The Girlfriend Gift Guide
15 Perfect Gift Ideas for the Women in Your Life from Our 3 Favorite Female Influencers
Who is the absolute best person to advise you on what to get your girl for the holidays? Go ahead, take a guess. I’ll wait.
If you said “I talk to my buddies and see what they’re getting,” I guess it's better than putting on a blindfold and clicking until something gets added to your cart.
The best person to help you shop for a woman is, in fact, another woman. And it helps if she’s an influencer with a keen eye for fun, style, and meaningful gifts at a variety of price points.
That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of Megan Collins, founder of Style Girlfriend, Leila Najafi, from @leilaslist, and Amy Zhang from @theluxilook to help us put together a gift guide for women that will give you the inside track on what’s hot, happy, and guaranteed to please this holiday season.
Who knows more about what a girl likes like than the women she follows on Instagram? Check out their picks below!
Leila Najafi of @leilaslist
Follow her on Instagram @leilaslist
Leila is a lifestyle and travel writer who has created the hugely popular @leilaslist on Instagram, an invaluable resource for finding the best coffee, food, and drinks in LA. Her Instagram Story roundups of what’s going on each weekend take away 99% of the hard work: Figuring out what's worth your time.
Landeau Roses
Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the most extraordinary. This bouquet of 25 roses (because why stop at a dozen?) comes in a variety of pretty colors and is delivered in the most exquisite packaging that will spruce up any room. Currently, they only ship to to NY, Chicago, LA and SF.
Milla Chocolates
There are chocolates and then there are Milla Chocolates. I’m a bona fide chocoholic and these are hands down the best chocolates I’ve ever eaten. Like, ever. Not to mention, each little morsel looks like a work of art because Christine Sarioz, the founder, spent years studying art. I could easily live off of the hazelnut praline bar.
Burke Williams Spa
Burke Williams, starting at $150
What girl doesn’t love a massage?! The Pure Relaxation massage at Burke Williams is pure heaven. I’ve tried a lot of spas and Burke Williams is always the one I go back to. I love their facilities and how luxurious I feel. I can easily spend a day at their spa pampering myself.
Away Travel Carry-on
Every jetsetter needs this stylish carry-on. It comes in 8 colors (the blush color, better known as “millennium pink,” is my personal fave!) and has every world traveler dreaming of their next destination. I love this brand because it is designed with the modern traveler in mind — it’s sleek and functional at the same time. But the best part is the built-in battery that can charge an iPhone up to 5 times. No more searching for an outlet at the airport!
Absolut Elyx Copper Martini Set
The Absolut Elyx copperware set is absolutely stunning and it’s what every home bar needs. I may not know how to shake up a martini, but this set definitely makes me want to learn. I also love that Absolut Elyx partnered with Water for People so every purchase will provide access to one week of safe water to someone in need.
Amy Zhang of The Luxi Look
Follow her on Instagram @theluxilook and on theluxilook.com
Amy is the creative force behind The Luxi Look, an LA-based fashion, lifestyle, and travel destination. She’s built a huge following of women who turn to her to find out what’s trending and what’s worth the money. Chances are if Amy endorses it, the women in your life want it.
Fuji Instant Camera
In the age of the iPhone photo, there's something to be said about actual prints! This camera is easy to use, the photos are instant, and are fun to have at parties/festivals/events.
ORIBE Travel Essentials
When it comes to hair products, Oribe is the gold standard! This set is super luxe and perfect for the jetsetter in your life.
T3 Convertible Curling Iron
I love this curler + all of the different interchangeable barrels you can use with it for any type of wave or curl! It's also compatible with outlets abroad, so you can take it with you around the world.
Jonathan Adler Champagne Candle
Who doesn't love a bougie candle? This one smells incredible and adds a nice metallic touch to any living room.
Ceramic and Brass Planter
Greenery in the home or office is a must! These geometric planters are great for use anywhere and ideal for holding mini plants or succulents.
Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend
Follow her on StyleGirlfriend.com and on Instagram: @stylegf
Megan is the founder of Style Girlfriend, a site aimed at being the supportive voice in the heads of poorly dressed men (and the women who love them), telling guys what girls actually want to see them wearing. Raised in Wisconsin and now a New Yorker, Megan has a loyal following of both men and women who follow her for top recommendations.
Ban.do Hot Sauce iPhone Case
If you’re in a newer relationship (or simply a guy on a budget), a fun phone case is a great stocking stuffer-type gift that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. This hot sauce bottle number from Ban.do is one of my favorites, along with their very cute “Chill Pills” style.
Alo Moto Legging
I’ve been trying to figure out the men’s equivalent of women's leggings, and I’ve settled on baseball hats. Consider it: they’re both an instant style upgrade when you’re feeling less than fresh (ie, When was the last time I washed my hair?) and the best ones make us feel more confident when we wear them. Will she work out in these Alo moto leggings or just strut around on errands feeling cute? Who cares? She’ll love them and that’s all that really matters.
“Now we drink champagne” necklace
A good rule of thumb at the holidays is if you’re giving her jewelry but it’s not an engagement ring, make sure the box is big enough that she won’t open it up thinking a VERY BIG MOMENT is about to happen. This heart necklace, emblazoned with Notorious BIG lyrics will do the trick.
The Full Moon Dust Set, Moon Juice
Painfully chic, hippie dippie blends of superherbs (and supermushrooms! what?!) promising to nourish the body and spirit from the inside out that she’s always been curious about but would never in a million years buy for herself? Check! Feeling frisky? Just get her the Sex Dust ($38) and call it a day.
“Babe” Cashmere Sweater
She wants to know you’ll love and cherish her no matter how she looks, so send that message with a cozy sweater that doesn’t show a lick of skin.
Special thanks to Leila, Amy, and Megan! Be sure to follow @leilaslist, @theluxilook, and @stylegf!
Zack
I’m disappointed there were pretty much no selections for guys on a budget.
Andrew
Hey Zack! Half of these items are under $100.
Retired Sergeant
The candies seemed reasonable
j s
Looking forward to the follow-up article by some poor guy who actually gave his partner these gifts. About 80% of these are terrible ideas.
CaliKapo
Wack
Justin Brown
not the best list if i’m being honest. Kind of dissapointed. This list is the opposite of what this site is about.
Will
Look, I hate to be negative, but like everyone else, this was a bit of a bust. I’d like to meet the guy whose light-bulb Christmas moment was, “YES! A $310 sweater! Why didn’t I think of that? And $120 roses to go with it!” My reaction to most of these range from rolled eyes to a spit-take and the finger.
You GOTTA know your audience better than this. We want suggestions that will come from us with thoughtful sentimentality, not ones that need the price tag attached just so she KNOWS how much $he mean$ to u$.
Andrew
Hey Will! Thanks for the comment, always appreciate the feedback. These are just some idea starters intended to get guys thinking or to fill in a gift idea, based on what 3 actual women want. Like you said, you have to know your audience, and what’s right for your partner. Most of the items on our guys gift guide could also be described as unsentimental, these are all just “things” and the deeper sentiment has to come from the giver, otherwise it’s just signing your name on a pre-written Hallmark card.
Interestingly, we’ve tried different variations on the theme of female gift guide over the years, from having one woman pick out a bunch of things, to splitting it up by type of woman (active, traveler, etc.), to practical items. Each have always come with different heated commentary (my favorite was a guy saying the ideas were sexist, even though it was written by a woman…) People clearly take gift giving to the women in their life with a lot of emotion, as they should, and it’s clear no approach will be a one and done guide for everyone. If in this chaotic time of year, our guide helps you at least weed out what you know isn’t right for the woman in your life then I’ll take it as a success.
Happy holidays, appreciate the comment and thanks for reading!
Will
Thanks for taking the time to reply, Andrew. Like I said, I didn’t want to sound *too* negative – I AM a fan of the site and its articles – and hoped my feedback would come across as at least somewhat constructive.
Either way, I’m looking forward to what comes next. Happy holidays right back at you, man.
Scott Ingalls
My coffee came out of my nose I laughed so hard when I read this reply! Well said, Will. The one thing I might add is, “in absence of inspiration, PAY ‘TIL IT HURTS” You may miss the mark, but at least you will not be accused of indifference.
Caleb Jensema
Been a huge fan and shared this site with others since I found it in 2013. What I love about this site is that it is a “Real Man’s GQ”. No $5,000 items that “you have to have this fall”. Yes, there are some pricier options in here – but nothing crazy.
Being from Wisconsin, yes, nobody is going to buy a $300+ cashmere sweater…but a nice one from J-Crew Factory that is half the price – sure. I think that is what I like most is when you show us an overpriced item and link a reasonalbe and simialr substitute.
@kakitahero:disqus are you proposing they poll Primer members what we’re getting for our significant others? That’d be a neat idea.
Daniel
I normally love all the primer posts (especially ones like this), but this one is very disappointing. Normally, the posts have a couple higher priced items for those that are looking for that sort of thing (and I trust that they are worth the price when they have been recommended ). But this was completely useless and definitely seemed like a paid promotion.
Andrew
Hi Daniel, Appreciate the feedback. Definitely not a paid promotion. Half of the items are under $100 and all are under $310.
Serafin Nunez
If your lady is just a bit different (like mine), get her an Ancestry DNA kit.
Andrew
Love that idea! I just mailed back my 23andMe kit.
Modern Connoisseur
Those Champagne candles are awesome!!!
Brumie Lad
Oh Andrew! What was this you posted? I pulled up this read hoping to get some genuine inspiration for a decent gift for my girlfriend. Can I just say I nearly died inside when I read the martini set bit, but then came along the “we drink champagne” jewelry to finish the job.
What choices indeed! An iPhone case, a curling iron, a pair of yoga pants….and aaah yes, candles! Things every girl already has in her armory.
Quick question matey, are these ladies what they now call influencers these days? Good grief! Guys, please send your lady to the spa as a Christmas gift, throw in a peddy and a facial as well (while you faff about with the lads at the old local), I’m sure she’ll be chuffed.
After reading this again again…and again, the only things that would have remotely made sense are the box of chocolates and the cashmere sweater. But those are on two ends of the budget spectrum…..so the jury is out on that one.
IMO, these ladies have their heads up in the clouds or even worse, buried in the sand.
Here’s a hint Andrew, perhaps you should ask a random selection of real ladies (not head-in-the-cloud influencers) what their ideal gift for Christmas would be. I’m sure the findings would be much appreciated by a majority of the lads on here.
Adam
You should put a disclaimer next to the Away luggage. Delta, Alaskan and AA are banning them in the new year.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/7/16746784/smart-luggage-regulations-american-airlines-delta
Teddy
Nice try on a good article…the thought of this article is on point the execution and products fell short…C’mon Snavely be better!!!All in fun, but it is a miss
Linda Gonzalez
you are look great on this dress can you have 3D Puff Embroidery Digitizing dresses
Jeff H.
THANKS FOR THE GREAT ADVICE…jk….this is no good. I expect better from you snavely
Luke
I am grateful that there are people on the internet who advise on the selection of gifts! I always have a problem with it! I want to come up with some unique idea but I think I’m not so creative. I I usually search for gift lists in the internet. Last time I bought my girlfriend a real star from kingdom of universe. She was delighted! I found this concept on someone’s blog.
Mike
Luke I followed your lead and I bought a girl star in the Kingdom of universe and said that I have never done anything so romantic