The Only Gift Guides You Actually Need

Interior Design: Rachel Cannon Limited Interiors | Photo: Kim Meadowlark

Let’s be honest: most gift guides are useless.

They’re either 100+ items that nobody has time to scroll through, or they’re sponsored content disguised as “recommendations,” OR they’re the same products every other influencer is linking because everyone’s working from the same PR list.

You’ll never catch me doing that. I decided to start sharing my finds with my followers so that you’d get to see how real people shop, live, and entertain. Yes, my job is glamorous, but I’m writing this blog from my sofa, in pjs, on my iPhone, on a Sunday afternoon in November. I’m still just a real person who lives a real life, who also appreciates when anyone makes her life easier. When I recommend something to you, it’s because I actually like it, have either purchased it, or am planning to purchase it in the near future, and I want to save you the time and headache of running yourself ragged this holiday season.

After 21 years as an interior designer, getting my professional organizer certification last year, and recently adding seasonal color analysis to my skill set, I’ve developed a pretty specific point of view on what’s actually good versus what just photographs well. (The stories I could tell about photoshoots!)

And if you can’t tell, I suffer from the exhaustion that only an overachiever can, which means when someone just hands me the answer to something, I breathe a deep sigh of relief. So to my fellow overwhelmed overachievers, here are my gift guides. Organized, honest, and full of things I’m actually gifting this year (plus a few things I’m picking up for myself), and easily navigated by scrolling through each widget here. 

You can also navigate my full ShopMy experience by clicking HERE, where all of the items I’ve shared this year are neatly organized by tabs.

FOR HER

Not the patronizing “women love spa days and soft things” guide. These are items I either own and love, have on my own wishlist, or have recommended to clients and friends who came back raving.

We’re talking quality, not cute. Elevated, not expected. Things that make someone feel seen, and like you actually thought about what they’d want, not what you could grab quickly.

FOR HIM

The problem with most “for him” guides is they assume all men want the same three things: whiskey stones, leather accessories, and tech gadgets. Some do. Many don’t.

These are well-made, thoughtful items that work for a range of people, not just the guy in a stock photo wearing a flannel shirt and holding an axe.

GIFTS UNDER $100

Here’s a secret from my design work: price doesn’t equal quality, and expensive doesn’t always mean better. It’s about curation.

These are items that look and feel like you spent significantly more than you did. Rather than focusing on the price, we’re focusing on the usefulness or aesthetic of the items (bonus points for anything cute AND useful).

LITTLE LUXURIES

Too good to stuff in a stocking, but do it anyway.

These aren’t drugstore impulse buys or plastic filler. They’re elevated, higher-end small items that feel special. Think: the kind of thing you’d never buy yourself but would love to receive.

Candles that smell expensive because they are. Skincare that actually works. Small luxuries that make everyday routines feel a little more indulgent.

FOR THE HOME

I’ve spent two decades sourcing items for other people’s homes. I know what holds up, what looks good in real life (not just in photos), and what people actually use versus what sits on a shelf collecting dust.

These are items that elevate a space without looking like you’re trying too hard. Subtle, quality, well-designed pieces that work in a variety of homes.

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

I’m 46 and routinely get mistaken for being in my 30s, so people ask about my skincare routine a lot.

I’m sharing my favorite discoveries from this year, all of which will help us fight off Father Time until next year (or until we can afford our deep plan face lifts).

These are items I use, have tested, or have been recommended by people whose opinions I trust. No filler, no products I’m promoting just because a brand sent them to me.

THE ORGANIZER’S PICKS

I got my professional organizer certification last year because I was tired of seeing beautiful homes buried under stuff people didn’t need.

This guide is for people who are hard to shop for because they already have everything. Or for minimalists who appreciate thoughtfulness over volume. Or for anyone whose home you don’t want to clutter with more stuff.

THE DESIGNER’S PICKS

After 21 years of designing for clients, I can tell within five minutes of walking into someone’s home whether they have a point of view or they just bought what was trending.

These gifts are for people who have a point of view, and whose homes look curated, not decorated. They appreciate quality and originality over what everyone else has.

These are elevated, unique, well-made items that show you understand their taste.

RACHEL’S FAVES OF 2025

I’ve even rounded up all of my personal favorites for you in one place! This is everything I’ve personally purchased this year and have fallen in love with, and it includes everything from candles to handbags, perfume to electronics. 

HOW TO USE THESE GUIDES

All of these are organized on my ShopMy storefront, which means you can:

• Browse by category (person, vibe)

• Save items to your wishlist and get alerts when they go on sale

• Come back whenever you need to without digging through old Instagram stories and blog posts

I’ll be updating these as we get closer to Black Friday, adding items as I find them and removing anything that sells out or doesn’t meet my standards. By joining ShopMy and adding me to your circle, you’ll never have to hunt down the guides again; they’ll always be right there in your user page! 

Now go be strategic, not stressed!