What’s the perfect gift for that special woman in your life? I don’t know, man, you’re supposed to know that. But, it happens. You get hard up for ideas, and then holiday dread takes over—the dread of giving a gift and getting an ‘Oh, thaaaaanks’ and that one face (you know the one, unless you’re a gift-giving savant) when someone unwraps a gift you picked out. The pressure builds, and then you start thinking of gift cards, and you don’t want to go down that road. Instead, find a little inspiration with our helpful gift guide, and get the satisfaction of a gift well given.
Minimergency Kit
We’ll start off slow, with a safety valve. You can never go wrong with a gift you know will be used, and this Minimergency Kit from Pinch Provisions definitely fits the bill. This tiny pouch holds a small bottle of breath freshener, hair bands, barrettes, sparkly bandages, glitter nail polish, spare earring backs, lip balm, emery boards, a small bottle of hairspray, facial tissues, and an emergency info card. It won’t inspire awe, but you’ll probably get an ‘eh, not bad’ out of it. No one can complain about free stuff they know they will eventually use, and this doesn’t come with the negative connotations of giving her a vacuum cleaner or something. Great choice if you’ve given a few bad gifts in a row and need something to break the streak, and it’s only $14.
Lizzy Fortunato Tokyo Safari Clutch
We’re still in the shallow end of the pool here. This Tokyo Safari Clutch looks great, sure, but you might still have those nagging doubts that it doesn’t quite suit her just right. No worries! You can get it for her from Rent the Runway, where high fashion can be rented and returned. If it’s a dud, she can just send it back. If she loves it, well, you’re on your own, there. Dresses and accessories can be rented for four or eight days, then sent back. Or, you can get her started on a $49 monthly plan that lets you keep those gems for a little longer. It’s actually a pretty sweet deal—she can get a steady stream of top-notch accessories and clothing to experiment with on the (relative) cheap. The Tokyo Safari Clutch in question costs $45 for a four-day rental or $72 for an eight-day rental.
Beats Solo2 Hello Kitty Edition Headphones
This is another safe choice, in the sense that you should immediately know whether or not she’ll want a pair of Hello Kitty headphones. Fortunately, these aren’t knockoff branded headphones—these are coming from Beats, almost as big of a tastemaker as Hello Kitty herself (but not quite). The Beats Solo2 Headphones are ultra-popular and Hello Kitty is on her way to becoming the queen of pop culture with this 40th anniversary year she’s been having. If you’ve got a Hello Kitty fan in your life, this one’s as safe of a bet as you can find. The Beats Solo2 Hello Kitty Edition Headphones are selling now for $250.
Brazilian Blowout Anti-Frizz Shampoo, Conditioner, and Smoothing Serum
Pair this set with a YouTube video, and you can give the gift of a DIY Brazilian Blowout at a fraction of the cost. The anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner, plus the smoothing serum used to revitalize and protect newly treated hair, can be found for sale at any number of salons that offer Brazilian Blowouts. This trio is a surefire winner in the haircare department—just make sure you vet those DIY videos rigorously.
Rachael Ray Cucina Cranberry Red 12-Piece Cookware Set
For the expert or aspiring chef, there’s this cookware set from the extra virgin olive oil-loving TV chef. The set of skillets, pots, pans, and slotted spoon and turner are fundamentals for anyone skilled in the culinary arts, and could even inspire a few fresh ideas. After all, if you’re suddenly gifted a new size of pot, you have to find something to do with it. Also, these pots and pans are all the same color, so if the kitchen is currently stocked with a hodgepodge of stuff from IKEA, stuff stolen from parents, and the dented, stained pots and pans that the previous tenants left behind, this set will provide a solid boost in the aesthetics department. It’s also reasonably priced for a 12-piece set, at $150.
Jawbone UP
The first generation Jawbone UP still holds passes muster. It nails the basics of fitness tracking while coming in a sleek wristband that manages to be stylish without being ostentatious. UP works perfectly well as a fashion accessory, and even better as a fitness tracker. If you know someone who’s been on the fence about diving into the world of fitness trackers, UP is a pretty solid value pick right now. You can get one off Amazon for a little over $60.
Tory Burch for Fitbit Metal Hinged Bracelet
On the other side of the fitness tracker spectrum is Tory Burch’s new collection for Fitbit. Unlike the Jawbone UP, the Metal Hinged Bracelet from the new collection is designed to attract attention, tucking away a Fitbit Flex fitness tracker inside an intricately patterned bracelet that can serve as a solid accessory in all settings. The Metal Hinged Bracelet comes in gold, silver, or rose gold, and is available now for $195.
Puku Battery Pack
Puku has done a great job making something as boring as a battery pack look a little exciting. The sleek, rounded battery packs feature two USB ports, an included Micro USB cable, and an 8,000 mAh battery, which can provide up to 36 hours of talk time or 153 hours of combined music and video playback. Puku is available in six colors, plus a 12,000 mAh camo pattern, and are available for $100 each ($120 for the camo model).
Bissell SpotClean Anywhere Portable Carpet Cleaner
Alright, look, we’re putting this one on here with a huge disclaimer. I’m sure you see the potential pitfalls in gifting a carpet cleaner, so we’re trusting you to know your audience. If you know someone who really would like a cleaning implement this holiday season, and I’m sure that’s true of a few people out there, the Bissell SpotClean Anywhere is a pretty great choice. This high-powered steam cleaner might be a good bet for pet owners, for a start. The Bissell SpotClean Anywhere is on Amazon now for $140.
HALO 6,000 mAh Portable Charger
QVC has a pretty good deal on this nifty portable battery back. The 6,000 mAh battery inside should be good enough to charge most smartphones about twice over, guaranteeing all-day battery life regardless of usage habits. The HALO 6,000 mAh Portable Charger also has integrated USB and Micro USB cables and comes with a travel pouch. You can grab one from QVC for a little over $46.
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro
Can’t go wrong with a new laptop. For those always on the go, the Yoga 3 Pro is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops on the market, with the added bonus of being a 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrid. It runs on high-end laptop specs, so it’s more than capable of handling most tasks for the average PC user, and the 3200 x 1800 display is one of the best on any laptop right now. Plus, that new watchband hinge looks good enough to really make the Yoga 3 Pro stand out in a crowd. Lenovo’s newest ever-flexible 2-in-1 starts at $1,300.
Revo Kingston Sunglasses
Stylish pair of high-end sunglasses from Revo, for the woman who knows the value of a good brow bar. They do the job, too, blocking all UV light with Revo High-Contrast Polarized Crystal lenses, which can be ordered as prescription lenses. Available for $350 directly from Revo.
Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless
A fine pair of Bluetooth exercise earphones, the Powerbeats2 Wireless stay in the ear thanks to the flexible earhook and water and sweat resistance. Plus, you’ve got the trend factor with Beats. Available on Amazon for as low as $172, the Powerbeats2 Wireless come in black, blue, pink, red, or white.
Columbia Crest Wine
Great wine coming out of Washington, and is probably way better than the cheap wine that gets gifted all too often during the holidays. You can get a bottle of 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon or a bottle of 2012 Chardonnay for $12 each from Columbia Crest.
Braven 705 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Funky little Bluetooth speaker that can be used a speakerphone on the go. Can also roll with the punches thanks to a shock absorbent exterior, and comes in one of eight colors. Packs in high quality audio, but manages to stay affordable at $100, directly from Braven.
BeadForLife
Lots of good gifts on BeadForLife, filled with products made by women in Uganda. Revenue goes to the women who make the products, helping them to survive on their own income and start their own businesses. A purchase of a beaded necklace also includes a $25 donation that will help to fund a business school in Uganda. Cool beaded jewelry, handbags, and shea butter products here that are sure to be a hit, good cause aside.
Logitech Keys-To-Go
Never know when a keyboard might be handy. The Logitech Keys-To-Go is a slim, spill-proof 9.5″ x 5.5″ wireless keyboard that can easily be taken on the go without taking up too much valuable handbag space. Available from Logitech for $70 in several colors.
Slim Zip Wristlet
Slim Vera Bradley piece available in two designs—emerald diamonds or blossoms—and has four card slots and a place to stash cash. Nice affordable, fashionable wallet for $44 from Vera Bradley.
Bluelounge CableBox
Nothing like the simple beauty of good cable management to make her holiday season. The CableBox is a box that can hold and hide that tangled Medusa of a surge protector, making the desk area a little more easy on the eyes. Available on Amazon now for $27.
Funkins
For those who love to host kid and adult parties alike, you can stuff a stocking with a pack or two of cloth napkins from Funkins. They have a wide variety of themed napkins, and make for a really cheap gift at $5 per pack.
The Oversize Wrap
From Chilly Jilly comes a handy little wrap that comes in its own stylish bag. Great gift to help keep her warm in style and convenience this holiday season. Available for $39 in over a dozen colors.
HTC Desire Eye
With an uncommonly good (13 MP) front-facing camera, the HTC Desire Eye is built for selfies. You can tell by her Instagram account whether or not she’ll want this phone, which is available for $150 with a two-year contract or $550 off-contract from AT&T.
Kindle Voyage
Voracious readers can cozy up with the Kindle Voyage, Amazon’s newest e-reader. With a new magnesium build and a glass surface, it’s the most premium Kindle yet, and that 300 dpi display and gentle front lighting make for a great reading experience night or day. A Wi-Fi Kindle Voyage without ads is available on Amazon now for $220.
Rent the Runway Gift Card
Rent the Runway offers up tons of high-fashion pieces to rent for four or eight days. You can pick something out she might like to get her started, or just grab a gift card if you’re not confident in your gift picking abilities. Gift cards from $25 to $1,000 are available.
Artizen Dolphin Ceramic Hydro-Ionic Turbo Iron
Hard to find a better curling iron than this one. The ceramic surface heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, and Surround Heating makes it possible to style hair in several different ways. If her old one is breaking down, this curling iron is a great replacement. Available on Amazon for $130.
Ahnu Shoes
Waterproof shoes? Don’t worry, these are lookers. Ahnu has a casual sneaker, a winter boot, and an Emery that look wonderful and fit in with with
whatever lifestyle she lives. The shoes run between $100 and $165, and are available directly from Ahnu.
