Holiday Gifts for the Girls
It’s that time of year! Christmas movies on repeat, sugar cookie decorating, and scents of pine and balsam in the air. I love it all.
I’ve been SO eager to share my first holiday gift guide since starting Allora Grace, and I’m excited that the day is HERE…at least for the ladies. My men’s gift guide will be coming soon! Whether you’re buying gifts for girl friends, mamas, or yourself (because, hey, you deserve it), I’ve curated a variety of gifts that will please any lady on your shopping list.
Cozy pajama set: Let’s be honest—we’ve all been lounging more than normal. That’s why every gal could use a new pair of pjs this year. Plus, I’m now at the age where it feels only appropriate to have matching pajamas. This dreamy set from J.Crew comes in three colors and is on major sale today at 50% off! This striped knit set is another option I’ve been eyeing.
Comfy bralette: I invested in many bralettes at the beginning of the pandemic because I knew I wasn’t going to be interested in wearing “real” bras while working from home—no shame. Quite honestly, I don’t know how I’ll EVER go back… but that is another story. This bralette from Everlane is by far my favorite. It’s cotton so it’s extra soft and I can wear it under anything, even form-fitted tops. I should note that that I’m part of the IBTC, so if you’re shopping for someone with a bustier top, look for an option with a little extra support as I’ve read from the reviews this one is best for ladies with small ladies.
Satin ponytail scrunchies: When I was a child, scrunchies were oversized and naht a good look IMO. However, thank god for the human that thought, “Hey, we can make these cute” because they DELIVERED. Especially with these satin ponytail holder cuties from Anthropologie. Grab these as a fun stocking stuffer, alongside another gift, or by themselves because, really, they’re sweet as can be.
Neutral eyeshadow palette: I took a hiatus from makeup at the start of the pandemic, but this Necessary Eyeshadow Palette from ILIA has made a difference in my morning routine. I have the warm nude option, and I find that the matte and and metallic color combinations are perfect for everyday wear. They also have a cool nude color palette, which includes hues of purple and deep browns for a bolder look. The powder eyeshadow comes in a compact size and is a clean formula that applies smoothly. I highly recommend this product as a gift for anyone looking to upgrade their makeup products.
Rose water toner: I received this LUSH Eau Roma water toner as a birthday present last year. I can’t recommend it enough. It calms redness, hydrates skin, and has a light rose scent that always leaves me feeling refreshed. This is a perfect stocking stuffer, or you can pair it with a few other beauty or skincare products for an extra special gift.
SuperGoop Sunscreen: This year, I started researching more about products to incorporate into my skincare routine, and in my research I found the number one consistent recommendation is to apply sunscreen. I’ve tried a few products, but most of them leave my skin feeling greasy or with embarrassing white residue. However, I’ve heard GREAT reviews about the Supergoop! unseen sunscreen lotion and I’m excited to give it a try myself! This is a great gift for friends or loved ones that you know are looking to invest in higher quality products for their skincare routine.
The DryBar Triple Sec Spray: For your lady friends that regularly style their hair, this 3-in-1 finishing spray from DryBar is a must have! It’s light-weight, creates volume, and provides instant texture. I personally love the original scent. Bonus, it’s on sale!
Brooklinen luxurious plush robe: I’ve heard rumors about the coziness of the Brooklinen super-plush robe. If you have someone in mind you want to give a luxurious Christmas gift, I guarantee this one is it. Especially perfect for mamas. It’s also 20% off! To add a layer of cozy, another option is to grab a set of Brooklinen’s sheets— known to be airy, light-weight, and uber soft.
Home Body by Rupi Kaur: I’m a big poetry fan, and when I saw Rupi announce her new book, I nearly melted. I love her two other creative masterpieces and I guarantee this one will be just as beautifully written and filled with extra juicy goodness. Follow her on Instagram to see a preview of some of her work from Home Body, and snag a copy of this must-have from your local bookstore. Brookline Booksmith is my go-to spot for any Boston friends reading.
An Everyday Sweater: This alpaca crewneck sweater from J.Crew is a closet staple and a great gift for any girlfriends that love cozy, chic style.
Satin Sleep Set: What better gift to give your luxe friend than a satin pillowcase, plush eye mask, and scrunchie? This set from KITSCH is a great steal and comes with all three!
Hand lotion: With the cold winter months coming, our hands are in for a rude awakening. Between extra hand washing and sanitizing, I can only imagine the cracked skin waiting to happen. Kiehl’s is known for their high quality products that are extra sensitive on skin. Grab this soothing hand lotion set from Kiehl’s to help your friends and family fight dry skin this winter—it’s a steal!
Classy AirPods Case: These trendy AirPods cases are perfect stocking stuffers! I love this tortoise one from Anthropologie.
Fluffy slippers: If your friends don’t own a pair yet, they’ll thank you for this present. Especially now with working from home, I like to have something on my feet all day, but don’t want to wear shoes in the house. That’s why I literally wear my slippers all day long. This cute criss cross open-toe pair from Nordstrom comes in eight colors. This closed-toe pair are also cute!
Pattern travel cosmetic bags: Cute cosmetic bags are something we all need, but sometimes forget to purchase for ourselves. This three piece set from Target’s Hearth and Hand collection is perfect for different sized cosmetics and comes in a darling plaid pattern.
KitchenAid Mixer for ALL the baking: We all know we’re going to be spending a lot of time at home this winter, and we’ll likely be looking for some fun activities to keep us busy. Baking is a cozy way to spend the day and this little KitchenAid hand mixer will make it much easier to mix those batters!
Facial steamer: For the ladies that love a good skincare routine, the facial steamer from Vanity Planet is a perfect gift. I own this AND Vanity Planet’s handheld exfoliator brush, and find their products high quality and gentle on my skin. You could consider grabbing the two together if you’re looking to splurge on a special someone.
Leather Crossbody Purse: You can’t go wrong with a classic leather purse for a gift. I have a friend with the Madewell Simple Crossbody Bag and I’ve always had my eye on it. It’s a good size and goes with everything. It also comes in black and saddle. AND it’s 30% off right now!
Weekender Bag: This is certainly one of the most expensive items on this list, but I swear by this Dooney and Bourke getaway bag. I’ve had mine for over six years and I swear it still looks brand new. This is a great gift for friends that love to travel, especially on short weekend trips (yes, I know we’re not doing much of that right now, but HOPEFULLY soon). Keep in mind that this bag doesn’t have wheels, so it’s not meant to be a replacement for a real suitcase. However, it’s perfect for a long-weekends and it’s especially stylish.
Chunky knit throw: Call me a grandma, but I love a good throw blanket. At any given moment, I am wearing AT LEAST one. Currently, writing this blog post, I’m wearing two and have a third in arm’s reach—maybe I have a problem? But regardless, if your friends are anything like me, they’ll always appreciate a new blanket—especially a chunky knit one like this oversized gem from Target.
Bath Tray: For your friends that love a good bath, this bath tray will likely change their lives. Prop up a book, throw on some jams on your phone, and grab a glass of wine because this baby has a holder for all three. Pair this gift with a bath bomb for an extra special treat.
A Cookbook Full of Yummy Recipes: For your friends that love to host, a cookbook is a perfect gift. And they NEED this one. Ottolenghi Simple has over 130 recipes—from appetizers to entrees to desserts—and they’re all filled with yummy goodness. I recently made the rosemary baked whole chicken recipe and oh. my. god. I never knew I could love a whole chicken so much.
Gold Locket: I don’t know why, but there’s something so sophisticated and charming about lockets to me. This feels like the perfect gift for the mamas or grandmothers in your life or, hey, even yourself. I like this polished gold one from Gorjana Jewelry.
Classic Fringe Scarf: Last but not least, you can’t go wrong with a classic scarf. I love this fringe beige one from H&M and am honestly considering purchasing it for myself.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Tell me what’s on your list in the comments!