The holiday season is my favorite time of year: my love language is gifts and it's my chance to shower my friends and family — and myself — with love in the form of items especially earmarked for them. And as a shopping editor with years of experience
in the retail space, it's basically my Super Bowl. I have plenty of hacks for gift giving, and my top rule is to invest in gifts that feel personalized and special. Some examples? Gifts that speak to your loved one's personal interests and hobbies like a travel pillow for my sister's frequent work trips. My go-to candle from Harlem Candle Co. also applies here; it's a delectable amber scent with a special backstory that feels very intentional for lovers of the Harlem Renaissance like my mother. Likewise, if you don't have time for a personalized gift, get a present like the digital picture frame I gifted my father that you can add photos to regularly through the app.
Also, don't be afraid to splurge (and Black Friday sales help if you're on a budget). As someone who has more Telfar bags than I can count, from the classic shopping bag to the UGG collab mini, I'm gifting Telfar's viral shopping bag to my cousin for a tote she can carry on days she has to commute to work. I was thrilled to learn some colors are available on Amazon, which means fast shipping. The Samsung Frame TV is another splurge: a gift that will look incredible in my brother's living room as it rotates between the basketball games he watches and gorgeous paintings in art mode. It's the thought — and the expertly-curated selection — that counts. Keep scrolling to see what I'm gifting my friends and family this year.
Gift Ideas From a Senior Style Editor:
This viral lip gloss makes the perfect stocking stuffer: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Gloss Luminizer at $23
An amber-scented candle with a heartfelt story behind it: Harlem Candle Co. Savoy Luxury Candle at $49, originally $52
My niece will play with this princess-themed tea set for hours: Belle 'Be Our Guest' Singing Tea Cart Play Set – Beauty and the Beast at $50
A travel pillow my sister can use for long flights: Trtl Travel Pillow in Coral at $60
When my mom has to move her daily walks indoors: Viamotion Walking Pad Treadmill for Home at $115
My dad's digital frame lets us remote-add pics of the grandkids: Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame at $149
Treating myself to a bar cart for holiday hosting: Mercer41 Murdock Metal Bar Cart at $165, originally $230
The viral It bag that comfortably fits a laptop: Telfar Large Shopping Bag at $272
For my cool niece who is super into fashion: Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 36 at $695
A smart TV that also displays artwork for my brother's new house: Samsung 65-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV at $1,098, originally $1,498
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Gloss Luminizer ($23)
This bestselling lip gloss will make a perfect stocking stuffer for all the makeup lovers in my family. Created by everyone's favorite style icon Rihanna, the long-lasting formula adds just enough color and shine while nourishing your lips with shea butter. Plus, it comes in an array of flattering shades from shimmering rich brown to holographic fuschia.
Harlem Candle Co. Savoy Luxury Candle ($49, originally $52)
My mother loves a good amber-scented candle, and this is one of my favorites. It's a delectable blend of mandarin and sandalwood with notes of pearl, apple, and jasmine. The only thing she'll appreciate more than the scent is the story behind each one: the brand itself pays homage to the Harlem Renaissance, so both the name and candles honor an iconic person or place from that era (or a cultural giant in Harlem in general). This "Savoy" candle is named after legendary Savoy Ballroom on Lenox Avenue in Harlem, and my mom is a big Black American history buff, so she'll love sharing that special tidbit with guests visiting her home.
Belle 'Be Our Guest' Singing Tea Cart Play Set – Beauty and the Beast ($50)
There are few things my niece loves more than Disney princesses, so she'll treasure this "Beauty and the Beast"-themed playset. Great for a playdate or solo play, it features a singing Lumiere, which is sure to entertain any kid who loves music as much as she does. With a removable serving tray, a five-slice cake, and characters like Mrs. Potts and Chip, it'll inspire her to use her imagination and have a little tea party of her own. The set is hand-washable and batteries are included.
Trtl Travel Pillow in Coral ($60)
My sister has to travel for work often, and this pillow will keep her comfortable during long plane rides. With its super-plush cushion and ergonomic design (which keeps your head perfectly tilted), she doesn't have to worry about waking up with pain from sleeping awkwardly. What's more, the design (and color!) make it look like an oversize scarf. Read more about why it's worth the investment in our Trtl Travel Pillow review.
Editor Quote: "I never considered buying a travel pillow (I usually roll up my scarf or sleep on my handbag) but now I don't know how I traveled without it. Once I figured how to wrap it properly, it was so convenient and comfy I nearly fell asleep in my cab ride home from the airport. The cushion is super supportive, so you wake up feeling rested and without any aches or neck pain from awkward positioning. And the pink color helps — when I turned the pillow around to rest on the back of my neck, it simply looked like a vibrant scarf." — Jessica Andrews, senior style director
Viamotion Walking Pad Treadmill for Home ($115)
My parents go for daily walks and will have to take them indoors once the weather cools, so I'm considering this walking pad as a holiday gift. Perfect for low-impact exercises like power walking and jogging, its speed capacity ranges from 0.6 to 3.8 mph with a four-degree adjustable incline. They'll be able to keep track of their speed, distance, and burnt calories via the LED display on the front of the walking pad. And the best part? It's compact enough that they can easily move it around as needed or even slide it under a desk to walk while working from home.
Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame ($149)
My father absolutely adores his nephew and granddaughters, and he always lights up whenever he gets new pictures of them. This picture frame lets him put their photos on display without having to print them at home or at a nearby drugstore. Easy to set up and use with the free Aura app, this frame boasts free unlimited storage. What's more, you can invite friends and family to add photos, too — so we surprise my dad with new pics sent directly to the picture frame.
Mercer41 Murdock Metal Bar Cart ($165, originally $230)
A gift for me, this bar cart will be a stunning addition to my living room — and a great present for anyone in your life who just moved into a new home. With its sleek champagne-colored frame and locking wheels, it's as convenient as it is stylish. I'll use it to store some of my favorite spirits, like Beyoncé's Sir Davis whiskey, and it'll impress when I'm hosting friends in my condo this winter.
Telfar Large Shopping Bag ($272)
The Telfar shopping bag is an everyday wear for me — it houses so much and it's chic and instantly recognizable. I love it so much that I've bought one for almost every woman in my immediate family, from my sister to my aunt. I was so happy to learn the brand is available on Amazon (starting when Oprah made it one of her favorite things) and that means you can get quick shipping. The copper tone is a neutral with a little edge; you can pair it with any outfit and it'll add a stylish vibe. Plus, it's just big enough to fit all your essentials, including a laptop.
Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 36 ($695)
My niece is super into fashion — just like her Aunt — so she is over the moon once she sees a Coach bag under the tree. The brand has plenty of cool yet functional bag shapes that are a big hit with teenagers and young adults who love that effortless '90s fashion vibe. This slouchy suede bag will earn her tons of compliments, plus it's big enough to house all her essentials from her phone to her lip gloss. She can also detach the strap and wear it as a clutch for a night out.
Samsung 65-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV ($1,098, originally $1,498)
Once my brother moved into a new home, I knew the Frame TV would make the perfect gift. One of the most in-demand tech finds on the market, the TV features hi-def, 4K Ultra HD picture quality, and it turns into a display for paintings in art mode. That means he can watch his basketball games with clear definition, and switch to his favorite paintings once the fourth quarter ends. It also boasts a slim-fit wall mount and a clear cord that won't be an eye sore in any living space. Check out our editor's review of the Samsung Frame TV for more details.
Editor Quote: "If you have the budget and prioritize aesthetics, I think Samsung The Frame TV is worth the money. The difference between what a typical TV looks like on the wall vs. The Frame TV is night and day. Yes, you can find a TV with 4K resolution in the same size for almost half the price, but it won't blend in seamlessly with your decor like The Frame TV does." — Angela Elias, former contributing shopping editor
Jessica C. Andrews (she/her) is an award-winning editor and writer who currently works as the senior style director of PS, overseeing beauty, fashion, shopping, and identity content. With more than 15 years of experience, her areas of expertise include fashion, shopping, and travel. Prior to joining PS, Jessica held senior roles at Teen Vogue, Refinery29, and Bustle and contributed to The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Essence. She's appeared on "Good Morning America," NBC, and Fox 5 New York and spoken on various panels about fashion, hair, and Black culture.
