19 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts for Your Friends—Because They're the Best

Thoughtful Christmas Gifts for Your Friends—Because They're the Best

From the environmentally-conscious fashionista to a master-chef-in-the-making, we’ll help you find the perfect Christmas present for every friend in your life.

Whether they’re a workout buddy, office bestie, or long-distance childhood friend, your crew is important. Show them just how much you care with a gift that suits their personality and style. Our Christmas gift guide for friends features an affordable range of gift ideas, including travel items, self-care essentials—like jade facial rollers and plush slippers they’ll never want to take off—plus personalized presents such as a hand-cut birth flower necklace.

Looking for gifts that give back? We’ve got those, too. Whatever you choose this year, these thoughtful Christmas gift ideas are sure to make your friends feel loved.

For the Beauty Buff: Glossier Balm DotCom Trio

It’s not just the trendy packaging we love. These skin salves really are the balm dotcom, and we can vouch. Customize a set of three to gift to your closest friends. Go with tinted or untinted, then choose from 8 different flavors like cool mint or fragrant rose. They’ll never go anywhere without one!

Buy It: Balm Dotcom Trio ($30, Glossier)

For the Cook: Antoni in the Kitchen Cookbook

Binge-watch Queer Eye with your friends every time a new season hits Netflix? We get it. This Christmas, gift your own fab five with a cookbook from one of our favorite cast members, Antoni Porowski. Not only is it the perfect way to get reinspired in the kitchen, but you can bet it’s full of delicious avocado creations!

Buy It: Antoni in the Kitchen ($18, Target)

For the Brown-Bagger: Takenaka Bento Box

Lunchtime at work has never looked so good. This peppermint bento box from Takenaka is equal parts fashion and function and comes with two tiers, a reusable fork, and a wraparound band. Plus, it’s microwave and dishwasher-safe.

Buy It: Takenaka Bento Box ($38, Williams Sonoma)

For the Fashionista: Love Your Melon Hat

A cute beanie that gives back? Count us in. Fifty percent of profit from each hat sold will go towards the Love Your Melon Fund to support nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer. A gift to warm both your head and heart.

Buy It: White Speckled Pom Beanie ($45, Love Your Melon)

For the Commuter: W&P Design Porter Ceramic To-Go Mug

Perfect for your morning tea or cold brew, this ceramic mug makes it easy to get out the door and on with your day. Not only is it dishwasher-friendly, but its millennial pink color is sure to put an extra pep in your step. Pair it with a matching bowl for the ultimate take-to-work duo.

Buy It: Porter Ceramic To-Go Mug ($25, Goop)

For the Candle Queen: Capri Blue Volcano Blue Signature Jar

As much as we love a good candle-smelling sesh at the local home goods store, there’s no competition when this citrus-scented candle is in the mix. Bonus: It burns up to 85 hours. Yes, please!

Buy It: Volcano Blue Signature Jar ($30, Capri Blue)

For the Shoe-Obsessed: Rothy’s Leopard Flats

These leopard-print flats from Rothy’s will be your fashionista friend’s new favorite shoe. They’re chic, comfy, and made with upcycled plastic water bottles. Who knew? You can even throw them in the wash (on cold, of course) and air-dry them, which means these sustainable shoes will be super long-lasting.

Buy It: Leopard Flats ($145, Rothy's)

For the Sentimental: Made by Mary Birth Flower Necklace

This birth flower necklace makes a thoughtful gift for your sweetest friend. They’re each hand-cut and stamped, and come with a cute card sharing its meaning. Order it in gold, rose gold, or silver—whichever strikes your friend’s fancy!

Buy It: Birth Flower Necklace ($38, Made by Mary)

For the Fit Friend: OPTP Lorox Aligned Travel Foam Roller

This travel foam roller is perfect for the workout buddy in your life. It’s only 12x4 inches making it easy to carry on flights or pack away in the car. Whatever getaways are in store, this is sure to keep your on-the-move friend feeling their best.

Buy It: Travel Roller ($17, Goop)

For the Traveler: Ban.do Travel Pillow

Everything’s coming up roses this Christmas, thanks to this pretty neck pillow from Ban.do. This eye-catching floral design will make you feel like you're on a tropical getaway, even if you're just taking a short road trip. Featuring a removable microfiber cover, it makes jet setting all the more enjoyable and can be washed after each use.

Buy It: Travel Pillow ($12, Ban.do)

For Bookworms: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

It’s no secret The Handmaid’s Tale is a huge hit. The best-selling book is now an award-winning Hulu series and fans can’t stop gushing about it. Give your fanatic friend the next-in-line sequel before the fourth season returns this spring.

Buy It: The Testaments ($14, Target)

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Whether they’re big into hiking or just want to drink more water in the new year, a stainless steel Hydro Flask is always a good idea. The BPA-free bottle has TempSheild insulation, keeping liquids cold for up to 24 hours. Choose from five different colors: lilac, frost, black, white, and graphite.

Buy It: Hydro Flask Water Bottle ($35, Nordstrom)

For the Spa-Obsessed: Rael Sheet Masks

Make every day a self-care day with this collagen face mask set. It comes with five super-soft sheet masks that are perfect for your busy bee friend who could use some quality, kick-your-feet-up relaxation.

Buy It: Collagen Sheet Mask Set ($13, Rael)

For the Golfer: Callaway Supersoft Matte Pink Golf Balls

Give the golfer in your life a gift they’ll use over and over. These matte balls feature an advanced core that promotes a slow spin, making for longer, straighter shots. Plus, with a batch this bright, they’ll never lose a ball again. Not a fan of pink? Choose from neon yellow, orange, red, or green.

Buy It: Pink Matte Golf Balls ($23, Callaway Golf)

For the Self-Care Fan: Skin Gym Jade Face Roller

Treat your gem of a friend to the ultimate self-care tool: a jade facial roller. Using stones for skincare may seem like a new thing, but beauty enthusiasts have actually been using them since the 17th century. Their crystal healing properties are said to help reduce puffiness, increase circulation, and give skin a radiant glow.

Buy It: Jade Facial Roller ($32, Anthropologie)

For the Farmers Market Fan: The Little Market Purposeful Tote

Lauren Conrad does it again. This adorable tote comes from her nonprofit, The Little Market, where she teamed up with co-founder Hannah Skvarla to create a fair trade shop selling gorgeous handmade products from artisans around the world. Gift one with black or white lettering—either way, this tote will be a staple come farmers market season.

Buy It: Shopping Tote ($20, The Little Market)

For the Minimalist: Stella & Dot Stacking Ring

These delicate stacking rings will be an elegant addition to your friend’s jewelry collection. They’re made with more than 70 hand-set pave stones and come in gold or rose gold. Plus, you can get free gift packaging with every order! Perfect for shipping to your long-distance bestie.

Buy It: Stacking Ring ($52, Stella & Dot)

For the Cozy Queen: Genuine Shearling Slippers

Thanks to their sheepskin material, your friend will feel like she’s walking on clouds. Get them in black, tan, gray, or pink. Just be careful when testing them out—you may be buying an extra pair for yourself!

Buy It: Genuine Shearling Slipper ($48, Dearfoams)

For Winter Skin: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

Because their typical wintertime lotion just won’t do. This hand salve is a go-to for our editors. It’s formulated with avocado oil, eucalyptus oil, and sesame seed oil to give dry cracked hands an ultra-conditioning treatment. Trust us, this stuff is so good they’re going to want one for the car, office, and nightstand.

Buy It: Ultimate Strength Hand Salve ($16, Kiehl's)