27 High-Impact Presents For Fashion Enthusiasts, Perpetual Travelers, Chic Snobs, and the Astrology Obsessed.
The majority of which are under $100, and none over $250.
And we’re back with another (and probably final) installment of my annual gift guide. Last week was all about hyper specific presents for hyper specific people, and per my promise, this one is full of more generalized gifts that fall into one of four categories. Below, please find some of my tried-and-true go-to presents that are sure to please, most of which are under $100.
(If you’re looking for more ideas or overall strategies for giving the best presents, 2021’s How To Win At Giving Presents by yours truly might help?)
As always, if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)
Stylish Delights for The Fashion Enthusiast
Subscription to Line Sheet, by Lauren Sherman ($100 annually normally, now $79/21% off with code LINESHEET)
If you know someone who is obsessed with fashion, they need—need—a subscription to Lauren Sherman’s newsletter. She is truly an industry thought leader, and Line Sheet is a delicious read. Packed with sublime sentences—the woman called Erewhon “the Dover Street Market of food,” which made me cackle—and incredible reporting, it’s no wonder why every true insider/fashion expert I know is obsessed with it.
Loewe Home Scents Tomato Leaves Candle ($110)
While we are many months past “tomato girl summer,” the scent continues to be popular, so give in to the virality and get the Tomato Leaves candle from it-brand Loewe.
Vintage Gucci Matchbook + Matches ($50)
Not suggesting you smoke, but how cool are these? And while I love a vintage Gucci moment, you can tailor the matches to your giftee's taste, of course, as eBay has an impressive selection of vintage options.
Looking for thoughtfully priced and curated vintage, estate, and antique jewelry? Folklor is my go-to spot. Founder Megan Mensink typically does weekly Wednesday drops of her latest finds, and there’s truly something for everyone—but you have to move fast, as key pieces sell out quickly. Folklor always has really incredible gold chains at a wide range of price points (last time I looked at least a third were under $300), and I love how she includes the dimensions and weight for each piece, so you really understand what you’re getting.
Winona Tote ($25)
If you (like me) missed the first printing of Robert Rich’s The Winona Book, and don’t have the patience to wait for the next printing (you can waitlist yourself here), the tote is a nice stopgap.
Super Smalls Jewelry for Kids
For friends who love fashion and have kids (ahem, this friend could be you), Super Smalls should be on your go-to list. Created by ELLE’s former Accessories Director, Maria Duenas Jacobs, the line is incredible and truly satisfying, both visually and to play with. If your kiddos are Team Elsa, please consider the Super Smalls x Disney’s Frozen Elsa Snowflake Crystal Clip-On Drop Earrings, Ring, and Bracelet Set ($45). Is “Part of Your World” always blaring from your speakers? Try the Super Smalls x Disney The Little Mermaid Ariel Clip On Earrings & 3 Ring Set ($45). Or if the kid in question is more into non-Disney specific dress-up, the Super Smalls Kids’ Dress Up Mega Trunk Playset ($99) is another great choice.
Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel ($75)
Know someone who watched the Apple TV+ docuseries The Super Models and loved it? Then this new book is an essential present, as it includes over 180 images of the iconic model, by the iconic photographer, shot over 25 years.
Tom Ford 002 ($75)
For the youngs, Assouline’s brightly colored travel books are hugely collectable and a major flex. But just a handful of years ago, the cool kids were fascinated with a very different POV, specifically Tom Ford’s essential coffee table book, Tom Ford, which came out in 2004 and covered his career through his time at Gucci. This holiday season, you can thrill the millennial in your life with the legend’s second installment, Tom Ford 002, which details the creation of his eponymous brand. Trust me; buy this.
Thoughtful Touches for The Perpetual Traveler
Paravel Packing Cubes ($52 for a set of four; $77 if you want it monogrammed/personalized)
If you read my October luggage/travel story, you know that the constantly in motion U Beauty founder Tina Chen Craig loves Paravel’s packing cubes. They’re currently 20% off, are available in seven colors, and are made from recycled plastic bottles. Win, win, win.
Shani Darden Skin Care Skin Renewal Trio Mini Set ($68)
I don’t know about you, but traveling without all of my normal skincare products is a serious annoyance, which is why I’m such a fan of this mini set from my beloved and trusted skincare guru, Shani Darden. It’s a great gift for a friend who is always on the road, or you could just self-gift if you’re curious about the brand’s incredible formulations…
Cuyana Convertible Leather Laptop Sleeve ($118)
As you might have realized by now, I’m a big fan of Cuyana, and swear by the brand’s pouches for keeping my work and travel bags organized. While you can’t go wrong with the bigger tech carryall (my current go to), I also am super into the convertible laptop sleeve, which also doubles as a desk and mouse pad. (If you need more convincing, a reminder that Cuyana is female founded and led, the leather is made in a woman-owned factory in Turkey, and the leather is LWG Gold certified.)
Must-Have Merch for Your Hotel Hopper
The recent trend of hotel merch makes me smile, and also makes for excellent presents. For the friend who adores (or dreams of) Italian summers, I’d suggest the Mezzatorre Tote Bag ($43). Or you could get The Bowery lover in your life the hotel’s signature Pillow Shams ($43 each) or fluffy white Bathrobe ($99). If you’re shopping for someone who is less trad, might I suggest the dreamy, colorful El Cosmico Robe ($180)? And for the friend who loves all things French, the FRAME x Ritz Paris Hat ($148) is a great splurge.
Small Satisfactions for Chic Snobs
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Fingerless Gloves ($90)
As careful readers of Lauren Sherman’s newsletter know, Scottish cashmere is having a major moment. And how better to display that knowledge than with the gift of these cashmere fingerless gloves from the 200-year old company Johnstons of Elgin, which a very chic colleague told me is “the Hermes of Scottish cashmere.” And he wasn’t just saying that: Johnstons literally makes the cashmere Hermes uses for its stoles and other products.
Valentino Rosso Valentino High Pigment Refillable Lipstick ($45) in 22R Rosso Valentino
No one, and I mean no one, does red quite like Valentino, which is why I can confidently say that everyone should have the brand’s 22R lipstick in their possession. It’s a satin finish, which is the most comfortable and flattering formulation, and a universally attractive shade of red. Even better: It’s also refillable (refills are $30), which is another excellent feature.
Bottega Veneta iPhone Case ($250) or Airpods Pro Case ($250)
Retro vibes, but make it luxury.
Carine Roitfeld All-Black Matches ($17)
I really don’t know what to tell you, but I find it absolutely fascinating that the highly specific, unquestionably influential Carine Roitfeld is offering black-on-black-on-black matches for sale on her website. And I love it.
Dior Post-It Tray ($120)
So you’d really love to give someone the We Should All Be Feminists t-shirt, but that isn’t in the cards? How about this tiny treasure: A Dior tray for post-it notes, in the iconic toile that was used in Mr. Dior’s first boutique.
Essentials For The Astrology Obsessed
Chani 2024 Guidebook ($50)
Assuming the recipient has the app already—if not, start with that—I also love Chani Nicholas’s downloadable guides for the year ahead, which she suggests you buy based on one’s rising sign. As someone who’s read a slew of astrology books and tried every app out there, trust me when I say Chani is truly singular.
Michael Aram Zodiac Boxes ($105 each)
Maybe I’m crazy, but I think people always like a thoughtful little container for storing things that matter to them, like: pills, jewelry, whatever. And most folks (certainly the majority of Californians) appreciate something astrological, so you can two birds it with one of these small marble zodiac boxes.
Papier Astrology Hardcover Notebooks ($31)
If you know me, stop reading, because there is a high likelihood one of these notebooks are ending up under your tree. If you know someone who swooned about the Dior tarot clutches (me too) or dreams of their own Olympia Le-Tan bag (me too), I have a sneaking suspicion that they’ll love these notebooks too. And if this one isn’t perfect, I highly recommend checking out the brand’s other options, because it has good ones galore.
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
Once again, you have delivered truly the best and most thoughtful list and I shopped my way all the way through. Incredible ✨!!
I bought a set of paravel packing cubes on your recent recommendation, and they are transformative! they kept me sane on last week's crazy work trip to dubai and abu dhabi, bouncing between hotels. thinking of getting monogrammed ones for the chic young travellers on my list.