No shade to the traditional gift guides, but they all started looking the same a few years ago. As a marketing expert, I see the business side of this. Some retailers push a higher commission, and creators will suggest their jeans over others. Or, some new board game becomes a craze and everyone wants to also recommend it to get their share of commision sales. Again, I totally get it and see that side of the coin.
As a consumer myself, though, it wasn’t as fun to peruse. And I was still left on the hunt for something good.
I usually skip gift guides and so mini ones on the fly on my Instagram. But, the feedback was overwhelming in requests for gift guides here. I’m humbled that so many find success in the things I share that are also hits in my home with my kids and husband. And so, I decided to devote some time to this. I would love your feedback and ideas for gifts for these segments of people as well!
Two quick things to note:
We donate 100% of the affiliate revenue to sponsoring children in foster care in Atlanta. This holiday season, we adopted a family of three children and their two caretakers to fulfill their Christmas wishes. Thank you for helping make that possible with every purchase you make from anything I link.
If you think, “Oh, I don’t need a corporate gift, let me scroll past”, think again. Many of these gift ideas are interchangeable! I segmented ideas for simplicity sake instead of one very long list but so many of the things that I put for “Husband” could easily be for a college-aged young man. So many things on the “teen girl” list could be for yourself! So, peruse with an open mind and heart.
Okay, let’s get to shopping!
Let’s get the Sephora Haul out of the way. We all obsessed over the Revlon ‘90s nail polish and lipstick, right? And you had a signature scent at Bath & Body Works. So, let’s enjoy the right of passage they are experiencing.
Sol de Janeiro is Gen Z’s Bath & Body Works. This Jet Set is a great starter option.
Are we surprised the Covid Kids are obsessed with hand sanitizer? Touchland is the Pokémon of hand sanitizers — they gotta catch them all. Get a scent you can at least stand to smell.
This LoveShackFancy set is a great entry point for fragrance AND a costly brand.
Laneige - I mean, we were obsessed with LipSmackers…can we really judge? This little variety set is a great gift to give the teen all the festive flavor street cred.
If the teen is wearing mascara, it may be time to introduce an eyelash curler. The Sephora collection of tools is a workhorse of a brand, and this $15 curler makes a great little gift.
This has been an excellent gift for a couple of years running. If they aren’t ready for a full purse yet, a belt bag is a fantastic intro to accountability for carrying a phone, a Greenlight card, some Touchland hand sanitizer, and a Laneige of choice.
If they are a makeup and skincare aficionado, you may want to control the chaos. This storage starter kit is fantastic and on clearance!
Let’s chat hair. They may not be ready for a full blowout yet with my favorite Shark hairdryer. If that’s the case, start with a Revlon hot air brush! Low cost, and they can style it after letting it air-dry for a while or after sleeping on wet hair.
Everyone should get a travel charger. Get different colors so everyone knows whose is whose.
Pajamas - if this teen is ready to get some sets, I have some high/low options. The big trend is Roller Rabbit, and this set is teen-approved. If you want a lower cost option, Quince makes some great options with similar soft fabrics.
In a world of “just get me Robux”, I have been able to identify some winners that actually take up physical space under the tree and get them off their games. But, just know we also gift Robux in the house :)
If you have not played UNO Golf, give it a shot. It is nothing like regular UNO: a totally different strategy and way of playing. We love it.
If he is a sneakerhead, he may like this book, which tells the tale of brothers who became enemies: one founded Adidas, the other Puma.
If he likes science, he might want to read Project Hail Mary before the movie comes out next year. A tale about a junior high science teacher who is the sole survivor on a last-chance mission to save humanity and Earth.
If he is a YouTuber, he may know about Nick DiGiovanni. This cookbook was a gift a while back, and we have let our child request menus from the book (an easy way to get them into trying new foods!). We have really liked the recipes we have tried!
Speaking of YouTubers, we love Mark Rober in our house. He makes amazing science videos that we all sit down to watch together. His Crunch Labs Build Box subscription has been a great gift for our tween at home. If you want something more advanced, check out the Hack Pack (which is a hit with my husband!)
Speaking of subscription boxes (“the gift that keeps on giving the whole year”), if the teen likes food, the Try The World subscription box is a fun way to experience different snack foods from various countries.
I shared this Hyper Gel Blast gun on Instagram, and many moms said it became a hit in their homes. We use this as a lesson to talk about safety, treating it as if it were a real weapon, etc. To keep these gels from ending up on a chair in your backyard, I recommend using paper targets along with a stand.
And…again…everyone should get a travel charger.
Why do most gift guides remind me of Ron Burgundy? If you feel the same, here are some other gift ideas for your husband this holiday season. Whiskey on the rocks is optional.
I gifted my husband a pair of Lake Pajama pants, and he loves them. I noticed he ordered himself some more, so if that’s not a seal of approval…
A few years ago, I also gifted my husband a robe. After I started running the house colder (thanks, perimenopause), I noticed he was wearing a coat around the house 😂 So, I gifted him a robe. Now he loves it so much, he will explain how much he missed it when we are back from vacation.
My husband is an early adopter with technology. He has had an Oura ring for several years now and still uses it every day. We all hear about his sleep score. You’ll want to buy this Oura Ring kit first. And then, once you know the right size, grab the Oura Ring 4. Pro Tip! This is FSA/HSA eligible if you have funds to use!
Guys love gadgets. But, this is the gadget that you may also love! This pocket drone by Hover has become the thing I steal from my husband’s gadget garage the most. It’s so easy to travel with and takes the best group photos! It has different preset features—so even a husband who doesn’t know how to use the camera for a family photo can figure it out. Check out a recent video I made with no edits and just using the preset features!
Peter Millar. If you don’t know this brand, consider it. My husband lived in Banana Republic quarter zips for a while and then started sprinkling this brand’s quarter zips in, and now he has a small collection. The cashmere blend quarter-zip is a special touch in the cooler months, and this cotton/modal blend is a great year-round option.
Like a robe, this is one he probably won’t ask for, but will appreciate. In fact—we are traveling as a family—and it’s getting complicated to juggle four passports, so I am debating getting each person a different color. One of the crazy anxiety things I have about children is now the responsibility for their passports/identity. I have been weighing the idea of getting a passport holder with an AirTag, and I would feel better if we all had one ready to go. It’s crazy to think next year, 2026, my teen may be going on an international trip without us!
And…again…everyone should get a travel charger.
This is the category where you need a crowdpleaser. I, for one, am heartened by the idea of branching out from the standard bottle of wine and getting something that is more mass appealing and special! This is the segment of gifts where you get something that is just…special.
The best soap that I swear by. I just purchased three bottles on sale to have on hand for gifts. The Aesop Reverence hand wash has a little grainy gel. I am on a long-term plan to stave off crepe hands and arms as long as I can, so this gentle exfoliation is one I swear by. This soap is what I swear by, and I'll gift it this holiday occasion in a white elephant style! Use code ASEOP15 for a rare 15% off, and if you get 3 bottles, you’ll save on free shipping too!
Candles, but kick it up a level. Hotel Lobby Candle is truly elite and comes wrapped for the occasion. The branding is on point, making it a true treat to receive as a gift. I love the Aspen candle for winter months and the Signature candle for warmer months. But this is a great candle for those who have special ties to places. For instance, we recently gifted two of the New York candles to friends who planned a weekend for us in NYC, and it was well-received. Tying some of the senses to a gift enhances the gifting experience, so look at the destinations and see if one resonates for your recipient…or yourself ;)
Another candle option is Heirloomed candles. I love giving these candles as gifts, wrapped in a tea towel from the same company. For example, you can give this Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Clove candle wrapped in this Aubergine British Shield tea towel or this Pewter Gingham teal towel wrapped around this Marine Air, Citrus, & Sea Kelp candle. Bonus tip—if you’re near Brookhaven, you can schedule a local pickup!
Sometimes, you need a good gag gift. I have seen this gifted three times now and it always gets a good laugh. You think you’re beer bong days are long ago in the past, and maybe you’re right. But your Chambong days are just beginning.
Flowers from a local spot. One of my favorite gifts is sending flowers. It really has become a luxury to receive flowers for a positive reason, and I don’t like to gift food or wine if I can help it. I call a local florist, give a budget and general size, and order a floral delivery to the gift recipient’s residence. And don’t forget to tip the driver.
If you don’t know what to give but need to give something, consider GOODR sunglasses. These are gender-, size-, and age-agnostic. The OG all black is an easy win for corporate or white elephant gifting. Everyone can use an extra pair of shades in their car, for their kids, a sports bag, etc. We have easily a dozen of these sprinkled around the house, the cars, and sports bags. Everyone in the house wears GOODR sunnies and has for years. They are raising their prices in January by $5 so now is a goodr time to stock up. I recently gifted myself these Mach G ones and love the retro style.
Sometimes, you want to send a foodie gift. I am a CPG marketer (consumer product goods) by trade and love the fun food gifts! It’s tricky, but here are some ideas that are off the beaten path.
If they like coffee, consider a premium decaf blend by WIMP. This Kahlo blend is a dark roast, which is my personal favorite. I only drink coffee in the early AM, but I do love coffee, and decaf usually leaves me wanting more. This Greenville small business has great blends.
If they like Boba, these Yulu Foods Milk Tea kits will be a fun gift to receive. Another small business, the Japanese founders have made these at-home kits to bring the fun to your kitchen and save you a few bucks to make it at home!
Is there anything better than your special mug? Considering my extensive beverage background, it’s probably no surprise that I relish in drinkware (I mentioned the Chambong…), and mugs are no exception. My friend Susan from For Pete’s Sake Pottery hand-paints everything in her store. I love this mug so much, and it would be an excellent gift for someone at work alongside their favorite tea or coffee.
Gift Cards to their favorite restaurants! Call a local restaurant and ask if they have gift cards. Our neighborhood restaurant group owns a pizzeria, an Italian spot, and a steakhouse. I usually take advantage of their holiday sale and get gift cards this time of year to save an extra 20% now to use in the following year!
This article will be updated and added to throughout the 2025 holiday season. Keep coming back and checking for updates! And if you have a special gift idea that falls into these buckets, especially if it is a small business, please leave a comment and give them a shoutout! I can add it to our resource library here for everyone to see and support. Thank you for making this a valuable resource this holiday season!
Cheers to using our resources wisely,
Andrea
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