If gifting were a one-time thing, it would be relatively easy. But finding the best gifts for her year after year — whether you’re shopping for your sister, mom, best friend, wife, whomever — can be increasingly tough. If you hit it out of the park with a present they loved in the past, how will you possibly top it? Or: Did they actually adore that pet portrait, or were they just being nice?
The good news is that there are a ton of options out there, including great gifts you might not have thought of. Whoever you’re shopping for, it helps to have a starting point — which is exactly what this gift guide is. Scroll ahead to shop the best gifts for her.
SKIP AHEAD The best gifts for her in 2024 | Why trust NBC Select?
The best gifts for her in 2024
To compile the best gifts for her, we rounded up some of our favorite products from past coverage, best sellers from previous gift guides and top-rated gift ideas in categories like tech, fitness, beauty and more.
I don’t know anyone who would be disappointed with the Dyson Airwrap Mult-Styler. It uses something called the Coanda effect to wrap hair around its barrel attachments using air — no extreme heat needed, according to the brand. It comes with two barrels for different curl sizes, a flyaway-smoothing barrel, two flat brush attachments and a round brush attachment for volume. They all come in a sleek storage case, too.
One of our go-to gifts for teens — who are notoriously tough to impress — these slip-ons have Ugg’s classic sheepskin lining and a 1.75-inch platform outsole, which will give your recipient a mini height boost. The comfortable clogs, which hit right beneath the ankle, are also lined with Ugg plush wool for an extra-cozy feel.
New skin care products are nice, but this device is even more exciting: The Solwave 4-in-1 skin care wand has red light therapy, microcurrent therapy, facial massage and therapeutic warmth in a single tool. Together, they aim to firm skin, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and help make your giftee’s topical skin-care products penetrate deeper, according to the brand. If you’re really looking to splurge, you can pair it with the brand’s LED mask.
Does she practically live at the airport? Streamline her packing with this carryall, which has a 13-inch padded laptop sleeve, a leash for keys, removable pouch for cords and a removable bag for laundry or shoes. It won an NBC Select Travel Award precisely for its smart design: “It has shape, so it stays open while I’m packing and never flops over, yet it’s flexible and soft, so I can overstuff it without any issues,” says NBC associate updates editor Zoe Malin.
This pocket-sized photo printer is roughly the size of a smartphone. Instead of ink, the included paper has dye-based crystals embedded inside it, so you don’t have to worry about also buying cartridges. It also has a sticky back so they can pop it onto surfaces. The printer, which has an average 4.6-star rating from 2,128 reviews at Amazon, also connects to your recipient’s camera via Bluetooth, so they don’t have to deal with any cords.
Nothing beats the gift of less stress — and that’s pretty much what she’ll get with this NBC Select Wellness Award winner. One of the best yoga mats for hot yoga, it’s thick and sturdy, and our editors loved its moisture-wicking abilities. “This is the best yoga mat I’ve ever used,” says Malin, who uses it during daily workouts and weekly hot yoga classes. “The material is soft, cushioned and absorbent, so if you sweat on it, the surface isn’t slippery at all — even in hot yoga.”
One of the most exciting launches of the fall — this Therbody wand is designed to tackle puffiness and dark circles using cold and heat therapies, according to the brand. Its applicator is shaped to fit in the smaller contours of the face, like around the eyes, and each mode (hot or cold) has three temperature settings to choose from, so your recipient can customize it to their comfort level.
Forget body wash: One of our go-to shower oils, the L’occitane Shower Oil gives any morning routine a luxurious feel. Its hero ingredient is nutrient-dense sweet almond oil, which helps soften skin, according to the brand. “This shower oil is my current obsession,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “It never feels oily or greasy, and the smell is absolutely incredible.”
Make her commute, errands or business travel a little more peaceful with the AirPods Max, Apple’s first over-the-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. Rodriguez uses them constantly — while commuting, exercising, traveling and working — because they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time and have impressive sound quality. They’re on the pricier side, so they make a great holiday gift if you’re in a position to splurge.
A perfect present for the consummate hostess or the friend who just moved into a new place, these hand-blown glasses add a pop of color to any drinkware assortment. The set of six glasses comes in an array of playful iridescent colors, such as fuchsia, lavender and yellow. They’re not dishwasher safe and your giftee will need to hand wash them, however.
Treat her to one lip product that does it all: The Ami Colé formula transforms from an oil to a gloss for a non-sticky, high-shine finish, according to the brand. The lip oil comes in seven sheer shades — including one with a shimmer finish. “I have three shades of the Ami Cole lip oil and I need more,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “They’re super hydrating, not sticky and have tons of pigment so one tube can last me almost a full year.”
Swap her beat-up sneakers for these gym shoes, which should work for whatever her workout of choice is — jogging, lifting or even running errands. The shoes have foam cushioning for comfort and pressure zones on the outsole to ensure weight is evenly distributed. “It’s cushioned and bouncy enough for me to feel the spring I need while running, and I appreciate the cushioning while doing burpees, jumping jacks and other cardio exercises in HIIT classes,” says Malin.
Your TikTok-obsessed friend might recognize these social media-loved juice glasses. Made from hand-blown glass, the 17-ounce cups are hand-pressed with different beaded icons, like hearts, cherries and flowers, to upgrade her drinkware collection. Keep in mind that they’re sold individually and aren’t dishwasher safe.
Lighten her load with this slim wallet from one of our favorite leather brands. The cardholder comes in four core colors (as well as a few seasonal colors) and has four card slots, two larger slots and a zippered pocket — just enough for the essentials.
Maybe she got married or organized a really fun girls’ trip, any friend who recently celebrated a milestone or photo-worthy vacation deserves a way to memorialize it. This photo album will help keep the good memories close at hand: It has 30 pages of photo paper that you can attach photos to using stickers or photo corners (sold separately). There’s space for personal notes, too, and the fabric cover makes it elegant enough to display on a coffee table.
Mix up her arm candy with this shoulder bag, which is made of genuine full-grain leather and has solid brass buckles and snaps. (The brand has a lifetime guarantee, so they’ll repair it in the event of a defect, according to the brand.) “This shoulder bag can fit all my essentials — my phone, wallet, keys and beauty items — with such ease,” says Alvarez, who received a sample of the bag from the brand. “The leather feels luxurious and sophisticated and is my favorite to use right now. I’ve taken it between Virginia and New York and it holds its shape, too.”
To give her extra comfort during a long walk or commute, these sneakers have a wider forefoot, arch and toe box, as well as a patterned outsole that absorbs bumps and gives your recipient that extra cushion she may need, according to the brand. Multiple NBC Select editors swear by them, which is why we consider it the best walking shoe of 2024. “These are the most comfortable walking shoes I’ve tried and they make me feel like I’m walking on clouds,” says Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager.
The Nintendo Switch is the best handheld gaming console out there, and it’s great for seasoned gamers and newbies alike. The portable, handheld console is slim enough to take on the go, but your giftee can also hook it up to a TV for more immersive gaming. There are a ton of compatible Nintendo Switch games to suit every preference, including cozy farming simulators like Stardew Valley to open-world adventures like Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The Oura Ring is all about data, making it perfect for the person who wants to get the most out of her daily routines. The wearable fitness tracker, which looks like a piece of jewelry, can measure heart rate, count steps, track sleep quality, recommend rest days and even detect and log workouts. Keep in mind that you’ll need to know your recipient’s ring size when purchasing this.
For the friend who’s always asking you for an extra hair tie, this set of six silk scrunchies will keep her fully stocked. It’s the same material as Slip’s beloved pillowcases, which is made from mulberry silk and designed to reduce friction, according to the brand. The material’s also to be more gentle on hair.
Kickstart your mother in law’s new pickleball hobby with this starter set, which is meant for beginners and includes four pickle balls and two paddles. The paddles have a lightweight core and sweat-proof comfort handles, according to the brand. And, most importantly, they’re cute.
Although gua sha, the traditional Chinese healing technique that helps improve circulation and balance the body’s Qi, is often intended for the face and body, it can benefit the scalp, too. This comb-like massager is our favorite gua sha tool for the scalp; just use it before you shampoo and condition to enhance blood flow, relieve tension and help your scalp absorb products, according to the brand.
Help her rest easy — and in style — with this striped pajama set. Petite Plume makes some of our favorite pajama sets, and they’re a go-to gift for Alvarez. “The silk material makes me feel luxurious and confident,” she says. They’re made of machine-washable mulberry silk, which is naturally hypoallergenic and helps regulate temperature, according to the brand.
A good reusable water bottle can make a hike, long car ride or workday a little better — and that’s the case with this one, which is a favorite among NBC Select Staff. Available in 21 colorways and a range of sizes, it has dual-wall insulation that can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. But what sets it apart from the competition is its unique sipping mechanism. “It has a dual-sipping system that I really like,” says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. “You can sip through the straw or throw your head back and sip like you would out of a glass, so it’s really versatile.”
Moleskin makes some of our favorite planners, and this pretty, patterned version is no exception. The pages are undated so they can start organizing their schedule whenever they want (and not only at the start of the new calendar year). It includes weekly layouts as well as ample space for notes and stickers to help them personalize their plans. The hardcover journal also has an expandable inner pocket to stash receipts and other important papers.
Their afternoon cup of tea will never be the same (in a good way) with this sleek kettle. One of the best electric kettles out there, our editors like it for its large, easy-to-grip handle and convenient gooseneck spout. You can choose between 135- and 212-degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a fixed base that allows them to set it down wherever they need, according to the brand. “I would be so pleased to receive this as a gift,” says Schneider, who’s had and used the kettle for years. “So many tea kettles have that antique, old European look, and I love how modern and sleek this one is.”
Your friend who’s always running as their choice of exercise could use a percussive massage tool like the Theragun Mini. An NBC Select Wellness Award winner, it’s the smallest massage gun from the brand, but still packs a punch, with three massaging speeds and three head attachments that they can use to target different muscles. ““Anyone who’s prone to sore muscles — be it from exercise or hunching over a desk all day — needs one of these at home,” says Malin. “I love being able to give myself a mini massage whenever I need one, and it truly alleviates tension within minutes.”
Digital cameras are making a comeback, and this compact version is small enough to carry around in a pocket or purse. It’s designed to mimic early aughts photos and nostalgia, but with modern technology. This bundle includes the camera as well as a storage card and adapter, so they can transfer their pictures to their phone. It has enough storage for 5,000 photos, built-in flash and 20 filters that they can apply.
Even the most discerning teen might be into this dainty chain bracelet, which is made of 100-percent recycled solid 14-karat gold. The candy-inspired, hand-painted enamel beads come in five colors — Black, Slime Green, Pool Blue, Pink Gummy and White — so you can mix or match, or stick with one. Choose from two sizes to fit your giftee.
Level up her shower routine with this scalp massager. The handheld tool, which has a 4.4-star average rating from 492 reviews on Amazon, can help boost circulation on the scalp and support healthy hair, according to the brand. And more than that, the silicone teeth just feel really nice.
Why trust NBC Select?
Deanna Pai is a writer for NBC Select who’s been covering the beauty and wellness space, and writing gift guides for the past 13 years.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter for NBC Select who curated the gifts in this article. She chose items based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated items from brands we love.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
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