Most of these gifts are under $50 but they have Big Franklin Energy.
I've been MIA but I had to creep back in your inbox for the holidays! I love buying gifts for people—almost as much as I love buying gifts for myself. And it's always nothing but the best for me and mine.
But since we have to save some of our racks to pay bills and get our 😽s waxed, here are some Champagne gifts on a craft beer budget.
To get them in time for Christmas you're gonna have to pay for expedited shipping or go into the store because lately shit is taking 84 years to ship!
1. My best gift rec, PERIOD
Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil ($34, 1.5 oz.) is my number one BFF or sister/in-law gift to pick up at Sephora! It's in the trial-size display near the register. I like the classic Soleil Blanc fragrance (which is all they carry in-store) but they have other scents online. The great thing is the 1.5 oz. actually lasts a long time because shimmering body oil isn't an everyday use product. I use it on my decollete and legs in the summer.
If you want to spend a few more bucks you can get two 1.5 oz. bottles for $72 in a classy Tom Ford gift box from Nordstrom, or spring for the $80 oil and lipstick combo at Saks.
2. Because they won't buy it for themselves, but they'll love having it in their life: $30 lip balm
My sister got this for me last year and, yep, loved it. The Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask is $28 and it stays on all night and looks beautiful on your nightstand or bathroom vanity. What more could you ask it to do?
There's a red camellia version if you want a darker tinted balm. This is usually in stock at Sephora stores if you want to grab it IRL. The box is very beautiful and thoughtfully designed for such a small product. Packaging matters, especially for little luxuries like this.
I have also owned the $30 Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm from Tatcha and it's equally gorgeous if you prefer flecks of real gold in clear lip balm instead of Instagram pink. Here's a link for that, but it's also usually sold in-store.
3. Fragrance discovery sets (get me one of these, please!)
This is my favorite gift to receive. In fact, when I worked in the world of free beauty swag, I preferred getting discovery sets and trial-size instead of full bottles. I like to try 'em all and I'm rarely monogamous to fragrance (except a select few). These little discovery sets can last about a month or two if you stretch and they're perfection for long vacations.
Some of my faves—ranked best to still great:
(And mostly avail at Nordstrom and Sephora because I know y'all shop there already and they have two of the easiest and best return policies of all stores ever.)
These are bold scents that you'll still smell on you after you shower! Portrait of a Lady was my first crush, Geranium pour Monsieur is the one I married, aka bought the big bottle and have stayed in an ethically monogamous poly relationship with. Bloomies has the 6-bottle coffret for $35.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Discovery Sets for Her or Him ($50-$55)—yes, the For Her kit includes Baccarat Rouge 540, two vials actually.
The For Him set is at Nordy for $55 and the For Her set is at Aedes de Venustas on Orchard Street for $50— I called and they have them in stock! From what the Aedes clerk told me, these are a new offering for MFK. I guess that's why the For Her set is hard to find right now. Scoop this up for anyone lusting over Baccarat Rouge! I'm more of a Feminine Pluriel fan, but that's not in the set :(
Love, Don't Be Shy is allegedly Rihanna's signature fragrance. It's pink, it's sweet and spicy, it's good. Marshmallow sex on fire? I don't know, guys, I only smelled it once. Kilian fragrances last you long time, too.
Even if his M.O. is reading/roasting everything, he will be fucking impressed and grateful when he opens this. I guess you could get it for a straight male, but really? Don't. They won't get it. Just get them socks or some other gift that says, "GO TO THERAPY OR I'M LEAVING YOU."
Honorable mentions:
Le Labo 4-Scent Deluxe Trial Set ($85), if you must
DS & Durga Greatest Hits, $60, for cool girls who don't mind if their gift ships after Christmas because it's cooler than the other brands on this list
4. Candles, duh
Normalize giving candles to people who actually mean something to you. It's a nice gift that shouldn't be relegated to White Elephant and "Fuck, I have to get a gift for them, too?" people in your life.
On the bougie side where you may only be able to budget a 2.5 ounce candle, you can't go wrong with Diptyque Baies (from $38). Think: Berries, dirty florals, a rich lady's bathroom.
For someone a little less girly and a little more dark and depresso, my personal fave is Cire Trudon Ernesto (from $52). Think: Catholic mass incense, leather, texting your ex.
If you want more for your money, the Boy Smells candle duos (8.5- and 3-ounce candles) at Nordstrom are a great deal at $49. I like the Kush scent but there are like four options for the set. There are more scents for solo candles in 8.5-ounce ($32) and 27-ounce ($76) sizes. These are in-store at Nordstrom. I saw them there this past weekend!
Another in-store pickup are Otherland candles ($36, 8 ounces) at Sephora. I haven't owned one of these so I don't have a favorite scent, but I hear good things and they're pretty.
5. Random goodies auntie April loves
Dior Nail Glow ($28) was gifted to me by my angel cousin. It's the most beautiful glossy pink, one-step French mani product. Pretty as a top coat over nude nail polishes, too.
I've never tried the Insta-famous Chanel egg (it's hand cream) but if you gave it to me I'd kiss you, panorama be damned. It's $50 and this is the new, more deeply moisturizing formula than the original. Probably need to visit a Chanel counter to get this in time for Christmas.
Hair mists are another gift I love to give and receive because they're budget-friendly and they provide the key to being a person who always smells really fucking good: layering.
Some faves:
Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist ($55) (Nordstrom)
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris A La Rose Hair Mist ($65) (Nordstrom; they also have the Baccarat Rouge hair mist for $85)
Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Perfume ($44) (Sephora; I also LOVE Gisou's hair oil)
Hand sanitizer is part of our lives forever now. A trusted beauty friend (and all-around friend!) turned me on to Noshinku ($25 for 3), which is slim enough to fit in any purse and refillable. You can get them at Nordstrom or from Amazon. I think lavender is my fave but they're all really nice.
I think that's enough for today. I started writing this gift guide Tuesday and somehow in only one day New York went from Great Gatsby to The Walking Dead.
I know we all have big things on our minds and probably heightened anxiety about the holidays, but I truly hope you get to be with people you love, even if they give you a shitty sweater and you give them the Chanel egg.
Personally, the holidays are the only time of year it actually feels better to give than receive (all puns intended). And if you can't swap gifts with your fam, find a giving tree in your 'hood and make it rain on a stranger's holiday.
Happy ChrismaKwanzukkah and stay safe out there 💕
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