A Very B List Gift Guide
Have I mentioned that gift giving is my love language?
Hello and welcome to the first ever B List gift guide! As someone who strongly identifies with gift giving as their main love language (to give, not receive!), this is a list I’ve been adding to for weeks now.
I’ve long declared that one of the very best parts of being freelance is not having to participate in building lengthy, unnecessary gift guides for magazines and digital publications. And yet, here I am!
This time around, I didn’t dread the gift guide process. In fact, I couldn’t wait to share my favorites here with you. Unlike the aforementioned roundups, this is a decidedly more curated guide, with picks I genuinely love and recommend — plus a few things I’m personally asking for this year, in case you’re looking to get me a gift. Hint, hint.
Below, enjoy 28 selects for the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle-loving folks on your gifting list (or, shop them all in one go via my ShopMy here).
[BTW, if you’re reading this in your inbox, you might need to click View in Browser to see the whole list!]
Jenny Bird Colette Hoop Earrings in Medium ($138)
Every cool girl I know wears Jenny Bird. If your jewelry collection is already full of Mejuri and Missoma, consider this the It Girl level-up of the season. I wear the Medium size in silver and gold in my first and second piercings, and I’m debating getting the Small ($118) in each for further stacking options.
Lexxola Jet-Setter ($88, was $100)
I love a chic pouch, travel kit or storage case, and unlike jewelry-only options, this one from eyewear brand Lexxola fits medium-sized items like sunnies, as well as the little stuff. Plus, it’s practically begging to be incorporated into a travel flatlay. There’s also the Mini Jet in Croc ($75, was $88) if you do want something small.
La Bonne Brosse Duo Bonne Brosse N.01 ($185, was $203)
Every girl needs a luxury hair brush, and La Bonne Brosse do the prettiest ones. I particularly like this set for holiday gifting, as it includes a brush — here, N.01 The Shine & Care Brush — plus a velvet and satin travel pouch. I know this one’s a splurge, but for the girl who has everything, elevating her basics is the move.
Theraplush "HOLD" Overnight Repair Treatment ($62)
That thing I said about upgrading her essentials? Get into this Theraplush hand cream with actually-effective ingredients. This is a product I’d be proud to display on my bedside table — a functional piece of decor is always a win in my book.
Make Up For Ever Holiday Gift Sets ($29-$88)
IMHO, no one is doing actually-useful holiday sets like Make Up For Ever. I own both the HD Skin Blush & Glow Longwear Cream Face Palette ($88) and the Mini Artist Color Pencil Lipliner & Eyeliner Kit ($39), and every shade and product in each is now essential to my makeup routine. All of the pencil liners are wearable colors I love (including icons like Wherever Walnut and Anywhere Caffeine), and the blush palette has really pushed me beyond my one comfort shade. 10/10 useful bundles for your beauty bestie.
RPZL x Bella Gerard Hair Cuffs ($24-$30)
Of course I’m going to plug my hair cuffs — not only because they’re my babies, but because they’re genuinely great gifts. There are items as low as $10 in my collection, with larger pieces like The Bella Cuff ($24) and The Morgan Stacked Cuff ($30) that are great on their own or as part of a gift bag. Lately, I love to buy a bottle of champagne (or my recipient’s favorite wine) and fasten a cuff to the neck of the bottle in lieu of a ribbon. So cute.
Grocery Bags Faux Birkin Tote ($59, was $88)
In a perfect world, I’d buy everyone I love a Birkin. This will have to do for now. Choose from all different colors, and don’t be afraid to gift your pack mule pal more than one. I love the idea of carrying multiple different-colored “Birkins” to set for a busy shoot day. Or even to Whole Foods on a grocery run!
Tory Burch Mellow Platform Mule ($348)
Even fashion girls slip on their UGGs to run errands, so why not upgrade to these UGG-ified Torys? I love the little metal logo on the strap, as well as the rubberized toe detail and platform sole. Pair ‘em with some chunky fair isle socks to really up the holiday ante.
Bio-Therapeautic bt-sculpt + Restyfluid ($395 was $475)
I’m a fan of regular ol’ hand massage when it comes to de-puffing my face, but when I do use a tool, I’m most likely to reach for the bt-sculpt. This skin-sculpting microcurrent tool is the ultimate pick for someone who wants to move beyond the basic NuFACE, and the hinged stainless steel head allows for emphasis on lift.
Anastasio Home The Pill Box ($390)
Behold, a totally-unnecessary-but-oh-so-cute trinket dish I’ll be asking for this year. Ever since I decided to be The Kind Of Girl Who Takes Her Vitamins Every Morning, I’ve yearned for a cute way to store them at my bedside. This unique box — with a little compartment for each dose of the week — really sparks joy.
Libby Haines Art Prints ($40-$238)
I only recommend gifting art if you really get the recipient’s decor style. If it’s anything like mine, I highly suggest Melbourne-based artist Libby Haines. Pat got me one of her paintings last year, and it’s a major focal point in our living room. She’s known for throwing parties, photographing the messy tablescapes, and painting the moments into memories. Above, I like “Champagne, Pizza, Chilli” and “Scattered Persimmons”.
GAP CashSoft Apparel (prices vary)
If you want to get everyone cashmere but you don’t have a billionaire’s budget, get into CashSoft, GAP’s lower-priced alternative. I’ve recently invested in a few matching sets for lounging around my apartment, and they make me feel so much more put-together than the typical sweat set. Here, the GAP CashSoft Zip Sweater Hoodie ($70) and Sweater Pants ($55, was $70), a delightful combo.
LOOPS Variety Hydrogel Face Mask 5-Piece Set ($30)
I love, love, love LOOPS, and these are some of the only hydrogel masks that really improve my skin in the short-term as well as over time. If you’re buying just one, I recommend Dream Sleep ($7) — it’s a “fun” gift because you leave it on overnight, making it a bit different than the usual sheet mask (it would also be great as part of a sleep-themed gift box). If you want to go big, consider A Holiday on LOOP ($124, was $155), an unreal set of 25 masks.
Monica Vinader Gemstone Essential Tennis Bracelet ($450)
In my quest to become a jewelry-wearer with pieces I never take off, I started wearing three of this bracelet in different gemstones every single day. I never take them off, and I always get compliments. A diamond tennis bracelet is expected, but these add a subtle pop of color that never competes with the rest of my outfit.
Abbode Custom Embroidery (prices vary)
Personalized anything is the ultimate gift, and you can quote me on that. Abbode on Elizabeth St. does same-day embroidery, and you can bring in something of your own or shop from their curation of products, like the Custom Waffle Makeup Pouch ($58) or Custom Cocktail Napkins ($28 each). You can also order online if you aren’t NYC-based — just make sure to get your order in early so it can arrive before the holidays.
Rabanne 1969 Makeup Clutch ($210)
I know Dior Beauty does a makeup “clutch” for the holidays every year, but I think Rabanne’s design team deserves a special shout out for their holiday offering. This little highlighter component is so reminiscent of the brand’s iconic handbags, and you can even buy customizable gem charms to deck it out futher. Of course, it’s way too much money to spend on a pressed powder, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want it.
Heaven Mayhem Book Box Vol. 1 ($70)
Heaven Mayhem makes a few different iterations of these Book Boxes, which are basically jewelry boxes that look like coffee table books. With these, you can store your jewels out in the open without things looking too cluttered. Genius! This is an especially good gift for anyone with a studio apartment or otherwise small living space.
Bombas Women’s Sunday Slipper ($80)
I’ve been on a Bombas kick this year, and I already gave Pat the men’s version of these slippers. Is it too much to ask for a matching pair for myself? If your gift recipient hasn’t already been converted into a Bombas believer, it’s imperative that you start with their actual socks — the Fair Isle Sock 2-Pack Gift Box ($38) is a perfect holiday set.
Bleusalt The 2 Yard Wrap ($90, was $120)
This has to be the fourth or fifth time this Wrap has made an appearance on B List, and for good reason. It’s the ultimate piece for gift recipients of all ages! Everybody loves Darbuscore. You can also pay an additional fee to get it monogrammed by the brand (I took a few of my to Abbode to do the same on short notice).
Prada Virtual Flower Eau De Parfum ($165)
This Prada perfume is my fragrance gift of the year — it’s a fresh, musky floral, and it’s only perfume Pat has ever actually noticed me wearing enough to compliment. Notes include jasmine, bergamot, and (pause for cool factor) an AI accord. Did I mention they used Artificial Intelligence to create a blend like no other? I love a gift with a built-in story!
Baglet Bag BG125 ($347)
This is a handbag that has really grown on me over the last few months. Bagllet gifted it to me in the Olive colorway, and I surprised myself with how often I reached for it. It holds a ton and is arguably quite practical in silhouette, but the super-structured, shiny leather gives it a bit of futuristic flair. I also love the little pocket on the strap — perfect for a MetroCard. The Red Veneto colorway is spot-on for the holidays.
Senia Chain Rings ($260)
The ultimate jewelry piece for the gal obsessed with mixing metals! I received this gold vermeil and sterling silver piece at an event a few months back, and it never fails to get me compliments. It’s versatile and superb for stacking, and believe it or not, the chain never gets annoying. I promise.
D.S. & Durga Before Common Encens 7oz Candle ($75)
D.S. & Durga is a brand prided on their devotion to exploring scents unlike any other fragrance brand, but that doesn’t mean they won’t lean into the holiday classics. They’ll just expand and elevate — as is the case with this blend of myrrh, balsams, and saffron for a Three Wise Men-approved Christmas scent. They’ve also launched the I Don’t Know What Murder Mystery Box Set ($275), a unique gift set for lovers of layering fragrance to create something new with each spritz.
Silky Miracle White Crinkled Silk Pyjama Set ($679)
Oh, you want something bougie? Look no further. Pajama sets are an obvious gift, but I personally dislike receiving them with on-the-nose holiday patterns — like, why are you giving me Christmas pajamas when today is Christmas, and I won’t be able to wear them again for another 365 days?! Elevated silk sets that can be treasured year-round are the move, and Silky Miracle’s selection is the ultimate in luxury nightwear.
Fendi So Sweet Charm ($450)
I’m not the biggest bag charm gal, but this little piece of Fendi candy is a sweet treat for your friend that erroneously believes Jane Birkin would approve of her clipping every trinket known to man onto her handbag. If I sound like a hater, it’s because I am. Regardless, I like this charm.
Sézane Large Printed Cushion in Primavera Flower Stripes ($95)
Did you guys know Sézane has a hell of a home section? I most certainly did not, until Olivia of
put their offering on my radar. In addition to dreamy lamps, candles and table linens, they’ve got a stellar collection of pillows. These are reminiscent of my future wedding aesthetic, so of course they’re the ones I want.
Butter Days Coffee Butter ($12)
I mentioned this brand in a paid-subscribers-only B List last month, but Butter Days is a cool small biz creating unique artisan butters the chef in your life will really love. There are sweet iterations to jazz up your mornings, like Coffee Butter, Matcha Butter and Smoked Maple Sea Salt Butter, or more savory butters for dinner vibes like Cacio e Pepe Butter. I don’t cook, but just spreading these on a piece of toast makes me feel like the winner of Chopped.
Nodpod Sleep Mask ($34)
This is a last-minute addition to my gift guide, mostly because I tried it for the first time last night and slept way longer than I was supposed to. Usually, the light from my window wakes me up — but this weighted sleep mask had other plans! I don’t love wearing eye masks that wrap all the way around my head, so just laying this one on top of my eyes before I drift off is the perfect solution.
x BG
Fun stuff