I’m a Shopping Writer, and This Is Exactly What I’m Gifting to Everyone on My List

As much as I love the smell of fresh pine, an abundance of sugar cookies, and cozy nights wrapped up in a blanket on the couch with a full mug of hot cocoa, I must admit that the holiday season also stresses me out. The gift-giving season can seem overwhelming, particularly when you feel clueless about what to get everyone on your shopping list.

Step back and take a breath because I’m here to help ease your woes—at least in the shopping department. I spent a decade as a freelance writer and had my hands in all kinds of gift guides, from affordable recommendations for foodies to practical presents for new grads. This is the time of year to give into those little indulgences, spoil loved ones, and have fun with your decisions.

If you've found yourself in a stalemate with your gift list, you've come to the right place. As a seasoned shopping writer, I've also become an expert gift giver. Below is a curated catalog of 15 thoughtful picks I'll be sharing with my holiday shopping list.

Gift Ideas for Friends, Family, Coworkers, and Loved Ones

• Lululemon Everywhere Fleece 1 Liter Belt Bag, $39 (was $58); lululemon.com.
• Fatsinde Candle Warmer Lamp, $29 (was $40); amazon.com.
• Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks, $15; nordstrom.com.
• Merit Beauty The Eye Set, $83 (was $94); meritbeauty.com.
• Galison Spring Street Jigsaw Puzzle, $13 (was $18); galison.com.
• Case-Mate Essential Phone Strap with Wallet, $40; case-mate.com.
• Jouer Cosmetics Bonnes Fêtes, $34; jouercosmetics.com.
• Cadence Five Capsule Set, $42 with code BESTGIFT25 (was $56); keepyourcadence.com.
• Glasshouse Winter Wonderland Candle, $55; glasshousefragrances.com.
• Wild One Harness, $36 (was $48); wildone.com.
• Ugg Scuffette II Slipper, $95; nordstrom.com.
• Rifle Paper Co. Holiday Porcelain Ornament, $17 (was $24); riflepaperco.com.
• Samsonite Mobile Solution Classic Duffel, $84 (was $120); samsonite.com.
• Fujifilm Instax Mini 7, $49 (was $67); walmart.com.
• Quince European Linen Double Flange Deluxe Bedding Bundle, $239; quince.com.

For My Fashionista Friend: Lululemon Everywhere Fleece 1 Liter Belt Bag

One of my closest friends is always on top of trends, but she wasn't able to get her hands on the coveted Lululemon belt bag when it originally debuted. The versatile and chic fanny pack now comes in multiple variations, but its fleece counterpart is the perfect companion for winter. The 1-liter bag has interior pockets to keep your wallet, phone, keys, Airpods, sunglasses, and more organized while you're on the move. With its neutral brown tone, it's bound to match a majority of her wardrobe.

For My Sister Who Needs a Five-Minute Routine: Merit Beauty The Eye Set

This is not your typical beauty gift set. Merit's mission is to adorn vanities with multifunctional makeup you'll actually want to wear, and its Eye Set is the minimal routine you need for the holiday season and beyond. It even includes the new cream-to-powder Solo Shadow eye color, which can be used as eyeliner or shadow. It's the perfect gift for my sister, who loves beauty products, but barely has time to indulge in a full-on makeup routine.

For My Friends With Toddlers: Fatsinde Candle Warmer Lamp

Households with little ones aren't exactly ideal for open flames. One of my friends loved to light candles and incense all day but stopped once their little one learned to crawl and walk, so this candle warmer will help her explore her favorite aromas again. The stunning home accessory uses four brightness modes and three timer functions to make enjoying home scents easy and safe. I like to use mine to help me hold onto my favorite discontinued fragrances longer. As a bonus, it functions as a decor item as well.

For My Jet-Setting Family Members: Cadence Five Capsule Set

Trust me, the jet setter in your life needs this modular set of multifunctional capsules to keep their things in order. I've used mine to hold everything from hair serums and sunscreen to vitamins and body powder, and the magnetic labels are highly customizable and interchangeable. A few of my relatives asked to use my capsules for their travels recently, so I plan to gift the set to them.

For My Pet-Owner Friends: Wild One Harness

All of our friends are crazy about their dogs, so getting a gift they can both benefit from makes a lot of sense—especially if you're unsure what else to get them. We've tried hard to leash-train our three-year-old husky, but he just has too much energy, so this soft and sturdy harness has come in handy whenever we want to take him out for a walk or to outdoor community events.

For Our Long-Distance Friends and Family: Fujifilm Instax Mini 7

This is the season to make memories, and I can't think of a more fitting way to capture them than with a vintage-inspired instant camera that comes in lively pastels. My husband owns several of these, and our friends and family look forward to him capturing special occasions with them. We'll be gifting these to some of them, so they can capture precious moments of their own.

For My Former Colleague: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks