Gifts for Her

Wives, girlfriends, sisters, friends

The best gifts for a wife, girlfriend, sister or friend tend to be upgrades to things she already uses every day: the throw on the couch, the water bottle in her bag, the lip balm on the nightstand. She would never buy the nicer version for herself, which is exactly why it lands. Pick the thing she reaches for most and get the good one.

Under $25 7 ideas

  1. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

    A thick overnight lip balm that works through winter chapping. It has a cult following for a reason, and the little pot fits a stocking.

    LaneigeStocking stufferGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  2. Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

    Satin is gentler on hair than cotton, so less frizz and fewer creases in the morning. A low-risk way to try the silk pillowcase idea.

    KitschStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit

    Hand cream, foot cream, cuticle cream and a lip balm in one small tin. Familiar, gentle, and useful when winter dries everything out.

    Burt's BeesStocking stufferGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  4. Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large

    The notebook for lists, plans and the ideas she keeps meaning to write down. Lies flat, has a pocket in the back, and survives a handbag.

    Moleskine

    See it on Amazon

  5. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

    A rosewater face mist for dry offices and long flights. A small treat she might not buy herself, and easy to pair with a bigger gift.

    Mario BadescuStocking stufferGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  6. Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

    A soft silk eye mask that blocks light without pressing on the eyes. Useful for travel, naps and a partner who reads late.

    Alaska BearStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  7. Bananagrams

    A fast word game in a zippered banana pouch, no board needed. Easy to teach at a holiday table and small enough to pack for trips.

    BananagramsStocking stufferWhite elephant

    See it on Amazon

Under $50 5 ideas

  1. Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 24 oz

    Sip through the straw or tip it back to drink, and the lid locks so it does not leak in a tote. The bottle people actually carry around after the first week.

    Owala

    See it on Amazon

  2. Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, 40 oz

    The big handled tumbler that fits a car cup holder and keeps ice through an afternoon. If she has been eyeing one, she will want to pick the color, so a neutral is safest.

    Stanley

    See it on Amazon

  3. Apple AirTag

    Drop it in the bag or on the key ring she is always hunting for and her iPhone will point straight to it. Unglamorous, and used every single week.

    AppleStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  4. Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar Large Jar Candle

    A crisp Christmas-tree scent without the needles, and the large jar burns for well over a hundred hours. A safe scent for someone whose taste you are unsure of.

    Yankee CandleGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  5. The Five Minute Journal

    A short guided page for morning and night that takes five minutes, not an hour. Good for someone who likes the idea of journaling but stalls at a blank page.

    Intelligent Change

    See it on Amazon

Under $100 3 ideas

  1. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera

    Prints a credit-card-sized photo on the spot, which turns dinners and trips into something to stick on the fridge. Exposure is automatic, so it is hard to get wrong.

    FujifilmAn experience

    See it on Amazon

  2. JBL Clip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

    Clips onto a shower caddy, a beach bag or a cabinet handle and sounds far bigger than it looks. Waterproof, so the shower playlist is safe.

    JBL

    See it on Amazon

  3. UGG Women's Scuffette II Slipper

    Sheepskin-lined slip-ons with a real sole, so she can take the trash out without changing shoes. They last for several winters, unlike the fuzzy drugstore pairs.

    UGG

    See it on Amazon

$100 and up 4 ideas

  1. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw

    The blanket people mean when they say a throw is ridiculously soft. It washes well and stays soft for years, which is the part cheaper copies get wrong.

    Barefoot Dreams

    See it on Amazon

  2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB)

    For the woman who reads in bed after the lights go out. Warm adjustable light, waterproof for the bath, and weeks of battery between charges.

    Amazon

    See it on Amazon

  3. Theragun Mini

    A palm-sized massage gun for tight shoulders after a long day at a desk or a hard workout. Small enough to live in a gym bag, quieter than the bargain ones.

    Therabody

    See it on Amazon

  4. Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520

    Brightens slowly before the alarm so dark winter mornings feel less like an ambush. A thoughtful pick for someone who hates her phone alarm.

    Philips

    See it on Amazon