrambling come December 24 (we’ve all been there). And if you’re looking for some more gift options, check out our roundups of gifts for him, Amazon 5-star gifts, Nordstrom gifts, the best gifts we’ve tested this year and gifts for everyone else.
Bombas Socks (starting at $12; bombas.com)
Switch up the usual cheap fuzzy socks in her stocking this year and pick up a pair of everyday cotton socks to gift instead. With a smooth and seamless design and blister protection (hallelujah!), these will remain like new in the sock drawer for a long time to come.
Ugg Genuine Shearling Slipper (starting at $119.95; nordstrom.com)
For us, 2020 has been the year of the slipper, because frankly we haven’t stopped wearing them. For a slipper you can wear to take out the trash or run a quick errand, it doesn’t get much more comfortable than this one.
(Re)sourced Cashmere Mockneck Midi Sweater Dress ($178; madewell.com)
Cashmere is one of those incredibly soft fabrics that many of us consider buying, only to look at the price tag and think, “No, not this time” (aka a perfect gifting option). This gorgeous cashmere sweater dress is such a timeless piece that will quickly become a wardrobe staple.
Naadam The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater ($75; naadam.co)
Cashmere is a classic wardrobe essential but typically comes with a high price tag. For only $75, give the gift of comfort with this plush and top-rated (over 1,200 5-star reviews!) cashmere sweater.
Mejuri Bold Hoops ($160; mejuri.com)
Small, chunky hoops are one of our favorite accessory trends right now. Snag her a pair from Insta-worthy brand Mejuri. These come in 14-karat yellow or white gold, and if you’d prefer to save a little coin, there’s also a similar pair in gold vermeil for about half the price.
BDG Hooded Cropped Jacket ($59, originally $79; urbanoutfitters.com)
You can’t go wrong with giving a cute teddy jacket. Whether relaxing inside the house or braving colder temperatures, she’ll love how this cropped hooded jacket is versatile enough to be dressed up or down.
Baggu 3-Pack Cactus Organic Cotton Adult Face Masks ($32; nordstrom.com and baggu.com)
It may be time for a bit of a mask makeover after more than six months of wearing, washing and reusing the same ones. We adore these colorful ones from Baggu, which feature adjustable elastic ear loops, a metal nose clip and a built-in filter pocket. There are lots of other cool color options too.
Nisolo Carmen Chelsea Boot ($184, originally $230; nisolo.com)
Have someone on your list who’s on the hunt for an everyday boot? These editor-favorite Carmen boots from Nisolo are available in three colors and are both lightweight and durable to handle whatever the day throws her way.
Bearaby Cotton Napper (starting at $249; bearaby.com)
Here’s the thing: Anyone might be hesitant to drop big bucks on an impossibly cozy luxury blanket for themselves, but anyone would also be thrilled to receive this as a gift. Available in a variety of colors, this weighted, chunky-braided blanket provides the coziest cocoonlike feel, void of artificial colors and synthetic beads. They’ll be thanking you all winter long.
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase for Hair and Skin, 2-Pack ($9.99; amazon.com)
Everyone appreciates the gift of self-care, and these affordable satin pillowcases will be a welcome addition to her sleep routine. Ideal for keeping hair tangle-free and skin devoid of pillowcase-induced creases overnight, these are available in 25 colors to match any bedding situation.
The Sill Succulent Trio (starting at $45; thesill.com)
Twee succulent accents aren’t likely to go out of style anytime soon, so give the gift of the cutest succulent trio this holiday season, perfectly petite for her desk, windowsill or kitchen counter.
Small Corgi Planter ($23.30; etsy.com)
If she loves dogs and plants, this small corgi planter is calling her name. The handcrafted piece is perfect for housing succulents and other small plants or flowers.
GlobeIn 3-Month Gift Subscription ($114; globein.com)
For the woman in your life who’s constantly shopping at HomeGoods or Pier 1 Imports, this three-month subscription of home decor items is a no-brainer. Featuring carefully curated products from around the world, this box can be tailored to her tastes so she receives the pieces that match her aesthetic. We tried it ourselves and instantly fell in love with the beautiful, handcrafted items.
Parachute Linen Sheet Set (starting at $149; parachutehome.com)
We don’t know about you, but when it comes to buying new sheets, the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” comes to mind. Since it may not be a priority for your loved one, treat her to these lovely linen sheets — the sheets, in fact, that we named best linen sheets on the market in our tests.
Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag, 3-Pack ($36; amazon.com)
It’s 2020, and if your loved one hasn’t gotten on the reusable shopping bag train, now’s the time to get them started. For some people, spending money on a nylon bag may be low on their priority list, which makes this a great eco-friendly gift idea.
T-fal Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Pan With Lid ($39.99; amazon.com)
Cooking has been a stay-at-home pastime for many people in this strange year, so what better way to harbor a newfound hobby than to give the gift of what we found to be the best nonstick pan of 2020? This T-fal pan is titanium-reinforced and dishwasher-safe, and its durable nonstick design makes it the perfect gift to pair with one of Amazon’s favorite cookbooks and personalized apron (*chef’s kiss*).
Flikr Fireplace Portable Tabletop Fireplace ($95; nordstrom.com)
No built-in fireplace, no problem, ‘cause you’ve now got this impossibly chic, portable tabletop fireplace. It burns isopropyl alcohol to quickly create a cozy fire that burns for up to an hour — just long enough for you to get snuggled up and make s’mores.
Lex Pott Twist Duo Standing Taper Candle ($45; urbanoutfitters.com or $40; uncommongoods.com)
Underscored editors are obsessed with this twisty standing candle that’s all over Instagram. By Dutch designer Lex Pott, it functions as both a beautiful centerpiece and an impressive candle (that really may be too pretty to burn). It’s available in this adorable candy cane pattern and bright colors like lime green and pink.
Yamazaki Home Modern Pet Bowl ($35; food52.com)
This pet bowl with its modern and minimalist design is surely an upgrade to her pet’s current feeding station. If you’re looking for more ideas on how to spoil her dog, check out our roundup of the cutest dog coats and sweaters.
Jiggy for Anthropologie Puzzle and Glue Set ($54; anthropologie.com)
Ever wish you could take that beautiful puzzle you just finished and mount it on a wall? Well, with this kit, you can. Just pick one of the four gorgeous designs, each by an emerging woman artist, and then you can put the puzzle together and use the included glue and straight edge to hang it wherever you’ll appreciate it most.
Billie Smooth Operator Kit ($35; mybillie.com)
Billie, whose razor was our winner for best women’s razor of 2020, is celebrating the holidays with several gift sets. We were impressed by the Billie razor’s user-friendly design, close shave and remarkably low price, and now you can gift one, along with a refill pack, Billie’s Shave Cream and Billie’s Dry-Bye Lotion, in one cute and practical kit.
Nudestix Mini Nudies Eye, Face & Lips Set ($25; nordstrom.com)
The Mini Nudies set from Nudestix features three multipurpose shades that can be used for eyes, cheeks or lips to get a bronzed and glowy look. Talk about a multipurpose present.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($22; stilacosmetics.com)
If your giftee is a beauty fiend, trust us — she’ll appreciate this liquid liner whose name doesn’t lie. (In fact, we crowned it the best liquid eyeliner of 2020 in our tests.) It’s a truly stay-all-day, pigmented, easy-to-apply liquid liner that’s certain to become a makeup bag staple.
Sundays No.16 Pure Red Nail Polish ($18; dearsundays.com)
Let us introduce you to the best nail polish we’ve ever tried. Chip-resistant for a good week, Sundays specializes in nontoxic nail polish available in all sorts of gorgeous muted colors. And if you don’t want to pick just one (we love this classic holiday red as a gift), it’s got a ton of great gifts sets too, like this box of three colors of your choosing.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($399.99; dyson.com)
If you’re looking to splurge on a special woman in your life, this Dyson hair dryer, engineered for all different hair types, is a worthy investment. It’s been known to drastically reduce hair-drying time without using extreme heat, and its cool, space-agey design is a nice bonus to boot.
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Mission Gift Set ($37; urbanoutfitters.com)
If she deals with acne from time to time (or recently started experiencing maskne), this set by Hero Cosmetics comes with its cult-favorite pimple patches and rescue balm (among other goodies), which work together to eliminate stubborn pimples and recover post-blemish.
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Brighten Up & Glow Set ($99; nordstrom.com and sephora.com)
Who doesn’t love a holiday beauty gift set? This one from Kiehl’s gets you a lot for your money, including the beloved skin care brand’s cult-favorite cleanser, eye cream and facial cream that’s adored by beauty editors and celebrities alike.
Esarora Ice Roller (starting at $21.99; amazon.com)
Though it may look simple at first glance, never underestimate the usefulness of this ice roller. You can use it to soothe face puffiness, migraines, body aches and even hangovers (but you didn’t hear that from us), making it the perfect multipurpose beauty gift.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Set ($45; nordstrom.com)
Beloved by Victoria’s Secret models, Nordstrom shoppers and Underscored editors alike, you can’t go wrong with Charlotte Tilbury’s gorgeous Pillow Talk set, which comes with a lipstick, lip pencil and two lip glosses in her signature Pillow Talk shade, which is a lovely mauve-pink.
Knock Knock What I Love About Mom Fill-in-the-Blank Journal ($10; amazon.com)
Who says cute fill-in-the-blank prompts to give Mom are reserved for a Mother’s Day breakfast in first grade? Nestle into the nostalgia of what you used to give to your mom years ago with this sweet journal for a heartfelt holiday keepsake. It’s the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.
Botanicals Notebook Collection ($12.17, originally $12.95; amazon.com)
If your giftee is type A and notorious for her morning to-do lists, this notebook bundle is the perfect stocking stuffer. Featuring a beautiful floral design by Rifle Paper Co., the set of three paperback notebooks is under $15 and ready for your shopping cart.
Simple Elephant Undated Planner 2021-2022 ($17.99; amazon.com)
There’s nothing like starting the new year with a new planner, and this simple yet spacious daily, weekly and monthly productivity planner will have your giftee ringing in 2021 the right way (after 2020, we could all use it), with dedicated sections for recording goals and reflections as well as an undated calendar.
Personalized Family Recipe Board ($100; uncommongoods.com)
If she’s cherishing family recipes, this is the ultimate thoughtful gift. Just submit a scanned image of the recipe, and it’s printed on this board in her own (or her loved one’s) handwriting. She can then use the board as kitchen decor or pass it down to generations to come.
Aster Gratitude Journal ($18; anthropologie.com)
With everything going on in the world, it’s important to help our loved ones see the beauty of each day. An excellent stocking stuffer, this gratitude journal provides prompts and inspirational quotes to help her reflect and embrace gratitude.
Elago W3 Apple Watch Stand ($9.99; amazon.com)
Some Apple watches have a price point of around $430, yet at the end of the day, they’re often flung on the dresser, void of a decent home until worn again. For under $10, this adorable Apple watch stand is the gift that will have her thanking you for keeping her tech gadget protected and organized in her bedroom.
Galaxy Buds+ ($119.99, originally $149.99; amazon.com)
Maybe you missed the Amazon Prime Day deal on AirPods, but you’re in luck since these compact Bluetooth and top-rated Galaxy Buds+ are still on sale. Versatile and discreet, the buds are great for calling into a work meeting, listening to a podcast while applying makeup or going on a neighborhood jog.
Away Carry-On ($225; away.com)
Though travel is theoretically on standby this year, this carry-on is perfect for weekend getaways and for the future Caribbean vacation you’re dreaming about. Compact yet still designed with sufficient storage, this durable and TSA-approved suitcase is perfect to pair with a personalized travel pillow for a thoughtful touch. Oh, and did we mention we named it the best carry-on suitcase of 2020?
Theragun Mini (RED) ($199; therabody.com)
While a personal massage therapist would be a wonderful gift, this portable massager is a more practical solution to alleviate muscle tension. We tried the line of Theragun products, and the Mini stood out to us as an accessible and effective way to massage out any soreness. Plus, if she’s working in front of a desk all day, she’ll surely appreciate this pocket-size problem solver.
Breville Super Q Blender ($499.37; amazon.com)
If you’re thinking of something for the smoothie-obsessed person in your life, this blender is the way to go. We found it to be the best of the best when we tested blenders: It’s perfect for smoothies, batters, soups and all other blending needs.
Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector ($189.99; amazon.com)
If she’s been wanting to seriously upgrade her quarantine movie nights but isn’t ready to invest in a clunky projector, why not try one that literally fits in her pocket? This projector features a rechargeable battery (so you really can take it anywhere) and hooks up to your computer, game console or even cable box.
Emart 10-Inch Selfie Ring Light ($25.99; amazon.com)
She’ll be well lit on Zoom and in selfies in no time with this ring light, which topped our list of the best ring lights of 2020.
Atlas Coffee 6-Month Subscription ($94, originally $120; atlascoffeeclub.com)
This gift subscription is a must-have for anyone obsessed with new and exciting coffees. For a little over $100, she’ll be set for six months with delicious, gourmet coffees from all around the world. When we tried it out for ourselves, we especially enjoyed the little note cards sent with each shipment detailing the coffee’s history.
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by Breville ($179.95; amazon.com)
On the topic of coffee: This premium coffee maker is our pick for the best single-serve coffee maker on the market and includes a milk frother feature (perfect for coffee-shop-esque lattes). Plus, it’s incredibly simple to use.
Wacaco Minipresso NS Portable Espresso Machine ($49.90; amazon.com)
True coffee lovers sometimes need a caffeine boost on the go. If she travels or often needs a midday pick-me-up, this portable espresso machine is an amazing gift. At the push of a button, she can enjoy some java.