We tested and researched dozens of popular brands for gifts that are useful, timeless, and pretty wallet-friendly. Etiquette consultant and owner of Mannersmith, Jodi RR Smith gives some advice on where to start: “The tricky part is finding out what the receiver would really like. To do this, you must be a detective. Start to listen to the person. What subjects do they talk of often?” With these thoughts in mind, our list includes a comfy robe from Snowe, a wine bundle from Avaline, a beautiful bouquet from UrbanStems, and so much more. Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $55 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $70 Price at time of publish: $42+ Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $180 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $39 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $37 Price at time of publish: $68 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $89 Price at time of publish: $110 Price at time of publish: $59 Price at time of publish: $75 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $17+ Price at time of publish: $279 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $75 Price at time of publish: $59+ Price at time of publish: $75 Price at time of publish: $149 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $59 Price at time of publish: $49+ Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $135 Price at time of publish: $98 Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $32 Price at time of publish: $65 Price at time of publish: $65 Price at time of publish: $98 Price at time of publish: $92 Price at time of publish: $150+ Price at time of publish: $205 Price at time of publish: $399 Price at time of publish: $160+ Price at time of publish: $123 Price at time of publish: $64+ Price at time of publish: $174 Price at time of publish: $50+ Price at time of publish: $167 Price at time of publish: $88 Price at time of publish: $80 Price at time of publish: $76 Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $25+ Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $100+ Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $14 While practicality often adds value to a present, be sure it still aligns with her interests. “Understand that a gift that would be perfect for one woman, would be a complete insult to another. (For example, someone who loves to cook would be thrilled with private lessons from a locally famous chef. But someone that hates to cook would be hurt and upset,” Smith says.
Seasonal Use
One way to narrow down your gift choices is to think about the season you are giving the gift in. If it’s summer time, gifts to enjoy warmer weather are likely to be enjoyed more immediately as opposed to a warm blanket, hot cocoa gift set, or peppermint scented candles. Some gifts are great no matter the time of year, but some can seem odd, not useful, and even thoughtless if given out of season.
Price
If you gift something that is too expensive, the recipient may not want to use it often because it’s too nice for everyday use. Make sure it is a quality gift, but stay reasonable on how much you spend. According to experts, if you spend too much money on someone who isn’t your significant other, family member, or close friend, it could make her feel uncomfortable or that she needs to get you a gift of equal value.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Editors at The Spruce perform extensive research and testing on each and every product recommendation. The article was written by Julia Fields and Shanon Maglente, lifestyle writers who cover everything gift and holiday at The Spruce. We also constantly consult experts in the gifting field to get tips on what to consider when finding the perfect gift. Smith reminds us that romance looks different for everyone. “Most givers will default to the romantic gift tropes such as trips to Paris, a weekend away at a nearby B&B, jewelry, candlelit dinners, a night out dancing, or sexy lingerie. Honestly, these do work for many women. But really listen to your partner. Think about what would make their heart sing,” she says. Smith recommends choosing a more affordable option to someone they really want. “You may not be able to hop on a plane to Paris, but you can dine at a French restaurant. You may not be able to tour the Louvre, but you can visit a local museum,” she shares. Expert advice was provided by etiquette consultant and owner of Mannersmith, Jodi RR Smith.
