2013 Holiday Gift Guide for Women

Christmas is one month from today and Hanukkah starts Thursday night, so let’s get on with this year’s Dear Wendy Holiday Gift Guides, shall we? And we’ll kick things off with women’s gifts (although the men’s gift guide will include some great stuff women will like for themselves, too!). Since most of you reading this are probably women, shopping for other females may not prove as difficult, but it’s always good to have ideas, especially suggestions that are appropriate for the various relationships you have with the ladies you know (plus, when people ask what you want for Christmas, you can just send a link to this post and call it a day!). Keep reading for some of my favorite gifts for women in 2013.

 

Sister/ Like a Sister
Whether she’s blood-related or might as well be, this woman is there for you through bad relationships and bad haircuts. She’s who you celebrate the victories with and the person you call when you need to vent. Here are a few ideas to bring her a little holiday cheer this year.

If she likes to ride her bike and then park somewhere and drink a beer: A cooler bag
It’s cute, it’s practical, and it keeps beer cold. What is not to love?

 

 

 

If she’s just got good taste: wire-wrapped gemstone earrings
I love, love, love wire-wrapped gemstone earrings and these are especially unique and pretty. I guess what I’m saying is that you can give me these, please.

 

 

If she never lets go of her iPhone: Echo Design Women’s Touch Warmers Zipper Glove
I bought these for myself last winter and I love them. They’re warm without feeling bulky, stylish, and totally practical if you’re like I am and always pulling out your iPhone for one thing or another — texting, checking the time, Google mapping the nearest dive bar. Give them to your bestie so she’ll be better able to keep up with your texts and not freeze her fingers.

 

 

 

 

If she meets you out for drinks carrying the same backpack she had in college: Oversized leather clutch
Made from high-quality Italian leather, this clutch fits most women’s crap, like a wallet, iPhone, keys, lipgloss, and even an iPad. Plus, pretty!

 

If she likes entertaining and wants everyone to know how on top of all the trends she is: The Fashionable Cocktail: 200 Fabulous Drinks for the Fashion Set
Heaven forbid she serve a drink to another friend of the fashion set that isn’t on-trend. Help her avoid such a colossal mistake by gifting her this book full of fashionable drinks that are sure to impress.

 

 

 

If she’s obsessed with Wes Anderson: Collection of Wes Anderson Movie Prints
Because all the twee plaid camping blankets and vintage binoculars and the old-school turntable and the messages in a bottle that fill her home need a little company.

 

If she’s a sleeping beauty: Pretty purple PJ Set
They’re pretty, cozy, comfy, feminine and a hell of a lot better than the tattered pair of leggings she sports every time she comes to visit. I also love these super comfy ad cute pajamas (mainly the pants since the top runs too small for my big boobs), which I bought for myself recently and don’t ever want to take off.

 

 

 

If she’s a baker and a joker: Muffin top cupcake molds
I mean, obviously.

 

 

If she’s got a foot fetish: a collection of fun and fabulous socks
Like these amazing “arch-typewriter socks” with adorable little typewriters all over them. Also a perfect gift for your favorite blogger. Because she totally blogs on an old-fashioned typewriter.

 

 

 

 

Girlfriend (of the non-platonic variety)

Whether you’re one of our lovely male readers or you’re representin’ the lady-love pool, here are some great suggestions for your girlfriend/wife.

 

If she loves photos of the two of you and dislikes rings on her tables: Instagram Coasters
The perfect thing to do with all those Instagram photos you’ve got of the two of you. Romantic AND practical — which is why she loves you in the first place.

 

 

If you don’t want her to get cold feet: Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots
There are a few things I appreciate about cold weather, and top of the list is the opportunity to wear cute winter boots like these, which are so “sexy-aprés-ski,” I want to wear mine all the time, while sipping spiked hot chocolate by the fireplace. Plus, super comfy. Seriously. Bring on the snow!

 

 

If she likes her lattes but hates paying five bucks a pop for them: Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker With Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother
I’ve been in the market for an espresso maker and after polling friends here, on Facebook, and in person, the Nespresso was the clear winner for crowd favorite. When a friend brought over his for me to try recently, I was sold. The espresso is tasty, fast (like, it took less than 30 seconds to make), and easy. Clean up is a breeze, and the milk frother makes the most perfect foam I’ve ever seen. This is definitely going on my own wish list this year.

If she’s just straight-up cool like that: Monocle Speaker Handset
Buy her just one or buy a few that she can string together, like a daisy-chain, for surround-sound.

 

 

If she’s got cool style and a cold neck: Crimson Cowl Neck Scarf
Pretty and warm, just like her!

 

 

 

 

If you’re planning to propose and she’s a hip, modern woman: Pixie wood ring box
I guess you can give this to her even if you aren’t planning to propose, but you might want to at least include a pretty pair of stud earrings so it’s not just an empty box reminding her of her naked ring finger, you know?

 

 

 

 

If she’s sexy and she knows it: Lace-Up Stockings
I have similar stockings that I wore to a Christmas party last year (photo here) and got so many compliments on them. Super sexy without being trashy (not that there’s anything wrong with trashy now and then…).

 

 

 

If she likes jewelry that makes a statement without being overwhelming and you’d love to know what to get her for the next five or six upcoming gift-giving occasions: Silver beads Wrap Bracelet
What I love about this bracelet is that it’s not just one bracelet, but several, and you can give then all at once as a set or do one at a time. I asked for this for my last birthday and Drew got me one and I’m hoping I get an addition soon. They’re really pretty and delicate alone, but make a bigger statement piled on.

 

Yo’ Mama
She gave you life and guided you through the trauma of adolescence. She deserves a medal, for sure, but for now, these gift ideas should do.

If she likes looking chic at the farmers’ market: Baggu Dipped Tote
Great at the farmers’ market or going antiquing or toting along More magazine and 18 kinds of skin cream to a day at the Jersey Shore — you know, all the stuff moms like to do. And that includes me, lil’ Jiggity-Jack.

 

 

If she’s always cold and glamorous: Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Drew got me this for Valentine’s Day this year and snuggling under it with a book and hot toddy is one of my favorite things about winter.

 

 

If she gets cold hands and likes the finer things: Italian cashmere lined leather gloves
Because she deserves an item of pure luxury. (I got these for my mom last year and she loved them, by the way).

 

 

 

If she’s a wino: Wine Glass Tumblers to Go
Because it’s either this or hook hr up to a wine IV drip and that wouldn’t really go with her outfit.

 

 

 

If she drinks tea with her pinkie finger in the air: The festive collection from DAVIDsTea
This company makes amazing tea, and this collection includes unique holiday flavors, like “Alpine punch,” and “Sleigh ride,” and “White chocolate frost.”

 

 

If she’s an English teacher (like my mom!) or a grammar geek: Gourmet Grammarian Plate Set
She just wants to be understood, you know? And these plates, they understand.

 

 

 

 

 

If she pops her collar and has yearly reunions with classmates from her all-girls college: Ugg Moccasin Slippers
Duh.

 

 

 

Roommate/ Favorite Officemate

Whether it’s at work or at home, you share your space — and probably more personal information than you’d like to admit — with her. So show your appreciation and a token of friendship with any of these gifts.

If she’s into nature and has a thing for green: Tree Magnets
It’s an itty bitty baby tree magnet!!!

 

If she likes to write stuff down on old-fashioned paper and she’s sort of twee and adorable and maybe likes to wear headbands: Sticky Note Set
I mean, this is basically why she took an office job in the first place. That and cardigans.

 

 

 

 

If she brown bags it: An actual (reusable) brown bag
It’s good for the environment, which is all she really wants for the holidays this year.

 

 

 

 

If she’s a crazy cat lady: The World’s Most Super Amazing 100% Awesome 2014 Cat Calendar

Oh My God.

 

 

 

Your kids’ teacher/ babysitter
She puts up with your kid, doesn’t get paid a lot to do it, and always comes back for more. Where would you be without her? (Tip: if she’s a babysitter or nanny, it’s customary — and always appreciated — to give a cash bonus that is at least equivalent to one week’s pay. These are nice gifts that your kid can give in addition.).

 

If she’s got city pride and likes to dry her hands after washing them: City-Themed Hand Towel
Cute AND practical.

 

 

 

If she enjoys beverages while reading her favorite classics: Marks the Plot Coasters
If you’re feeling particularly generous, throw in a bottle of vino too.

 

 

 

 

If she’s human: Voluspa candles
This is another classic from last year’s list, but it’s a classic for a reason. These are so pretty and they smell delish too.

 

If she likes granola and the earth and stuff: EnviroSax reusable tote bags
Like the lunch tote above, this is a beautiful way to be kind to our environment while being stylish doing it.

 

 

 

If she has hands: Lavender Apple Sabon hand cream
Seriously the best smelling hand cream ever. My friend Mary uses this stuff and I just love being around her because she always smells so great. Also, she’s a baker and always has some new treat to try, but that’s beside the point. This hand cream is awesome and would also make a great stocking stuffer (Oh, Drew!).

 

 

 

 

BONUS! (For you or any woman in your life who likes to cook)

A great gift I was inspired to add from early discussions in the comments: New England Soup Factory Cookbook: More Than 100 Recipes from the Nation’s Best Purveyor of Fine Soup
It’s just filled with incredible soup recipes to get a person through the winter months. Give on its own, or pair with a immersion blender (a must for soup-making!) and a quality dutch oven if you’re feeling uber generous.
STOCKING STUFFERS!

Green Tea & Ginger Handmade Soap wrapped in vintage kimono fabric

Black Geometric Stud Earrings

Miracle Peel Cloth

Tabasco spicy chocolate wedges

Gin and Tonic Gourmet Popcorn

Citrus Spritzer

‘Butter’ slipper socks

Creature Comfort Food Measuring Spoons

Clinique Lipgloss

Champagne Bottle Stopper

Lush bath bombs

The Naked Bee Vitmin C Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30

Essie Good as Gold Nail Polish

L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream

 

For more gift ideas, you can also re-visit my 2012 holiday gift guide for women.