If you’re new here, hi Friends! I’m Cyia, mother, teacher of mindset & meditation, interior stylist, former actor and dancer, curiosity chaser and resource queen. I started Lifestyler as a gathering spot for all the topics that lend themselves to a life lived whole. If you’re a free subscriber, you can read most posts on the day of publishing and if you become a paid subscriber for only $9/month or $90/year, you’ll be able to enjoy all posts, anytime.
Either way, I’m glad you are here! Now, to the post:
Last minute gift panic? You’re not alone, don’t worry. Come holiday time, it seems that, no matter how organized I think I am on my gift planning, no matter how far in advance, that last minute panic undoubtedly pushes its way in. Pretty much every year, I hear myself thinking something about how I’m going to do it differently next year.
So, I feel you.
Here are a few gift ideas that never fail whether it’s the holiday season or not. Some obvious and usable, others sweet surprises. Whether you need to buy for someone near and dear, or barely known, you’ll find some reliables below.
This journal has been one of my favorite, small gifts for years. I bring them as hostess gifts, send them as thank you gifts, give them to those I know well, or barely know at all but have to appease for some reason. Young or old doesn’t matter, who couldn’t use an extra notebook in their life? Especially one so thoughtfully (and easily) monogrammed.
These are available in lots of color ways. Make sure to order or get the lined or blank-paged linen journal. Lined linen is my go-to. I bought the graph paper option once and didn’t catch the blunder until I’d already monogrammed it. Frustrating.
I wish they showed the monogramming options online but I can assure you, they elevate the notebook and make the gift special. I like the monogram in the center of the front cover (ONLY available if you go into a Shinola store), or bottom right (standard online). Journal from Shinola $28 + tax and shipping. Monograms are complimentary. Please take note: you will have more monogram color options IN store. Online, they only offer silver.
In a recent group text amongst my lady-crew, the discussion over the perfect gift for one of our members came up. Before anyone could hit reply all, I was furiously typing about this set from Cuyana that is one of my favorite go-to gifts. It’s literally perfect for ALL the lady-friends. Once seen by the group - boom, done. Total no brainer.
You can use them for anything: moola, makeup, chargers, secrets. Plus — and this might be the best part, you can monogram them too. As you can tell, I love a monogram.
Offered in a variety of colors (which are all lovely), sold as a set (shown here) or individually, these are a win. Travel cases by Cuyana $168 + tax and shipping.
For the creatives in your life, GET THIS BOOK. Period, end of story. Rick Rubin is surprisingly inspiring and refreshing. Stylist’s Tip: the cover is beautiful so it will look great on a side table or stack. The book is pretty small, so make sure it works with the scale of your stack.
Who couldn’t use more water in their lives? Fun fact: I drink more water when there is a straw involved. I live in LA so I drive an absurd amount and I’m a dry-girl so I always, ALWAYS have water with me. I have found that I sip far more when I don’t have to reach over and unscrew a bottle top. Plus, driving with one’s knees is not recommended. This water container-vessel-of-LIFE is the answer to all your (and your friends’) dehydration needs. I go nowhere without it. Linking the handled option but I also have the one without a handle.
Obsessed with this florescent yellow. Cell-hydrator and mood-lifter in one. Can’t lose. Amazon, $29 + tax and shipping.
I love ambient light and I’m not one to shy away from the high/low, therefore, here come two fabulous options if you’re gifting a homebody or design-lover.
One of my surprisingly favorite items in my house is a little marble lamp that is the only piece on my bookshelves that doesn’t get moved around in an endless cycle of restyling (this is what happens when you are a collector/interior stylist). Said lamp has a cord, lest it would likely also fall victim to my creative sweeps but instead it holds court while this little beaut dances around the house filling the need of the moment.
I know it might be hard to believe that one of my favorite household items is a lamp from Ikea, but throw it on a well-styled bookshelf, turn it on in the eve, and tell me you don’t also fall in love. Whether for a bookshelf, the bathroom, or a cozy corner in your kitchen, she’s perfect. (Except a cordless option would be perfect…er?! Come on Ikea, I’m waiting.) $27.99 + tax and shipping.
I LOVE a design store as much as I love ambient light so this one from the MoMA store is a win/win. Cute, portable, and the colors of the moment, so you can’t go wrong. Draw a bath, turn off the lights, and pop this baby on the back of the toilet. You’re welcome. (Just please, please do NOT fall asleep in said bath.)
$225 + tax and shipping (or, become a member and get better pricing on everything in the shop)
You know my love of the monogram by now, so these won’t surprise you at all. The initial earring. Gift them their own initials (just first or first & last to wear on the right and left ears accordingly, how cute!), or their loves’ initials, or their kiddos, or their pets….Adorable all around. I love repping myself (self-love, Baby) and my people so these are a YES for me.
Gorjana $180 for the pair + tax and shipping.
Ok, this last one you cannot sleep on. You may or may not know that I’ve been teaching guided meditation for many years (used to be full-time, now just once a week) and I am blessed to have some much-appreciated regulars who have followed me wherever I’ve gone over the years. One of them gifted me this incredible set today and you must know about this product. It’s just so good.
Organic olive oil in a recyclable, squeezable bottles? Are you kidding me?! So easy.
Anyhoo, here. Get the duo. If you want to go big, gift the subscription. Brilliant idea, brilliant marketing. Yummy to boot. Thanks, Sweet Emily.
Graza. The duo is $37 for a one-time purchase, $33 for a subscription + tax and shipping.
I could keep going but you’ve got some shopping to do, so I will leave it here for now. Happy Gifting.
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Disclosure: If you buy something through the Amazon links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.