Today I’m sharing a list of gift ideas for women.
I always put my gift guide for women together with the same mindset: what have I been obsessed with this year? What is on my personal Christmas wishlist? And, finally, what would I be excited to give to my own mom and sisters?
I divided this guide into two sections: under $200 and $200+. And if you’re looking for smaller gifts, stocking stuffers, and/or teacher type gifts, check out my list of stocking stuffers for women here.
I will continue to add to these lists over the course of the season and will update them with sale alerts as Black Friday deals start rolling in too! Don’t forget to bookmark my gift guide for men too.
Without further ado, here is a list of gift ideas for women!
Everything from Hoka’s collab with Free People Movement is so cute, but these suede Cliftons take the cake for me. I got these recently for hikes and trail runs, and they are even cuter in person and, of course, SO COMFORTABLE and cloudlike. I also love the Barley and Cosmic Grey/Varsity Navy colorways of the classic Cliftons. These are my favorite running and walking shoes of all time and would make a wonderful gift.
I believe this is the third year in a row that I’m including the Free People Puffer Jacket in this gift guide. In fact, I know it is, because it is the third year in a row that I have worn this jacket absolutely constantly. I wear this jacket every.single.morning on my walk and all day during the winter. The fit is boxy-in-a-good-way, and it runs big. I wear a Small, and it has plenty of room for layering over sweaters and sweatshirts. This would make a great gift for the avid traveler because it can be folded and zipped up into a self-contained pillow for convenient packing or for resting on an airplane. Best of all, it comes in a million gorgeous colors. If I haven’t convinced you yet, check out my review here. Nordstrom carries it in a handful of colors too.
At the end of the day, every woman needs some nice pajamas to amble around the house like Clare Underwood in. I just received my first set of Cozy Earth pajamas in the mail this week, and I fear I may never go back. These are SO soft and breathable, and–wait for it–they come in tall sizes, be still my heart!! Use my code CE-RUTHNUSS for 40% off your purchase at Cozy Earth–this is better than the Black Friday deal! (BTW, we LOVE our Cozy Earth sheets).
These Minnetonka Chesney slippers look SO cozy and comfortable. I absolutely love the Stone color. Love the $55 price point too.
Princess Diana made Sloppy Joe sweatshirts cool back in the 90s, and lucky for us, the brand is alive, well, and still cranking out the best sweatshirts in the happiest colors. These are my favorite “what leggings+sweatshirt combo am I going to wow them with today?” pullovers. These are so cute and perfect for moms on the go–nice and long and not clingy. Best of all, I do not believe that I have ever seen someone else wearing these in “real life” which makes them feel a bit underground if you know what I mean. My favorite styles are the zip neck and the classic square crew.
I never thought in a million years that I would ever promote a blanket that wasn’t Barefoot Dreams, but my best friend Regan sent me a monster blanket from Minky Couture this summer, and I love it so much. It is SO soft and cozy. It’s called the “Hugs” blanket because it does feel like just that. It doesn’t shed and has just a little bit of stretch to it which makes it even more heavenly. I should also note that it is fluffy on both sides, unlike many blankets on the market that are like, fleece, on the back side? These are pricey, but I found a 50% off code that brings the monster size down to under $150!! Use UTAH50 at checkout. Seriously, these blankets are divine.
There was a time in my life when I didn’t believe in Uggs, but I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong. Uggs are the definition of a perfect gift: they are very useful but feel just frivolous enough to be difficult to purchase for oneself. Here are my top Ugg gift ideas: the platform Tasman is still very hot this year. I follow a bunch of chic French girls on IG, and they are all wearing them with jeans and sweaters around Paris. I love these little split seam shorties and these ones with the cuffed braid detail. Finally, these platform plush Tasmans from Anthro are SO cute.
I consider myself something of a Quince evangelist. Their cashmere line is elite and runs for a fraction of the price of brands like Reformation and Jenni Kayne. You simply cannot beat the prices for the quality. Quince’s line of oversized cashmere sweaters are wellmade, so soft, and look good with jeans, leggings, and even over a silk skirt for dressier occasions. My current favorites are the oversized v-neck pullover, the oversized crewneck pullover (pair with a cashmere scarf–so chic!), and the boyfriend cardigan. LOVE.
Like I always say: when in doubt, go the sentimental route. Artifact Uprising makes the most beautiful heirloom quality photo books and prints. I love these Everyday Photo Books because they have really thick pages and look so cute on a coffee table. Use my code RUTH15 for a discount at checkout!
I just recently discovered Daily Drills and think all of their lounge stuff is just to-die-for. I have a shorts-and-sweatshirt-set and find myself doing laundry more often just so I can wear this set again. I think a matching sweatshirt and sweatpants combo from Daily Drills would make a fabulous gift for a new mom, mom-to-be, or any woman who values being cozy above all else?
I have to include the Madewell Bucket Tote in this roundup. The quality is amazing for the price point, and its unique shape and rich color elevates every outfit. Read my full review here, and keep an eye out for their Black Friday sale in the next few weeks!
This list would not be complete without mentioning Osea’s iconic body care line. Osea basically invented the “everything shower,” and their body oil saves my alligator skin every winter. I recommend either the body oil + lotion duo or the body oil + scrub + dry brush set. Use my code RUTH10 for an extra discount at checkout!
I put this on my men’s gift guide as well. The Hatch Restore 2 is a sound machine/alarm clock with a gentle sunrise-mimicking wakeup feature. Tyler and I both credit the Hatch Restore with turning us into morning people. The wakeup feature gradually brightens your room 30 minutes before your alarm goes off so your body is “ready” to wake up once it does. It also has a red light feature meant to be used at night which, supposedly, assists in our body’s natural “wind down” process. Keep an eye out for a Black Friday deal! This is also available at Nordstrom, Target, and Amazon.
This is another product that I also have on the men’s gift guide. Tyler loves his Ember mug, and I think I might need one now too. It’s on sale at Target right now!
I personally do not think the CALPAK Terra duffel backpack is getting the hype it deserves. This is, hands down, the most functional piece of travel gear I own. It opens flat like a suitcase, holds so much, is easy to keep organized, and can be carried like a duffel or a backpack. I could go on and go, and I did just that in this review. 10/10 recommend for the weekend warrior types or a parent gearing up for an international trip with small kids. In the spirit of being thorough, my runner up CALPAK picks are the Luka duffel (review here) and the clear cosmetic case (so chic and holds so much!). CALPAK’s entire line is on sale right now as part of their Black Friday event.
Sézane’s Will Jacket is exceedingly practical. It goes with everything and is casual enough for everyday wear. I LOVE mine. The material is a comfortable cotton canvas/denim that is sturdy and soft at the same time. Also, the pockets are unbelievably massive. I will wear this jacket for years. Check out my full review here.
Sometimes, nothing hits harder than a good old fashioned Lululemon haul–especially on Christmas morning. Of course, the Align leggings are the gold standard. Pair with a matching bra top, and you have a happy girl. The Align dress is just as good as you think it’s going to be. It is unbelievably comfortable AND–this is crazy–you can pull the shorts down to use the bathroom without having to take the entire dress off, lol IYKYK. Size up though. I am absolutely drooling over this navy scuba pullover with the gold zipper detail!!
If you’re looking to branch out from Adidas, I have had my eye on Golas this year. They come in so many cute colors and styles and look so comfy.
I know it’s a little weird to include a swimsuit on a winter gift guide, but these are the best, most comfortable suits. Another reason they make great gifts is that they are “one size fits most” so you don’t have to necessarily stress about sizing. My top choice is the Aplomb One Piece. It looks good on everyone and is very much “mom approved.” These are on sale for Black Friday right now!
Back to Quince, this time for their fine jewelry line. Quince has knocked it out of the park with their fine jewelry collection: simple, timeless pieces made of 14k gold and real diamonds with prices rivaling those of Mejuri and Gorjana. Take their paperclip chain necklace for example. This costs over $100 less than Mejuri’s version and looks amazing. This dainty, sparkly piece looks good on its own for everyday wear or layered with other necklaces and would make an amazing gift. I shared a few more Quince jewelry picks over on the stocking stuffer guide.
I always think luggage makes a wonderful splashy gift. Tyler and I have three Away suitcases: two of the Bigger Carryons and one of the Large suitcases. We have dragged these all over the world over the last 7 years, and they have held up beautifully. (If I was to splurge again, I would get the Aluminum!! So cool.). I’m going to include this on my men’s list too.
SALE ALERT: Away is offering 25% off the entire website which I can honestly say I have NEVER seen them do. This is a great time to invest in luggage.
One of my niche talents include assembling charcuterie, and I dream of this two foot scalloped board from Harvest Board often. This is admittedly frivolous but would be such a great gift for the woman who has everything or someone who finds joy in hosting and gathering her loved ones. I love the Yard Board too.
I have been toying with purchasing Clare V’s Grande Fanny crossbody bag for years. It is such a functional, practical bag that is perfect for everyday carry. I feel like this would make a wonderful gift for the mom on the go or someone who is ready to level up from the Lululemon belt bag. It looks like Shopbop has the gorgeous emerald green in stock, and Nordstrom carries a handful of Clare V styles too.
**SALE ALERT: Clare V.’s Black Friday early access begins today! You’ll find both the Midi Sac and Grande Fanny styles included in the sale which is SO exciting. Use code LESALE for 20% off at checkout!
If you’re looking for a more structured purse, consider Sézane’s Mini Milo, Claude, or Milo Classic (listed from smallest to biggest). I love how polished these bags are, and they add a sort of chic, effortless flair to any outfit. They make the perfect travel companion and easily fit a phone, card holder, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and sunglasses. I have the Mini Milo and reviewed it here. You might recognize the black Milo Classic as worn by Kristen Bell’s character in Nobody Wants This.
Red light therapy is known to have enormous anti-aging and wellness benefits–it is my own personal next frontier. The Higher Dose mask came highly recommended to me by a friend who I would trust with my life itself if it came down to it. Higher Dose makes a highly reviewed face mask that costs well below the leading brands. Red light masks boost collagen, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce redness, and boosts mood/combats blue light. Where do I sign? I also have my eye on this neck and chest enhancer, and it looks like you can even bundle the two. Use code BFCM for 20% right now! Pro tip: these are FSA/HSA eligible! Nordstrom carries Higher Dose too.
I have yet to purchase a bag from Polène, but I have spent more time than I care to admit perusing their website. I love, love, love the shape of the Numéro Dix, and it comes in so many gorgeous colors.
This is the last splurgey purse I’ll mention on this list, I promise. Dragon Diffusion bags require some forethought, as they are, for the most part, made to order. I have been drooling over the Santa Croce tote for years. I love the dark brown and the black. Stunning, perfect, and so unique. It looks like Saks has just a couple of colors in stock!
I have to mention this backpack because Tyler and I still use it constantly. It makes a great carryon bag and daypack for travel. This backpack is what we use when we are out exploring with the girls. It is comfortable to carry even when it’s heavy and has a trolley sleeve for securing onto the top of a rolling suitcase. I would go with a darker color because ours does show stains. Full review here. Nordstrom carries it too.
I LOVE my Shark styling set. This costs a fraction of the price of the Dyson AirWrap system. This is the exact one I have from Costco, and it comes with the main blow dryer and 7 different attachments. If you’re not a Costco member, Sephora has a bunch of set options too.
Thanks for checking out my list of gift ideas for women! Looking for more gift guides? Click here.
It’s a pre-weekend pick me up: just a little note with links to the latest blog posts, what I’m reading lately, and products I’m obsessed with. Think of it as a friend dropping off a surprise latte in the morning--you know?