Having grown up in a household that unpacks the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, I tend to take the holidays pretty seriously. Sparkly decorations, festive outfits, and a months-long excuse to throw parties—what’s not to love? But my favorite part of the holiday season has always been giving gifts. It may be a cliché, but there really is nothing like seeing the look on someone’s face when they unwrap a gift they truly adore.  

That’s not to say that shopping for holiday gifts is always easy or stress-free. Hunting down the perfect presents to show the people in my life how much I care about them is a talent I’ve honed through years of practice. Since my job essentially requires me to shop for a living, I’m uniquely equipped to identify the best gifts on offer each year—and as my gift to Byrdie readers, I’ve decided to share my findings. 

Below, I rounded up the best gifts overall, plus beauty and fashion gifts I’m planning to buy for my loved ones this holiday season. Keep scrolling for my editor-curated picks from Laneige, Ugg, Rare Beauty, Reformation, Hoka, and more. 

Best Gifts Overall

• Celebrity Favorite: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $24
• Cozy Staple: Ugg Tazz Slippers, $130
• Splurge-Worthy: Shark FlexStyle Hair Dryer & Powerful Styling System, $320
• Best Deal: Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket, $54 (originally $90) 
• Stocking Stuffer: Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties, $6 (originally $9)
• J. Crew Cable-Knit Rollneck Sweater, $76 with coupon (originally $128) 
• Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette, $59
• Calvin Klein Logo Cotton Thong Panties, $19 (originally $35)
• Diptyque Tubéreuse Scented Candle, $110
• Hue Slouchy Sock Three-Pack, $25

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

My beauty and fashion gift ideas include picks for every taste and budget, from a splurge-worthy Shark heat styling system to a pack of non-creasing hair scrunchies with 44,000 five-star Amazon ratings. Additionally, you can’t go wrong with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, a nourishing lip balm loved by editors, TikTok users, and celebrities like Bella Hadid and Charli XCX. Or, opt for a gift that combines fashion and function like these ultra-trendy platform Ugg slippers. (I treated myself to a pair of Ugg slippers earlier this fall, and it’s not an exaggeration to say I have been living in them all season.) I also found some on-sale fashion staples, such as a Levi’s denim jacket, a cozy cable-knit sweater, and a value-pack of Calvin Klein underwear.

Best Beauty Gifts

• Nécessaire Eucalyptus Body Lotion, $48
• Grace & Stella Dew-Tox & Chill Skincare Gift Set, $15 with coupon (originally $22)
• Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum, $155
• Lancôme Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss Trio, $25
• L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, $14 (originally $17)
• Rare Beauty Mini Blush and Luminize Trio, $35
• Tangle Teezer Detangler Hair Brush, $11 with coupon (originally $14)
• Paula’s Choice Exfoliation Experience Kit, $24 
• Glamnetic Press On Nails, $15
• Briogeo Ultimate Hair Heroes Holiday Kit, $54

Nécessaire Eucalyptus Body Lotion

The number one beauty gift I’m giving this year is the iconic Nécessaire body lotion, a rich, skin-firming formula that just launched in four new scents. I’m obsessed with the calming Eucalyptus fragrance, which makes my tiny New York City bathroom feel like a spa. On the subject of fragrance, the Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum is my 20-year-old sister’s favorite perfume, so I always try to restock it for her around the holidays. If you’re looking to maximize more bang for your buck, there are tons of incredible beauty gift sets, like this $15 skincare kit from Grace & Stella, this Rare Beauty blush-slash-highlighter trio, and a $54 hair care duo from Briogeo valued at $81.      

Best Fashion Gifts

• JW Pei Eva Shoulder Bag, $59
• Aire Whirlpool Sunglasses, $39
• Reformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan, $198
• Sunzel High-Waist Leggings, $22 (originally $29)
• Apparis Elis Leopard Short Coat, $275
• Mideeo Chunky Hoop Earrings Set, $12 with coupon (originally $17)
• Hoka Bondi 8 Running Shoes, $165
• Pavilia Premium Plush Robe, $30
• Anthropologie By Anthropologie Waffle-Stitch Scarf, $48
• Alo Cable Knit Winter Bliss Sweatpants, $148

JW Pei Eva Shoulder Bag

Whether you’re looking for winter essentials, trendy accessories, or athleisure, this year’s best fashion gifts start at just $12. For example, JW Pei is one of my go-tos for high-quality purses that are as affordable as they are chic, like this chocolate brown faux crocodile shoulder bag. I’ve also included the surprisingly inexpensive aviator sunglasses that I wear nearly every day—and always get compliments on. The light tinted lenses make them a perfect choice for the fall and winter when the sun isn’t as bright. The holidays are a great opportunity to spoil your loved ones (or yourself) with timeless, high-end pieces such as this luxe cashmere cardigan, a glam fur coat, and comfy Hoka running shoes.   

Ugg Tazz Slippers

Shark FlexStyle Hair Dryer & Powerful Styling System

Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket

Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette

Calvin Klein Logo Cotton Thong Panties

Diptyque Tubéreuse Scented Candle

Grace & Stella Dew-Tox & Chill Skincare Gift Set

Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum

Glamnetic Press On Nails

Apparis Elis Leopard Short Coat