The Best Gifts for Your Girlfriend, Wife, or Side Piece

We know, we know: When it comes to the holidays, the best gifts in life—love, friendship, and a cure for IBS—can’t be bought. But the coolest ones can, as evidenced by a CBD bath bomb subscription, and a pair of gem-encrusted, pearl-drop shrimp earrings that could’ve time traveled from the 1972 Surrealist Rothschild ball right into your boo’s perfect lap. That’s the kind of energy your lady love deserves, and it’s why we’ve made you a smorgasbord of presents to shower her in this holiday season.

You're here because you're looking for the best holiday for your girlfriend, the best gifts for your wife, or maybe the best gift for your dominatrix—and we've got ideas for every budget, whether you're a Big Time Banker Guy (or Gal), a professional email-sending drone, or a freelance circus squirrel trainer. We can’t promise that they’ll keep you and her together forever, and in fact, you may never see her again when y’all head to Joshua Tree for that vacay and she finds the earthships. But hey, it’s all gravy. 

We speak for the trees when we say that wives and girlfriends (like, you know, most other people) just want nice stuff. There’s no trick to finding the best gifts for women, since we're all different, special flowers and unique praying mantises; just give us the kind of presents you would give to anyone who deserves to unwind with a little more luxury, or brew their coffee in a stoneware Le Creuset French press.  

Whether you have a budget of $50, or you’re ready to drop big coins on a Motörhead-themed fire pit, here are some of our favorite gifts for your wifey, babe, or boo during this fine holiday season.

A hydrated partner is a happy partner

Before we even suggest anything over the top or out of the box, there’s something to be said about gifting something practical to your girlfriend or wife—something that’s not necessarily flashy, but should see plenty of use throughout the year ahead. Case in point, this 24 ounce water bottle from Hyrdro Flask is ready, willing, and able to be her sidekick on trips to the gym, on the desk at her office or holding court on her bedside table.

This tea is a beautiful flower…

… Just like your beautiful flower. The flower sparkles. The flower tastes divine, and looks like a dream, because it blossoms in her cup. The flower is a metaphor. 

A candle that becomes a vase/mug/holder of hair ties

Why can’t all candles be like this? The Checkmate by Paddywax has a clean, earthy aroma, and its checkered vessel is dishwasher safe and ready to start moonlighting as your favorite coffee mug once you’ve finished burning it. “The packaging was impeccable,” writes one reviewer, “each candle was carefully boxed and cushioned. All the fragile ceramic and glass in my order was in perfect shape.”

No-nonsense slippers

There are many high-key nonsensical slippies and slides, like these wearable lobsters, but your lady might seek the grip support of slippers that are so non-slip, she (probably) could scale the side of the Empire State building, NBD. 

Keep those lips kissable

Laneige, the blockbuster Korean beauty brand, is known for a few specialities. One of it’s most beloved items includes its Lip Sleeping Mask. Designed to hydrate lips overnight, the brand claims that (according to sales data from 2021) it sells one of these every three seconds worldwide. We’re not beauty experts, per se, but it seems hard to argue with that level of popularity.

Wrap her head in mulberry silk

Do we really need to say much? Just look at this silky, glossy pink number. 

You haven’t made it to Japan yet

But your cat doesn’t have to know that. No judgement if we try to fit into this charming house ourselves. After all, cat furniture is looking insanely chic these days. 

Boba lamp

Glug glug, baby. Don’t be surprised if she wakes up craving tapioca balls after falling asleep to the warm glow of this lamp.  

A CBD bath bomb subscription

You know what’s a great way to feel the effects of CBD, other than a tincture that literally drops it down your gullet? A steamy bath or shower. These bath bombs are made by combining cannabinoids with terpenes/essential oils, so she’ll feel like a thousand happy little ghosts are massaging her toes.

A washable silk sleep mask

We’ll say it: Dainty sleep masks are for the uncommitted. If we sound cranky, it’s only because we haven’t blanketed our tired peepers under this generous, cloud-like mask by Lunya. 

Every scarf has its thorns

It’s difficult to find affordable winter accessories with real personality, but this scarf is full of some elegant gusto.

Everything she needs for a hot pot feast

Is she a Taurus? A person with a stomach? Then she’ll love Umamicart's curated hot pot essentials collection, which comes with fish balls, veggies, noodles, soup bases, and thinly sliced meats. Perfect for winter nights spent on the couch. 

A countertop citrus juicer

Don’t be surprised if she leaves you for this countertop juicer. Can you blame her? Look at those curves and that squeezing power. 

A stoneware French press

As a woman of taste, she may already have the Le Creuset cast iron oven. The iconic cookware brand’s French press, however, is a new card in her Pokémon deck. It’s even crafted from stoneware for extra heat retention. 

Keep those ears toasty

Ushanka hats, next to vodka, are the greatest Russian creation. Especially when they tie, so your girl can venture into winter nights prepped for adventure.

A non-alcoholic spirit entertaining setup

Ghia is one of the best in the game when it comes to non-alcoholic spirits. The flavoring is crisp and delightfully bitter, made with natural, herbal ingredients and takes our tongue on a woodland hike circa 1978. Its Cocktail Box gift bundle comes with a full-sized bottle of Ghia, a pour spout, two handblown stirrers, and other fancy fixings. 

Froth her milk

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, there’s something lowkey horny about frothing your partner’s milk.

A crossbow

Have you finished the latest season of You? Just gonna leave this here for posterity (and, you know, maybe protection).

Pajamas to spoon in

We already know babe loves her jammies, especially if they’re from Skims. We’re not sure if that love stems from their comfortable design, or because Ms. Kimmy K co-founded the brand, but either way, we approve of this comfy-as-hell sleep set.

Flowers that will never die

Get it? Like your love? Urban Stems are absolute champs at arranging bouquets of colorful pampas and eucalyptus in a way that feels romantic, but never cheesy.

Designer-worthy espresso experiences

You know what’s a trip? Sipping your morning espresso from a glass jellyfish. These Kartell cups are so ethereal, they could only be held by the hands of your angel. 

Feel the weight of your love

Literally blanket her with your adoration via the unyielding yet gentle force of a weighted Casper blanket. If you’ve never tried a weighted throw, the feeling is akin to the comfort you feel as you drift into a deep sleep, cocooned in a calming energy.  

She’s pretty damn witchy

Of course she is, she’s perfect. That’s why she deserves to roll on her essential oils with real crystal applicators. This trio of herbaceous, relaxing scents by Pink Moon also steeps its blends—which include rosemary, cedwarwood, rose, and other intoxicating scents—with amethyst, topaz, and rose quartz.

A wild-ass blanket 

One of our editors also swears by the Barefoot Dreams blanket, and says it’s both freakishly soft and comfortable. Is that a leopard print or just puffy clouds? Either way, there’s a good chance your girl will be snuggled up in this blanket all winter long.

Rihanna would approve

We can picture this BDSM chain skirt joining Riri’s impressive rotation of Carnival looks. It takes no prisoners. 

A couples’ vibrator

This Lovense app-controlled vibrator has been a cam girl staple toy for ages, and once the pandemic hit back in 2020, a lot of distanced couples started to see why. The interface is easy to use, and the vibes are oh-so strong with this one. 

Bathe in gemstones

This is one of the most relaxing, luxuriating bath time experiences one of our editors has ever had (it was actually reminiscent of the carbonated pool at SoJo Spa Club). In addition to plumeria, jasmine, and vetiver this bath time mixture contains gemstone extracts, so you can go full Goop come bath time. Consider us converted.

Does she have a hard time falling asleep?

No more noise machine. Henceforth, baby gets her very own pair of swanky noise-cancelling Bose earbuds, filled with a variety of relaxing sounds that’ll go for 10 hours.

Mix it up

The millennial version of owning a house is owning a KitchenAid. These cult appliances are the Cadillac of kitchens. 

She’ll be the hottest one at Long John Silver’s

Imagine watching baby throw back a chowder bowl in these. Poetry in motion, courtesy of the ocean’s finest, gem-encrusted shellfish. 

An epic 360 camera for her smartphone

If her GoPro camera work sux, it doesn’t have to—this attachment can transform her Cloverfield-level camera skills into a stabilized, 360-degree, 4K-quality video that the Academy will love. (VR goggles not included.)

A new record player set-up

She loves that portable suitcase record player the 70s, but it’s kiiind of scratching up her LPs. Gift her a whole Adult™ record player (complete with speakers) by Audio-Technica.

For the oat milk enthusiast who has everything

Babe’s gotta have her oat milk. And her nut milk. And whatever else she can concoct with this plant-based milk-makin’ machine and its complimentary jugs.

Because she wears her heart on her bum

In the perfect matrix, we have unlimited access to the glorious and unhinged archives of America’s #1 luxury kitsch statue emporium, Design Toscano. Our first purchase (after the deranged crab chair) would have to be this heart-shaped throne.

Snaggletooth fire pit

Is she a Motörhead fan? Does she enjoy headbutting you in your sleep? Give her the gift of endless flames with this hand-crafted fire pit. 

A getaway to Joshua Tree

Babes love the desert. Sweep her off those size 9 feet and into a sunny Joshua Tree homestead furnished with Danish mid-century pieces, and the option of requesting at-home reiki and sound baths:

Las Alas del Sol; sleeps up to 4, $185/night, for three nights at Plum Guide

If you’re going for something a little more rustic, the Mesa House is a two bedroom hideaway with records for spinning, and a stock tank pool (known as a cowboy tub) for soaking under the stars:

The Mesa House; sleeps up to 4, $189/night, for 3 nights at Plum Guide

We also recommend taking a 1970s-inspired desert bender in a home with ample hammocks, egg chairs, and shaggy blankets. This one is just 10 minutes from the shops and restaurants of Yucca Valley:

Gemini Retreat; sleeps up to 4, $153/night, for 3 nights at Plum Guide

Happy holidays, and please invite us to the Motörhead bonfire.  

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.