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Holiday shopping can be intentional, and joyful, when the gifts we choose are rooted in supporting our healthy lifestyles, personal growth, and overall wellbeing, this helps put more focus on our ability to experience life more fully. Forward-thinking gifting is not about volume… it’s about resonance. These gifts fit seamlessly into everyday life for both men and women, meeting them exactly where they are today while supporting who they’re growing into tomorrow.

1. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (For Him & Her)

For the one who multitasks, commutes, stays in motion. These are so perfect for those who don’t want to be closed off from their environment yet still want incredible audio quality. Futuristic, discreet, executive energy. And wildly comfortable for all-day wear… A great gift for your high performing friend that wants to do more while feeling good doing it.

2. FitBit Inspire 3 (For Him & Her)

Small habit tracking = compounding wellness. This is the gift of meaningful data… which becomes the gift of empowered choice. Sleep, movement, heart rate, you’ll be able to understand herself in a deeply practical way. A great gift for those who want to start 2026 feeling organized and in alignment. And frankly, it’s good for your overall to track meaningful data points… for example, being reminded to move throughout the day is one of its best features!

3. Kendra Scott Jewelry (For Her)

Playful, feminine, pretty… and adorable collaboration with LoveShackFancy. Her collections are timeless and modern at the same time, and most importantly, affordable… which makes this such a great “I want you to feel beautiful for being you” gift. You can lean classic or trending, depending who you are gifting for. The Elisa pendant necklace is her signature item and the necklace comes in many colors (you truly cannot go wrong).

More recently, the brand has come out with “hobby” style pendants with little icons of sports or little symbols that might represent something meaningful to you, which I think is endearing. My personal favorite is the “Haley” bow collection. It’s dainty, it’s versatile, and it has a whimsical flair to it that reminds us to stay playful. Her collections with the Dallas Cowboys, Dolly Parton, and Disney are all worth checking out as well. Additionally, she released a limited edition pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, so you can match your jewelry with your headphones!

4. Dearfoams Slippers (For Him & Her)

Designed with both comfort and style in mind, Dearfoams slippers for him and her deliver a matching experience of warmth, softness, and everyday ease. From plush linings to supportive soles, these pairs make home feel even homier… perfect for couples or family who love cozy moments and shared comfort. They are always available at Costco!

5. Baggallini Bags (For Him & Her)

What I especially love about Baggallini is its unisex versatility. Many styles are neutral in shape and function — crossbody bags, backpacks, travel totes — and look equally good on a woman or a man, depending on color and how they’re carried.

For couples: you might pick matching or complementary colors/styles so each person gets a bag suited to their daily life — hers perhaps a refined crossbody or sleek tote, his maybe a slightly larger backpack.

Because of their thoughtful design (lightweight, organized, water-resistant, travel-ready) they make amazing gifts for anyone with a busy schedule — commuting, errands, travel, or everyday life, there is a piece in the collection that will exactly suit your needs. Costco also will be a great place to find these!

6. Benefit’s Benetint (For Her)

This one is iconic. It is soft, romantic, universally flattering, and a San Francisco staple. It was developed with the idea of rose petals in San Francisco in the Mission District in 1976… a truly rosy gift! It has the perfect stocking stuffer energy, and one of the few beauty products that legitimately looks good across many different skin tones and makeup styles. Benetint is also perfect for the girl who doesn’t want to look overly made up, she just wants to look like the most beautiful version of herself.

7. Personalized 2026 Planner (For Her)

A planner isn’t just functional: it becomes a ritual, a place where to map goals, dreams, schedule, and reflections. A premium brand like Erin Condren gets consistent praise for quality for good reason. Reviews highlight their thick paper, durable binding, elegant customizable covers and layouts that feel joyful to use, and the LifePlanner also comes in a softbound version as well.

The A5 Softbound LifePlanner is perfect to take on the go with you! Additionally, the personalization (your name on the cover, choice of cover design, layout style) makes it feel special, a personalized gift for the entire year to come rather than a generic one. A good planner is rooted in traditional organizing wisdom, but customizable to modern life. The best part is that you can think about how you want to fill the interior of the planner. My favorite writing tool is the Sharpie S-Gel pen, which pairs great on this planner’s paper stock.

There’s something enchanting about a woman’s vanity. It’s more than just a surface, it’s a sacred space. A reflection of her desires, her rituals, her magic. And in the “kingdom under the sea,” few vanities are as iconic or contrasting as those of Princess Ariel and Ursula, the Sea Witch (and her glam alter ego, Vanessa).

As someone who treasures beauty as both an art form and a personal ritual, I recreated both vanities using real items from my collection, and the results are as dramatically different as the characters themselves. Whether you resonate more with Ariel’s innocence or Ursula’s unapologetic glamour, one thing is clear: both are expressions of feminine power.

🐚 Princess Ariel’s Vanity: A Dreamer’s Garden Beneath the Waves

Ariel’s vanity would feel like stepping into the softest chapter of a fairytale. Surrounded by sunlight shimmering through ocean currents, the entire space would glow in iridescent pinks, soft seashells, and trinkets collected from her adventures. Think delicate, romantic, and overflowing with heart.

On Ariel’s Vanity:

🌸 Flower Knows “Shell’s Jewel” Collection in Pink
Imagine compacts shaped like clamshells, blushes in the softest corals, and lip glosses that feel kissed by sea foam. This line captures Ariel’s softness, whimsy, and love for all things beautiful and rare.
🌿 Faux sea grass accents & pearl-encrusted details
Use small touches like shell dishes and pearl hair clips to evoke the atmosphere of her grotto… a place where everyday items are turned into treasures.
✨ Delicate perfumes and translucent shimmer powders
Ariel wouldn’t want heavy scents. I imagine she’d love light florals or watery notes that mimic a breeze across the water.
🪞 A soft pink mirror and pastel hairbrush
She may call it a “dinglehopper,” but her brush is definitely part of the ritual. This is a place where Ariel prepares not just to be seen, but to feel like the best version of her evolving self.

The Vibe:
Ariel’s vanity is soft, youthful, and full of promise. Every item tells a story. It’s where she gets ready to explore a world bigger than she’s ever known, and perhaps even where she learns that beauty is just another form of bravery.

🖤 Ursula/Vanessa’s Vanity: A Stage for Power and Seduction

Now step into darker waters. Ursula’s vanity isn’t about sweetness, it’s about spell work. When she becomes Vanessa, her entire beauty game transforms into a masterclass in confidence and allure. Every item on her vanity is curated, intentional, and undeniably dramatic.

On Ursula/Vanessa’s Vanity:

💗 The Nautilus Necklace
This infamous piece doesn’t just hang — it radiates. I styled it as a centerpiece, echoing its power to hold Ariel’s voice and command attention. It’s more than jewelry; it’s a symbol of Ursula’s belief that true power is not given, it is claimed.
🧴 Vintage Besame Perfume
Nothing says timeless seduction like a rich, vintage scent. Vanessa wouldn’t spritz, she would dab behind her ears with precision. Her scent would linger in a room long after she’s left it.
✨ A Gilded Gold Mirror
Sleek, antique, and undeniably regal. This mirror reflects not just her beauty but her calculation. She studies the world through it. Her makeup is drama-forward: vampy lips, bold eyes, sculpted cheeks.
💄 Deep plum lipsticks, smoky eyes, and perfumes in black glass bottles
These items evoke the enchantress archetype — sensual, confident, and always in control. There is no hesitation in her ritual. Every swipe of color is a declaration: I own the room.

The Vibe:
Ursula’s vanity is sensual, commanding, and luxurious with an edge. It’s where magic meets glamour, and where softness is replaced with sultry strategy. Vanessa doesn’t hope to be seen, she orchestrates it. To craft your own vanity spaces, which are not solely focused on the beauty products you might use, get creative with your treasures and how you place them! The idea is that you evoke what you know gives you joy.

🪞 Vanity as a Mirror of Identity

What I love most about comparing these vanity concepts is how they speak to two very real sides of womanhood. There’s the tender young woman who dreams and collects pieces of her future self… and the formidable woman who has learned how to wield her voice.

Some Days, I’m Ariel.
I want softness, sweetness, and a glowing blush that makes me feel like a daydream. I want to surround myself with the comfort of pretty things and gentle rituals.

Other Days, I’m Vanessa.
I want a perfume that leaves a trail, a red lip that speaks boldly, and the confidence to say exactly what I mean… or nothing at all.

And you know what? Both are beautiful. Both are real. And both deserve a place at your vanity.

💖 Which vanity speaks to you today? Are you Ariel, Vanessa, or a little bit of both?

#VanityDiaries #FlowerKnows #BesameBeauty #ArielVsUrsula #HyperfeminineVibes #VintageBeautyRevival #SeaWitchGlam

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Bianca’s Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Gifts To Elevate Everyday