A Best Friend Gift Is Hard to Define, But Here Are 20 I’d Give Mine
Like a pasta-shaped candle and a pair of puffy slippers.
Updated Nov 7, 2023 4:36 PM
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I’ve made a tradition (and sport) out of dreaming up the pitch-perfect list of holiday gifts for my best friend. I like to think of it as a lighthearted reflection on the past 365 days, of our experiences together and everything she’s had going on. Last year, it was all about the big changes—a move, a new job, and all that comes with that. This round, it’s about settling in and finding her groove, whether that’s making her apartment feel like home or jet-setting for work travel in style. So if I had one giant box to fill with presents for my BFF, these are the 20 I’d put in it.
Gifts to Make Her Feel Cute
She loves a lip-forward look and a sweet scarf to tie around her pony, so I’d be wrapping up a tube of Violette’s Bisou Balm—its matte, blurred finish has a cult following—in this organic cotton scarf from Toast. I know she would love the fluidity of this 100% recycled 14-karat gold ring from Catbird’s collaboration with artist Cassi Namoda. Even better, it comes with a limited-edition postcard of Namoda’s painting At Dawn a Placid Sea and a Bounty of Love. A J.Crew merino-wool blend color-blocked beanie tops this little set off.
Gifts to Make Hosting Easier
It’s no secret among friends that I love to host dinner parties, but my best friend—not so much. We’re working on it (I’ve seen it happen successfully!), and there’s no better way to get someone excited about having people over than by bribing them with shiny objects. First, I’d gift her this organic cotton Great Indoors hand towel, made in Portugal, to spiff up her rental bathroom—the green and ivory will warm up all the cool tones she has going on. I think P.F. Candle Co. must have read her mind with its latest bundle, a collaboration with L.A. Times Plants. This trio is inspired by the scents of plants and trees typically found on a hike through California’s breathtaking landscapes—and after she started a love affair with Los Angeles and desert hiking this summer (a New Yorker pastime), it’s made for her. For her petite round dining table, I’d make sure to pick up a set of Hay napkins and one of Eny Lee Parker’s pitchers.
Gifts to Maker Her LOL
We both value a little giggle, so I would want to throw in a few things that are guaranteed to make her laugh. I know she’d get a kick out of a pasta-shaped candle, made by party and snack store Big Night with London’s Nata Concept Store. Ever the sock enthusiast, she’d appreciate and chuckle at a set of Kule smileys in goldenrod. A goofy 500-piece puzzle will scratch her jigsaw itch, and I’d poke a little fun at her commitment to hydration with an oversize insulated water bottle.
Gifts to Make Her Travel in Style
Work is taking her cross-country regularly, and she’s on a plane more than ever these days. I’d arm her with a better suitcase from Béis; its carry-on roller has 360-degree wheels, a cushioned trolley handle, a weight indicator, and an interior that expands an extra 2 inches. We’re planning a trip to Paris for her next birthday, so I’d plant this adorable Clare V. dad hat on her head and place this Vacation SPF sampler in her hands for when she is sneaking in some sun. Still, she’ll never give up the opportunity for a road trip. Her car deserves a little TLC in the form of DedCool’s air fresheners, available in the brand’s divine scents. My favorite is Taunt; I love it so much that it has been my laundry detergent for more than a year.
Gifts to Make Her Cozy
When she takes a breather (rare), I want her to have all the soft things to make home the most restful place it can be. Let’s start from the bottom: I’d add these puffy strawberry-adorned Subu x Sandy Liang slippers to the pile. Then Boll & Branch’s buttery pajamas, made with the brand’s signature soft cotton fabric. A pack of Superegg’s Calm Movements Eye & Cheek Masks is next, and the finishing touch is Art of Tea’s matcha cocoa—what’s cozier than that?
