Whether you know exactly what your loved one’s wishing for or it’s still a mystery, we’re here to help you find the absolute best gifts on the market. And don’t worry—we literally shop for a living, so we can confidently recommend these picks after reviewing, receiving, researching, and giving each of these ourselves.
Looking for an under $20 present to win everyone over at your White Elephant exchange? How about a thank you gift for a special woman use always going the extra mile? We’ve sourced affordable jewelry that genuinely looks luxurious (and even has high-end packaging). Want to splurge on a gift for your husband that’ll end up somewhere other than a storage bin? Though you can’t go wrong with nice cologne, the top-rated beer-brewing growler on this list will not disappoint the guy who loves a good brewski. Need a trendy gift for a teenager? Any beauty presents from teen-favorite labels like Glossier, Laneige, or Rhode will do the trick.
Personalized gifts for dog lovers, popular birthday presents for your sister, truly useful gifts for parents, Secret Santa gifts for him, small gifts for coworkers, even special somethings for one-year-olds—everything here is guaranteed to make your lucky giftee feel seen. Ahead, shop all the best gift ideas to add to your holiday shopping list in 2024.
The best gifts for everyone, at a glance
Shop by giftee and category
You need gifts for all the leading women in your life; your mom, sister, grandma, godmother, or colleague-turned-work wife needs a token of your appreciation. Highlights include a Kate Spade bracelet that’s a perennial bestseller among Glamour readers, a washable silk robe that’ll make her nighttime routine all the more luxurious, a weighted sleep mask for sweeter dreams, and a Lululemon bag that’s slowly conquering the world. You can’t go wrong with these crowdpleasers.
Few guys care about the things we think they do (say, cuff links and leather passport holders)—they just want cool gifts they can actually use. Our advice? Skip the expensive clothing that’ll collect dust, and instead go for unique, thoughtful ideas you know he’ll be excited about. The popular, budget-friendly Geekey features 16 tools in pocket-size form, while Chanel’s bestselling cologne belongs on every guy’s dresser. And you can never go wrong with luxe headphones and plush, best-selling robes when you’re stumped on what else he could need.
We all have that one person (or, unfortunately, many more than one) who already owns almost everything. Almost. The best plan here is to find cute, unique upgrades to their everyday items, like floral teapots and candles decked out with gold accents—or to gift them something genuinely one-of-a-kind, like a painted jewelry box or a pair of socks with anyone’s face on them. Not too shabby, right?
Sorry, but teen girls know what’s actually cool—so your gifts will need to go the extra mile to impress them. Gift the teen in your circle popular, TikTok-viral items like extra-short Uggs, Laneige lip-care essentials, and just-launched perfume from Glossier. Meanwhile, Aerie is huge among teens and tweens, so give her anything from the brand (like this cozy, sporty sweatshirt) and she’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Picking the perfect gifts for teenage boys involves meeting them on their level. If he’s devoted to cool tech, he definitely wants a projector set for binging Netflix shows. If he’s on a style journey, a cologne set will keep him smelling fresh and a retro watch will make his outfits pop. Guys who are just here for a good time, meanwhile, need age-appropriate entertainment; a fast, funny game is exactly what he needs for his next after-school hang.
The nine- to 12-year-olds in your life can be a mystery—but thanks to TikTok, it’s easier than ever to find out what they want. Cute toys like Squishmallows and Calico Critters are fun without feeling too young; the latter has been turned into a bag charm that’s incredibly popular among young people. Astrology-obsessed tweens will love a candle tailored to their birthday’s exact star chart, while pretty much everyone can get behind an easy-to-use instant camera with loads more charm than their phone’s. (Consider these for cuspers like eight-year-olds, too.)
Now onto the kiddos! This is all about zeroing in on their age: One-year-olds adore push toys. Two-year olds can entertain themselves for hours with ABC blocks and construction trucks. Active toy gifts for three-year-olds are ideal since they’re at an age when they’re full of energy. Looking for something for four-year-olds, five-year-olds, or six-year-olds? Light boards and cozy pajamas are great picks. And you can always tap into your inner child and shop for things you would’ve loved back in the day, such as personalized wood blocks so your giftee can practice spelling their name.
Even if you’ve known your BFF longer than almost anyone else, it’s only natural to run out of gift ideas after a while. Don’t fall back on gift cards, though; go for these cute picks instead. When in doubt, a great accessory—such as a chunky beanie or a trendy leopard-print bag—is bound to please a best friend. And any woman could use a gratitude journal to help her track the good things in her life or a gorgeous coffee table book to flip through whenever she needs inspiration.
The best gift for your wife—and any woman in general—is one she wants, but would never buy herself. Add pearls to her earring collection to make her wardrobe all the more elegant; beautify her favorite nook or coffee table with a cool cloche of matches; level up her skin-care routine with soothing, depuffing ice globes. Plus, Tory Burch bags are a love language in and of themselves, and this bestseller will keep her phone secure while she’s out and about. (Think of these as great anniversary gifts, too.)
You probably know what your husband wants (or needs) better than he does. Guys who ride a bike to work could use a folding helmet to store at their desks. Both of you will get a kick out of a nice deck of cards—and the great gift that is Lelo’s sex toy for men, which doubles as a couples’ vibrator. And that growler will carbonate 128 fluid ounces of beer, meaning he can finally take on his most exciting DIY project to date.
Spoil your girlfriend with little luxuries, such as under-$50 monogram jewelry and popular sweatshirts from Lululemon. A flower grow kit featuring her birth-month bloom lasts far longer than a bouquet, while a customized book stamp makes a practical present that’s also sentimental. See? You don’t have to spend a ton to make a big impact on anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays.
Outside of dads and hubbies, boyfriends are some of the toughest people to shop for—or so you might think. But really, there are a few fail-proof BF gift buckets we swear by, including stylish-yet-useful products like watches or wool beanies, sexy somethings like date-night dice, and apartment essentials like chic turntable systems. These’ll do the trick for nearly any type of boyfriend.
Chances are the gift Mom wants most is for you to call her every week or pop in for a surprise visit. But that doesn’t mean material presents will go unappreciated. Nudge Mom to indulge in some self-care with expensive-looking memory foam slippers or gentle wake-up lights. UrbanStems’ bouquet subscription is a surefire way to remind her that you’re thinking of her well beyond one single occasion. And what mom wouldn’t want a mini Longchamp bag to carry all her beauty essentials on the road?
Dad knows best, right? (Or so you told him with his Father’s Day gifts.) Shopping for him can feel a little tricky, but with picks like a digital picture frame for long-distance love and gadgets that’ll keep him from losing his keys, it doesn’t have to. Glamour readers especially love gifting this book of dad jokes and Bushwick Kitchen’s hot sauce set to fathers; the former will spice up conversation, while the latter will do the same for pretty much any food.
Picking out presents for new dads and moms often accidentally devolves into picking out baby gifts—but these four stunners are very much for parents. Manta’s soft, secure eye mask effectively blocks out light for maximizing any possible sleep, while a pair of massagers from Miko and Therabody will make it so much easier to unwind. Those Alice mushroom chocolates won’t send your giftee on a trip, but they will help them drift off at the end of a long day (or night)—a godsend.
Trying to pick the right gift for an entire family at once? These picks all lend themselves to activities like cooking a feast, sitting by a fire, sipping hot chocolate on wintry days, or enjoying a movie night—great for families of any size and age.
Best Gifts on Amazon
Amazon has become synonymous with gift-giving at this point, and for good reason; it’s a destination for popular, trending gifts that arrive in mere hours or days. Your book-loving coworker or sister could use a new tote to carry her latest read around. The new Sonos headphones are ridiculously comfortable and pleasingly bassy, making them great for music lovers and people who are always listening to podcasts. Luxurious silk pillowcases will please the beauty obsessives in your life, and this one has earned a stamp of approval from Glamour editors. Plus, Sol de Janeiro’s super-popular tightening body lotion will make the women in your orbit happy.
Nordstrom is a goldmine for luxe gifts for everyone on your list—often at not-too-luxurious prices, too. Insta-famous bags, silk pillowcase sets, and beauty kits from Charlotte Tilbury have caught our eye this season, making top gifts for the people you care about most. David Yurman’s sweet, versatile heart bracelet, meanwhile, is one of the best anniversary or birthday gifts you’ll find for significant others who could use a little extra bling.
Amazon has a little something for everyone—and if you’re a Prime member, your gift will arrive in as little as a day to make your giftee think you didn’t break a sweat. Our favorite holiday gift picks include the brand’s ubiquitous e-reader, cute ankle weights that’ll make any workout more effective, and a weather-predicting desk accessory that our readers especially love. For a truly last-minute idea, go with a MasterClass gift membership, which you can buy and email seconds before your gift is due—with none the wiser.
Whether or not you call your annual gift exchange a White Elephant, you know the vibe: You have to find a crowd-pleasing present within a certain budget, which usually doesn’t exceed $30. We can pretty much guarantee that everyone will be fighting over these picks this time around, whether you go with a popular cheese baker for foodies and hostesses, some very fun desk toys, an avocado saver, or a galaxy projector beloved by Glamour readers.
So you’re struggling to find something for that giftee who has very specific taste (or the means to buy everything they want)—but all is not lost. It’s just time to go with personalized presents or track down something that’s very cute and totally unnecessary. Customized stationery and astrology-themed candles are always winners, and an aesthetically pleasing air fryer or a very cool oven mitt will impress discerning giftees.
Cheap gits—that is, small presents that come in under $20—make ideal stocking stuffers, Secret Santa picks, and tokens for the people who you love (but don’t warrant bigger stuff). The options are surprisingly fun at this price point; just peep the frameable art kits, dude-friendly bottle openers, and teen-approved headbands we found on Amazon. Oh, and those dainty earrings are plated in 14K gold, but won’t set you back more than the cost of a lunch salad.
Sticking to a strict budget can actually make shopping for holiday and Christmas gifts more enjoyable. Your limit is set—now your creativity can run wild. Cool dishes, packed beauty sets, and popular cookbooks all come in under $25. And yes, that’s a genuine Le Creuset mini-dish, now on sale at an impressive discount. Your coworkers, cousins, and neighbors will be blown away.
Arguably, the lion’s share of excellent gifts falls in the $25 to $50 price range. It’s just high enough to afford you some high-end picks, like delicate Kate Spade earrings and luxurious Le Labo lotion. Plus, a truly convenient phone charger that magnetically attaches to iPhones is certain to please anyone who’s constantly on the move, as is a cute travel mug that’ll make splashes (and the ensuing stains) the stuff of memory.
If you’ve got some money to throw around this holiday season, your gift-giving horizons are virtually endless, even under $100. Why not go with an insulated wine bucket for your favorite wine mom or a Coach wallet for the girlfriend or recent grad who could use some everyday luxury? Rounding out our picks are a star-themed set of earrings studded with gems and a perennial bestseller from Free People, which will impress the young people on your list.
So money is no object—let’s do something fun with it, shall we? Dyson’s editor-beloved hair dryer will provide salon-quality results at home; this fresh men’s fragrance from Hermès will become your favorite guy’s new go-to (and comes in an iconic orange box); Made In’s super-durable cookware will please any dedicated home chef. And if you’re after a truly unique gift idea, go with a box of caviar and blinis from legendary New York City institution Russ & Daughters.
There’s a worthwhile Advent calendar for every taste and interest these days, with options for kids, beauty lovers, jewelry collectors, and even, ahem, sex toy fanatics. These four picks are some of the crème de la crème of this year’s releases, including a Liberty calendar worth $1,700 and an overstuffed Diptyque pick that’s dangerously close to selling out.
By Jake Henry Smith, Malia Griggs
Source link
Leave a Reply