There is perhaps no topic I'm more excited to dive into than holiday gifts. As an editor, it's my job to know the very best items to shop for, and the holiday season is a moment to shine a light on some of the top finds of the year. I constantly have my eye on standout shopping items, and here, I've narrowed it down to the very best pieces to gift across categories ranging from fashion and beauty to home and décor.
Some highlights this year include beautiful investment jewelry that will stand the test of time, stunning designer bags, and little luxuries in the form of silk scarves and charms. I've also included collectible games, cult-favorite shoes, and the products beauty insiders can't stop talking about. Ahead, shop the best holiday gifts of the season, according to this editor—these are the items topping my short list for gifting season.
Jewelry is one of the most universally loved gifts to unwrap. If you have a jewelry gift in mind this season, there are some key trends and pieces that are primed for the holidays. Pearls continue to be reimagined by designers, including cult designs by Completedworks that bring modern twists to classic pearls. Anything sparkly is sure to be a hit as well, including white sapphire earrings from Dorsey. And if the sky is the limit regarding your budget, the diamond-dial Cartier Baignoire watch set on a leather band is guaranteed to be the winning gift of 2024.
Nothing beats a gift set, especially one with hair products. Aveda collaborated with global luxury fashion label Altuzarra to create a limited-edition capsule of haircare kits that are perfect for the fashion people in your life. Housing some of Aveda's best plant-forward haircare products in beautifully designed reusable boxes, these sets are just begging to be gifted.
Who wouldn't want to receive a stunning bag for the holidays? This year, it's all about a great everyday leather top-handle bag, and the Coach Empire tote is one of the buzziest new releases to have on your radar and into a box wrapped with a bow. This year, fashion insiders have been accessorizing their bags with personalized touches like charms and scarves, which offers another fun idea for gifting a bag. Add these extra elements to a beautiful bag to make it particularly personalized for the recipient.
Another way to get personal with gift giving? Fragrance. If they have classic taste, Chanel N°5 is a timeless choice for an iconic scent. This year, it was released in a limited-edition snow-dusted version that is perfect for the holidays. Newer releases are another way to surprise a fragrance enthusiast and add something fresh to their collection. Bottega Veneta just introduced a new line of perfumes that are housed in beautiful, organically shaped glass bottles designed with a base of Verde Saint Denis marble. Merit also released its first-ever perfume with the Retrospect scent that is crafted with notes of bergamot, jasmine, and musk.
Sculptural party heels are a fun gift that can be put to use immediately for holiday events and New Year's Eve. The latest pierced heels from Tory Burch just dropped and are already gaining a cult following—the metallic details adorning the toes are immediate conversation starters. For those looking to get an early start on some of the biggest trends for 2025, Prada has already tapped into one of next season's biggest color trends with its powder-pink satin pumps. Saint Laurent, too, is dialed into the trends early with a showstopping take on peep-toe heels.
Nothing makes a great gift better than something unexpected like a game. Go for a classic with a backgammon set, and opt for a travel version so they can pack it on an upcoming holiday. A poker set is another classic that can have your family and friends brush up on their card skills. For a puzzle lover, find them something from Piecework Puzzles for them to add to their collection. A set themed around their astrological sign is a fun way to make it personal.
Get them pieces they can enjoy all winter long, whether that is something decorative for their home or a practical yet stylish fashion find. A blue-and-white mohair blanket from Loewe is the perfect blend of stylish and cozy that they will want to wrap up in for chilly nights. For the entertainer, get them a bottle of Champagne and outfit it with a bottle apron from Gohar. Woven leather intrecciato gloves are the workhorse piece that they will wear with all of their winter looks for a directional take on a cold-weather accessory.
