Great gift-giving steals, deals and splurges
You made it past all the Black Friday hoopla, but now’s when the real fun begins. The big-ticket, toaster-and-TV type presents are out of the way, and it’s time to get personal with your gift giving.
Check out these unique gift ideas, bolstered by the fact that you still have time to think about what would be perfect for whom.
For fragrance fans:
Steals: Sandalwood Room & Linen Spray ($22 on www.pfcandleco.com). It’s also body-safe and water-based, and half the price of comparable luxurious products. Or, for pals always on the go, a Memoir Discovery Set ($39 on www.ellisbrooklyn.com) includes 9 vegan 2 ml scents to pop in a makeup bag at $20 off its usual price.
Deals: The Limited Edition Vanilla & Amber Candle ($54 on www.noyz.com), wrapped in silver (just add a bow) for the holidays is ideal for fashion-forward friends, at a price as pretty as its packaging.
Splurges: Palais Bourbon Eau de Parfum ($340 on www.saksfifthavenue). Cult favorite Memo Paris has bottled everything exquisite about the holidays (balsam, cinnamon, pink pepper) in this 2.5 oz. masterpiece. Give it to someone discerning who you adore — or just keep it to yourself for special occasions.
For hosting and boasting:
Steals: For anyone who cooks and looks after their their health and the planet, celeb chef Andrew Zimmern has created “The Blue Food Cookbook: Delicious Seafood Recipes for a Sustainable Future” ($26.76 for prime members on www.amazon.com).
Deals: American Mustard ($49.99 on us.jamesgin.com) is one of the most unique ideas yet for any cocktail-loving friend who also loves a generous dollop of mustard at the cookout. (Here’s looking at you, dads everywhere!) Meanwhile, what does every grazer long for? The Art of Charcuterie Bundle ($89.99 on www.truestoryfoods.com). The package includes everything from a pig-shaped cutting board to nitrate-free charcuterie (Genoa salami, anyone?) and a cookbook of 80 recipes to help get them snacking. Oh, plus a bonus package of Kurobuta heritage bacon and free shipping, to boot.
Splurges: There are whiskey dabblers, and then there are serious Irish whiskey aficionados. Only the latter will truly appreciate The Mistake Trio ($162.99 on www.shop.natterjack.com). The three standout spirits come in bottles marked by the brand’s cleverly whimsical fat Natterjack Toad. They’re the kind of score any enthusiast can brag about having on their bar cart — for as long as they last, anyway.
For holiday beauty heroes:
Steals: The It Girls in your life will need some color to get them through the winter, so send a little light their way. The Born to Shine Kit ($46 on www.livetinted.com) brings all the subtle holiday glow a girl could want along with skincare assists from hyaluronic acid and sunflower seed oil — and it’s almost $20 off. The same brand’s holiday limited edition Eye-Conic Trio Kit ($46 on www.livetinted.com) includes a precision liner, lash curler, and mascara and is $20 off. A pop of pink comes all in one set: the Limited Edition Fizz & Frost Holiday Duo ($26 on www.sephora.com). The collab between Tower 28 and cult brand poppi pairs a full-size powder blush in Cranberry Fizz and ShineOn Lip Jelly in Cranberry Frost.
Deals: Discerning damsels of all ages know Trinny London for its high-end high-quality cosmetics and skincare. This holiday they’ve created The Back to Life Skin Set ($162 on www.trinnylondon.com) filled with their sought-after eye treatment and Take Back Time Elixir, plus stainless steel cryo globes (for massaging) — a $250 value.
Splurges: Most of us know at least one friend or relative with high-end hair. They spend hours (and gobs of cash) at the salon. Gift them, instead, the crème de le crème of stylers: Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit ($254.99 on www.macys.com). The viral tool produces bouncy blowouts with even heat distribution (read: no heat damage) and astounding shine.
Cookie-cutter gifts just aren’t our style around here. And wait until next week, when we’ll tour the very best in-person shopping at holiday markets.
The Art of Charcuterie Bundle. (Photo Marc Fiorito – Gamma Nine Photography/courtesy truestoryfoods.com)
The Tower 28 Poppi Limited Edition Fizz & Frost Holiday Duo. (Photo courtesy sephora.com)
The Eye-Conic Trio Kit (Photo courtesy www.livetinted.com)
The Back to Life Skin Set from Trinny London. (Photo courtesy trinnylondon.com)
