Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Easy gifts for everyone on your list: $25 holiday sweaters, flameless candles, more

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A New Day Holiday Crewneck Pullover Sweater

For the fashion lover on your list, Takhtehchian is starting with cozy winter crewnecks. As she says, they’re not only popular and timeless, but universally flattering. In particular, she says these festive ones from Target’s A New Day line, which come in more than 10 unique styles, are cozy and comfortable. Each one has a fun, festive design, from bows and cherry accents to one that reads “Cheers” at the collar! Plus, Takhtehchian notes that they’re super versatile — your giftee can pair their sweater with jeans, a cute skirt, dress pants or even leggings, making it an ideal item to wear during holiday parties, travel and lounging. Sizes range from XS to 3X.

Houdini Electric Wine Corkscrew Set

The host in your life will be wowed with this six-piece corkscrew set, especially if they’re a wine lover. Not only does it open wine with the touch of a button, but it helps to pour and preserve the wine as well. The set includes an electric corkscrew, aerating pourer, foil cutter, two wine-preserving stoppers and a base. It’s easy to use, yet Takhtehchian says you’ll feel like a wine connoisseur when you’re using the aerator to improve the wine’s taste and aroma. Plus, with two stoppers included to seal the bottle, you won’t waste a sip. Since the set is small in size, it’s convenient to store when it’s not in use and an elegant gadget to add to your counter, bar cart or entertaining space.

Lemonsoda Stemless Martini Glasses with Chiller (Set of 4)

As Takhtehchian notes, martini glasses are fun, but they break easily and can be a pain to wash — a host’s nightmare! That said, this set of four stemless glasses from Lemonsoda provides a stylish and functional solution. Not only are they a chic way to serve your favorite holiday cocktail, but they also come with ice chillers so your martinis, tropical drinks and more stay cold all night long. The brand says the set is durable and has a double wall insulated design to keep your drink cool. Pro tip: These are also great for serving chilled appetizers and desserts like shrimp cocktail or pudding! And at just $10 per glass with chiller, they won’t break the bank.

Lifelines Flameless Candle Diffuser

Fill your home with relaxing and welcoming scents for the holidays with this flameless candle diffuser. It flickers like a real candle but is entirely flameless, so it’s great for anyone with pets or small kids since you don’t have to worry about fire, smoke or spilled wax. Better yet, to turn the candle off just “blow” out the faux flame with the lid. The brand says it diffuses aroma for over 50 hours on a single charge and it’s portable, too. This comes with an essential oil to get you started — just place it into the base of the candle, open the lid and enjoy.

Colgate OW Essentials Whitening Kit

According to Takhtehchian, holiday gatherings and nonstop picture-taking mean white teeth are a must this holiday season. This Colgate whitening holiday gift set is a fabulous stocking stuffer for anyone who wants to have a brighter smile without a lot of cost or effort. When used nightly, the hydrogen peroxide-based toothpaste and easy-to-use whitening pen remove wine, coffee and tea stains in just one week, according to the brand. Simply brush with the toothpaste and then follow up with the pen for a dazzling smile. So easy!

Skeeball The Classic Arcade Game

Game night is one of the best ways to create special memories with family members over the holidays, so Takhtehchian thinks this portable skeeball set is a worthwhile buy. It folds up, making it easy to bring the arcade to the comfort of your home or your next holiday party. With a wooden base, five balls and four scoring hoops, you can play the game with one to four players and it’s small enough to use on a kitchen or dining room table. This is recommended for ages eight and up — as Takhtehchian says, it’s fun for the kids and the “kids at heart.”

More holiday gifts from Target

Ototo Buddy Spoon Holder and Steam Releaser

Looking for unique stocking stuffers? This teeny tiny kitchen gadget is perfect for the home cook! Doubling as a spoon rest and steam releaser, simply hook it onto the edge of your pot and it provides the perfect way to angle your lid so steam can find its way out. Additionally, the dog’s mouth is a great spot to hold your favorite wooden spoon.

Versed The Glowing Skin Collection Set (3 Piece)

Have a skin care fanatic on your list? This Glowing Skin Collection is a complete skin care routine in a single, affordable set. From Versed — a brand founded by Katherine Power, who’s also behind the beauty brand Merit — this set includes a cleansing balm, resurfacing mask and moisturizing gel-cream, all for $20.

Shop TODAY partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil has tried a variety of cleansing balms, but likes the one in this set best: “I appreciate the gentleness of cleansing balms in comparison to other makeup-removing products, but I typically find that they leave some residual mascara or eyeliner behind. Not so with this one: In my experience it’s incredibly effective, leaving no trace of makeup behind. And as a bonus, it smells great.”

Favorite Day Christmas DIY Candy Charcuterie

Running out of time to prep Christmas baking? This candy set makes it easy to serve a sweet treat. Packed with more than five candy varieties, it’s a playful way to bring something new to your entertaining spread.

Makeup Eraser Gift Set (5 Piece)

These “eraser” clothes take off heavy makeup with a simple splash of water. They’re double sided, so you can erase makeup and exfoliate skin with a single tool. Plus, they’re sensitive skin-friendly, machine washable, reusable and dermatologist recommended, per the brand. Gift the whole set to a beauty guru on your list, or break them up for unique stocking stuffers!

Owala Stainless Steel SmoothSip Travel Mug (20 oz)

Looking for a practical present? This travel mug is perfect for the person with a morning commute and a busy schedule. It’s made from insulated stainless steel, so it’ll keep your drink hot for up to six hours or cold for up to 24. Plus, it’s BPA, lead, and phthalate-free, as well as leakproof, per the brand.

Brookstone Cozy Heated Throw

Keep them cozy with this heated throw blanket, which is available in five different patterns. With an easy-to-use controller, plush feel and 10 toasty heat settings, they’ll never want to leave it.

Wondershop Plaid Flannel Holiday Matching Family Pajama Set

If you’re someone who likes to have fresh holiday pajamas each year, consider a gifting these to yourself this season. They’ll bring new meaning to “not a creature was stirring” as you cozy up on the couch.

“A Court of Thorns and Roses” Paperback Boxed Set (5 Books) by Sarah J. Maas

If one book series has dominated pop culture this year, it’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” Written by Sarah J. Maas, whose books have sold millions of copies and are published in thirty-eight languages, this adult fantasy series follows protagonist Feyre Archeron, a young human huntress who is taken to the faerie realm of after killing a faerie wolf accidentally. According to the publisher, the main character will “lose her heart, face her demons, and learn what she is truly capable of.”

More popular boxed sets:

B. Toys Interactive Ice Cream Truck Ice Cream Shoppe

Shopping for last-minute gifts for the little ones in your life? This interactive ice cream truck is sure to please. Featuring cones, cups, spoons, scoops and more, as well as a functional tablet with more than 30 sounds and phrases and a variety of educational activities, it supports children’s learning while allowing them to have fun, per the brand. This toy was designed for children ages two and up.

Nespresso x Hearth & Hand with Magnolia VertuoPlus Single-Serve Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine by Breville

For the coffee enthusiast, gift them a new Nespresso machine made in collaboration with Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand with Magnolia brand for added style. It’s perfect for making single-serve, cafe-style coffee and espresso drinks at home.

L’Oreal Paris Colorsonic Hair Color Device

According to the brand, this hair color tool is the next generation of at-home hair color. Just choose your shade, pop the cartridge (sold separately) into the device and press “for color.” From there, comb this tool through your hair to deposit the formula from root to tip — it even parts your hair! The bristles cover 20,000 strands per minute to evenly distribute color, per L’Oreal.

How we chose

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.

For sponsored content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses products to recommend that are sold by the retailer (in this case, Target). The retailer does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.

Meet the expert

  • Bahar Takhtehchian is an on-air beauty and lifestyle expert based in New York, NY. In addition to appearing on TODAY, she has previously been featured on E!, Good Morning America and BBC, among others. Previously, she spent over three years as SHAPE magazine’s editor-at-large and has nearly two decades of experience in journalism.

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