I’m a Shopping Writer, and This Is Exactly What I’m Gifting to Everyone on My List

Wendy Vazquez

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These gift ideas start at $13.

<p>Real Simple / Daisy Rodriguez</p>

Real Simple / Daisy Rodriguez

As much as I love the smell of fresh pine, an abundance of sugar cookies, and cozy nights wrapped up in a blanket on the couch with a full mug of hot cocoa, I must admit that the holiday season also stresses me out. The gift-giving season can seem overwhelming, particularly when you feel clueless about what to get everyone on your shopping list.

Step back and take a breath because I'm here to help ease your woes—at least in the shopping department. I spent a decade as a freelance writer and had my hands in all kinds of gift guides, from affordable recommendations for foodies to practical presents for new grads. This is the time of year to give into those little indulgences, spoil loved ones, and have fun with your decisions.

If you've found yourself in a stalemate with your gift list, you've come to the right place. As a seasoned shopping writer, I've also become an expert gift giver. Below is a curated catalog of 15 thoughtful picks I'll be sharing with my holiday shopping list.

Gift Ideas for Friends, Family, Coworkers, and Loved Ones

For My Fashionista Friend: Lululemon Everywhere Fleece 1 Liter Belt Bag

<p>lululemon</p>

lululemon

One of my closest friends is always on top of trends, but she wasn't able to get her hands on the coveted Lululemon belt bag when it originally debuted. The versatile and chic fanny pack now comes in multiple variations, but its fleece counterpart is the perfect companion for winter. The 1-liter bag has interior pockets to keep your wallet, phone, keys, Airpods, sunglasses, and more organized while you're on the move. With its neutral brown tone, it's bound to match a majority of her wardrobe.

For My Sister Who Needs a Five-Minute Routine: Merit Beauty The Eye Set

<p>Merit</p>

Merit

This is not your typical beauty gift set. Merit's mission is to adorn vanities with multifunctional makeup you'll actually want to wear, and its Eye Set is the minimal routine you need for the holiday season and beyond. It even includes the new cream-to-powder Solo Shadow eye color, which can be used as eyeliner or shadow. It's the perfect gift for my sister, who loves beauty products, but barely has time to indulge in a full-on makeup routine.

For My Friends With Toddlers: Fatsinde Candle Warmer Lamp

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

Households with little ones aren't exactly ideal for open flames. One of my friends loved to light candles and incense all day but stopped once their little one learned to crawl and walk, so this candle warmer will help her explore her favorite aromas again. The stunning home accessory uses four brightness modes and three timer functions to make enjoying home scents easy and safe. I like to use mine to help me hold onto my favorite discontinued fragrances longer. As a bonus, it functions as a decor item as well.

For My Jet-Setting Family Members: Cadence Five Capsule Set

<p>Cadence</p>

Cadence

Trust me, the jet setter in your life needs this modular set of multifunctional capsules to keep their things in order. I've used mine to hold everything from hair serums and sunscreen to vitamins and body powder, and the magnetic labels are highly customizable and interchangeable. A few of my relatives asked to use my capsules for their travels recently, so I plan to gift the set to them.

For My Pet-Owner Friends: Wild One Harness

<p>Wild One</p>

Wild One

All of our friends are crazy about their dogs, so getting a gift they can both benefit from makes a lot of sense—especially if you're unsure what else to get them. We've tried hard to leash-train our three-year-old husky, but he just has too much energy, so this soft and sturdy harness has come in handy whenever we want to take him out for a walk or to outdoor community events.

For Our Long-Distance Friends and Family: Fujifilm Instax Mini 7

<p>Walmart</p>

Walmart

This is the season to make memories, and I can't think of a more fitting way to capture them than with a vintage-inspired instant camera that comes in lively pastels. My husband owns several of these, and our friends and family look forward to him capturing special occasions with them. We'll be gifting these to some of them, so they can capture precious moments of their own.

For My Former Colleague: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks

<p>Nordstrom</p>

Nordstrom

I worked with a wonderful former boss that I've stayed in touch with for the past few years, and I know she loves all things cozy, which brought Barefoot Dreams to mind. The brand's popular ultra-soft and super plush blankets now come in sock form, and your feet will thank you once you step into them. These gorgeous socks come in white, gray, and pink, so she can celebrate the yuletide cheer in style.

For My Holiday Host: Glasshouse Winter Wonderland Candle

<p>Neiman Marcus</p>

Neiman Marcus

While I can't say it's common for me to shell out $55 for a candle, I can say this is one of my most cherished and memorable gifts ever. The beautiful packaging and lifestyle rendering on the vessel turned it into a full-on experience that convinced me this candle was worth every penny. So, I plan to return the favor and gift this to my holiday hosts this year. Plus, it throws the pleasant aroma so far that it fills the entire first floor of our house.

For My Mom: Ugg Scuffette II Slipper

<p>Nordstrom</p>

Nordstrom

Staying warm and cozy this winter is easy with a cushy pair of Ugg slippers by your side. This shearling-lined design will keep your feet toasty and have no back, allowing you to slip them on and off quickly, and the rubber sole means you can conveniently run out to get the mail in them so you don't have to change your shoes. I'm grabbing a pair for myself and one for my mom.

For My Husband: Quince European Linen Double Flange Deluxe Bedding Bundle

<p>Quince</p>

Quince

My husband and I recently upgraded from a memory foam queen-sized bed to a king-size, and boy, has it been a struggle to find the perfect bed sheets. After just one night in Quince's European Linen line, we knew that we would be coming back for more. The luxurious set is crafted from flax and isn't just breathable, but it's also moisture-wicking—the perfect combo for our stuffy upstairs bedroom. My husband will be smitten when I surprise him with a new set under our tree.

For My New Mom Friends: Samsonite Mobile Solution Classic Duffel

<p>Samsonite</p>

Samsonite

After my friend confessed to using an old diaper bag as her everyday carry-all, I knew I had to get her this incredibly spacious duffle bag. As a working mother, she's constantly lugging around coloring books and toddler puzzles along with her laptop and even sometimes gym clothes. This bag has room for it all and then some.

For the Big Family: Galison Spring Street Jigsaw Puzzle

<p>Galison</p>

Galison

Snow days aren't too far away, and what better way to spend a day indoors than with a colorful puzzle that will have you looking forward to spring? Besides, if quarantine taught us anything, it was that passing the time with your family and putting together a beautiful work of art is much better than spending hours doom scrolling through endless social media feeds. This will be given to our friends who have three older children, so they can have an activity to do together this winter.

For My Tech-Loving Friend: Case-Mate Essential Phone Strap with Wallet

<p>Case-Mate</p>

Case-Mate

Phone accessories are good gifts for virtually any age range, and their practicality makes them excellent presents for your hard-working coworkers and friends who are always on their phones. This is for one of my mom-friends who is somehow always on the go, but can never track down her wallet. The Essential Wallet by Case-Mate holds IDs and cards and also has a zipper pouch to stuff cash in. It attaches directly to your cell phone, so you'll never be without your daily bare necessities.

For My White Elephant Gift Baskets: Jouer Cosmetics Bonnes Fêtes

<p>Jouer</p>

Jouer

Lip oils are the new black, so plenty of people on your gift list will appreciate this decadent trio of sheerly tinted treatments packed with apricot, jojoba seed, and grape seed oils that wrap lips in conditioning moisture. You could also take apart this multipack for stocking stuffers or to gift separately. I like to make little gift baskets of makeup and skincare for our white elephant parties, and these are definitely going in.

For My Friend Who Has Everything: Rifle Paper Co. Holiday Porcelain Ornament

<p>Rifle Paper Co.</p>

Rifle Paper Co.

You can't go wrong with a stunning holiday ornament. I'm always unsure of what to buy for one of our friends, who always seems to have the latest and greatest of everything first, so we gift him and his family ornaments instead. We also keep a couple on hand every year because there's always a chance we may have missed someone on our shopping list through the holiday chaos.

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