Because our readers have really great taste.
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If we were on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and had to guess which gift would be the most well-received, we wouldn’t think twice about utilizing that “Phone a Friend” lifeline.
Friends and family are great resources for shopping inspiration — an honest recommendation will always trump a stale description on a retailer’s website. Not sure what to get your self-care-lovin’ neighbor? Bogart your friend’s skincare routine and add the new serum she raves about to your cart. Want to surprise your aspiring athlete of a brother? Ask your marathoning husband for advice on the best sneakers. No matter where you source the recommendation, a personal suggestion is always preferred. (Who isn’t guilty of relying solely on Yelp for restaurant reviews or only purchasing items with five-star ratings on Amazon?)
That’s why we’re looking to you, our loyal readers (and friends!), and dedicating an entire gift guide to a selection you curated. We trust your impeccable judgment, so we always pay close attention to what you’re eyeing, buying, and loving. Everything on this list is a top-selling item from our very own readers, and some of them just so happen to be on sale.
Whether you’re shopping for a colleague or a partner, here are the most-purchased items we’ve shared with you in 2024. Since you covet these goods yourself, we bet your closest kin will adore them, too.
For more gift ideas, visit our complete 2024 Holiday Gift Guide.
Spanx AirEssentials Half-Zip and Wide-Leg Pants
Spanx
Katie and Wake-Up Callers equally love this cozy set from Spanx’s AirEssentials line. The silky fabric feels amazing against your skin, and it’s lightweight enough to keep you from overheating, but warm enough to keep you from feeling a chill. Want to make them extra special for the holidays? Add custom embroidery for your recipient (or yourself — we won’t tell).*
Quince Cashmere Sweater
Quince
“I hate receiving cashmere as a gift,” said no one ever. Quince makes some of the best — and most affordable — cashmere sweaters out there, like this one that rings in at only $50. There are 14 different colors to choose from, and over 14,000 reviewers rave about the quality and ease of this crewneck style.
Cornbread Hemp CBD Sleep Gummies
Cornbread Hemp
CBD gummies can help relieve stress and improve your sleep, but it’s important to find high-quality products with a consistent dosage. That’s why we — and your fellow readers — recommend Cornbread Hemp’s USDA-certified organic products, which are tested by a third party to ensure you’re getting great quality.*
La Mer The Winter Wonders Renewal Set
Nordstrom
The holidays are one of our favorite times of year because the beauty gift sets are so, so good. A chic makeup bag houses four different La Mer products in this set, including the brand’s famous Créme de la Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream. There are also trial sizes of the Treatment Lotion, a serum-like moisturizer; the Concentrate Serum, an intensely reparative skin barrier serum; and the Renewal Face Oil, which is infused with Miracle Broth to bring a glow to your skin.
lululemon Align Pocket Leggings
lululemon
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it applies to workout wear, too. lululemon’s Align leggings are essentially the only legging you’ll ever need: The high waist supports you in all the right places, the fabric is buttery soft, and this style actually has pockets to hold the essentials.*
Cozy Earth Bubble Cuddle Blanket
Cozy Earth
Matted fleece is no match for this luxurious cuddler from Cozy Earth. With not one, but two, snuggly faux fur sides, we guarantee this will become your recipient’s safety blankie the second they touch the silky smooth surface.
Jones Road The Bobbi Kit 4.0
Jones Road
Whether they’re a makeup pro or someone with a simple routine, this set from Jones Road is sure to enhance their lineup. Complete with eyeliner, eyeshadow, mini Miracle Balm, and lipstick, it’s everything they’ll need to create a natural, radiant look with minimal effort.
Nordstrom Miller Leather Boots
Nordstrom
Giving clothing or shoes can be difficult, but if you stick with classics like Chelsea boots, you can’t go wrong. Made from water-resistant leather, these will keep feet dry in the slushiest of weather without looking like galoshes, and the lug sole offers lift for anyone wanting a bit of additional height.
Briogeo Ultimate Hair Heroes Set
Nordstrom
Almost everyone has struggled with a dry, flaky scalp at some point in their lives (and for those who haven’t, what’s your secret?). This exfoliant and conditioning duo is here to save the day. A staff pick, this micro-exfoliating shampoo helps wash away dandruff and product buildup, leaving you with a squeaky-clean scalp, and the follow-up conditioning treatment moisturizes your hair and skin to give you silky, frizz-free strands in minutes.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer
Amazon
One Katie Couric Media editor publicly declared her devotion to this hair tool, and it seems quite a few of you were convinced to give it a spin for yourself. Now that you’re addicted to it, help others in your life who do not yet know its powers. A combination hair dryer and round brush, this gizmo will create a salon-worthy blowout at home for a fraction of the price. Whether your recipient is an amateur or savant of hair styling, this is for anyone who wants to make professional blow-outs a daily, yet affordable, habit.
Grace Eleyae Satin Pillowcase
Grace Eleyae
Sweet dreams are made of this smooth pillowcase. Because it’s made from satin, it helps decrease the amount of friction between your hair, face, and the case itself, reducing frizz and those dreaded deep creases you get on your skin after a marvelous night’s sleep. For under $20, we’re giving this to everyone on our list and buying ourselves some.
Kate Spade Small Cardholder
Kate Spade Surprise
Boxed and ready to go, this bejeweled cardholder makes for a showstopping stocking stuffer or White Elephant selection. For the rhinestone-averse, there are also glitter and solid colored options, all of which have slots for four cards and a center section for cash or all the holiday gift cards they’ll receive this season.
Tory Burch Ballet Loafer
Tory Burch
Tory Burch makes some of our most-desired handbags, but the brand’s shoes are undeniably beautiful, too. For the festive season, this pair of ruby slippers caught our eye, but there are 16 different colors and patterns. You could opt for a classic black, or make a statement with an eye-catching sequin pair. No matter what you choose, you’ll be amazed by how comfortable they are right out of the box — reviewers say they require no break-in time.
Madewell Emmett Wide-Leg Corduroy Pants
Madewell
Katie lives in these pants from Madewell, which is why she owns them in multiple colors. For the colder months, Madewell released the famous style in a cozy corduroy fabric in four different hues: espresso brown, forest green, deep wine red, and a winter white.
Dermelect Self Esteem Serum
Dermelect
Gifting serums is hard because skincare is so personal, but we know that enthusiasts and skin beginners would both enjoy the benefits of this one. We’ve waxed poetic about it numerous times, and tons of our staffers use the serum to minimize the appearance of their pores, help reduce the intensity of fine lines, and brighten dark spots leftover from acne marks or sun damage.
Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Coffee Maker
Wayfair
Lattes, cold brew, and cappuccinos start to add up when you buy them from a coffee shop on a daily basis, so why not become your own barista? This tiny-but-mighty brewer from Keurig uses the convenience of coffee pods to create your favorite coffee, but it also comes with a milk frother to make that creamy, foamy texture you’d get from the pros.
Mellanni Sheet Set
Amazon
Everyone sleeps in a bed, which means everyone needs nice sheets — or at least that’s how we justify handing them out for the holidays. Our readers raved about how smooth these microfiber ones from Mellanni are, and at under $40, you’ll be able to buy everyone on your list (and yourself) a set. Consider it the gift of an amazing night’s rest!
Masterclass Subscription
Masterclass
Ever wish you could treat your friend or family member to something lavish like private classes with Gordon Ramsay, Bobbi Brown, or Diane von Furstenberg for $10 or less? That must be why you’re all obsessed with Masterclass. You can choose to give a monthly or annual membership depending on your budget, and the lucky giftee will be able to choose from thousands of courses taught by pros, spanning topics from fashion to cooking.
J.Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap
J.Crew
One of Katie’s go-to gifts is a versatile cashmere wrap. The oversized nature of this one means it can be worn as a scarf, shawl, or even used as a blanket in a pinch. This one from J.Crew comes in 13 different colors and has over 500 five-star reviews, and buyers say it feels like wearing your snuggliest blanket in a way that looks chic.
Caddis Hooper Reading Glasses
Caddis
The moment we saw Katie rocking these ’70s-inspired specs, we knew we had to snag a pair for ourselves. The lenses in these can be customized as readers, progressive bifocals, prescription, or even blue-light blocking, so they’re great for anyone who spends hours working on the computer or staring at their phone — which is all of us, right?
Cushion Lab Deep Sleep Pillow
Cushion Lab
Someone who’s prone to tossing and turning all night long deserves a break, and a new pillow may reduce their restlessness. This one from Cushion Lab is treasured by our editors and Wake-Up Callers because of how supportive, cooling, and comfortable it is, especially for side sleepers.
*Denotes a paid placement.