Here’s everything us editors are buying our loved ones this year, from the best Advent calendars to the chicest smelling fragrances and everything in-between.
“This is truly the year of really luxe advent calendars, and no one does it as high-end as Valmont’s limited-edition take. The Holidays in Neverland Advent Calendar ($380) is next-level and literally feels like you’re giving someone skin-care gold. Yves Rocher Advent Calendar ($69) also has a gorgeously decorated purple-sparkly moonlight-themed number that’s in a box you’ll keep forever. I just met the wonderful Kate McLeod for dinner and her Breathe Stone ($45) recently launched at Sephora. It’s the perfectly thoughtful gift for anyone in your life who needs to recoup and reset. You can’t go wrong with candles and Courteney Cox’s Homecourt line has a really nice Mini Candle Discovery Set ($65) that are already Friends-approved (sorry, too easy).”
—Liz Ritter, executive editor
“I keep one of these Skinny Slip Scrunchies on my wrist at all times, and this gift set ($25) comes in the cutest packaging—you don’t even need to wrap it. I’m also a sucker for a good claw clip—they’re trending big right now—and the matte ones from The Hair Edit ($8) are the perfect stocking stuffer. Another fun hair gift is this unique Flex Gentle Brush from British M ($21) that is super gentle on the scalp and great for detangling. And with all the scary benzene news out there right now, I have to shout-out to one of my all-time favorite dry shampoos from amika, which was proven to be safe during testing and formulated without benzene. This gift set ($47) would put a smile on the face of any hair-care lover!
In the makeup department, Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Gift Set ($49) never disappoints. It’s one of the best everyday lip colors on so many skin tones. I’m also the biggest fan of tubing mascara, and I’ve converted many of my friends to this one from Thrive Causemetics ($25) and this one from Hourglass ($29). Tubing mascara cuts the makeup remover step out of your routine, and it doesn’t flake or smudge all day. Promise!
For those of you who want to impress someone (big-time), but aren’t sure exactly what to get, you can’t go wrong with our NewBeauty Luxury Review Box ($299), a collection of 38 beauty, wellness and fitness products (pictured here). You can even break it up into individual gifts and keep your favorites for yourself—nearly everything is full-size!
Lastly, I’m crushing hard on Burt’s Bees’ new collab with Cleo Wade, which is exclusively at Target. If you don’t know Cleo, she’s an incredibly inspirational author and poet—I’ve gifted her book Heart Talk to many friends—and this lip balm set ($12; pair it with the book for the ultimate gift) is a must-have.”
—Brittany Burhop Fallon, director of beauty
“I love that those closest to me have so many different interests and passions. For the beauty queen, there’s nothing more luxurious than a Pat McGrath palette ($82) or brand-new set of makeup brushes. It doesn’t get much more chic than Westman Atelier’s Brush Collection ($575). For my TikTok-obsessed friends, always sold-out Rhode products like the Peptide Glazing Fluid ($29) will be a hit.
The “Clean Girls” among us will fall in love with the 100-percent natural Cyan Nori ($165) from Abel, a scent that mysteriously bottles all of the best things about a sun-drenched summer afternoon. For the homebodies like me, you can’t go wrong with a warm NETTE candle ($82) or Eberjey PJ Set ($138)—both the ultimate in cozy elegance.
Products that blur the line between skin care and self care can feel few and far between, but MARA’s curated lineup of luxe formulas takes the cake every time. The Morning Set ($186) is a gift anyone would cherish.”
—Danielle Fontana Dooley, associate director, digital content
“Next year—fingers crossed—my loved ones will be traveling, jettsetting and mingling much more than in the last few years. For my sister who always asks what I’m wearing when I walk in the room, the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum Travel Set ($325) is my go-to choice. To give the gift of perfect lips, lashes and brows on the go, the Grande Cosmetics Ready, Set, Jet set ($69) really has it all. For that alone time on the plane, I’m sharing one of my favorite reads, Katie Sturino’s Body Talk ($25)—part self help book and part workbook, it’s the body positive missive I want every woman in my life to read. I’m also wrapping the super luxe, sustainable French beauty brand Les Filles en Rouje’s Total Look Pouch ($112), this elegant travel companion that contains everything you need for that effortlessly-chic Parisian vibe.
For my Gen Z nieces who have exceptional taste and high expectations, Treslúce Beauty Midnight Deseos palette ($35) which is perfect for winter. They’ll also love Ceremonia’s Peinetas Duo ($16), a favorite accessory of mine, which features LatinX-inspired phrases on fun, nostalgia-inducing acrylic hair combs. Ironically, my dad is the biggest beauty lover in my family and while I usually slather him in anti-aging creams, this year I’m gifting him some wanderlust via Blu Atlas’ Atlantis Eau de Parfum ($100) which is inspired by the coastal scents of Bali.”
—Tatiana Bido, aesthetic content manager
“I’m all about scents this season. I really just want to wrap all my loved ones in gorgeous, comforting smells to give them a cozy winter. Diptyque’s new Limited Edition Holiday Scents ($144 for 3) are enchanting, used together or scattered throughout the home. Earlier this year, Kate McLeod’s Body Stone ($45) changed my life. I’ve always disliked using traditional lotion, so I’m notoriously terrible at moisturizing my body. However, since I’ve tried the Body Stone, I’m hooked. On the makeup front, I want to gift everyone the ease and natural beauty that comes with Westman Atelier Petal Edition ($134). The set comes with Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Petal, a new shade of Lit Up Highlight Stick in Petal and Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm in, you guessed it, Petal. It’s perfect for a quick flush of color or buildable for something more intense.
As an avid tea drinker that comes from a long line of avid tea drinkers, I know Ember mugs will go down great in my family. The smart heated mug enables you to set an exact drinking temperature for up to three hours of perfect coffee or tea sipping. Ember Red Edition supports global health programs, so you’re also doing a bit of good when shopping this season. The Red Travel Mug ($200) will be going to anyone on my list that has a long commute or spends their weekends on the bleachers at their children’s sports games.
I plan to share a bit of self-care with the men in my life this year. The oft-forgotten aspect of shaving, which consumes much of many men’s daily routine, could always use a glow-up. Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet ($85), featuring a serum and lotion, is an indulgent way to treat skin post-shave. The men, and their skin, will thank you.”
—Allie Hogan, staff writer
“For me, there’s nothing better than coming home on a chilly winter night and lighting a delicious smelling candle, so giving the gift of a fresh fragrance is always my go-to. I love the Emily Maude Twelve Days of Christmas Candle Gift Set ($120), because the candles are so divine and the fact that it’s an advent calendar gives that added note of festivity.
On a more practical note, I’m a firm believer that you can never go wrong with a new pair of socks, especially in the winter, so any of Bombas’ gift sets—like the Women’s Snowflake Calf Sock 4-Pack ($70)—are always a solid bet. We all know the holidays can be stressful, so I also love to give the gift of self-care and relaxation with something like Schwanen Garten’s Holiday Facial Set ($87). Good smells, comfy socks and a facial, how could you go wrong?
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we can all use a moment to cool down, so I love the Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller ($69) both in my own routine and as a gift for any of my loved ones who could use a little extra self-care this time of year. ”
—Isabelle Buneo, editorial intern
“The perfect gift for your friends is SIDIA Hand Care Duo + Braless Candle ($115). The candle burns beautifully and pairs well with pajamas. Light it up. Take it off.
Buying a hand treatment may not be on the top of your budget items, but somehow it feels like such a luxury to treat your hands with efficacious products. Our hands give so much, it’s time to treat them. The Slip Poolside Queen Zippered Pillowcase ($89) is also a win for those that would like to reduce bedhead and face creases. I love the combination of design and functionality—it looks as amazing on your bed as it feels to your face. I’ll also be gifting the Thyme Frasier Fir Candles ($34) and the Olaplex Hair Repair Treatment kit ($62) as they’re both make amazing gifts that will last a long time.
The Laneige Sweet Dream Trio ($32) kit is the perfect and much-needed stocking stuffer. Summer Fridays Blush Balm Sticks ($28) multi-purpose color sticks meant for the cheeks, but I love them for a pop of lip color. All colors are so universally flattering you can’t go wrong. An easy gift to give that comes with a lot of appreciation is Drunk Elephant’s The Littles Skincare Travel Set ($74), which comes with six travel-friendly skin essentials to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and visibly brighten your skin, resetting it to its happiest, healthiest state in 30 days.”
—Sarah Eggenberger, senior editor-at-large
