When it comes down to it, the holidays are all about feelings. You’d be hard-pressed to find a seasonal song that doesn’t champion good cheer or joyfulness or, most importantly, love. (Can it be this time of the year forever?) And while the simple act of spending time with family and friends is more than enough to elicit such emotions among loved ones, the acts of giving and receiving can take them to new heights. There’s nothing better than watching someone open a gift you painstakingly picked out and seeing them glow with genuine excitement. After all, gifts in themselves are expressions of feelings, and gifts that are unique and sincere hold an extra-special kind of magic.
Of course, this isn’t to say that you have to gift someone an expensive car or a time-share in the Caribbean to prove how much you care about them. There’s a reason moms are often downright gleeful when they get handmade noodle necklaces and off-balance pinch pots. Finding affordable gifts that also boast a certain je ne sais quois is possible. To prove it, we rounded up a selection of legitimately incredible options that are all under $100. Some are personalizable, others are handmade and all of them are sure to result in warm, fuzzy feels.
Diptyque votive candle set
When it comes to candles, Diptyque is basically the gold standard. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of walking into a Diptyque shop, you know how intoxicating its products smell. Because its candles are on the pricier side, getting to indulge in one is typically a rare treat. This set of three, which features Diptyque’s Roses Notes, Figuier Notes and Baies Notes scents, is basically the best triple threat of a gift there is.
Diptyque votive candle set, $90 at Forward
Pink Broken Flowers Pocket Square
Made of 100 percent silk, this hand-finished pocket square, which ties perfectly into a neck scarf, is playful yet elegant and will make any outfit bloom. Seeing as it was designed by a small business in the United Kingdom, it feels truly unique—you won’t see fifty other women on the street with the same one.
Pink broken flowers pocket square, $71, Tictail
PANDORA Shards of Sparkle Ring, Clear CZ
When it comes to sparkly rings, the more, the merrier. This sterling silver design gives the illusion of five studded bands in one but takes away the hassle of having to keep track of them all. That’s a gift in itself.
PANDORA Shards of Sparkle Ring, Clear CZ, $75 at PANDORA
Golden fortune cookie
This metal fortune cookie would make an exceedingly cute design touch on pretty much anyone’s bookshelf or coffee table, but that’s not even the best thing about it. Open it up and it becomes the perfect little vessel in which to deliver a special love note or personalized fortune.
Golden fortune cookie, $30 at Coming Soon
Crosley Radio Cruiser deluxe turntable
Give someone the sweet gift of sound with this design-forward record player. It offers advanced pitch control, Bluetooth compatibility and built-in speakers, which are the perfect modern complements to its cool retro look. If you want to go above and beyond, throw in a vinyl record or two by your giftee’s favorite band (and still come in under $100).
Crosley Radio Cruiser deluxe turntable, $60 at Bloomingdale’s
Ellis Adventure fragrance layering set
Fragrance is such a personal thing, which is why buying someone perfume as a gift can be tricky. This set by luxury fragrance brand Ellis Brooklyn includes three of their best-selling perfumes as well as three single-note perfumes, which are meant to be layered together endlessly for extra-personal scent combinations.
Ellis Adventure fragrance layering set, $25, at Ellis Brooklyn
“Woman Card” deck of playing cards
There is not a woman in this world who doesn’t need this deck of playing cards! Featuring illustrations of some of the most influential women throughout history, from Rosa Parks and Gertrude Stein to Sacagawea and Patsy Mink, these cards will ensure that every hand is a powerful one.
“Woman Card” playing deck, $20 at Uncommon Goods
Agate cheese board
This gilded agate stone would make an ace gift even without knowing its intended purpose. If you’re shopping for someone who loves to entertain (or is just really into pretty crystals), this cheese board/centerpiece is sure to make them swoon.
Agate cheese board, $78 at Anthropologie
Abstract landscape with pink sky
Receiving a piece of original artwork is so, so special. It’s a one-of-a-kind gift that was created directly from someone’s soul. What could be cooler than that? You can find gorgeous abstract landscapes like this one as well as pieces in every other style and medium on Etsy, so no matter what aesthetic you’re shopping for, there’ll be a piece that will catch your eye.
Abstract landscape with pink sky, $95 at LizzyBells/Etsy
This post is sponsored by PANDORA.
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