November 17, 2021

Holiday Gift Guide 2021 + Wrapping Ideas!

It’s the most wonderful time, but also sometimes the most stressful time of the year: the time for gifting! Honestly, I hate it. I love giving gifts randomly when I see something that reminds me of someone, but when I’m kind of “forced” to give gifts, my mind usually goes blank 😝 But below are a few gifts I keep a list of for when I’m in a rut. I’ve never done a gift guide before, but decided to put all my ideas out there today. At the end, I also shared a few cute ways to wrap gifts (sometimes I enjoy that more than the gifting 😉 ).

holiday-gift-guide 2021

FOR THE SUSTAINABLE SUSAN

I found these super cute reusable, portable mugs recently & had to have one. You can even add some loose leaf tea or coffee to her gift for her to enjoy in her cute mug. Also, how cute are these farmer’s market bags?!

If sustainable Susan loves her DIY projects, she might enjoy receiving some essential oils, reusable spray bottles or jars, or some reusable wipes that she can use for basically any need.

If your budget for Susan is on the higher end, Reformation, Patagonia, Everlane, and Girlfriend Collective have some super cute pieces of clothing or accessories to choose from.

FOR THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

If she loves having people over her home, hosting gatherings & such, she may enjoy adding cute glassware to her dinner tables or having super cute board games to elevate her evenings with friends. A charcuterie board set may also be super helpful to her if she’s having friends over often! West Elm has sooo many cute options to choose from.

If she loves going out instead of staying in, restaurant gift cards would be perfect! Gotta love a free dinner date! Or a cute wallet crossbody bag for keeping her things secure while she’s on the dance floor. Tickets to a local theatre or event are also fun!

FOR THE BUSY BEE

This lady is probably always on the go with barely any time in between her appointments/meetings/tasks. A meal subscription service could be really fun, easy & helpful for her to try. My favorites include Green Chef and Daily Harvest. She might also love a gift card to a local coffee shop that she’s always walking past. Or a gift card to get her nails done, get a massage, or maybe even try acupuncture.

FOR THE ONE WORKING FROM HOME

Cute desk accessories are sure to make a gal happy while at her desk! Or burning a cute candle while she’s clicking away on her keyboard.

If she’s the type to prefer working from bed, an acrylic bed tray would be make a cute makeshift desk!

FOR THE HOMEBODY

She probably loves elevating her home to make it the perfect place for her to relax. Organization bins can be a gift that keeps on giving! Might sound lame, but as a homebody myself, I loveee organizers! I wouldn’t be mad if I received them as a gift myself 😜

You can also get her some of her favorite local coffee beans for that perfect morning sip in a cute mug, a cozy blanket to keep her warm when she spends her Saturdays reading while a delicious candle fills her home. You might even want to get her cute wine glasses to elevate her evenings at home. If she loves cooking, this pan is non-toxic and my absolute favorite!

I know every guide always offers a Barefoot Dreams blanket, but consider getting a Barefoot Dreams cardigan! I’ve had mine for 2 years now and am OBSESSED. It’s like a socially acceptable cozy blanket you can wear all day long.

FOR THE COLLEGE STUDENT

University-branded hoodies can be quite expensive, I would’ve loved to get them as a gift. A cute, mini vacuum isn’t a super fun gift but a very practical one. A nespresso machine would be sooo helpful in keeping your student energized during those rough study sessions. A comfy lounge set is also a fabulous gift!

FOR THE LOCAL PHILLY GAL

An experience at the Wellness Refinery in Old City would be hit, whether you’re just taking her out for a coffee date or for an infrared sauna experience. Check out their Wellness Market for some cute goodies too. It’s such a cute space, especially for someone who loves an IG-worthy experience & pampering.

Local PHL Market has sooo many goodies made by Philly artists at different price points. So many cute options to choose from!

I love these Gold+Water Co soaps, a local black woman-owned business. They are so stinkin’ cute! Perfect for a Sustainable Susan in your life too.

A local wine or coffee subscription would make for a lovely gift! Some great options are Crossing VIneyards, Way Vine, Galer Estate, Bean2Bean Coffee, ReAnimator Coffee, Elixr Coffee, Old City Coffee, Backyard Beans in the suburbs, and I know there are so many more.

FOR THE SKINCARE LOVER

I loveeee taking care of my skin. After all, if your skin isn’t in tip-top shape, the makeup that you slather on top might not look as good either! I’m linking some of my favorite skincare masks & products below.

FOR THE FIT FRIEND

Or the wanna-be fit friend 😉 These cute picks are sure to make you a fabulous supportive friend if you have someone in your life who wants to take their fitness seriously in the new year and also wants to look cute doing it! I have the bala ankle weights on my wishlist this year!

OTHER IDEAS FOR HER

Imagine having a cozy weekend morning. You woke up refreshed after sleeping on your silk pillowcase. You’re sipping your coffee in bed, maybe a little breakfast. A bed tray would be so helpful in elevating a morning like that. Other classic ideas for her include coffee table books to elevate a living space or night stand, perfume to keep her smelling sweet (or sexy!). Plus, perfumes can get quite expensive so it can be nice to receive them as a gift.

FOR HIM

When it comes to shopping for the men, I personally find it quite difficult 😝 But here are a few ideas:

A new pair of shoes can make him feel brand new. Some Chelsea boots could be perfect, or a new pair of sneakers. A new coat for the season can help to elevate his look as well.

Whether he’s into fitness or not, Lululemon has these super comfy shorts. My husband is obsessed with them!

He might enjoy these glasses that look like cans. Or new whiskey glasses.

If he has a hobby he loves, consider getting him something related to that. Or if he just bought a new car, get him some fun accessories or upgrades for his car.

I hope you found this post helpful and have received a few ideas! A lot of these gifts can also apply to multiple categories.

I’d love to know what you will be gifting this year! Be sure to leave a comment below & let me know!

GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS

I usually get all my wrapping paper from Target, every year they release so many cute wrapping items! But HomeGoods is another go-to for paper + knick knacks to use for the wrapping.

💗 Alena

2 responses to “Holiday Gift Guide 2021 + Wrapping Ideas!”

  1. Erica says:

    This is legit the best and most helpful gift guide I’ve read yet! Thanks Alena!!!

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ABOUT LEL

Welcome to Love Everything Lovely, a life & style blog filled with my take on living a life all around lovely and with the goal to inspire you to pursue your loveliest life! I’m Alena, a twenty-something with a heart full of passion for beauty, fashion, and always striving to live my best and loveliest life.