There are about 20 million holiday gift guides out there, so you don’t really need another one from me. Also, when it comes to purchasing a significant gift for a friend or family member, you probably don’t need help. But when it comes to small gifts or stocking stuffers, I think I can suggest some ideas that you may have missed. Many of the gift ideas are new, but a couple are suggestions from last year that I still love.
- Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban: I have loved the Hubaloo Hair Towel that I’ve been using for the past few years, but when I got to try the Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban, I must admit I like it better. It has thicker, more absorbent fabric that takes more water out of my hair. Most importantly, because it’s a turban, it’s easier to put on and secure in place with the button and loop. They still make the regular Aquis towels, but I strongly recommend the turban. $30-40 depending on length and fabric. Full review here.
- Scent Trunk: Scent Trunk is a unique (as far as I know) fragrance-creation service that will create a bespoke scent for you or for whomever you gift it to. They send you a test kit of 6 small rollerballs of key fragrance notes: citrus, aromatic, woods, chypre, amber, and floral for $4.95 for the shipping, and you give them feedback online on which ones suit you and which ones don’t. From that information, they craft a scent just for you or for the giftee, and they send it out in a purse-size atomizer for $11.99. It’s a subscription service, so you can arrange to receive your scent once a month or less often, and you can cancel anytime. For men as well as for women. They nailed it with the scent they created just for me!
- L’Oreal Holiday Makeup Kit: L’Oreal’s holiday makeup kit that’s sold exclusively at Ulta (reviewed here) is a beautiful all-in-one set of makeup in shades that are great for the holidays or for anytime. The kit includes two gorgeous powder shadows in shimmery pink and champagne that can also be used as highlighters. It also include a looks-great-on-everyone shade of red matte lipstick, a black Infallible Eyeliner pencil, and black Voluminous Mascara. $29.99 at Ulta.
- LUSH Santa Baby Lip Scrub: Every year I get a new one of these cuties. Red sugar scrub that tastes like Coca-Cola with edible red hearts. What could be better? And it works. $9.95.
- Glass nail files: The glass nail files that I received from Mont Bleu last spring have just about changed my life. I love the purse size file with Swarovski crystals that they sent me. And the foot file works well too. For $10+, you can get 2 or 3 of these terrific nail tools. reviewed here.
- Acrylic Glitter Tea Spoons, Salad Serving Fork & Spoon, Cake Knife: Several months ago, I picked up a gold glitter acrylic teaspoon made in Italy at a local gift shop. I love eating yogurt with it or using it as a honey or jam spoon. It is so cute and so much fun to use. A must-have for all glitter girls! Recently, I picked up the serving fork and spoon and the cake knife. They’re so cute that they’re tough to find in stock. I bought mine at Mimi’s in Manchester MA, and 10 days ago I saw the teaspoons in sparkly red, blue or gold at Didrick’s in Belmont MA. Call them to see if they’re still in stock. Or here’s a link to an online store that hopefully has the teaspoons in stock.
- NYX lip sets: NYX really does it with affordable lip gifts for the holidays. There’s the Meet the Metallics Lip Vault set of 12 mid-sized Soft Matte Lip Creams exclusively at Ulta for about $25 (there’s a $10 off $25 with code 501976 now), and several different smaller lip sets that I just saw at Walgreen’s for under $15. Ulta also has the huge vault for $65 that I reviewed last year (here).
- Affordable earrings and pendant necklaces from Chrysalism on Etsy: Jeff’s older daughter gave me a wonderful pair of lightweight, dangling raw crystal earrings from Chrysalism a few months ago. I love them, and the website is such a find for affordable, artisan-made jewelry.
- Anything from Uno Alla Volta: If you have a little more money to spend, I strongly recommend that you visit Uno Alla Volta and peruse their gorgeous artisanal handcrafted jewelry, scarves, purses, accessories, and home decor items. This year, I wrote about my silk water marble scarf, heart-shaped druzy earrings, amber and sterling silver pendant necklace, and floral glass floating necklace. Right now, they’re offering 15% off necklaces, and free shipping on everything. Uno Alla Volta is one of Jeff’s favorite catalogues/websites to shop for gifts for me, thank goodness 🙂 See what catches your eye!
- Besame Mini Lipstick Set: If you have any vintage lovers among those you’re shopping for, check out the Besame Mini Lipstick set for $25. The tiny lipsticks are a great way to try their shades, each chosen to represent the most popular color in 5 different years in the past. At less than an inch in size, they’re perfect to tuck into a pocket or tiny purse when you go out.
- Huda Beauty Obsessions Shadow Palette: Huda Beauty mini shadow palettes come in 4 shade families: Warm Brown, Electric, Mauve, and Smokey for $27. I recently bought Smokey but haven’t had a chance to review it yet. The shades are buttery and pigmented. This is a terrific buy for yourself or for a gift.
- Necklace for Essential Oils: It seems like everyone is into essential oils these days. So instead of getting an EO lover another bottle of oil, get her an essential oil necklace that allows her to wear her favorite EOs anytime. I bought one for myself on Amazon a couple of months ago (reviewed here), and I love it. It’s pretty and cost only $10.
- Blending Sponge Holder Drying Stands and Brush Cleaner Pads from Rosegal: Rosegal is a Chinese (I think) website that has the cutest stuff that’s just about free and has free shipping as well. During the summer, I ordered two heart-shaped brush cleaner pads ($3.16 the price went down $2!) and two adorable blending sponge holder drying stands ($4.56 the price went up a dollar lol) that are the best way to quickly dry your sponges – those prices were for 2 of each including free shipping. The shipping took two weeks so order now if you want them for Christmas. I was afraid that the stuff I ordered would be cheaply made, but they were good quality. Great site for stocking stuffers! (review here)
Well, I could go on forever, but these are a few of my suggestions. Also check the gift shop of your local museum for other interesting and often unique gifts. Happy shopping!
What’s your Reaction?
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
What a great list you’ve put together! Thanks to you I already have purchased the turban hair towel,crystal nail files and am eagerly awaiting my Scent Trunk starter kit!I’m very interested in the Lush lip scrub,especially since we seem to be like minded about what works in this category. I’ve already gotten my niece (Thank goodness I have at least 1 young lady to buy for!)the FHF masks you recommended last year and I always have on hand here at home as well as the Shape Tape I first bought due to your review. I just wanted you to know how much you influence me and you’ve never let me down.Thanks for all you do for us,I always trust your opinion and value your honesty,I hope others do as well.Have a great day,I have to check out the artisan jewelry from above and decide between Lush’s lip scrub or body wash. 🙂
Oh no, I didn’t realize that I was such an enabler, Laura! But I so appreciate you saying all those nice things. I will be very curious to find out how Scent Trunk does creating your special fragrance. I was shocked that they nailed it on the first try for me, but if it isn’t right for you, they say they will keep at it till you get one you love. I can’t believe I forgot FHF on my list this year. Oh well, I’ll put their some of their hand creams and masks in my Best of 2017 post coming up soon. Thanks again for being such a loyal reader and commenter. I truly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Just took a peek at Uno Alla Volta’s website. Wow!! Some beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry, scarves and more. Love it. Thank you!
Thank you, Michele! Uno Alla Volta is a fabulous website and catalogue. Jeff discovered the catalogue quite a few years ago, and I have been lucky to get a number of gifts from him from the site. I was thrilled when they contacted me because it was a brand that I already loved. The quality is exceptional!
Great choices! I love seeing what other bloggers suggest and I love stocking stuffers! My list will be up tomorrow!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Protect Your Lips from Cold Sores & Winter with Herpecin L!
I’ll be looking for it!
Totally sending a few of these items to my husband for ideas for me. 🙂 LOL I love the scent trunk, the lip scrub (I’m running low), and the HUDA palettes!
Kristi V BeginNails recently posted…Christmas Cookie Mani Swap (with Recipes!) Cathedral Cookies
I hope you’d enjoy any and all of them. The HUDA Beauty palettes are so worth the $27! I really enjoyed the whole Scent Trunk process, and I love my personalized fragrance.
So many great choices! I love the hair turbans, they would make perfect gifts! I also did end up purchasing a couple Huda Palettes to gift – they’re the right price for this season!
The hair turban has made drying my thick hair so much easier. I’m keeping my Huda Beauty Obsessions palette myself 😉
What wonderful gift ideas, Allison! I see a lot of things here that I would really love to receive!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Lipstick Queen Must-Haves
Thank you, Helen!
I love my Aquis hair towel!
Jen Mathews recently posted…Navago Cruelty Free Indie Beauty Shopping Site
I had an old Aquis towel that’s at least 10 years old that I was using, so I was amazed when I got this new hair turban. Blew the old one away!
These are such cute ideas! I like the look of that lip scrub.
Painted Fingertips recently posted…Forest Green Drip Marble
I just used the lip scrub this evening. It’s well worth the $10!
Lovely guide and I like those hair turbans, I might gift myself one 🙂
Norah recently posted…How I Am Staying Fit This Upcoming Holiday Season
The Aquis hair turban is well worth the price, Norah. It will last forever. I’ve had my Aquis towel for 17 years, but their hair turban is so much better
My Hulabaloo isn’t holding up as well as I wish but my Aquis are wonderful. I bought the hair turban during Sephora’s sale. I bought those cute little sponge holders after your review. As soon as my bathroom is redone in a few weeks out they’ll come again. You’ve got some terrific ideas. I like them all.
MarciaF recently posted…Winter Is Coming Blog Hop giveaway time
Marcia, I am soooooo happy that you bought the blending sponge holders! I think they are so darn cute. I hope they’ll enjoy their new home in your new bathroom!!
I like practical gift ideas. I have a hair turban that I wanted to replace. I will be happy to receive the beauty sponge holder, I don’t have that right now. I have a holiday list video scheduled to go live soon so I think everyone including you has something unique to suggest! The more the merrier
With your long hair, the Aquis long hair turban would probably be just the thing. I love how absorbent this “new” fabric is. I liked my Hubaloo, but my hair soaked it, and it didn’t always stay in place. I’m sold on the Aquis! I am eager to see your gift guide video!
I love the look of those acrylic glitter spoons. Too cute!
Phyrra recently posted…Anti Haul 12 Tarte, Kat Von D, Colour Pop, and More!
Your whole list is really good. As I read, I thought oh yes THIS, oh yes THIS too!!
Polarbelle recently posted…For Soft Supple Wintertime Lips, Try Herpecin L
Thanks, Shelley xo
It’s true that only girls know what other girls want to receive as gifts. Your list is perfect, Allison!
Anastasia recently posted…Holiday Gifts from Dermalogica: One for You, One for a Friend
Thanks, Anastasia! I think you’re right about that!
Love little gifts like these! Plus I love picking them out for different people! Seriously the little gifts are the best!
I agree with you completely! They are as much fun to choose and buy as they are to receive 🙂 Hope you’re having a fun holiday season xo
Oh man! I’m sending a link to those Huda beauty palettes to my hubby! I’ve been wanting to try Huda’s palettes but don’t want to spend so much on them! These are perfect! And those beauty blender dryer things are so cute!
I looooove my Huda Beauty Obsessions Smokey palette – I’m wearing two of the matte shades right now, and the shimmer shadows in the palette are lovely! Everyone needs those blending sponge dryers stands – for that price including shipping, you must get them!
I love it all! Like, I literally want one of everything. I’m definitely going to be buying the spoons, at least.
Bailey recently posted…Gimme Some Sugar | Fresh Sugar Holiday 2017 Gift Sets
I have two of the spoons, and they definitely brighten up my day!