Top Holiday Gifts for Women From $8 to $98

Find a present that suits her to a tee

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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En español

Published November 16, 2023

Pekic/Getty Images

Holiday gift buying is a mix of fun, frivolity and fear this year as prices rise, budgets shrink and our lists of recipients grows longer. Though your heart says “splurge,” your head is probably murmuring “be sensible.” It takes a little more digging to find the special somethings that balance cheer, love and affordability, but here are the best beauty and style options for friends and family that clearly shout, “It’s a wrap!”

If she’s …

Gap Denim Midi Skirt in Black Wash; Universal Thread Women’s Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck T-Shirt in Black; Abercrombie & Fitch Women Long Sleeve Ottoman Squareneck Bodysuit in Black; Chanel Le Vernis Longera Nail Color in 127 Fugueuse

(Left to right) Gap Denim Midi Skirt in Black Wash; Universal Thread Women’s Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck T-Shirt in Black; Abercrombie & Fitch Women Long Sleeve Ottoman Squareneck Bodysuit in Black; Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in 127 Fugueuse

Gap; Target; Abercrombie & Fitch; Nordstrom

1. Trendy

Whether she wears black leather pants and stacked jewelry or boho midis and boots, this giftee loves anything new and edgy that she doesn’t have … yet! On her must-have list: a black denim midi skirt like the Gap Denim Midi Skirt in Black Wash ($48, gap.com), a black turtleneck top like the Universal Thread Women’s Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck T-Shirt in Black ($15, target.com) — the newest alternative to the white tee — or an opaque black bodysuit like the Abercrombie & Fitch Women Long Sleeve Ottoman Squareneck Bodysuit in Black ($56, abercrombie.com). All are basics that add a this-minute tweak to any wardrobe. For a stocking stuffer, try a midnight blue nail polish like Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in 127 Fugueuse ($32, nordstrom.com), a very cool change from dark merlot and deep red that’s also kinder to aging hands than punky black but just as effective.

Love Beauty and Planet Hydrate & Restore Pant-Based Body Wash in Vanilla Bean; Everlane The ReNew Fleece Oversized Crew in Tiger’s Eye; Temple Spring Bathtub Caddy Tray in Bamboo in Natural; Vionic Beach Pismo in Black

(Clockwise from left) Love Beauty and Planet Hydrate & Restore Pant-Based Body Wash in Vanilla Bean; Everlane The ReNew Fleece Oversized Crew in Tiger’s Eye; Temple Spring Bathtub Caddy Tray in Bamboo in Natural; Vionic Beach Pismo in Black

Target; Everlane; Amazon; Zappos

2. Earthy

Whether she’s a vegan foodie with a green thumb who wants to save the planet or an eco-conscious soul with two rescue dogs and a yen for cruelty-free products and sustainable clothes, give her gifts that resonate with those values. Try a teddy bear-ish pullover like the Everlane The ReNew Fleece Oversized Crew in Kalamata or Tiger’s Eye ($98, everlane.com) in soft recycled polyester, vegan kicks like the Vionic Beach Pismo in Black or Cream ($65, zappos.com) or the Temple Spring Bathtub Caddy Tray in Bamboo in Natural ($50, amazon.com) with a so-useful Kindle/book rest and a recessed spot for a tea mug and for instant soothing. Add the Love Beauty and Planet Hydrate & Restore Pant-Based Body Wash in Vanilla Bean ($11, target.com) with nourishing hyaluronic acid in a richly lathering formula as a feel-good bonus to any package.

Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush in Mint; The Sleep Code Washable Silk Butterfly Sleep Mask in Navy; J. Crew Factory Crewneck Sweater in Extra Soft Yarn in Hthr Acorn; Philosophy 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath in Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere

(Clockwise from left) Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush in Mint; The Sleep Code Washable Silk Butterfly Sleep Mask in Navy; J. Crew Factory Crewneck Sweater in Extra Soft Yarn in Hthr Acorn; Philosophy 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath in Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere

Amazon; The Sleep Code; J. Crew Factory; Ulta Beauty

3. Practical

Whether she’s a work-from-home workaholic who’s balancing job and life or just prefers simplified solutions that declutter her routine, give her gifts that streamline the day like the lighter weight Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush in Mint ($60, amazon.com), the newer version of the famous do-all superstar with smaller handle and barrel for easier styling of layers and bangs; an oversize sleep mask like The Sleep Code Washable Silk Butterfly Sleep Mask in Navy ($38, thesleepcode.com) to block out extra ambient light; the time-saving and cruelty-free Philosophy 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath in Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere ($25, ulta.com); or a machine washable wool sweater like the J. Crew Factory Crewneck Sweater in Extra Soft Yarn in Hthr Acorn or Hthr Graphite ($35, factory.jcrew.com) in quiet luxurious colors like camel and gray that never go out of style.

Chico’s Mock Neck Metallic Crinkle Top in Black; H&M Women Pajama Shirt and Pants in Dark Red; & Other Stories Fitted Cashmere Hood in Cream; La Chatelaine Luxury Bar Soap in Gardenia

(Left to right) Chico’s Mock Neck Metallic Crinkle Top in Black; H&M Women Pajama Shirt and Pants in Dark Red; & Other Stories Fitted Cashmere Hood in Cream; La Chatelaine Luxury Bar Soap in Gardenia

Chico's; H&M; & Other Stories; Amazon

4. Sophisticated

Whether she’s a classic who favors button-downs and blazers or a minimalist who prefers a sleeker pared-down aesthetic, gifts that project refinement never miss. Give her the elegant H&M Women Pajama Shirt and Pants in Dark Red or Black ($35, hm.com/en_us) with notched lapels and wide-leg pants; a chic knit hood like the & Other Stories Fitted Cashmere Hood in Cream or Black ($79, stories.com/en_usd) to protect hair, neck and ears from cold and wind; a shimmery top like the Chico’s Mock Neck Metallic Crinkle Top in Black ($80, chicos.com) to dress up any pair of black pants in a flash; and the most heavenly stocking stuffer around — a bar of La Chatelaine Luxury Bar Soap in Gardenia ($10, amazon.com), triple milled in Provence with shea butter and argan oil.

Old Navy Dynamic Fleece ½- Zip Sweatshirt for Women in Jade Shadow; A New Day Women’s Layering Cardigan in Gray; Cobinaan Claw Hair Clips for Women in 6-Piece Assortment; Etronik Gym Bag for Women Medium in N-Pure Green

(Clockwise from left) Old Navy Dynamic Fleece ½- Zip Sweatshirt for Women in Jade Shadow; A New Day Women’s Layering Cardigan in Gray; Cobinaan Claw Hair Clips for Women in 6-Piece Assortment; Etronik Gym Bag for Women Medium in N-Pure Green

Old Navy; Target; Amazon (2)

5. Sporty

Whether she’s a fitness fanatic who runs 3 miles every morning or an armchair athleisure fan who lives in leggings, give her casual gifts that reflect a sporty mindset like the Old Navy Dynamic Fleece ½- Zip Sweatshirt for Women in Jade Shadow, Wish Bone or French Roast ($50, oldnavy.gap.com) in a new neutral to perk up black workout wear; the A New Day Women’s Layering Cardigan in Gray, Tan or Black ($40, target.com), a ribbed-knit duster with shawl collar that makes casual outfits or loungewear look pulled together; or the water-resistant Etronik Gym Bag for Women Medium in N-Pure Green or B-Black ($38, amazon.com) with pockets inside and out for everything from water bottle to wallet, an inner “wet bag” for sweaty garments or swimsuit, and a bottom shoe compartment. For a useful stocking stuffer, consider neutral-toned clips like the Cobinaan Claw Hair Clips for Women in 6-Piece Assortment ($8, amazon.com) with a nonslip square grip that holds even thin or fine hair.

St. John’s Bay Womens Long Sleeve Regular Fit Button-Down Shirt in Leopard Print; Loft Sparkle Statement Waterfall Earrings in Fuchsia Primrose; L’Oréal Paris Le Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick Up to 16 Hour Wear in French Kiss; Anne Klein Celeste Driving Shoe in Gold

(Clockwise from left) St. John’s Bay Womens Long Sleeve Regular Fit Button-Down Shirt in Leopard Print; Loft Sparkle Statement Waterfall Earrings in Fuchsia Primrose; L’Oréal Paris Le Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick Up to 16 Hour Wear in French Kiss; Anne Klein Celeste Driving Shoe in Gold

JCPenney; LOFT; Walgreens; Nordstrom

6. Gutsy

Whether she’s an adventurous solo traveler or a dedicated volunteer who jump-starts community projects, she stands out in a crowd and never lets age, size or shape get in the way of what she wears. Give her gifts that reflect her spirited attitude. She’ll love an animal-print top like the St. John’s Bay Womens Long Sleeve Regular Fit Button-Down Shirt in Leopard Print ($20, jcpenney.com), sparkly statement earrings like the Loft Sparkle Statement Waterfall Earrings in Fuchsia Primrose or Deep Space Blue ($22, loft.com) or, to add some instant pizzazz to dress pants or jeans, the Anne Klein Celeste Driving Shoe in Gold ($89, nordstrom.com). Wrap the present with a new nondrying matte red lipstick infused with hyaluronic acid like the L’Oréal Paris Le Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick Up to 16 Hour Wear in French Kiss ($12, walgreens.com).

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.