My approach to holiday gifting is all about shopping early and being very specific about the feeling you want someone to have when they open your gift to them. I like to think about my shared experiences with each person and choose something that feels like a reflection of their personal interests.
This year’s holiday gift guide was born from that approach. From guys and girlfriends to kids and in-laws, it’s chock-full of gift ideas for every single person in your life. Happy shopping!
Shop all of my holiday gift guide 2025 picks below.
Gifts Under $50
1. Black sugar mask, $15. For the friend who’s always trying new skincare, this cult-favorite exfoliating mask smells like dessert and leaves skin impossibly soft.
2. The perfect ballpoint pen, $29. Give this to the person who still writes thank-you notes by hand or keeps a daily journal. It writes like butter and feels substantial in a way that makes you want to use it.
3. Santa Maria Novella burning papers, $30. These Italian incense papers are basically luxury in a matchbook.
4. Amora Dijon mustard, $8. For your food snob friend (affectionate) who will absolutely notice the difference and text you about it the first time they use it on a sandwich.
5. Pasta party candles, $12. For the friend whose dinner parties are legendary, these whimsical candles look like actual rigatoni.
6. Playing card set, $50 $35. Give these to the family that still plays cards on vacation—beautifully designed decks that feel special enough to keep forever.
7. Paper chain kit, $36. For anyone with kids who wants to start a new holiday tradition, or the nostalgic friend who remembers making these every December.
8. Fancy tooth brush and toothpaste, $24 and $19. For the friend who’s particular about the small things, this toothpaste makes even morning routines feel luxurious.
9. Pippara peppers, $11. Give these to the person who keeps Calabrian chili oil in their purse—these sweet and spicy peppers elevate everything from eggs to pizza.
10. Bird toothpick holder/dispenser, $10. For the one who appreciates turning a mundane necessity into a tiny moment of delight.
11. Ghia hazelnut spread, $50 for a pack of 2. Give this to the friend who’s obsessed with Ghia’s aperitifs and will love spreading this on morning toast while pretending it’s as sophisticated as their evening drinks.
12. Almond shower oil, $12 – $48. Give this to anyone who needs more softness in their routine—it’s French pharmacy chic at an accessible price.
13. Golden ratio tee, $20. Perfect for the design enthusiast in your life.
14. Really good body wash, $42. The eucalyptus scent makes your shower smell like Big Sur.
15. City girl ring, $38. For the friend who’s mastered the art of everyday jewelry, a chunky signet-style ring is substantial enough to feel special but unfussy enough to never take off. I received this as a gift and LOVED it.
16. French scarf, $40. The effortless accessory that makes even a basic outfit feel considered.
17. Mother-of-pearl watch, $43. For the one who believes less is more.
18. Snow stopper sweater, $65 $29. The prettiest blue sweater in a classic cut.
19. Whipped boxers, $50. High-rise boxers that look like an absolute dream to wear.
Personalized Gifts
1. Candle with custom message, $92. You can add a custom message to my favorite candle of all time (tomato vine scented!) for the person who hosted you for dinner all summer.
2. Custom pet-themed gifts, $195 – $595. For the person whose pet is their personality—they’ll wear these pieces with zero irony and absolute joy.
3. Keshi pearl charm initial, $60 $54. This delicate initial charm is for your sister or best friend who layers necklaces and loves jewelry that feels personal without being precious.
4. Boar bristle hairbrush, $80. For the friend with the hair care routine you’re secretly jealous of.
5. Personalized lace envelopes, $30. Perfect for the friend who still sends handwritten letters and believes presentation matters as much as the message inside.
6. Engraved cheese knife set, $56. For the couple who takes their cheese board seriously—add their last name or a wedding date to make it an heirloom.
7. Gardener’s harvest basket, $55 – $75. Give this to the gardener who’s always gifting you tomatoes and zucchini. Monogram it to make their harvest hauls feel even more official.
8. Rope bag charm, $16. For the friend who’s always adding something new to their bag. Everyone is loving this low-commitment way to refresh their everyday tote.
9. Create your own “reel” viewer, $35. Turn their favorite photos into a custom View-Master reel.
10. Chrome picture ornament, $39 $35. You can’t go wrong with an ornament of the best group photo snap of 2025.
Gifts for Guys
1. Organic cotton bedding in espresso, $250 – $360 $180 – $259. For the guy who finally moved past his college sheets—this rich brown feels grown-up without being boring.
2. Weber charcoal grill, $599. For the dad or boyfriend who takes his grilling very seriously and has opinions about charcoal versus gas (it’s always charcoal).
3. Fellow travel mug, $35. This is for the guy with a long commute who cares about his coffee staying hot but also wants it to look good on his desk.
4. Bose QuietComfort earbuds, $179 $129. Give these to anyone who travels for work or needs to block out the world on their commute—they’re worth every penny.
5. A leather-bound hiking book, $179. For the guy planning his next adventure or dreaming about the trails he’ll tackle when the kids are older.
6. Record player with cassette and CD players, $199. Perfect for the music collector who can’t let go of any format and loves the ritual of physically playing music.
7. Cotton rugby shirt, $148. This is for the guy who wants to look pulled together on weekends without trying too hard—classic and comfortable.
8. Pizza axe, $48. For your friend who takes pizza night seriously—it’s a conversation starter that actually makes cutting pizza easier.
9. A wool vest for chilly days, $100. Give this to the guy who’s always cold at football games but refuses to wear a full coat—the perfect middle ground.
10. History by Mail subscription, $108 $78 for a one-year subscription. For the history buff who still loves getting mail—primary source documents delivered monthly for a year.
Gifts for Kids
1. Silent shot crossover ball, $25. For active kids, it’s the rare toy that parents will actually thank you for because it won’t drive them crazy.
2. Air hockey game, $57. Perfect for the kid who’s always begging for “just one more game” and the family that likes friendly competition.
3. Knit duck scarf, $96. For the stylish toddler whose parent appreciates whimsical accessories that are actually well-made.
4. Tetris game keychain, $17. Give this to the kid who loves puzzles and screen-free challenges.
5. An introduction to rock and roll, $11. For the young music lover who needs to understand why their parents get so excited about specific songs on road trips.
6. Stargazing bundle, $68. Give this to the curious kid who asks a million questions about space—it makes backyard astronomy magical.
7. Saturn lamp, $219 $179. For the kid obsessed with planets who would love nothing more than a glowing Saturn in their room. It’s a beautiful piece they’ll probably take with them when they grow up.
8. Mini vegetable garden, $25. Perfect for teaching kids where food comes from, or for the little one who loves helping in the garden.
9. Grippy slippers, $30. For toddlers who are always sliding across hardwood floors—cute enough that they’ll actually want to wear them.
10. Cool umbrella, $50. Bright, playful illustrations that make rainy days exciting instead of something to complain about.
Gifts for Girlfriends
1. Swedish caramels, $40 for 2 lbs. Chewy, salted, nostalgic, wrapped in pretty wax paper. Get a bunch and pack them in colorful wax bags facened with washi tape.
2. Hermine gift card, $25 – $500. For the friend who knows exactly which year of Levi’s fits them best and believes the best basics are vintage ones, this Minneapolis shop has the most carefully curated selection.
3. Faux fur mittens, $25. For that friend who commits to a winter commute, give a gift that feels a bit over the top (and warm).
4. Guest in Residence socks, $95. A real treat for the cashmere lover who believes even the pieces no one sees should be special.
5. Cult favorite white tee, $82. This is for your friend who’s been searching for the perfect white t-shirt for years—thick, not see-through, actually flattering.
6. Beaded phone wristlet, $65. For the one who loves to accessorize her accessories.
7. Martini ornament, $25. For the friend who lives for holiday cocktail parties—a tiny glass ornament to commemorate her favorite drink.
8. Screen-free digital camera, $70. Give this to the friend you used to wait for photos with, like the old days.
9. Maldon salt bucket, $60 for 3.1 lbs. For the cook who already has Maldon but will appreciate the ridiculously large bucket—a true luxury.
10. Overnight hand mask, $36. Perfect for the friend with a million skincare steps who treats self-care like a sport.
11. Solid perfume in a pretty container, $76. For the friend who reapplies perfume throughout the day and loves something beautiful enough to keep in her bag.
12. Nara’s roasted garlic oil, $50 for two bottles. For the friend who makes everything from scratch and will use this on literally any dish.
13. Mother Science hero serum, $89. Give this to the skincare enthusiast who’s tried everything and deserves the one serum that actually lives up to the hype.
14. Cool reading glasses, $38. For the friend who just turned 40 and is still in denial about needing readers.
15. A buildable cream concealer, $40. Gift the thing you’ve been saying changed your life.
Gifts for the Home
1. A truly WOW Oaxacan clay menorah, $598. For the person who believes their Judaica should be as beautiful as their art collection—this handcrafted showstopper is the kind of heirloom that becomes the centerpiece of every Hanukkah.
2. The Most Beautiful Homes in the World, $70. For anyone who obsesses over beautiful, over-the-top, and out-of-this-world interiors.
3. Wicker lamp, $189. This is for the friend with the collected, layered home who’s been looking for the perfect warm accent light.
4. Beeswax candle, $20. For the person who can tell the difference between paraffin and the real thing, these clean-burning candles smell faintly of honey and make any dinner table feel more intentional.
5. Bow candle sconces, $98. Perfect for the detail-oriented decorator who believes lighting is everything and loves a feminine touch.
6. Velvet pillow, $100. For the friend who’s finally invested in a nice sofa and needs the perfect finishing touch.
7. Slim Aarons Tennis in the Bahamas limited print, $1,800. For the serious art collector or the couple who honeymooned somewhere glamorous, this print is iconic and timeless.
8. Oyster incense holder, $37. For the coastal grandma enthusiast who burns incense and loves anything ocean-inspired.
9. Thistle wine glasses, $24 each. For the friend who just got a bar cart or the couple building their glassware collection—elegant without being fussy.
10. Enamel platter, $65. A durable and classic splattered serving platter.
11. Kintsugi repair kit with genuine gold powder, $160. For the person who sees beauty in imperfection and would rather repair their favorite mug than replace it, this feels deeply thoughtful.
12. Mother-of-pearl scoop, $48. For the friend with the beautiful kitchen who uses only the prettiest utensils, this will live on her counter. She’ll think of you each time she sees it.
Gifts for Parents and In-Laws
1. French butter trio, $85. For the parents who appreciate good food and the ritual of a proper meal, three flavored butters that make every dinner special.
2. Washable silk PJs, $286 $257. For the person who likes to lounge in luxury.
3. Mouth tape, $27. For someone looking for a better night’s sleep.
4. The Story of You memoir book, $98. This is the gift that becomes priceless—guided prompts for your parents to write down their stories for future generations.
5. Butter yellow Moccamaster, $369. Give this to the coffee-obsessed parent who’s been using the same machine for 20 years and deserves an upgrade.
6. Pasta Time dinner conversation game, $22. This is for the host who loves a good table topic, with conversation starters that come in a clever package.
7. Cashmere gloves, $225. These are for the parent who lives somewhere cold and never splurges on themselves—warm luxury they’ll use all winter.
8. Birding kit, $40 $26. Perfect for retired parents who’ve discovered birding and have a sense of humor about it.
9. Galvanized gardening basket, $59 $56. For the parent or in-law with the beautiful garden who’s always hauling vegetables and flowers inside—practical and pretty.
10. Misunderstood songs game, $18. Perfect for the person who always argues about what songs are actually about.
11. Chappy Wrap fleece blanket, $160. This reversible blanket looks beautiful thrown over a couch and actually keeps you warm.
12. Digital calendar display, $699 $559. For the family drowning in sports schedules and chore charts.
13. Super-soft half zip, $148. For looking pulled together on weekend coffee runs.
Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source of revenue to fund the operations of the business. Wit & Delight stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
