in my perfect world... you don't already have gift guide fatigue.
etsy wins the award for most mentions.
I’ll let you in on some CPW analytics - last year’s Christmas list is still my most popular article to date! Let’s see if we can maybe beat it…?
November is not for the faint of heart. At least my schedule isn’t! I went back to my college town this past weekend for the homecoming game (we won) and I’m in full prep mode for my best friend’s wedding this coming weekend. I’m running on a little over 6 hours of sleep as I write this… let me know if you can tell. It might be a little more noticeable over on the podcast.
Things I’ve been trying: this nourishing “Skin Food” night cream from Weleda, this blowout hair tutorial featuring the slightly controversial Revlon Hair Dryer Round Brush and lastly, using dates (the fruit) in as many recipes as I can. The front runner is graham cracker date sandwiches with an almond butter spread, which feels like it should be healthy but really isn’t? I’m trying. I also saw Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, and am debating giving it it’s own dedicated newsletter… if that says anything about what I thought of the film. It was incredible.
I will have literally blinked and November will be gone, and I guess I’m not helping with today’s newsletter. Fortunately, not even my insane schedule can stop Claire Claus from coming to town.
You might be reading this and thinking, “Christmas list? In November?”
Or…
you might be reading this and thinking, “I’ve had the halls decked for weeks now and am already putting Mariah Carey back on ice for next year. It’s about time.”
I lean more towards the first inner dialogue, but as I’ve grown in age and maturity, I’ve tried to be better about buying my Christmas gifts with a little bit of time before the holidays are in full swing. I actually have a few gifts already purchased and a running list on my notes app with ideas (which I’d highly recommend creating if you’re a fellow procrastinator).
I’ve also already swiped through numerous gift guides on TikTok, so I’ve done my best to add in some items that might be new to you? Maybe?
If you have a person in your life that, like me, is already requesting a list or asking about what you’re eyeing, I’m here to help.
Last year, I offered ten items.
This year, we’re getting crazy.
Here are twenty CPW approved ideas for your Christmas list, or to gift to others!
Strap in.
THE CPW GIFT GUIDE
Any bags from Madewell - one time I went to a brand event with my Sydney Crossbody Bag and someone asked me if it was designer (I’m forgetting what brand as I recount the story). All that to say, these bags look great and the quality is even better. My favorites on their site right now are the Mini Bag, the Magazine Tote Bag (specifically the Woodrose Metallic color way), the Basketweave Mini Crossbody Tote and the Essential Bucket Tote.
AirPod cases - the cutesy AirPods case market is a world of its own. I used to have a crochet koala case for my headphones, and I absolutely recommend taking the crochet animal route if that’s of interest to you. If that’s not of interest to you, believe me when I say there’s thousands of AirPod case options, even AirPod Max covers if you’re on that level. A quick Etsy search will prove my point. My favorites are this crochet strawberry, this case with stars and a chain and these snack inspired cases, specifically the Ben & Jerry’s pint.
Makeup - the one item that will never leave my list. I’ll keep this one short and let it speak for itself, but some products on my list are the REFY Brow Sculpt, Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter, Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette and Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.
Snif Gift Card - I have embarked on a perfume/scent journey and my algorithm got the memo. Almost every other video on my various feeds is some sort of perfume haul or breakdown, and Snif is a common theme. I also had a friend recommend their products to me, so though I haven’t tried them myself, I trust this brand. Picking out a perfume for someone can be a dangerous game (more on that later), so a gift card is the perfect in-between. Some scents I’ve heard positive reviews from are Suganami, Salty Stares and the 2023 Allure Best of Beauty winner, Tart Deco.
Reading accessories - I just made up that term. But I didn’t know what else to call these items! For the book worm in your life or just for your own reading hobby, it’s fun to add on some of these items; most of them were inspired by the reading influencers that frequent my Instagram explore page. I like these no bleed, fast drying pastel highlighters for the lines you don’t want to forget, these book tabs to mark the pages with the lines you don’t want to forget and my personal favorite, a library stamp to claim your book territory. I have this one from Etsy, but there are tons of designs to choose from if snakes aren’t your thing.
Subscriptions - because they are literally the gift that keeps on giving. Last year I talked about Book of the Month subscriptions - which I’d still recommend - but there are many more to choose from if you’re not a huge reader. There are coffee subscription services, flower subscription services… I could continue to name them, but I’ll just direct you to this article from The Strategist that does the dirty work for me.
Cozyland pajamas - I have this weird thing where I’m superstitious about the pajamas I sleep in. If I wear a pair and don’t sleep well that night, they’re out of the rotation for a while. I have to tell you… my Ellie Pajama Set from the Cozyland X My Little Pony Collab has a pretty great track record. These are a little on the pricier side when it comes to clothes strictly for sleeping, but they get softer every wash and I’m actually excited to put them on each night.
Nintendo Switch Games - if you’re not a Nintendo Switch owner, feel free to pass over this one. I love my Switch, but I only own Animal Crossing: New Horizons and have understandably become a little burnt out on the game. Hence, my ask for new ones! The two on my list are Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Hogwarts Legacy. Mario Party Superstars is also a family favorite.
Hair products - I’m always asking for makeup and skincare, but I’ve been getting more and more interested in haircare products, especially the concept of hair perfume! I used to spray my real perfume in my hair (is that bad?), so now I’m looking to get a specific product just for that purpose. I’ve heard great things about Gisou’s hair perfume, but there are others out there, even from brands like Dior. In terms of other haircare products, I’m asking for the Crown Affair Flexible Hold Finishing Hair Gel and would recommend buying this Heatless Curling Set from Kitsch if you want effortless, overnight curls.
Etsy Gift Card - if you haven’t noticed, I’ve mentioned Etsy a lot already and we’re only halfway through. While I used to associate the site with arts and crafts and a sort of random assortment of goods, I’ve come to use Etsy a lot in recent years. I talked about my love of Etsy mugs in last year’s guide, and also have discovered the great collection of vintage clothing and jewelry on the site. All that to say, don’t sleep on Etsy (because where else can you buy a fake cake tissue box holder?)
Phone cases - I take phone cases a little too seriously, but they really are a great gift. Most of us have the same one for years and procrastinate getting a new one, even though the current one is discolored and scratched and not really our vibe anymore (just me again?). My all time favorite place to shop phone cases is Sonix, but Casetify has its own cult following for a reason and I’d be remiss to not include (surprise!) Etsy as a great place to find lots of phone case options. Wildflower Cases is also an iconic phone case company that’s been around for a while, with new designs coming out all of the time.
Merch - the perfect gift for when you have no clue what to get someone. Merch from their favorite band! Or singer! Or TV show! Or movie! Any sort of merchandise from one of your (or a friend’s) specific interests makes a great Christmas gift, from Harry Styles trucker hats to a miniature version of one of your favorite athletes. Whatever you’re into, you can probably find some cool merch to go along with it.
Coffee table books - you might not know someone’s specific reading preferences, but thankfully that doesn’t really matter with coffee table books! Do they have a favorite place? A fun hobby? A fashion icon or celebrity crush? There’s most likely a coffee table book for it! I like to try to find these at a thrift store, but independent bookstores usually have a plethora of options, and there’s always Amazon.
Wall calendars - the Feelings Calendar from Jenna O. Studio has been one of my favorite gifts for years. Who says wall calendars have to be boring? Papier makes some very aesthetic wall calendars, and I recently found this dreamy pink and red one on Etsy. For the cat lover, the dog lover, the farmer’s market fanatic… there’s a wall calendar for all of us!
Coloring Book & Pens - Coloring. Books. Are. For. All. Ages. Seriously! Coloring is my favorite way to mentally check out and relieve stress, and having an extra cute coloring book and extra nice markers makes it all 10x better. My favorites are the Dual Tip Sketch Markers by Artist’s Loft. Be warned, they are definitely an investment, but these three things in life are certain: death, taxes and that Michael’s will have a coupon. As for coloring books, my favorite is from Bobbie Goods. These sell out very quick, so follow Bobbie Goods on Instagram and pay attention to when they’re dropping if you want to get your hands on one. Some other fun ones I found are this minimalist coloring book, any book from Lainie Dao, Fructus Illustrations’ books (right now there’s only a fall inspired one on the site, but they do drops like Bobbie Goods) and this inspirational, floral coloring book from Elyse Breanne Designs, available for preorder now. Amazon and Barnes & Noble also have many options.
Perfume sampler sets - a great choice if you’re not sure of someone’s specific scent preferences… or if you yourself are just interested in switching it up. I received the 'REPLICA' Memory Box Mini Perfume Sampler Set from Maison Margiela last year and enjoyed experimenting with all of the options based on my mood. I also recently gifted the Boy Smells Discovery Set. If neither of those are speaking to you, Sephora has perfume sampler sets from tons of brands in all price ranges.
Fun claw clips - Thank GOD claw clips were not just a fleeting trend. While Amazon has some fun packs of patterned clips, I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about this Cajun Shrimp Hair Claw by Winona Irene on Edge of Urge or this Rice Cake Claw Clip Set from Emi Jay. When I said fun, I meant fun. I understand those specific picks might not be for everyone, but both Edge of Urge and Emi Jay have more demure options that are still a switch up from the norm, and make really cute gifts.
Jellycats - I am 110% a stuffed animal person and I have no issues admitting that. The thing with Jellycats is that even if your gift recipient isn’t a stuffed animal person (which is weird if you ask me), I can almost guarantee they’ll still love receiving one of these as a gift. Speaking of Edge of Urge, they currently have an “Adopt-A-Jellycat” campaign on their site where you can gift a child at UNC Children’s Hospital with their own little friend for the holidays. An actual gift that keeps on giving. Just like the claw clips, you can get as weird as a laughing hard boiled egg or smiling bowl of ramen, but there are normal animals too. I promise.
Sheets - yes, sheets. Which on the surface sounds like the most boring Christmas present known to man, but they’re on my list. By sheets I don’t mean plain white color with an impressive thread count. I mean sheets with a cool pattern that make you excited to get in bed! The best sets I’ve seen recently have been from Betsey Johnson, Pottery Barn (specifically PB Kids and PB Teen!) and Urban Outfitters.
Aprons - coming from the girl who dedicated a newsletter to her kitchen adventures and recently made a baking highlight on her Instagram…I have to admit I don’t wear an apron when I’m in the kitchen. But I want to! In my mind, it makes cooking or baking more of a fun event and less of a stressful race to the finish, which it often is for me. Anthropologie will forever be the first place I think of for cutesy aprons, but Uncommon Goods and Hedley & Bennett also have fun picks (like this LoveShackFancy floral number and this egg-cellent option!)
Crossing my fingers that at least one of those items jumped out to you! And that you had an equally good time reading the gift guide that I did writing it. It satiated my desire to online shop. For now.
Let me know if you decided to gift anything on the list and stay warm!
In my perfect world… someone buys this headphone wearing eggplant. It’s too good.
I can surely shop now ! Amazing list!Another great read!