Are you tired of gifting the same old bath set, robe, or socks? Stumped on what to give to that one friend who seems to have it all? This is the Gift Guide for you this Christmas.
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
Candle and Candle Holder
Give the gift of light! This elegant gift creates ambiance and elevates any space. It is functional decoration, which is the best kind! They’re also a nice way to have a candle burning without it being overly fragrant, since most are unscented.
Though these can be very basic, take into consideration the style of the person you are gifting it to. Gothic girl? You can find vintage cast-iron candle holders on eBay or Etsy.
My favorites? The wacky-shaped ones. Zig zags, cut glass, and any handmade ceramic.
Don’t forget some candles, colored, plain, or twisted, to go with.
Beach Towels
If you live near the beach, having a beach towel on deck is essential. Nothing takes the stress out of a beach day like a big, fluffy towel to keep off the sand.
These Mark and Graham towels are 100% cotton and big! They come in a variety of colorways and can be purchased as a single or as a set of four. The best part? You can get them custom embroidered with your friend’s name or initials.
Another brand I love is Sand Cloud. These towels are a little thinner, but still 100% cotton, and they come in a variety of sizes. They even make towels that roll up into a bag for easy carrying, like this ladybug print one. They boast a quick-drying and sand-resistant design. Who wouldn’t love that?
A Board Game
I believe that board games are severely underplayed these days! Yet, if you love games, there is no doubt that you’d also love a board game. Classics like Clue, Monopoly, and Scrabble are a fun way to spend a night with friends. Game night, anyone?
They make a million different themed Monopoly boards, like this Peanuts one, that allow you to personalize the gift! Scooby-Doo Clue, Hello Kitty Candy Land, and many more make this gift impactful.
You may also be interested in finding the perfect coffee table book.
A Pill Case
Perfectly small and so personal! Pill cases can be used to hold pills or any other small items you carry in your purse, like hair ties and band aids. They also look adorable on the shelf. A cute pill case is the kind of item that you’re unlikely to buy for yourself, but will get great use out of!
Etsy has great, unique options. This pink Kewpie case, 3D flower case, and sushi roll organizer can get the ball rolling.
You may also be interested in the top skincare products of 2025!
Discovery Set
If you know what someone likes, but not the specifics and you don’t want to ask to risk ruining the surprise, a discovery set is the perfect choice. They are less commitment than buying someone a full sized item and just hoping they like it. Discovery sets allow them to try lots of things and find a new favorite!
Though discover sets often refer to perfume, they also make beauty collections like this one, stuffed full of Sephora must-haves, this cooking set, and even this one for knitting!
For perfume, Ulta makes a set that contains favorites from multiple brands, or you can choose a set from a well known brand, like Le Labo, Heretic, or Kayali.
Now you have some brand new ideas on what to gift this year! No shade to socks, but sometimes you’ve just had enough. Your giftees will appreciate some personality this year!
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Author: Jayne Turner is a freelance writer from Orange, California. She has a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with an emphasis on language and cognition. She has ten years of musical theatre experience and a lifelong love of reading. Utterly excited by the brain, she brings a fresh Gen Z perspective to the topics that intrigue us most
