The Ultimate Girly Gift Guide

Author's note: This article was first published in Whisperings of Anna ~ Issue No. 21, November/December 2022, pp. 102-104. The magazine has been discontinued, but you can still read the full issue in my portfolio.

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While it's entirely appropriate to treat your loved ones to something special any time of year, it is especially prevalent around this season when we tend to focus the bulk of our present-buying energy. So without further ado, here are some feminine gift ideas for the people who mean a lot to you!

• Write a letter: Gifts don’t have to be expensive and often the more mundane tend to be the most meaningful. Should you wish, you may jazz it up with calligraphy, headers, wax seals and scented paper.

• Buy flowers: Explore the Victorian language of flowers and what each flower represents and put together a bouquet of flowers that conveys what the person in question means to you.

• Solve a problem they’re having: For example, if they’re running out of room to keep their jewellery, purchase a jewellery box. If they love to bake, get a new tin to store all their goodies in or new oven gloves if they’ve worn their old ones out.

• If you’re gifted at a particular craft, consider making them something! Knitting a new scarf, crocheting a teddy bear, baking their favourite cake, painting their portrait, writing anything from a sonnet to a novel, learning to play a song that reminds you of them, sewing a dress, making some pottery, etcetera, etcetera...

• Create a memory book of your time together: Be sure to include any tokens and keepsakes, such as photos, tickets from events, playlists linked to memories, quotes of the day, things you wished you’d told them at the time, etc!

• Experiences: Instead of more material goods, consider getting tickets to their favourite band, ballet, or musical, book a table at that restaurant they’ve been meaning to try or for the thrill-seeker, scuba-diving, go-karting, ice-skating, theme parks (all depending on budget).

• Offer luxury at home with the good old fashioned ‘girls’ night in:’ Face masks, manicures, pedicures and/or other pamper kits, chick flicks and enough gossip to fill a teapot. What more could you want?

• If the person in question is an avid writer or literary fiend, consider some nice stationery. Notebooks, monogrammed pens, personalised wax seals and stamps, book embossers for their private library or a subscription to their favourite magazine or newspaper, a new book by their favourite author or perhaps something you’ve seen that has all their favourite tropes are all good options.

• If they are moving away soon, consider things to make their living space more homely: pretty rocks or shells you’ve found on your local beach, scented candles that remind you of your area (or candle-making kits for the D.I.Y extraordinaire!), even take them to ‘Build-a-Bear’ (or equivalent) and create their own furry friend to go on their new adventure with!

Gifts don't have to be expensive and often the more mundane tend to be the most meaningful.

• For the beauty queen in your life, perhaps look for makeup or jewellery (if they wear it): glittery lipglosses, sparkly eyeshadows, arrange to have their nails done, but be wary of anything that needs to be shade specific if you are unfamiliar. Within a similar vein, if you know their style well consider charms for their bracelet (if they’re collecting) or matching friendship necklaces. Another option may include hair protective gear or styling tools such as rollers or silk scrunchies.

• The simplest gift of all: Make the stress-head in your life their beverage of choice. That might mean a humble tea or coffee, or (if they’re of age) something a bit stronger...

Remember: a lady always sends ‘thank you’ notes for any gifts she herself receives!