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As an older sibling, it’s virtually a requirement that I keep up with my younger sister’s changing tastes (and opinions) — and to prove just how well I know her, it’s essential that I go all out in the gift-giving department. That means choosing an item that’s surprising (as in, she wouldn’t think to buy it for herself) but touches on her interests or a recent memory of ours. With those qualifications in mind, I’ve gifted plenty of winners — for her birthday, important holidays we’ve spent apart, her college graduation, and her next big gig — that she can actually put to use while reminding her of our bond.
To help you find a gift that suits your sister, I’ve combed through our archives to uncover 46 standout ideas — many of which are Strategist-tested and -approved by a sister or were successfully gifted to one. And because no two sisters are exactly alike, I found delightful options for every type, including stylish sneakers that aren’t played out (as in, not Sambas) and something new for Owala-water-bottle loyalists.
Now that Christmas is a week away, you really can’t dillydally. I’ve done my best to make sure that everything included here will be delivered before December 25, but I highly suggest you double-check shipping times to make sure your gift will arrive on time. (Ship times will differ depending on your Zip Code and if you have an Amazon Prime account.) And if you’re still stuck on what to give her, check out our holiday hub, where you’ll find hundreds more top-notch gift ideas.
Update on December 16, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Under $25
For the sister who can’t put down her hot tools
If she needs help salvaging her dry or frizzy strands, consider our favorite hair oil from Verb. It adds moisture to freshly washed hair and prolongs hydration; plus, it’s suitable for all hair types (and not too heavy for fine hair).
For the sister who never leaves home without hand cream
Amanda Seyfried likes to put these colorful tins of shea butter into Christmas stockings each year. The gentle balm moisturizes super-dry skin and can soothe conditions like eczema.
For the sister who just finished reading ACOTAR
Give her another series by fantasy romance author Sarah J. Maas to dive in to over the holiday break. House of Earth and Blood is the first book in The Crescent City book series, which Maas’s publisher recommends reading after A Court of Thorns and Roses.
For the sister who offers you a face mask before your flight
Whether she’s boarding a long-haul flight or relaxing after her nine-to-five, this buzzy Biodance mask will brighten and soften her skin.
For the sister who runs hot
This foldable fan does double duty as a portable battery, so she can both stop complaining about the radiator and stop “borrowing” your phone charger when you’re out.
For the sister who sends you TikToks
We’ve been seeing this wavy mirrored phone case all over TikTok, and your perennially online sister will recognize it immediately.
For the sister who thinks she’s Dr. Pimple Popper
These star-shaped pimple patches draw gunk out from active acne spots and are also a handy way to prevent skin-picking. According to Paramore front woman Hayley Williams, they look cool on your face, too.
For the sister who can never find the toilet during 3 a.m. bathroom breaks
During the day, this charming mushroom-shaped nightlight will look like a toadstool sprouting from a wall, and at night, it’ll save your sister from turning on jarring overhead lights. It’s also color-changing for a little extra magic.
For the sister who’s embracing a makeup-free look
You can’t go wrong with this four-piece set of Mario Badescu face mists, which give skin a dewy finish.
For the sister who has embraced the ’90s resurgence
This faux-fur bucket hat feels straight out of the pages of a 1990s Delia’s catalogue — and she can wear it through winter and into chilly spring days.
For the sister who’s studying for the MCAT
Prepping for medical school is overwhelming (I know because my sister just started her first semester this fall). To lighten her mood, go for this coffee-table book, which has scientific and witty descriptions of rare and common conditions.
For the sister who would much rather skip group exercise classes
This weighted Hula-Hoop would make an excellent gift for a teen sister who’s still experimenting with movement because it’s a low-intensity workout she can do practically anywhere — even while watching TV. It was the only workout item mentioned multiple times when we surveyed teenagers about the (actually cool) stuff they’ve purchased.
For the sister who never takes off her jewelry
These hypoallergenic earrings, made with 14-karat gold-plated sterling silver, are perfect for everyday wear — and they’re under $20, if she ever needs to replace them.
For the sister who’s quitting her acrylics
If she finally gave gel extensions the boot, this tinted polish will repair her natural nails while making them look instantly healthier. It contains hydrating and strengthening ingredients, such as vitamin E, calcium, and bamboo extract.
For the sister who’s team Owala over Stanley
Owala’s Free Sip water bottle was super popular last year — in fact, no fewer than 11 Strategist staffers bought one. This fall, the brand launched a new product: a stainless-steel tumbler designed to hold hot or cold beverages that’s slim enough to fit into your car’s cup holder.
For the sister who has Sofia Coppola’s Archive on her coffee table
Give her the tea-sommelier-approved Yorkshire Gold that Sofia Coppola told us she drinks every morning.
Under $50
For the sister who introduced you to Benetint
My sister and I are big fans of lip stains, and this Clarins formula happens to be my favorite because it’s super-pigmented yet transferproof. (I personally think it’s even better than Benetint.)
For the sister who hits her step count on the West Side Highway
For the sister who knows martinis should be stirred, not shaken
Instead of a traditional triangular martini glass, add this more unexpected round-bottomed coupe to her bar cart. It’s easy to hold and offers a bit more heft (meaning less chance of spilling).
For the sister whose Google calendar isn’t cutting it
From the makers of the viral Five-Minute Journal, here’s a planner with guided prompts and inspirational quotes to encourage daily reflection and mindfulness. It’ll offer a much-needed break from her cluttered computer calendar.
For the sister who lives in athleisure
We’ve been fans of Baleaf’s yoga pants for many years, and contributor Maggie Slepian says these outperform the pricier pairs from Alo, Prana, and Lululemon in her closet.
For the sister whose holy-grail ingredient is retinol
If your sister swears by the anti-aging power of retinol on her face, it might be time she tried body retinol. Naturium’s formula contains encapsulated retinol to improve skin texture and firmness, plus shea butter to target dryness.
For the sister whose couch doubles as her office
We think this lap desk makes a great gift because it will let her recline anywhere while answering emails in (physical) comfort. It can easily fit a MacBook Air or Pro, plus it features a mouse pad, a phone stand, and a built-in ledge to keep her laptop from slipping.
For the sister who’s bored of frittatas
If she’s mastered her folded French omelet, switch things up with this tamagoyaki pan for rolling eggs Japanese style. This method creates a softer and more delicate texture that’s perfect for sandwiches or for serving sliced as a course in a DIY omakase.
For the sister who’s strictly a shower person
Containing three types of salt sourced from New Zealand, the Himalayas, and Hawaii, this Osea body scrub is our top pick for dry skin — and will make even the tiniest apartment showers feel spa-like.
For the sister who’s fine-tuning her booze-free home bar
If she always goes for light, floral mocktails, gift her this spring-y nonalcoholic spirit that only needs a splash of tonic. Garden 108 has hints of hay, spearmint, rosemary, and thyme, plus it’s from the U.K.–based company Seedlip, a brand every expert mentioned when we asked them about everything you need to stock an alcohol-free bar.
For the sister who’s personally invested in Paris Hilton’s DJ career
She’ll appreciate these self-tanning drops that come recommended by Paris Hilton herself and give an Ibiza-like glow. Hilton says she uses the drops with a lotion, and the application lasts around a week.
Under $100
For the sister who’s in her Pilates era
This isn’t your average fitness mat. It’s designed to double as a block for exercises like tricep dips or push-ups, but it can also add a little extra support for at-home workouts.
For the sister who loves an everything shower
This fluffy bathrobe is an easy upgrade that will make your sister feel like she’s visiting a luxury spa. It has a tie waist and pockets, and the material is highly absorbent, so she can go straight to lotioning up without needing a towel to wipe away leftover water.
For the sister who’s makeup bag is overflowing with products
She’ll finally stop rifling through her makeup bag with this compact vanity case that’s designed to organize cosmetics of every size. It comes with a removable insert to keep taller products like serums and foundations upright, which means there’s less chance of leakage.
For the sister who brags about her status on Delta
While this travel pillow may look like a padded scarf, it will feel like she’s in first class as she snoozes comfortably at 30,000 feet. When our writer Rachael Griffiths tested the Trtl on a 12-hour flight to Seoul, she was out like a light, because the Trtl keeps your neck at a more natural and supportive angle, she says.
For the sister who stuffs her feet into any old shoes to bring the groceries in
Unlike a pair of stepped-on tennis shoes, these puffy North Face mules have an elastic heel, making them ideal for slipping on when she’s running out to grab the mail or taking her pup for a quick bathroom break. I own a pair and love how the outer PET material and fleece lining are especially cozy on frigid days.
For the sister used to be a barista
Your sister likely knows that a good grinder is the key to better-tasting brews — so why not give her the gift of café-level coffee every morning? She’ll be able to pour her favorite beans into this machine that features a powerful burr blade and 17 grind-size settings.
Under $200
For the sister who’s over Sambas
These retro sneakers have a low profile and are easy to pair with any outfit. They’re a favorite of contributor Mya Gelber, who tested ten pairs of sneakers to find everyday ones that are stylish, comfortable, and well-priced.
For the sister who loves a sleepover
These pajamas are a tried-and-true favorite at the Strategist; we’ve been recommending them since 2017. Part of what makes them excellent is that they never wrinkle, even if she’s been tossing and turning at night.
For the sister who attempts to cut an entire steak with a butter knife
If she’s never experienced the thrill of easy slicing, get her this knife set, which includes all the basics plus kitchen scissors and six hefty steak knives. The wood block will also look attractive on her countertop while freeing up some much-needed drawer space.
For the sister who’s training for the New York City Marathon
For a super-active sister, this foot massager will work wonders on her cramps and save her some money on pricey massage-therapy appointments. It has three deep-kneading modes, five pressure settings, and a heat-therapy button to release tension and soothe achy arches ahead of race day (or just any day).
For the sister who wants to expand her cooking repertoire beyond dino nuggets
If she’s moving out on her own after graduation, this air fryer will allow her to roast, bake, broil, or dehydrate meals for one (or many) in a snap. It features a touchscreen display and has a dishwasher-safe basket for easy post-dinner clean-ups.
For the sister who owns more than one cat (or a furry dog)
We know cleaning products are pretty unsexy, but this small (but mighty) Bissell will come in handy when it’s time to deep-clean her couch after another food spill or pet mess.
For the sister who’s serious about surround sound
No matter where your sister takes the Sonos Roam — her living room or her favorite campground — its tuning technology automatically adapts to her surroundings, so the sound is always perfectly balanced. And because it supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, she can control it with just her voice.
Over $200
For the sister who still can’t commit to the Airwrap
For half the price of Dyson’s Airwrap, get her this multi-styling system from T3, which has been the secret to my frizz-free blowouts. As someone with long, color-treated hair, I love how the blow-dryer attachment quickly dries my strands and the ceramic curling barrels seal in shine.
For the sister who can never make time for the massage table
I can’t say enough good things about this vibrating back wrap that eases muscle tension in my lower back and quickly decreases soreness. It has three different heat levels and three vibration patterns, plus it’s completely cord-free.
For the sister who enjoys spilling anti-aging secrets
She’ll like this HigherDose mask, which uses red and near-infrared LEDs to target fine lines and wrinkles, plus stimulate collagen production. It’s made of high-quality silicone and features a cordless design that makes it great for multitasking or travel.
For the sister who’s a bread fiend
She’s perfected her Dutch oven loaf, so why not go all out and buy her this steam oven that’s similar to a professional model but fits right on her countertop? Designed by the viral Japanese home-appliance brand Balmuda, it has various specialty functions, such as a pizza setting for box-fresh slices at home.
For the sister who says facials don’t do anything
For the price of one session with an aesthetician (girl math), this equally luxe-feeling at-home microcurrent tool can give her the same cheekbone-lifting effect. Dermatologist Corey Hartman says he has “yet to see anything surpass the efficacy and design of the NūFace Trinity,” and our colleagues at the Cut have the results (on seven different skin types) to prove it.
For the sister who loves an amusement park
She’ll have cotton candy (almost) on tap with this machine that drag queen Trixie Mattel’s assistant bought for her.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
