A couple of weeks ago I kicked off my themed gift guides with some ideas for when a dude is shopping for another dude. Today I’m flipping the script and taking a look at lovely gift ideas to be gifted between gals. Maybe you’re shopping for a sister, a best friend, a coworker, a niece – whatever the case may be, these are all sweet little finds under $50 that any girl would be absolutely delighted to open.
Breakfast Club of Canada Bracelet – $26
Let’s start off with a gift idea that’s good for the heart and soul. Shockingly, even in a country as fortunate as ours, 1 in 7 children are at risk of not having breakfast before heading to the classroom – causing them to be unfocused, distracted, and of course, not particularly healthy. Breakfast Club of Canada supplies breakfasts to children in need – and this holiday season, they’ve released a new, limited edition bracelet crafted by Toronto artist Mai Lin. Bright and beautiful, this delicate bracelet is designed to remind you of the importance of taking care of our young people. Plus, every bracelet purchased will actually go toward Breakfast Club of Canada’s programming and feed a child for two weeks. And when someone asks your friend where she got her brightly hued bracelet, she can spread the message about this important, close-to-home cause.
Sarah Style by Sarah Richardson – $32
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a conversation lately where somehow, some way, the subject turns to HGTV. Bashful, I confess that I could easily veg out in front of that channel for hours at a time – only to find my close friends feel the exact same way. Does this mean I’m a grown-up now? Anyway, those of you that tune into HGTV on the regular will probably recognize Sarah Richardson, interior design guru and Canada’s chicer answer to the likes of Martha Stewart (or whatever lifestyle / DIY master you’re inspired by). Now Sarah’s released a brand new book that takes you on spectacularly photographed and designed tours of 100 different rooms, designed to give you inspiration everywhere – from the laundry room to the master bedroom to the kitchen. It’s a spectacular choice for that design-minded friend that’s never quite finished updating her house that’s also looking for inspiration.
Fresh Sweet Nudes Collection – $42 @ Sephora
Any girl that’s tried Fresh’s signature lip treatments has been hard-pressed to go back to anything else afterward. After all, they keep your lips ultra-nourished and soft, add a pretty hint of colour, and come in purse-worthy twist-off metallic tubes that aren’t going to track open and wreck your bag. This super sweet (and awesomely priced) set includes three of Fresh’s more neutral shades, as well as a Sugar Lip Polish to buff away dryness and allow the colour to go on perfectly smoothly. And if you’re in the mood for something nude but no-less-fabulous, this swell kit even comes with an untinted sheer balm for anytime wear. A gorgeous choice for your sister or for your college-aged niece.
Yummi Yogi Cookie Cutters – $40 / Set of 5
Maybe it’s the friend you ring up when you’re in the mood for some savasana. Maybe it’s your actual yoga teacher. Maybe it’s your yoga-addicted sister that hits a class three times a week. No matter the case, they’ll flip for these super adorable yoga-inspired cookie cutters from Yummi Yogi. Channeling core poses like Tree, Warrior 2 and Downward Facing Dog, these high quality baking accessories are great for doing a yogi twist on gingerbread, but just taking a peek at the Yummi Yogi gallery offers plenty of other inspirational ideas – including repurposing your cookies (and cutters) as ornaments, gift tags and more! Available online and at a selection of studios across Canada, this one’s almost sweeter than a blissful break in Child’s Pose.
Ombre Nail Polishes – $16 each @ 100% Pure
Treat your tips to some serious love – and beautiful colour – with 100% Pure’s new line-up of Ombre Nail Polishes. This all natural brand is perhaps known for their fruit-tinted cosmetics, as well as their commitment to keeping any ‘bad for you’ ingredients out of their products. In fact, this lovely collection of polishes is 5-free of the major carcinogens (like formaldehyde and camphor) that you’ll find in some other brands. The Ombre collection consists of seven fall-hued shades in warm tones of taupe, brown, red, and gold, which can either be purchased separately or all together. Easy to apply with a smooth, creamy finish, host a manicure party and see how well these colours work together – then let every guest take home a bottle for keeps. As a heads up, these polishes are just about to hit the shelves on November 21, so if you’re eager to buy ‘em, no worries – there’s still plenty of time to purchase them before the holidays, just add them to your wish list now!
Endito Hoop Earrings – $34-$39 @ Far & Wide Collective
This is my first (but certainly not my last) mention for Far & Wide Collective, so let me preface this with a little back story on this amazing shop. This Toronto-based retailer carries stylish products from around the globe – all of which are handcrafted by talented artisans, many of which are in emerging countries. What’s particularly impressive is that they aren’t just buyers, they’re enablers, offering a toolkit that helps artisans ensure their products are good to go in the global marketplace. Case in point? These pretty hoop earrings, which are made from upcycled materials and hail all the way from Tanzania. Available in two different sizes and styles, the best part of gifting these colourful hoops is the incredible story you get to tell as your friend unwraps them.
Holika Holika Cosmetics – From $8
I’m not going to lie to you. Visiting the Holika Holika Canadian website is sort of like sensory overload. And I mean that in the best possible way. This Korean brand is the #1 celebrity-endorsed brand overseas – and they’re bringing their lineup of affordable, innovative, lust-worthy products here for your browsing (and wish-listing) pleasure. As demonstrated by the little collage I put together above, there’s a MASSIVE range of products here – and I’d wager about 95% of them are under the $50 mark. Maybe you’re looking at skincare solutions for mom, infused with exotic ingredients like black caviar, black sea cucumber, or aloe vera. Or maybe you want to nab some fab beauty finds for that makeup maven bestie of yours – be the one to introduce her to Holika Holika and I guarantee she’ll have a ball filling up her shopping cart. Heck, there’s even tons of choices under the $10 mark, allowing you to stuff stockings, Secret Santa swap, or treat all of your gal pals to a fun and girly pick from this sensational brand.
Rifle Paper Co. Monarch Flip Calendar – $16
As I expounded upon a few weeks ago, I love the look and feel of just about everything Rifle Paper Co. does. The great part is they’ve expanded well past art prints and greeting cards into amazing giftware too, such as this sweet little desktop flip calendar. Each month you’ll be greeted by an infamous member of the monarchy, from Queen Elizabeth I to more exotic royals, like Lili’uokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii. It’s a particularly sweet and inspiring gift for your savvy coworker that’s always keeping an eye on dates. Just think, with a little planning and coordination, she could wield as much power as these regal women.
Corked: The Wine Party Game in a Bag – $31.99 @ O.co
Nothing goes together quite as well as a group of girl friends and a bottle of wine. Add a fun party game into the mix and your night is set! Corked is basically a variation of charades. You and a partner stand up and each take one half of a common word or expression – for example, ‘Honey’ and ‘Comb’. From there, it’s up to you to act out both halves of the card simultaneously while getting the other players to guess what the heck it is you’re demonstrating. Once a pairing is guessed correctly, you move onto the next set of words, until the timer runs out. Points are doled out for the best actresses and the best guessers, and whoever has the most points at the end of a round (which takes a mere 30 minutes or less) wins! Where does the wine come in? Let’s just call it a social lubricant that’ll make both the acting and the guessing that much more fun. Bring a bottle of your besties fave Pinot and you’ll be laughing the night away!
Bliss Handy Candy – $30
No matter how thick and plush your mittens are, our hands all tend to take a beating in the winter. The upside is, winter is a great time to indulge in some luxurious hand cream to keep your paws tender soft. Anyone that’s ever tried Bliss’ amazing hand cream will agree with me, it’s almost impossible to turn back after using the stuff. And this year, they’ve packaged up four of their amazing hand creams into one adorable, gem-themed box. Two of the scents are appropriately holiday themed – Peppermint and Snowflake – but you can also opt for their Naked, scent-free cream or their citrus-scented High Intensity Hand Cream. Break ‘em up and divide ‘em amongst your best girlfriends, or treat one lucky lady to the gift of soft hands all winter long.
Buns, Braids and Twists by Christina Butcher – $24.50
I actually encountered this book at a friend’s place and instantly fell in love. It’s sort of like that Pinterest board you have for cute hairstyles, but because it’s a physical thing, chances are you’ll actually try to tackle some of them. And with handy, step-by-step instructions, full colour photos of every style, and tons of helpful tips and variations, it’s easy to get the twisty, braided, chic hairstyles of your dreams. I’m actually living proof – I’ve always been mystified by the elaborate plaits and such I’ve seen online or on other girls, but after getting a copy of this awesome, giftworthy book, I’ve mastered all kinds of complex styles like the waterfall braid or figure 8 braid. A super choice for any gal that’s handy with doing her hair – especially if it’s long.
Dolly Pastels Palette + Frosted Pastels Palette – $20 each @ The Body Shop
There’s nothing quite like an eyeshadow palette to give a girl a case of the squeals. And kudos to The Body Shop for delivering with not one, but two amazing palettes priced at just $20, and filled with shimmering, frosty shadows that are simply perfect for holiday celebrations. The Dolly Pastels set veers toward rich warm hues of pink, peach and brown, while the Frosted Pastels presents an arctic-inspired palette of cool tones. Both kits come equipped with a double-ended brush for on-the-go use and come housed in a super sweet, Nordic-influenced package that’s totally ready for gifting.
Catch Phrase Decades – $24.99 @ Real Canadian Superstore, Target, Toys “R” Us, and Wal-Mart
So pretty much all of my friends are aware of the fact that I LOVE me some Catch Phrase. This addictive, portable game has fueled many a games night, dinner party, gathering of the gals, and even office lunch breaks. For the unfamiliar, the gist of the game is to get your teammates to guess what word is on the Catch Phrase screen – with a few rules to make things more challenging. I didn’t think Catch Phrase could get any better, but now they’ve released a new version of the game, with hundreds of new words spread across five decades – the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and today. It’s a fresh, challenging spin on an old favourite that’s fun for every generation to show their ‘historical’ prowess.
Quo Cosmetic Crackers – $15 for a set of 3 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
If you and your ladies are getting together for a holiday shindig, consider breaking out these super fun Christmas crackers to get the party started. Rendered in hot pink and baroque-inspired gold and black, these festive crackers are a great starting point for setting the table and picking an overall colour scheme for your event. But what really makes them amazing are the contents: each cracker contains a mini lip gloss and eyeshadow duo so you can get prettified for the holiday season. Now that’s way more fun than a paper crown and a corny joke, am I right?
Hand Stamped ‘I Have Love In My Heart For You’ Necklace – $25 @ Zelma Rose
Does anyone remember the childhood saying ‘LYLAS’? Meaning ‘love you like a sister’, it’s a sentiment that many women share between them. Whether you’re buying for an actual sister, daughter, parent or friend, this pretty (and popular) necklace from designer Zelma Rose is a sweet way to show that you care. Made from real brass and a custom hand stamp, it’s simple enough to be worn everyday, but heartfelt enough to put a smile on your loved ones’ face every time they slip it on. You can also customize the necklace with an additional alphabet charm, to up the personalization factor.
philosophy Winter Snowflake Set – $31 @ Sephora
I’ve yet to meet a friend that doesn’t love philosophy – and for good reason. The brand delivers year after year with incredible gift-giving sets and new scents. This year one of their new offerings is ‘Winter Snowflake’, a fresh, clean scent inspired by the sparkle and wonder of freshly fallen snow. You can nab this two-piece set at a fab price for gifting exclusively at Sephora. First, lather up with one of the brand’s signature 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath formulas, then follow it up by lavishing your skin with their glazed body souffle. A lovely choice for any lady you’re shopping for this season.
There you have it! 16 amazing gift ideas to put a smile on any gal’s face – without breaking the bank either. And since this post is all about friendship, here’s my gift to you: I’m giving away a ‘Jingle Belles Rock’ prize package for your gal pals valued at over $520! If you win, you’ll be the lucky owner (and gifter) of:
- A Breakfast Club of Canada bracelet
- A copy of Sarah Style
- A 5-piece set of Yummi Yogi cookie cutters
- 7 Ombre Nail Polishes from 100% Pure
- A pair of large Endito Hoop Earrings from Far & Wide Collective
- $120 worth of Holika Holika cosmetics
- A Corked game
- A copy of Buns, Braids and Twists
- A ‘Dolly Pastels’ eyeshadow palette from The Body Shop
- A $25 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card
- A Zelma Rose ‘I Have Love In My Heart For You’ necklace
- A philosophy ‘Winter Snowflake’ gift set
Worth playing for (as I channel my inner Jeff Probst)? Here’s how to enter for your chance to win:
1) Comment on this post by midnight on November 29, 2014, sharing with me which of these lovely lady gift ideas you’d most like to gift (or receive). Feel free to go crazy and pick as many as you like – it’s hard to choose!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 30, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: There are a TON of bonus entries to be had. Go for all of them, go for one of them, go for none of them – it’s up to you. Whatever you choose, be sure to leave each bonus entry in a separate comment below.
Breakfast Club of Canada is on Facebook. Like them, leave a comment on one of their wall posts, and leave a link back to your comment in a separate comment below.
Simon & Schuster is the publisher of Sarah Style. Follow them on Twitter and tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet about why you’d love to read this book – don’t forget to link to this post! Once you’ve Tweeted, include a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Yummi Yogi is on Facebook. Like them, leave a comment on their wall (you’re under no obligation to mention the CGG). Once you’ve done so, leave a link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.
100% Pure is on Instagram. Follow them, like or comment on a photo, and leave a link back to that photo in the comments below with your Instagram username.
Far & Wide Collective is on Facebook. Stay in the loop with their latest product launches by liking them, and say hello by leaving a post on their wall. Afterwards, swing back over here with a link to your post in a separate comment below.
Holika Holika has an impressive following on Facebook. Join the crowd and like the brand, then say hello with a note as to your fave product from their site. Once you’re done, jump back this-a-way and leave a link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.
O.co (Overstock.com) is the place where you’ll find Corked: The Wine Party Game in a Bag. Sign up for their ‘O Mail’ (there’s a link at the top far right of the page) to receive their latest sales and product launches and you’ll nab an extra entry into the draw too. Just leave a comment below telling me you’ve done so – and be sure that whatever email address you use to leave a comment is the same one you used to sign up for their emails (I can see your email addresses, but they remain private to the public, no worries!)
Raincoast Books is the Canadian distributor of Buns, Braids and Twists. Like them on Facebook and leave a comment referencing this fab book and why you’d love to score it. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below for another entry into the draw.
The Body Shop is on Twitter. Follow them, Tweet about this post and tag them and me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your post in a separate comment below.
Shoppers Drug Mart is on Twitter. Follow ‘em. Tweet at them and @cdngiftguide with a link back to this post. Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Zelma Rose is on Twitter. Follow them, tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet that links back to this post. Leave a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
philosophy is on Twitter. Follow them, tag both them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet and be sure to link back to this post in your Tweet. Then, post a separate comment below with a link to your Tweet.