What kind of gifts do women like?

This is subjective and will depend on the woman you're shopping for. In general, women will appreciate anything that is thoughtful, personal or sincere. Smith recommends becoming "an investigator" to get to the bottom of what she truly enjoys and would love receiving. "Think about what she does when she's not working, what hobbies she does, or if she's a fan of a particular sport," Smith advises.

What do you get for the woman who has everything?

"Instead of gifts, you can ask the individual for a charity of their choice and then make a donation in their honor. (Please note: it is only a gift if they choose the charity)," says Smith. Smith also recommends gifting an experience or a memory to spend time together.

Does a gift need to be wrapped?

"Be sure to take time to wrap the gift . Presentation is half the present," says Smith. "While expensive paper does always look nice, even the Sunday comics or a paper bag can be used to wrap a gift beautifully."

The 30 Best Birthday Gifts for Her of 2023

The 15 Best Birthday Gifts for Her in 2022 — The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

If you're stuck on shopping for a woman in your life, just keep in mind that the most successful birthday gifts are those that are meaningful and useful. "A great gift is an expression of your esteem for this person, so your ability to discern what they would like is actually part of the gift," advises etiquette consultant and owner of Mannersmith, Jodi RR Smith.

We researched hundreds of options—and polled our product testers—to find the best birthday gifts for a girlfriend, mother, sister, or friend, considering factors like practicality, price, and sentimentality. Ultimately, our top choices include the luxurious Parachute Classic Bathrobe, subtle liquid blush from Rare Beauty, and a high-ranking silk pillowcase from Fishers Finery.

Here are the best birthday gifts for her.

Parachute

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Parachute Classic Bathrobe Review

You can't go wrong with a cozy robe, and this plush wrap from Parachute looks and feels like something you'd find in the bathroom of a luxury hotel. Made from 100 percent Turkish cotton, it has a classic shawl collar, deep pockets, and a cloud-like texture that earned it a perfect five-star review from our tester.

Unlike other robes, this Parachute pick stays soft even after multiple washes, and the care instructions are simple. The cotton fabric has a nice heft, so the robe will hug her body whether she's relaxing into a self-care session or doing chores around the house.

Price at time of publish: $109

Parachute Classic Bathrobe — The Spruce / Rebekah Joan

What Testers Say

"While Parachute’s classic bathrobe will certainly keep you warm and cozy, the thick fabric isn’t for everyone. It’s not very breathable, so if you run hot, you might find it uncomfortable. If you live in an especially warm climate, it also may be too bulky for regular use. This is really the only complaint we can see anyone having, though."—Rebekah Joan, Product Tester

4.7

Bombas

View On Bombas.com View On Dick's

This half-slipper, half-sock hybrid from Bombas makes the perfect gift for the woman in your life that loves comfort. While not traditional slippers, our tester loved the lightweight warm feel without overheating, making them suitable for year-round use. What's more—this pick comes with a bag for taking these on the go. They take up much less space than classic slippers, and can easily store in a drawer in-between wears.

Price at time of publish: $45

The 10 Best Slippers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

4.8

Alo

View On Aloyoga.com View On Holtrenfrew.com View On Net-a-Porter

Whether a professional yogi or a beginner, check out this yoga mat from Alo Yoga, which earned top marks from our tester. The cushioned surface provides wrist and ankle support for difficult poses, without being too squishy. While not the lightest mat, it still rolls up very easily for taking on the go. This high-end mat will definitely make an impression on your recipient, who may not spend the dough themselves on such a luxury item.

Price at time of publish: $128

Quinn Medium Leather Jewelry Box - Shadow Printed

Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn

Precious jewelry should absolutely be cared for, and Pottery Barn’s Quinn Collection has the perfect box that’s fashionable and functional. The exterior is made of pebbled leather, and the soft material inside helps prevent jewels from tarnishing. Choose between a variety of colors and even opt to monogram the top of the box.

Price at time of publish: $149 for medium

4.9

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Fishersfinery.com

Earning a near-perfect score from our tester, this silk pillowcase from Fishers Finery does more than just protect your hair and skin. The luxuriously soft at a competitively affordable price makes it a top pick. The benefits of a silk pillowcase are bountiful, namely for keeping clear skin and soft hair. A wife, girlfriend, mom, or sister will thank you for the restful sleep with added benefits.

Price at time of publish: $50

4.3

Supergoop

View On Amazon View On Bluemercury.com View On Dermstore

For a functional present that she will reach for everyday, opt for a cosmetic sunscreen like this bestseller from Supergoop. This SPF leaves her skin glowy, while prepping for makeup and hydrating the skin for all-day moisture and protection. Opt for this on no-makeup makeup days, our tester says, for the best results.

Price at time of publish: $36

Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods

This is a small gift (just 4 inches high!), but it's sure to make an impact. The colorful wishing ball is handblown glass, and it comes with 52 slips of paper so the recipient can write down any hopes, wishes, or whatever they desire. The glass ball comes in 12 colors to correspond with the recipient's birth month.

Price at time of publish: $35

4.8

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Bedsurehome.com

Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Blanket Keeps Its Shape and Softness

Wrap her in luxury without the high price tag with these fuzzy blankets from Bedsure. Pick from a velvety, smooth feel or a thick sherpa with this unique, reversible blanket that our tester loved. Even better, this blanket maintains its shape and softness after multiple rounds in the wash, making for a durable, long-lasting present she can curl up with everyday.

Price at time of publish: $28

What Testers Say

"We can say for sure that it’s just as soft as more expensive throws, if not more so."—Caroline Goldstein, Product Tester

The 11 Best Blankets of 2023

Argento Vivo

View On Nordstrom

It’s not often you'll come across an 18k gold-plated ring custom made for less than $100. This ring features a gold band with a word of your choice—anything with four to 12 letters—written in script. Pick a word that inspires her, play upon an inside joke between the two of you. We love that it's a beautiful piece of jewelry with endless ways to personalize it.

4.2

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy

Sephora

View On Kohls.com View On Rarebeauty.com View On Sephora

Whether the woman in your life loves a full coverage makeup look or prefers to keep it natural, the Rare Beauty liquid blush works with every style. This soft pink color appears natural and blends in easily, whether on top of foundation or nothing at all. Our tester loves the natural flush that this liquid blush achieves with the smallest dot. It's also small enough to throw in your purse for touchups throughout the day.

Price at time of publish: $20

Good Days Start With Gratitude: Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com

Everyone can benefit from appreciating the small things in life. In the journal, Good Days Start with Gratitude, there’s an inspirational quote for each week, three spots to write what she’s thankful for each day, and a weekly checkpoint to reflect on the past seven days. This is such a simple, but powerful way to practice gratitude and starting the day off right.

Price at time of publish: $7

The 16 Best Journals for Self Discovery in 2023

Kate Spade New York

View On Amazon View On Lenox.com

Add a cute touch to your stovetop with this adorable spoon rest from Kate Spade New York. The vibrant cherry pattern is perfect for adding a pop of color to your daily routine of cooking dinner or preparing breakfast. Whether she loves trying new recipes or prefers her space to be beautiful more than functional, she'll love the reminder of your love sitting atop her counter each and every day.

Price at time of publish: $20

37 Colorful Kitchens That Are Anything But Neutral

Book of the Month

View On Bookofthemonth.com

Every bookworm, or just anyone who wants to read more, will appreciate this monthly subscription. Whether you opt for a three, six, or 12 month subscription, she can choose which book or books she’ll receive from a choice of five titles. Sometimes this can even include early releases.

Price at time of publish: $50 for 3-month subscription

untold

View On Untoldstore.co

No matter the occasion, a gift basket of curated, comforting products is always a good idea. The BIPOC women-owned company, Untold, creates beautiful packages based around love languages. Their care package features five items, each centered around a different love language, including self-care items like lip balm or intention-setting products like inspiration card sets.

Price at time of publish: $64

The 18 Best Women-Owned Businesses of 2023

Gourmet Gift Baskets

View On Gourmet Gift Baskets

If her motto is “Rosé all day," then this basket is the perfect gift. The crate comes with a bottle of Rosé by Biagio Cru and all the finishing touches that complement it so well, including a few selections of cheese, crackers, chocolate, and more. Toast to another year of health, wealth, and success.

View On Boysmells.com

Boy smells creates long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing candles with scents to obsess over. One of their bestselling candles in Ash features notes from lemon and clove to musk and charcoal, for an everyday scent perfect for the bedroom or living room.

Price at time of publish: $36

Etsy

View On Etsy

If she's a dog mom, there's a chance she's absolutely obsessed with her fur baby. This present is one way for her to show that love while sipping her morning tea or coffee. The mug is available in 11 or 15 ounces, but it's the customization where you can have fun. Choose the artwork based on the breed of dog (there's even the option to feature two dogs) and the skin tone and hairstyle of the woman on the mug.

Price at time of publish: $17

We Found the Best Coffee Mugs for Your Daily Coffee

View On Hydroflask.com

There's nothing like a brand new water bottle, especially when you can design it yourself. If none of the traditional Hydro Flask colors catch your recipient's eye, curate a bottle of their own with My Hydro. Choose from three different bottles, then customize the color of every part of your bottle to represent your taste perfectly. Take it a step further with a personalized text or graphic with your recipient's name, initials, or brand.

Price at time of publish: $38 for 21 oz. Standard Mouth Bottle

The 30 Best Personalized Gifts of 2023

Chic Geeks

View On Chicgeeks.com

For the woman who has a flair for fashion but also needs to protect and keep her expensive laptop clean, a cover from Chic Geeks will surely be appreciated. The faux python print MacBook cover is a stylish way to guard a laptop from the occasional bumps and daily wear. We love that the case snaps on and off without damaging the laptop, and all ports are accessible.

Price at time of publish: $95

The 40 Best Gifts From Black-Owned Businesses of 2023

Lux & Nyx

View On Luxandnyx.com

Every woman needs that tote bag that's large enough for the essentials, yet still functional enough for everyday use. Lux & Nyx's Origami Tote Bag comes in three sizes, but the large option is perfect for work, the gym, or travel. The interior features a padded laptop compartment, removable water bottle sleeve, and a zip top to keep items secure. The exterior pockets make it easy to access items, but they're deep enough to keep everything safe.

Price at time of publish: $280

4.8

Chillhouse

View On Bloomingdales View On Chillhouse.com View On Revolve

For the girl who can't make time for a manicure, gift these press-on nails from Chillhouse. The nails feature salon-quality designs you can do yourself at home. Each kit comes with 24 nails to find the perfect fit, a buffer and nail file, a cuticle stick, and gentle nail glue. If this pink and red squiggly design isn't her thing, you can choose from over a dozen other styles that'll fit her taste.

Price at time of publish: $16

View On Godiva.com

This divine box of chocolates includes 36 different types of dark, milk, and white chocolate with unique fillings. The fillings range from caramel and crunchy nuts to raspberry puree. We especially love that the sweet surprise comes in a decorative gold box wrapped with gold ribbon.

Price at time of publish: $59 for 36 piece box

The 26 Best Chocolate Gifts of 2023

Outdoor Voices

View On Outdoorvoices.com

While buying clothing for the woman in your life can be a gamble, this viral dress from Outdoor Voices speaks for itself. Perfect for running errands, hiking, light exercise, or doing chores around the house, the Athena Dress offers compression for an equally flattering and comfortable fit for every shape and size. Choose from classic black and soft yellow for something unique.

Courtesy of Verishop

View On Amazon

This handy gadget takes the wine drinking experience up a notch. The purifier and decanter combo works to remove sulfites, which can cause headaches for some people, and there's even the option to aerate the wine. Also, another fun, useful feature is the ability to chill a room temperature bottle. The wide base of the decanter, which is made of lead-free crystal glass, allows the true flavor of the wine to really shine.

Price at time of publish: $170

Lady Falcon Coffee Club

View On Ladyfalconcoffeeclub.com

Celebrate the special lady in your life with woman-grown, source, and crafted coffee delivered right to her door every month. This subscription takes the guesswork out of your morning routine, with the brand choosing your recipient's favorite blends monthly to try and obsess over. They even offer a handwritten note with your gift for the sweetest surprise.

Price at time of publish: $38

Hi-Resolution Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Portable Speaker

Vifa Helsinki

View On Amazon

This minimalistic, portable speaker looks more like a chic accessory than something that produces high-quality sound—but it's both. The distinctively Nordic design includes simple features like disguised buttons, a removable leather strap, and stylish woven fabric. The speaker connects to a smartphone and other devices via Bluetooth to play music anywhere.

Price at time of publish: $399

CB2

View On CB2

The perfect glasses can elevate any drinking or dining experience. This set of eight red wine glasses is handmade and great for special occasions or just everyday use. We're partial to the slightly tapered design that makes them stand out from competitors.

Price at time of publish: $40

UrbanStems

View On Urbanstems.com

There's never a wrong time to buy flowers for a woman you care about. UrbanStems make it easy to send gorgeous bouquets to anyone you wish entirely online. In the popular "Just Because" category, the Nina features roses and carnations in attractive lilac tones surrounded by hearty greenery. Be sure to grab a beautiful vase as well so your recipient can display their gift proudly.

Price at time of publish: $70

Scentbird

View On Scentbird.com

While perfume serves as a romantic gift for an anniversary or holiday, it can be difficult to decipher which scent suits her best. Luckily, Scentbird offers perfume samples every month for her to test and wear on the search for a signature scent. Scentbird also makes luxury fragrances more accessible through their subscription service and sample sizes. Simply have your recipient fill out a quiz to find their favorite scents, and Scentbird does the rest!

Price at time of publish: $153 for 12-month gift subscription

The 30 Best Virtual Gifts of 2023

Vahdam

View On Nordstrom View On Vahdamteas.com

If she's more of a tea drinker instead of coffee, this set from Vahdam is sure to be appreciated. Besides coming packaged in a beautifully colored box, the individual tins keep the loose leaf teas sealed properly. She can mix it up with the selection of green, herbal, and chai options. Also, the box is so pretty, she can even use it long after the teas have been consumed.

Price at time of publish: $40

Practicality

Are you looking for a gift that's practical and will be something she can use every day, or are you eyeing a more novelty type of item that will provide entertainment but is less functional? For example, our top pick, Parachute's Classic Bathrobe, is generally something anyone could use after the shower or for lounging around the house.

Price

Birthday gifts come at a wide range of prices. Your budget will depend on how well you know the recipient—for instance, you might be expected to spend a little more on your mom or close friend than you would on a coworker.

It's also good to keep in mind that often one really nice and meaningful gift can make much more of an impact that several, smaller gifts.

Meaning

Make your recipient feel special by catering your gift to her hobbies and interests. Whether she loves luxurious bubble baths, travel, or animals, take such characteristics into account when shopping, and you will most definitely make a winning selection.

FAQ

What kind of gifts do women like?

This is subjective and will depend on the woman you're shopping for. In general, women will appreciate anything that is thoughtful, personal or sincere.
Smith recommends becoming "an investigator" to get to the bottom of what she truly enjoys and would love receiving. "Think about what she does when she's not working, what hobbies she does, or if she's a fan of a particular sport," Smith advises.
What do you get for the woman who has everything?

"Instead of gifts, you can ask the individual for a charity of their choice and then make a donation in their honor. (Please note: it is only a gift if they choose the charity)," says Smith. Smith also recommends gifting an experience or a memory to spend time together.
Does a gift need to be wrapped?

"Be sure to take time to wrap the gift. Presentation is half the present," says Smith. "While expensive paper does always look nice, even the Sunday comics or a paper bag can be used to wrap a gift beautifully."

This roundup was written by Patrice J. Williams. She has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020. She loves helping her friends and family find unique, thoughtful, and wallet-friendly presents. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she writes commerce articles, including product suggestions and reviews, for other outlets as well as appearing on air for The Today Show, WEtv, and she was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City.

Additional reporting was done by by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She's also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product roundups, crafts, and more.

Expert advice was provided by etiquette consultant and owner of Mannersmith, Jodi RR Smith.