Shopping for one twenty-something is hard enough. I have four! Between my two daughters and my two bonus daughters, I've got a cat-loving maximalist, a ballerina with a corporate day job, an auditor and a nurse who takes care of our littlest patients. Four very different personalities, and every year I find myself hunting for gifts that feel just right for each of them.
So this year, I organized my gift guide by personality instead of by price. Find the section that sounds like your girl (or the twenty-something on your list) and start there!
$ under $50 · $$ $50 to $150 · $$$ over $150
What I'm Getting All Four of Them
Before we get to the personalities, here's what's already wrapped (or about to be) for every one of my girls.
Kyte Living Bamboo Pajamas in Mahjong$$
Confession: I'm not a pajama person. I'm usually an old t-shirt kind of girl. But these bamboo pajamas from Kyte Living changed my mind! They're unbelievably soft and so comfy. Every year I get matching pajamas for my girls, and now that they're all grown, this print feels a little more grown-up too. And since all four of them have learned to play mahjong, the Mahjong print is just perfect (it comes in two patterns, too). And confession number two: they also make a pickleball print, so I may be dropping a few hints to my husband!
Reale Actives Get Bare Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm$
Full disclosure: I've been an Alix Earle fan since she was a student at the University of Miami. And in our house, I was the one sending TikToks to my girls, not the other way around! So when she launched Reale Actives, you'd better believe the makeup remover went straight into all four stockings.
Elliosa Grip Socks$
The only Pilates socks I wear now, so naturally all four girls are getting a pair. (I explain why in the Pilates section below!)
Alo Hazy Mock Neck Pullover$$
I might be getting one of these Alo mock neck pullovers for each of my girls too. Ivory goes with everything, and it's the kind of cozy, elevated basic they'll actually wear all winter.
For the Maximalist Cat Mom
My oldest is a free spirit with a big personality, a love of color and a cat she adores. If it's bold, quirky or cat-related, it's a yes.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 in Blossom Pink$$
This little pink Instax camera is SO cute! My girls and their friends LOVE having real photos they can hold, and the retro vibe is half the fun. This bundle comes with film, a carrying case and a photo album, so it's ready to start snapping the minute it's unwrapped.
Squishy Cat Lamp$
Full honesty: I would NEVER want this in my house. But my cat-loving maximalist? She would LOVE it! It's a squishy little cat lamp that glows in 16 different colors, and it's exactly the kind of fun, quirky piece that makes her space feel like her.
Cat Tunnel Bed with 40 Toys$
Sometimes I think my daughter would rather unwrap gifts for her cat than for herself! This cat tunnel doubles as a cozy bed and comes with 40 toys, so her kitty will be entertained for months. It even collapses flat, which is perfect for a small apartment, and it would look so cute peeking out from under the Christmas tree.
Cat Makeup Bag$
And a little something for the cat mom herself! This cat makeup bag is just the right size for her everyday essentials, and it would make a cute stocking stuffer too.
For the Dancer and Content Creator
My youngest is a ballerina with a corporate day job and a growing following online, so her list is a mix of dance, style and content gear.
Rotary Drying Rack$
Every dancer has a pile of leotards and tights that can't go in the dryer, so this drying rack is for my ballerina. It spins open like an umbrella with 16 arms for hanging, then folds down into a slim little column you can tuck into a closet, which is perfect for a small apartment. And the wood arms make it pretty enough to leave out! Honestly, any of my girls could use one for workout sets, delicates and swimsuits after a beach day.
Case-Mate Jelly Tote in Ballet Pink$$
Ballet pink, for my ballerina, of course! This Case-Mate jelly tote is big enough for her dance bag overflow, and the jelly material wipes right off, which matters when you're tossing in water bottles and pointe shoes. It's cute enough to carry everywhere else too.
DJI Osmo Mobile 8 Phone Gimbal$$$
For my budding influencer! This DJI phone gimbal keeps her videos smooth and steady, and the AI tracking follows her around the room, so she can film a whole dance combo without anyone behind the camera. It even has a built-in tripod and extension rod, which makes it perfect for content on the go.
Alo Airbrush Streamlined Dress$$
This is exactly what my dancer would wear in her off hours! It's sporty and sweet at the same time, and the candy heart pink is so her. Easy to throw on after rehearsal, and still cute enough for brunch.
For the Career Girl
Between an auditor, a nurse, a ballerina who works a corporate job from home and a soon-to-be therapist finishing up her master's, my girls put in long days. These are the gifts that make the workday a little easier, and a little cuter.
Away Everywhere Zip Backpack$$$
This one is for my auditor, who travels to see clients. I have a version of this Away backpack myself, and I love it for travel. It counts as your personal item on the plane, and it has a padded sleeve for her laptop plus a pocket for a water bottle, so she can head straight from the airport to a client meeting. And it's just as great for a weekend getaway!
Pink Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Set$
This one is for my corporate ballerina! By day she works from home at her desk, and she loves pink, so a pink keyboard and mouse set is an easy way to make her home office so much cuter. Bonus: the keys are quiet, so nobody hears her clicking away when she's on a Teams call!
Weighted Heated Wrap$
This one is for my nurse, who takes care of our littlest patients. After a long shift on her feet, leaning over patient beds, she comes home sore and stiff. This weighted heated wrap drapes over her neck and shoulders, so she can finally relax on the couch. It has six heat settings and shuts off on its own, which is perfect if she dozes off!
Full Focus Leather Planner$$
For my soon-to-be therapist! She graduates in December, so this is part Christmas gift, part congratulations. She'll have lots of planning to do as she starts her new career, and this leather planner from Michael Hyatt is built for setting big goals and staying focused day to day. It feels grown-up and special, which is exactly right for this new chapter.
For the Pilates Girl
These are my tried-and-true Pilates favorites (plus one that's just for fun). And if you're in the Dallas area, I take my classes at Reformed Pilates in Plano, and I LOVE it there!
Alo Hazy Mock Neck Pullover in Ivory$$
Alo is a Pilates-girl favorite, and this mock neck pullover is the perfect thing to throw on over a matching set on the way to and from class. Ivory feels so clean and chic, and it's cozy enough for the rest of the day too.
Elliosa Dual Direction Grip Socks$
These are the only Pilates socks I wear now! What sold me on Elliosa is their dual direction styles. They have grips on the outside AND on the inside, so your feet don't slide around inside your socks while you're holding a plank. They're already wrapped for all four of my girls this year! If you're buying for a crowd like I am, Elliosa's own website has great bundle deals and discounts. Or grab them on Amazon for easy ordering!
Bala Bangles$$
My daughter actually bought me a set of these for my birthday last year! They slip on your wrists or ankles to add a little extra challenge to Pilates, barre or even a walk. Just don't ask me to go above one pound! I think the rest of my girls would love a pair too.
"Only Hotties Do Pilates" Candle$
This candle literally says "Only Hotties Do Pilates" and I am OBSESSED! It's a little Pilates humor for her nightstand, and it makes a cute add-on to a bigger gift for the girl who never misses class.
Beauty & Skincare Faves
OUAI St. Barts Body Scrub$
The OUAI body scrub in St. Barts is in my shower right now, and I am obsessed with the smell! It's soooo good. Pair it with the matching body cleanser for a gift that feels like a little spa day.
Reale Actives Get Bare Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm$
It's going in all four stockings at our house this year, so of course it makes the beauty list too. (More on my Alix Earle fandom up top!)
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Cheek & Lip Trio$
Twenty-somethings will always be big Selena Gomez fans (thank you, Wizards of Waverly Place!), so of course they all love Rare Beauty. This Soft Pinch trio comes with a matte blush, a mini liquid blush and a mini tinted lip oil, which makes it the perfect way to try a little bit of everything.
Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask$$$
Full honesty: I haven't gotten into red light therapy myself, but it's ALL my twenty-somethings talk about! This Shark CryoGlow mask is the one on their wish lists. It has different light modes plus a cooling feature for under the eyes, and it comes in the prettiest lilac. Consider this the splurge of the beauty section.
Dainty & Trendy Jewelry
Gorjana Parker Bracelet & Necklace$$
Gorjana is one of those brands every twenty-something recognizes the second the box comes out. The Parker bracelet is easy to wear every day and stacks with whatever she already has on. Full confession: I've snagged at least two of my favorite layering bracelets at my friends' holiday gift swap over the years, so I know a good one when I see it! The matching Parker necklace has the same paperclip chain, so you can gift the set (or split them between two lucky girls).
Oura Ring + Gold Stacking Bands$$$
My husband and I both wear Oura rings, and we are ALWAYS comparing sleep scores. Now all of the girls want one too! Pair it with a set of these gold stacking bands, which are made to sit right alongside the Oura, so her smart ring looks like part of a pretty ring stack. One tip if you're giving an Oura as a gift: grab the sizing kit first! Oura sizes can run differently from regular ring sizes, so it's worth getting the fit right before you order.
For the Beach Lover
For the girl who would live at the beach if she could. These are the things I'd tuck into her bag for her next trip to 30A.
Kindle Paperwhite$$$
I have one of these for myself, and it goes with me on every trip. The best part? It's glare-free, so you can actually read it in full sun on the beach! It holds a whole stack of books without taking up any room in your bag, which is perfect for long weekends at 30A.
Loon & Lake Retro Stripe Beach Towels$$
I love the retro vibe of these oversized beach towels! The stripes feel so 1970s beach club, and at 40 by 70 inches, there's plenty of room to stretch out on the sand. Pair one with the towel bands so it doesn't blow away!
Towel Crabber Towel Bands$
We borrowed a set of these from a friend last summer, and now I like them so much better than beach towel clips! They wrap around the chair and keep your towel from flying off in the wind, and they work on pool loungers and cruise ship chairs too. They are small and inexpensive, which makes them a perfect stocking stuffer for your beach lover!
For the Pop Star Superfan
Harry Styles on Vinyl$
Two of my girls are HUGE Harry Styles fans, and to be fair, so am I. I'm going to see him in concert this spring myself! Vinyl is always a good gift, and the one to grab first is his newest album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. Add Harry's House if she's building a collection.
Shop Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.Shop Harry's House
Taylor Swift on Vinyl$
And for the Swifties! The Life of a Showgirl on orange glitter vinyl is almost too pretty to play, and 1989 (Taylor's Version) is a classic every fan needs on her shelf. Wrap them up with the Harry albums and you've got a whole pop star listening party.
"Watermelon Sugar High" Candle$
And to set the mood for listening! This candle is supposed to smell like strawberries on a summer evening, which is about as Harry Styles as a candle can get. (It's in my stocking stuffers too!)
A Coffee Table Book for Every Personality
I love gifting the girls things they might not think to buy themselves, and a beautiful coffee table book is one of my favorites. Every apartment or house can use that kind of little touch!
Tom Ford$$
We bought this one for our own bedroom, and it's such a great coffee table book. It's perfect for the girl who loves fashion and design, and you can pick the black or the white cover to match her space.
Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury$$
This one is SO gorgeous! It's all about the history of Louis Vuitton and those iconic trunks, and it looks stunning stacked on a coffee table or a nightstand. Perfect for the girl with luxe taste (and maybe a little travel bug).
New York City Ballet: Choreography & Couture$$
For my ballerina! This book goes behind the scenes of New York City Ballet's costumes, with gorgeous photographs and a foreword by Sarah Jessica Parker. It's dance and fashion in one beautiful book, which is pretty much her in a nutshell.
Walter Chandoha: Cats. Photographs 1942–2018$$
For my cat mom, of course! Walter Chandoha spent decades photographing cats, and this book is full of his most charming portraits. It's the perfect coffee table book for her, and honestly, her cat would probably like to lounge on it too.
For the Gilmore Girls Fan
We have been watching Gilmore Girls for years and years and years, and my girls and I even have our own Gilmore-style nickname for ourselves! And it's not just us. My husband and I put it on every single night. It's our comfort show, and we fall asleep to it. Always. Even when we're out of town, it goes on the laptop! So if your girl is a fan too, these are the gifts that will make her feel like she's sitting at Luke's.
Gilmore Girls Pajamas$$
For cozy nights of Stars Hollow reruns! These are exactly what I'd want to be wearing for a Gilmore marathon.
Luke's Diner Stars Hollow Tee$
Every true fan knows Luke's. This soft red tee has the famous diner sign on it, and it's an easy everyday piece she'll actually wear.
Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook$
This is especially hilarious because Lorelai and Rory literally never cook! But it's full of the food from Luke's Diner and Stars Hollow, so she can finally eat like she lives there.
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (Audiobook)$
Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore herself!) reads her own memoir, and it's one of my favorite listens. If your girl loves the show, she'll love hearing the stories behind it in Emily's voice.
If You Want to Splurge
For the girl who deserves something really special this year (or for yourself, I won't tell).
Dyson Airstrait Straightener in Ceramic Pink$$$
I borrowed my friend's Airstrait when we were in Curaçao last December, and by the end of the trip I knew I had to have one myself! It straightens your hair while it dries, so you go from wet hair to done in one step. And one of my girls has been eyeing mine, so I have a feeling she'd be thrilled to unwrap her own.
VERAFIED Ring Handle Bag$$$
This bag is perfect for a twenty-something! The smooth black leather and that sculptural gold ring handle make it feel like a piece of jewelry you get to carry around, and it comes in five colors, too. But full confession: I'm pretty sure this fifty-something will be opening one on Christmas morning (wink, wink)!
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Puffer Jacket$$$
How cute is this for a young, hip twenty-something?! It's a puffer jacket made of cashmere, which is about as luxe as a winter coat gets, and the charcoal goes with everything. It's a splurge, but it's exactly the kind of gift she'd never buy for herself.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones in Petal Pink$$$
One of my girls already owns these Bose headphones, and they're the first thing she puts on when she boards a flight! I think the rest of my girls would love a pair too. They come in so many colors that each one can have her own, and this Petal Pink is a limited edition. The battery lasts up to 24 hours, so they'll make it through the longest travel day.
Hatch Sleep Clock$$$
One of my girls already has this Hatch Sleep Clock, so I think the others might love one too! It's a sunrise alarm clock and sleep tracker in one, with thousands of sleep sounds to choose from, and it tracks your sleep without anything to wear. A perfect splurge for the twenty-something who's into her wellness routine.
SMEG 2-Slice Toaster in Matte Champagne$$$
All four of my girls are starting out in apartments of varying levels of decorated (ha!). This SMEG toaster is such a cute and trendy addition to any kitchen. The matte champagne finish feels so luxe, and it's the kind of piece that makes a first apartment feel a little more grown-up.
Stocking Stuffers
Striped Knit Clutch$
These puffy striped clutches are SO fun, and they come in so many color combinations that I'm getting a different one for each of my girls. I use mine as a makeup bag when I travel, but it works just as well as a clutch for dinner, a beach bag catch-all, or a pouch for mahjong night. At this price, it's an easy yes!
Towel Crabber Towel Bands$
My favorite beach find from last summer! These bands keep towels from blowing off beach and pool chairs, and they beat towel clips by a mile.
Alo Throwback Half-Crew Socks$
Alo socks are the easiest stocking stuffer! These throwback half-crews look so cute peeking out of sneakers, and they're unisex, so you can grab a pair for the guys on your list too.
Alo Untangled Hair Ties$
You can never have enough hair ties in a houseful of girls! They disappear faster than I can buy them. These Alo hair ties come in a 6-pack of pretty neutrals, so she can keep one on her wrist and stash the rest in her gym bag.
grace & stella Under Eye Masks$
These pink under eye masks are the perfect little treat for the morning after a late night (or a long work week). There are 24 pairs in a box, so she can stash some for travel and still have plenty left for her Sunday reset.
"Watermelon Sugar High" Candle$
For the Harry fan's stocking! This candle is supposed to smell like strawberries on a summer evening, which is about as Harry Styles as a candle can get. Light it, put on Harry's House and pretend it's summer.
Happy Shopping!
I hope this helps you find something special for the twenty-somethings in your life. And if you're still shopping for your girlfriends, don't miss my $100 gift exchange ideas from our annual Favorites Party!
—Kim