Status Scarves and an Itty-Bitty Butter Warmer Top Our List of Gifts for Women
Thirty-eight ideas she wouldn’t think of.
Updated Nov 8, 2023 6:07 PM
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Mom, MIL, sister, partner, best friend, work wife—a few of the female-identifying people you may be shopping for this holiday season. Which, as it turns out, is no easy feat. Because when it comes to the best gifts for women, phew, there’s a lot out there to choose from.
After doing some extensive gift sleuthing at our favorite online haunts, we found success when we zeroed in on those special things they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves, whether that be a state-of-the-art hair dryer, washable silk pj’s, or frozen toner pods by a facialist. We sourced a wide range of gift recs to suit even those who might tell you they don’t want a thing. See the full lineup of our best gifts for women, below. (Note: This list can and should be shopped regardless of relationships or gender identities.)
Best Gifts for Women $50 and Under
Houseplant Large Striking Matches
We didn’t know that conversation-starting matchboxes were a thing—until we came across these “comically large” ones by Houseplant, Seth Rogen’s ceramics and smokeware brand. Sold in a set of eight, you can give one to every special lady in your life.
Wonder Valley Rosemary Hair Oil
The best gifts are those one wouldn’t typically buy for themself, like a luxurious rosemary-scented hair oil. From the brand you’d more likely know for its beautifully packaged olive oil, this hair oil is so lightweight it can be applied from mid-length to tips.
London Borough of Jam Raspberry & Hibiscus Flower Jam
As far as we’re concerned, there’s no greater act of affection than gifting jam to someone you love. Hibiscus and raspberry will make every morning a little sweeter, and the packaging is guaranteed to spark joy every time they look in the fridge. Not to mention, it’s made in England of entirely natural ingredients.
Tower 28 MakeWaves Lash Curler
While there’s nothing wrong with a drugstore eyelash curler, a lilac one from a buzzy beauty brand is much more fun to pull out of a cosmetics bag. Pair it with Best of Beauty Award winner MakeWaves Mascara to make it the ultimate gift (together, they’re still under $50).
Comfyable Puffy Laptop Sleeve
For the girlfriend who no longer has the luxury of working from home, give her something that makes going to the office a little more exciting. A puffy laptop sleeve with a fleece lining will keep their tech protected, and with Amazon shipping times, it’s waiting-until-last-second-friendly.
Hay Glass Spoons
Who doesn’t like tiny spoons? Sold in sets of two or three, the candy-colored glass spoons are great for a salt cellar, coffee, or tiny bites of ice cream.
H&M Printed Sleep Mask
Give the gift of a good night’s sleep with a satin eye mask. The delicate floral print makes it stand out, and you’d never guess the low price just from looking at it.
Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer
Never was there ever a more adorable pot. Dansk wouldn’t typically be in a low-budget category, but this butter warmer’s itty-bitty size clocks in at only $48. There’s a spout for easy pouring, a teakwood handle that stays cool despite high-heat cooking, and so many colors.
Best Gifts for Women $100 and Under
Maeve Scallop Organic Sateen Euro Sham
For the lady who’s always looking to add a pop of color, this Euro sham set brings a playful note to any bedroom without an overly maximal pattern. Adorned in decoration that’s reminiscent of Ric Rac ribbon, it’s like a cute wrapped present on their bed.
Loeffler Randall Marcel Green Floral Stripe Mittens
What kind of friend, sister, or daughter would you be if you let your loved ones go around with icy-cold fingers? Keep their hands warm while upgrading their outfit with compliment-worthy 100% wool mittens.
J.Crew Cotton Poplin Boxer Shorts Set
French cuffs and classic boxers give this set a chic menswear-inspired look. And because not everyone wants to sleep in a long-sleeve shirt and pants, shorts will give the recipient a little breathing room.
Sofie Pavitt Nice Ice Toner Pads
Perfect for your Goopiest friend, Sofie Pavitt’s cooling cryotone pods take personal wellness to the next level. Niacinamide, glycerin, ashwagandha, and green tea extract are packed into 12 “ice cubes” to revive tired skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, so you won’t have to worry about if your loved one leans oily or dry.
Halfdays Golden Bucket Hat
It’s no secret that bucket hats are trending, so why not help your mom, sister, or friend get in on the Y2K-inspired style. This one will do more than look cute on their head; it has PrimaLoft Black insulation, it’s wind resistant, and it’s adjustable so you won’t have to worry about it fitting correctly.
Mamma Milano: Lessons From the Motherland by J.J. Martin
Calling all La DoubleJ fans: Its founder, J.J. Martin, just came out with a book that’s made for your coffee table. While it’s full of colorful imagery, it also tells Martin’s story of starting over and moving to a foreign country and building her pattern-filled empire. It comes in three fabric-covered options, which are selected at random—but you can’t go wrong.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Spiral Coasters
While some gifts might only be pulled out for special occasions, Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s coasters will live on a coffee table day after day. We love the patina of the sand-cast aluminum, and the imperfect spiral adds an always welcome playful note.
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Thumbprint Dish
It’s hard to believe that you could buy anything at Tiffany & Co. for $100, especially the heirloom-worthy Thumbprint bowl by Elsa Peretti. This classic design is guaranteed to be treasured forever, and the rich cobalt Venetian glass makes it all the more special.
Hermès Rosy Lip Enhancer
While the ladies in your life may already have a favorite lipstick, nothing competes with Hermès. Pulling this colorful stick out of a purse is, for lack of a better phrase, a major flex. It offers a subtle rosy tint that won’t overpower, and the packaging is refillable so they can test a different hue next time.
Alex Mill Cashmere Neck Warmer
For the loved one who runs cold, a cashmere neck warmer can turn any sweater into a turtleneck. We’d personally live in this all winter long and think of the one who gave us the gift of warmth.
Osea Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Serum
Speaking from experience, Osea’s cooling roller ball with a seaweed, hyaluronic acid, and peptide formula will de-puff your eye area in minutes. It also works to smooth fine lines and brighten dark circles—so basically, there’s not much it doesn’t do. Some might not want to spend $68 on a product for themselves, which makes it the perfect gift.
Best Gifts for Women $200 and Under
Smeg Matte Jade Green Electric Teakettle
Smeg is the crème de la crème when it comes to countertop accessories. The retro brand’s latest colorway is matte jade, and we’re loving the palette-cleansing ocean-y hue. Regardless of what they already own, this is a guaranteed upgrade.
Kule The Seever Scarf
Puffer jackets always do the trick on a nippy day, but pair one with a puffer scarf and they’re equipped for any outdoor winter activity (although we won’t be surprised if the accessory stays on for indoor activities, too). Because we’re all about plaid, we’re crushing on the seasonal tartan.
Mary MacGill Baroque Pearl Cuff Bracelet
Choosing jewelry for someone can be a challenge, but we think anyone would love a minimal pearl on a simple gold band. It’s striking on its own, but would also mix well in a stack of bracelets. Made by hand in the U.S., $145 is a steal.
Comme des Garçons Black Dots Zip Wallet
If you’re tired of looking at your mom, sister, or friend’s torn-up wallet, consider this an opportunity to gift them an upgrade. We searched no further than Comme des Garçons’s statement-making wallets, and we love that this graphic polka-dotted number has personality but is still neutral.
Parachute Waffle Robe
Parachute’s waffle robe is one of Team Domino’s go-to gifts for many reasons: It’s made from 100% Turkish cotton, it brings instant spa vibes, and it comes in four gorgeous neutral colors. Even just hanging on a hook, the waffle fabric adds a lovely texture to a bathroom.
Ugg Tasman Indoor-Outdoor Slippers
If their current slippers have seen better days, a brand-spanking-new pair of Uggs will be a gift you know they’ll actually use. The thick sole makes them outdoor-friendly, so they can come along for quick errands or dog walks.
Sonos Roam Portable Speaker
Don’t be fooled by this speaker’s scale—it’s small but mighty enough to blast your holiday party playlist. Plus it lasts for 10 hours, and it’s waterproof and drop resistant. Choose from five colors such as simple black or bright terracotta.
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Once you travel with Away, you truly cannot go back. Everything from the interior compression to 360-degree wheels makes a trip more comfortable. Rather than opting for basic black, the glossy Wave color makes the gift all the more fun to open.
Alex Mill Catskill Weekend Sweater
A fancy sweater is just about as crowd-pleasing as a gift could get. Alex Mill has a pretty irresistible selection this season, including a classic roll-neck fisherman’s sweater. Just like its name, we would pack this sweater for a cozy weekend upstate.
Best Gifts for Women Over $200
Material Kitchen The Good Prep Set
Not everyone is a pro chef with a fully stocked kitchen. Gifting a basic prep set will help the takeout-inclined find joy in prepping even just a simple salad. Choose from five hues of the sustainable cutting board, in the recipient’s favorite color, of course.
Bottega Veneta Sardine Hoop Earrings
Just imagine how exciting it would be to open that bright green Bottega Veneta jewelry box. While these might look like a standard pair of hoop earrings at first glance, they actually resemble little sardines with clasps as the head. Talk about a personality piece. Sterling silver and made in Italy—the quality is undeniable.
Ooni Koda 12 Gas Powered Pizza Oven
A real big-ticket item, a pizza oven is both a new and shiny object but will also encourage family gatherings and fun cooking challenges. We’re considering it the ultimate party trick: It reaches 950 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes and can cook a pizza in 60 seconds. Not to mention, you’ll be repaid with homemade pizza for life.
Work in Progress Reproductive Rights Rug
If you’re splurging on a gift, your money might as well go to a cause. For each Cervix rug sold, $100 will go toward the fight for reproductive rights. Because of its shape and smaller size (21-by-14 inches), it’s actually made to be hung on the wall as art. Its groovy pattern and warm tones would pack a punch in any room.
Merit The Full Collection
When we say we’re obsessed with Merit, we really mean it. From the buttery concealer that sits on the face just right to the nubby blush stick that adds the perfect flush, this kit comes with the entire collection (even the new eye shadow!). That way, your bud can put everything to the test and fall in love with the brand herself.
Loewe Anagram Mohair-Blend Scarf
Just in time for scarf season, this mohair-wool one from Loewe will keep them warm while adding a statement to every outfit. Lemon, aqua, gray, and green make for an unexpected color combo that just works.
Lunya Washable Silk Long-Sleeve Pants Set
Made from a washable silk fabric that’s described as feeling like the “cool side of the pillow,” Lunya’s sets are fancy yet low-maintenance—just throw them in the hamper. The wine color couldn’t be more appropriate for the holidays, and a high rise with tapered legs will remind you of your favorite trousers.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
If you’re looking to truly change their life, look no further than the Dyson air dryer. Because of its Dyson digital motor, smart heat control, and five attachments, they’ll never need to get an expensive blowout again.
NuFace Mini Starter Kit
The Internet-famous device that’s likely been recommended to you on Instagram or TikTok really is all that. Microcurrent technology contours, tones, and lifts to give what the brand calls a five-minute facial-lift.
Design Within Reach Maharam Edition Artek Aalto Stool
The true design lover will deeply appreciate this Finnish classic. Unlike the traditional Aalto stool, this one is upholstered in a black and white check fabric by Maharam.