I Spend 8+ Hours a Day Researching Gifts, and These Are the Picks I'd Love to See Under My Tree
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Stop looking for the perfect present because we have it right here.
Real Simple / Daisy Rodriguez
As a shopping writer, I spend most of my time scrolling through just about every retailer to find the latest and coolest products at the best prices. As you can imagine, this has made me quite adept at spotting gifts—plus, I'm always on the lookout for products for myself. If you don't consider yourself a good gift giver, then this guide is for you.
Throughout the year, I make a wishlist for myself, and you can bet that only the best and most notable products catch my attention. Below, I've put together a collection of items at every price point that I'd be more than happy to receive for the holidays this year, from $11 agate coasters to $120 ultra-cushy slippers.
The best presents don't have to cost a lot to make a good impression; they simply need to mean something to the recipient. So, if you're looking for something to give your loved ones, consider one of these, and you can bet they'll be impressed.
Gifts This Shopping Writer Would Love to Receive This Holiday Season
Our Place Home Cook Apron, $40 (was $45); fromourplace.com.
Kate Spade Henley Jogger PJ Set, $50 (was $99); katespadeoutlet.com.
Emile Henry French Ceramic Fruit Storage Bowl, $130; food52.com.
Isla Beauty Day Melt, $42 with code REALSIMPLE20 (was $52); isla-beauty.com.
HP Sprocket Portable Instant Color Photo Printer, $65 (was $80); amazon.com.
Anthropologie Gilded Agate Coaster, $11 (was $16); anthropologie.com.
Homesick Winter Mantel Candle, $29 (was $38); homesick.com.
Material The Resting Stone
Material
I like to jokingly refer to myself as a professional home chef. After all, I prepare a lovely dinner every night without fail. I'm still trying to configure my kitchen since it's quite compact by my standards, and of course, while bouncing from pan to pan, I somehow broke our old spoon rest. I'm in desperate need of a new one, and this stunning, handmade glass duo from Material checks all of my boxes.
Our Place Home Cook Apron
Our Place
When my mom visited me, she decided to prepare a family recipe for us and asked me to borrow my apron. Embarrassingly, I had nothing to offer her, which got me thinking: Wouldn't it be nice to have something to block the pasta sauce from splashing all over my sweaters? (It would even cut down on all my spot cleaning!) This beautiful uniform is absolutely what I need, and what's more, it even sports three practical pockets.
Kate Spade Henley Jogger PJ Set
Kate Spade Outlet
There's something about matching loungewear that makes it feel more polished than your traditional sweats. I'm not going to lie, much of my pajamas include worn-out athleisure that's no longer suitable for wearing in public—it's just too comfortable to simply toss. So, a stylish set of PJs is always a welcome treat in my book.
Emile Henry French Ceramic Fruit Storage Bowl
Food52
If there's ever a place that needs some help in the storage department, it's my kitchen. The genius ceramic fruit bowl features a lidded design that lets you properly layer your fresh produce. It also has holes at the bottom to promote airflow and a cork lid to regulate temperature.
Isla Beauty Day Melt
Isla Beauty
Little indulgent beauty treats make for a perfect gift this time of year. I wouldn't mind a travel-friendly balm cleanser that I don't have to dig my hands into. I love that this formula comes in a squeezable tube and is enriched with olive fruit oil, vitamins A and E, and crystalline cellulose to slather away impurities. Plus, Real Simple readers can get an exclusive 20 percent off when you use code REALSIMPLE20 at checkout!
Day Designer 2024 Daily Planner
Day Designer
I am a paper planner to the core, and I need to be able to map out my work days and weeks, which is why I love Day Designer. It has weekly layouts available, but I've always invested in the daily version to keep me consistently productive. I hint for this gift all year long, and now that 2024 is just around the corner, I'm eager to start fresh with a new planner.
Cocofloss Rainbow Sampler
COCOFLOSS
Hear me out; I know floss doesn't sound exciting by any means, but I promise you're wrong. As someone who has had extensive and painful dental work over the last few years, I've learned to care for my teeth the hard way, and flossing is an essential part of my daily routine. These ridiculously charming mini tubs of floss feel like a little luxury whenever I travel. There isn't a single flavor that I wouldn't buy again, and I'm lucky to usually have someone buy them for me every year, which I always appreciate.
HP Sprocket Portable Instant Color Photo Printer
Amazon
I've made it a point to stay off my phone whenever I'm with friends and family—except for this time of year. Someone has to take on the job of memory keeper, and I'd love to be able to print photos of our most precious moments together for everyone on demand with this super-portable color photo printer.
OluKai Hila Heu Slide Slipper
Olukai
This is a no-shoe-indoors household, which means our slippers are indispensable. But between chasing after my dogs and strolling to the mailbox every day, mine see a lot of outdoor action. This lovely pair from OluKai has a plush feel for added comfort with the brand's Wet Grip Rubber sole to prevent you from slipping.
Glossier x Starface Compact
Starface
I've been especially excited about Glossier's latest collab with Starface. The stress of the holiday season always leaves me with random breakouts, and pimple patches are my secret to clearer skin in a flash. Not only would they prevent me from impulsively picking at my face, but this collection comes in cheery designs I'd happily wear all day.
Anthropologie Gilded Agate Coaster
Anthropologie
Is it too much to ask that everything, even the practical items, in my home be aesthetically pleasing? Perhaps, but these coasters make me feel fancy, whether I'm placing my iced tea or drive-through coffee on it, and I always get compliments on them. I somehow always manage to lose them while transporting them from room to room, so I wouldn't mind a bundle of these sitting under my tree.
Homesick Winter Mantel Candle
Homesick
Candles may not seem like a mind-blowing gift option, but they're always a crowd-pleaser. I'm a candle collector, and I'm always on the hunt for new, inspiring scents. Homesick ties each of their scents to a milestone occasion or place to momentarily transport you. With a natural soy wax blend and cotton wick, this candle will burn for 60 to 80 hours.
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