Almost 200 Unique, Editor-Approved Gift Ideas for the Toughest People on Your List

Nov 17, 2021 @ 9:00 am

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

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Credit: Courtesy Kleed; Courtesy Impala; Courtesy OPI; Courtesy Hudson Grace

As we leave our Zoom gatherings behind and begin to meet friends IRL, it's time to celebrate a return to normal.

And if "normal" means being faced with an inordinate amount of occasions to give gifts, and finding everyday tasks like gift shopping hard, and stress shopping for yourself instead, don't fret! Treat your favorite people — the more difficult to buy for the better — to some spirit-lifting color and sparkle with these brilliant gift ideas featured in our magazine. You'll find selections for minimalists, trendsetters, homebodies, and more. Plus a bonus section devoted to under-$50 finds. No matter your budget or particular present-finding problem, the solution awaits, ahead.

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Credit: Courtesy of Stella McCartney; Courtesy of Nickey Kehoe

For the friend who's as likely to regale you with stories of travels abroad as she is ayahausca trips, whose outfits always have that sense of verve, these finds are sure to delight and surprise as much as she does.

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Nickey Kehoe pastel set

Credit: courtesy Nickey Kehoe

$98; nickeykehoe.com.

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The Gift that Gives Back

For the hard-to-please coffee-lover in your life, only the refined taste of the Nespresso Vertuo Next will do. The coolest part? Every purchase will also help conserve millions of trees in the Amazon and U.S. This year Nespresso is celebrating the holidays with gifts that mean more. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Learn more at Nespresso.com.

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Tabula Rasa Oasis sweater

Credit: courtesy Tabula Rasa

$450; tabularasany.com.

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Paloma Wool balaclava

Credit: courtesy Paloma Wool

$70; palomawool.com.

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Chanel Rouge Allure in Rouge Brûlant

Credit: courtesy Chanel

$45; chanel.com.

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Mociun toast and cereal spoon charms

Credit: courtesy Mociun

$1,800 and $1,100; mociun.com.

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Frida Kahlo. The Complete Paintings

Credit: courtesy Taschen

by Andrea Kettenmann and Luis-Martín Lozano. Taschen, $200; taschen.com.

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Kleed kimono

Credit: courtesy Kleed

Made sustainably, with sales supporting rhino conservation in Africa, $280; pinkpigwestport.com.

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Clare V. pendant

Credit: courtesy Clare V.

$325; clarev.com.

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Polaroid Now+ camera

Credit: courtesy Polaroid

$150; polaroid.com.

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Pat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP Mega: Celestial Odyssey Eye Palette

Credit: courtesy Pat McGrath Labs

$78; patmcgrath.com.

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Pamela Love collar necklace

Credit: courtesy Pamela Love

made to order from recycled materials, $550; pamelalove.com.

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Stella McCartney sweater

Credit: courtesy Stella McCartney

$1,095; stellamccartney.com.

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The Elder Statesman blanket

Credit: courtesy The Elder Statesman

$2,267; brownsfashion.com.

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Wray shirt

Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook

available in sizes up to 6XL, $198; wray.nyc.

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Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia eau de parfum

Credit: courtesy Gucci

$138/100 ml; sephora.com.

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Buru pants

Credit: courtesy Buru

available in sizes XS–2X, $98; shopburu.com.

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Artida Oud charm

Credit: courtesy Artida Oud

$90; artidaoud.com.

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Credit: courtesy Michael Michael Kors; courtesy Bose; courtesy Dior

For a fashion-minded friend, the ultimate accessory is a bold one given by someone you love. Gift a hat, purse, or fragrance that says: If anyone can pull this off, it's you.

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Buly 1803 lip balm

Credit: courtesy Buly 1803

with custom monogram on case, $27; buly1803.com.

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Bea Bongiasca ring

Credit: courtesy Bea Bongiasca

$675; musexmuse.com.

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Michael Michael Kors jacket

Credit: Michael Michael Kors

$355; michaelkors.com.

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Lapima sunglasses

Credit: courtesy Lapima

$485; us.lapima.com.

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Kara phone case

Credit: courtesy Kara

$375; karastore.com.

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Versace football

Credit: courtesy Versace

$240; ssense.com.

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Prada hat

Credit: courtesy Prada

$1,270; prada.com.

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Maison Vaincourt corset belt

Credit: courtesy Maison Vaincourt

$500; shopmcmullen.com.

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Courrèges cap

Credit: courtesy Courrèges

$226; farfetch.com.

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Vivienne Westwood coin purse

Credit: courtesy Vivienne Westwood

$230; viviennewestwood.com.

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Lady Dior in collaboration with Gisela Colón bag

Credit: courtesy Dior

available by special order, 800-929-3467.

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Emilio Pucci x Acqua di Parma Notte di Stelle candle

Credit: courtesy Emilio Pucci

$236; saksfifthavenue.com.

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LaDoubleJ sweatshirt

Credit: courtesy La DoubleJ

$365; ladoublej.com.

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Spectrum Collections x KJH 11 Piece Edit

Credit: courtesy Spectrum Collections

$145; spectrumcollections.com.

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Akola Unlock-it bracelets

Credit: courtesy Akola

Each sale helps to support seven Akola women in Uganda. $135 each; akola.co.

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Lancôme x Emily In Paris For The Love Of Paris Eyeshadow Palette

Credit: courtesy Lancôme

$45; lancomeusa.com.

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Nanushka shirt

Credit: courtesy Nanushka

made with vegan leather, $445; nanushka.com.

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By Far scarf

Credit: courtesy By Far

$290; byfar.com.

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Credit: courtesy Citizen; courtesy Hourglass; courtesy Olivia Morris; courtesy Ganni

A cozy scarf, a classic scent, and a couple days off spent together, that's all this pal wants. OK, OK and a diamond headband, too.

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Tiny Tags necklace

Credit: courtesy Tiny Tags

$160; tinytags.com.

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Olivia Morris At Home slippers

Credit: courtesy Olivia Morris

$305; brownsfashion.com.

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Ralph Lauren blanket

Credit: courtesy Ralph Lauren

$595; ralphlauren.com.

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ByChari necklace

Credit: courtesy ByChari

$525; bychari.com.

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Temple St. Clair ring

Credit: courtesy Temple St. Clair

$1,800; templestclair.com.

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La Ligne sweater

Credit: courtesy La Ligne

$275; lalignenyc.com.

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Miu Miu headband

Credit: courtesy Miu Miu

$650; miumiu.com.

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Tata Harper The Glow Facial

Credit: courtesy Tata Harper

$115; tataharperskincare.com.

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Ganni bag

Credit: courtesy Ganni

$165; ganni.com.

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Acne Studios scarf

Credit: courtesy Acne Studios

$290; modaoperandi.com.

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Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold eau de parfum

Credit: courtesy Tiffany and Co.

$138/75 ml; macys.com.

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Tory Burch pajama set

Credit: courtesy Tory Burch

$598; toryburch.com.

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JW Anderson AirPod case

Credit: courtesy JW Anderson

$180; jwanderson.com.

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Omi Woods earrings

Credit: courtesy Omi Woods

$208; omiwoods.com.

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Credit: courtesy Fortuna Skin; courtesy OAD x CW

When it comes to minimalism, it's the thought that counts. Which is to say: They probably still want tons of presents, because who doesn't? Here's a selection of thoughtful gifts that won't make their home look cluttered at all. Promise.