Anvita Reddy's Shopping Editor Gift Ideas
I'm a Shopping Editor, and These Are My Top Gift Recommendations
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
I've been a shopping editor for four years now, and in that time I've tested out a bunch of products. From the most comfortable couches and supportive mattresses to useful travel gear and the hottest beauty products, I've tried them all like it's my job — I mean, it literally is. As a product junkie, I'm always on the hunt to find items that are actually worth it, whether it's something that makes life easier, a product that works effectively, or just something that makes me look and feel good.
This holiday season, I want to give gifts that are useful and bring joy to my loved ones' lives. Whether it's picks that will get them in the holiday spirit (think: festive mugs and candles) or products I know they love and adore because they have "borrowed" them from me, my gifting recommendations don't disappoint. Ahead, I curated a list of my top gifting must haves for the holiday season.
As a beauty girlie, I included a few of my favorite products and gift sets that skin-care enthusiasts and makeup mavens will adore. I also found a few self-care finds and cozy essentials that will remind everyone on your list to indulge in some me time, from a vibrating sleep mask to a travel-friendly ice roller. My newfound NFL fandom led me to also include stylish gear that your loved ones will appreciate and wear on game day.
Keep reading to shop all my favorite gifts for the holiday season, and see why each one is worth the buy.
Best Holiday Mug Gift
Anthropologie Holiday in the City Stoneware Mug ($16)
There's nothing like enjoying a warm beverage to get into a cozy mood, and this beautiful Holiday in the City Stoneware Mug from Anthropologie is such a cute gift. I use the NYC one almost every morning for my coffee, but it comes in six other cities as well, including Paris, London, Austin, and Philadelphia. The stoneware mugs feature iconic city landmarks in a winter wonderland with gold detailing for an extra glam moment.
Best Tech Gift
Anker Nano Power Bank With Built-In Lightning Connector ($26)
The Anker Nano Power Bank is one of the most useful (and affordable) gifts you can give this holiday season. The power bank doesn't take up too much room in your purse, attaches directly to the charging port of your phone, and has enough juice to take your phone from five percent to fully charged. I have five of these myself stashed in all my most-used bags. Every friend I've gifted this to never leaves home without it.
Best Beauty Gift
Clinique Moisture Glow-To's Skincare + Makeup Set ($55)
As a beauty lover, the Clinique Moisture Glow-To's Skincare + Makeup Set is my go-to for a hydrating base that helps my complexion products sit flawlessly on my skin. The set comes with a full size of the brand's bestselling deeply hydrating Moisture Surge gel-cream moisturizer, which offers a glowy finish, and a sample size of the All About Eyes eye cream, which reduces the look of puffiness and undereye circles. My favorite product is the sheer pale-pink Pop Plush lip gloss. It delivers hydration with a high-shine finish every time.
Best Makeup Gift
Kulfi You're an Eyecon: Kajal Eyeliner and Zari Eyes Eyeshadow Set ($35)
I love sporting a bold, shimmery eyeshadow look for the holidays, and rather than packing on shades and switching palettes for a mesmerizing glam look, I use Kulfi's Zari Eyes. The You're an Eyecon Set comes with the Zari Eyes cream shadow in a limited-edition champagne shade and my tried-and-true Kajal Eyeliner. With just one swipe of the cream shadow, you get a pigmented, long-wearing formula that makes your eye look multidimensional, and you can smoke out the long-lasting eyeliner for a bold look. This kit is the perfect gift for the makeup lover in your life.
Best Hair Care Gift
Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil ($37)
Hair oiling is a core part of my hair care routine. Not only is it great for scalp stimulation and hair growth, but it also just feels so relaxing and indulgent. Squigs hair oil has been my go-to for my hair maintenance and scalp concerns, and it's one of the few products my friends steal from me when they come over. So why not gift it to them? My hair feels and looks healthier every time I use it, and it helps combat my dry scalp issues that occur during the colder months. Read our review of the Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil for more information.
Best Holiday Candle Gift
Glasshouse Fragrances Winter Wonderland Candle ($55)
Glasshouse's line of home fragrances is like perfume for your space — each scent is layered and dynamic without being too overwhelming. I'm a big fan of the brand's holiday collection, and the Winter Wonderland scent is one of my favorites. It has notes of pine needles, eucalyptus, apple, red fruits, balsam fir, spruce, and cedarwood. It's fresh and clean yet cozy and comforting. When I burn this (or any scent from the holiday collection), I feel like I'm in a Hallmark holiday movie. Plus, the votives are gorgeous, and I repurpose them as storage containers throughout my home.
Best Jewelry Gift
Baublebar Bennett 18K Gold Tennis Bracelet ($58-$88)
Jewelry is never a bad idea when it comes to gifting, and you can never go wrong with something timeless like a tennis bracelet. Real diamonds are pricey, but you can still get that elevated look with the Bennett Tennis Bracelet from Baublebar. It's something they'll wear often and it goes with everything.
Best Self-Care Gift
The Skinny Confidential Mint Roller ($89)
I use The Skinny Confidential's Hot Mess Ice Roller every day. It is my emotional support ice roller that helps me depuff, ease facial tension, and feel less inflamed. You can read why I'm obsessed with it in my review of the Hot Mess Ice Roller. However, I've always found it to be difficult to travel with because of how big it is.
Luckily, the brand came out with a dual-sided, travel-friendly version: The Mint Roller. It has been my go-to for relieving neck and shoulder tension, especially on long plane rides. I use it to relieve headaches, when I feel stuffy from allergies, or when I just want to give myself a cooling facial treatment, along with a sheet mask. This is such a thoughtful and cute gift for the one who loves a facial massage and to indulge in self-care.
Best Skin-Care Gift
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads ($92)
Whenever I get a Sephora gift card, it instantly goes to stocking up on the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads. My skin LOVES this stuff and it's been a product I always turn to when my skin needs a pick-me-up. The two-step process is great for brightening the skin while fading existing dark spots and preventing breakouts — two of my main skin-care concerns.
I always travel with a few to help my skin post-breakouts, plus you can use the excess solution as a deodorant, too. If you're shopping for someone who swears by these peel pads or is a skin-care enthusiast, there's nothing better than helping your loved ones stock up on their favorite skin-care product. If you're on a budget, you can get them the mini-size with five treatments!
Best Relaxation Gift
Therabody SleepMask ($99)
As someone who has trouble falling asleep, Therabody's new SleepMask is the one tool that's helped me get into that meditative state and puts me to sleep instantly. It's also helped provide headache relief. This blackout sleep mask features three vibrational settings to help you relax and unwind while gently massaging out the tensions of the day. The best part? It's very travel-friendly and makes for a thoughtful and useful gift for those of us who just need to calm down and have a moment of zen. You can read more in our editors' Therabody SleepMask review.
Best Gift For the Football Fan
Abercrombie & Fitch NFL Philadelphia Eagles LuxeLoft V-Neck Sweater ($100)
I recently became obsessed with football, and it may or may not be because of Taylor Swift. But as a newly minted NFL fan, I wanted to rep the Eagles in gear that wasn't ugly, and thanks to Abercrombie's NFL collection, I found plenty of stylish pieces. The line has both men's and women's gear that's a mix of vintage graphics and polished, minimalist pieces like this LuxeLoft V-Neck Sweater. If you are shopping for an NFL fan this holiday season, I recommend any of the pieces from Abercrombie's NFL collection.
Best Cozy Gift
Cozy Earth Stretch-Knit Short Sleeve & Pant Bamboo Pajama Set ($156, originally $195)
There's nothing I romanticize more than my nighttime routine, and a core part of that is having the most comfortable pajamas. I am undeniably obsessed with Cozy Earth's breathable and buttery-soft Bamboo Pajama Set. Although they are pricey, it makes for a thoughtful and useful gift that your loved ones will adore. You can read more on why they are worth it in my review of the Cozy Earth Bamboo Pajama Set. It comes in a ton of fabulous colors and prints, too.
Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She tests skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.
