We've chosen the very best gifts for sisters, because she deserves something really great for Christmas this year
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As an only child, I wasn't always au fait with what constitutes the best gifts for sisters. That was until I started working across British GQ's many gift guides, and realised (more fool me) that it's much the same as choosing from among the best gifts for her.
If you're looking for a Christmas gift for your sister, you're swimming in options, from the silly to the spoil-y. I've made sure to look at a spread of budgets on this guide, meaning you should find something that a) you can afford, and b) she'll actually like. Without further ado…
The founders of Salad Days Market, Daisy and Liv Tinker, are not only sisters themselves, but also both have twin sisters. They recommend a solid perfume compact from Tenth Muse, an in-demand piece at Salad Days: you'll “score extra points by gifting them something from a cool up-and-coming brand they haven't heard of before.”
We also asked someone who knows what it’s like to buy for a very high profile sister indeed… Emma Watson’s brother Alex would bank on their new brand Renais Gin’s Glass Sharing Gift Pack “with glasses we’ve designed to emulate the beauty of our gin and its honey-toned bottle. To go with it I’d have to search the antique stores for a gilded serving tray or a little bar table fit to host the glasses.”
As one of British GQ's Senior Commerce Writers, I (Jessie Atkinson) look after this and 25+ other gift guides. Having worked in the role for over two years, I spend much of my working week sorting through which products and experiences are worth your money. That includes fielding press releases, attending press launches, getting hands on with samples and surveying trusted friends and colleagues on what exactly constitutes a great gift.
What's a good gift for a sister? Discover our picks for 2024…
Best overall gifts for sisters
A product or experience reaches the top of this guide and is crowned “best overall” by virtue of being really pretty, really useful, really fun, or a combination thereof. It also helps when said products and experiences don't cost the earth, because (and if you are a sister, please look away now) ain't nobody wants to spend all of their money on their siblings.
There’s no longer any need to import your sparkling wine from France’s Champagne region. They’re making just as impressive bottles right here in England now.
Searches for pearl jewellery are surging on Astrid & Miyu. Lucky, then, that the demi-fine jeweller has just come out with a whole line of such trinkets.
I wouldn't be surprised if velvetisers are soon as ubiquitous as toasters and microwaves. Your little sister having a sweet tooth is the only prerequisite for picking one up.
Best birthday presents for sisters
Another birthday and another year older: how can it be? Take the edge off the onwards march of time with something lovely to look at, consume or wear. An opulent new dressing gown rarely falters, and neither does a new grail beauty item or box fresh pair of sneakers. A special edition of a favourite book is also one of my all-time best go-tos on birthdays.
Few gifts under fifty quid can serve you as well as this one: a bottle of rosé and a selection of pink chocolate truffles selected by Harvey Nicks’ food and drink experts, and boxed up together neatly. Simple but perfect.
Folio Society is an expert in beautifully illustrated editions of popular novels; Stephen King is an expert in unputdownable horror fiction. Together, they create a gorgeous, clothbound collectible.
Laura Mercier's setting powder is among the best-regarded of all beauty products; a finely-milled, oil- and fine line-busting essential that's available in a dosh-saving bundle with a powder puff for Christmas 2024.
At school, winter birthdays had the advantage of being nowhere near exam season, but in adulthood they're just a little bit miserable. This should cheer things up a bit.
Conveniently see-through so as to make locating her favourite mascara easy peasy, this leather-trimmed cosmetics case is a Not Another Bill bespoke special.
For the sister that would whoop your ass at any physical activity you chose to compete in.
Best Affordable Gifts for Sisters
As stated above, there are very few people who are enthusiastic about spending a tonne on their sister, even if they're the supportive older type or the adorable younger kind. Thankfully, that doesn't have to coincide with you looking like a cheap old git; there are a lot of great pressies that can be bought for £30 and much less, a dozen of which I've listed here.
Do you know your sister’s star sign? If you know her birthday (please tell me you know that), then you do. Have a quick Google to see whether she's a Pisces or a Libra and then acquire a Papier notebook accordingly.
God love Walter Chandona's dedication to capturing felines on camera, because his life's work culminated in this: a miniature coffee table book filled with portraits of cats.
Allow for a chilly flat and a low heating bill with this faux fur hot water bottle: an extra luxurious take on a real classic for cheapskate sisters.
Best Fashion & Beauty Gifts for Sisters
Taking advice from a men's magazine on what to buy in the way of clothes and makeup for the women in your life might seem a little incongruous, but you might be pleased to hear (or not, I suppose, if you're a misogynist) that the author of this guide is, in fact, a woman. I – or someone I know – have tried and loved all of the brands on this list, so rest assured this is not a collection of random things that straight guys have assumed might be nice.
If you don't wear makeup, you might not know how annoying it is when the batteries on your light-up mirror dies. In that case, you'll have to trust me that this new (rechargeable) release from Beautifect is well worth the money you'll spend on it for your sister.
Astrid & Miyu makes some of the most eminently giftable pieces of jewellery, but that doesn’t mean it rests on its (gold-plated) laurels. Expect regular updates from the demi-fine jeweller, one of which is this slender tie bracelet ringed by pearlescent moonstones.
Tala continues to grow in popularity among women who gym as well as those who step out for coffee in their best athleisure, and it’s the pure black high waisted model that’s still the most coveted pick from the sellout DayFlex range.
Beautifect, the brand that brought us the light-up makeup bag, has expanded its beauty tool expertise to nailcare. A lovely beauty gift with a difference.
There’s no talking about a capsule wardrobe without a pair of melange grey sweatpants, and Lounge’s example is a perfect affordable option. To be worn in and out the house at their own discretion.
A trio of deeply conditioning haircare products from one of the decade’s most sought-after brands, this set, consisting of a shampoo, conditioner and mask, contains some of Coco & Eve’s most-wanted.
Now available to engrave with your giftee's name (which I absolutely recommend), the Charlotte Tilbury cream is one of the best moisturisers on the market — and it definitely comes in the nicest packaging.
Swifties know that 13 is Taylor's favourite number, which is what makes this Laura Gravestock necklace in gold-plated silver particularly popular. Alternatively, request your giftee's own favourite digit.
Best Homeware Gifts for Sisters
Home is where all of her things are, and how fun it can be to have things! From fragrant home perfumes to unique crockery and tongue-in-cheek soft furnishings, this is a fabulous category to mine should you be a little bit sick of buying the same old stuff for every birthday and Christmas. In winter, a textured throw, a lovely candle or a standout new lighting set-up are all superb options.
Scented candles will always be most people's idea of luxury home scenting — but who can afford to have one burning at all times? For quicker room refreshes, Rituals' home perfume sprays are a very fancy second option.
A tiny throw pillow to add to her ever-growing collection of tiny throw pillows, this embroidered piece plays with twee needlepoint, juxtaposing the sweetness of the craft with one of Taylor Swift’s most addictive and self-deprecating lyrics.
Hear the word ‘Berries’ (or ‘Baies’ as the case may be) and you may conjure up an idea of sickly sweet strawberry. That’s not the case with Diptyque’s take on the scent, which prefers blackcurrants, and the faint waft of roses from a nearby flower bush.
The most affordable way into Le Creuset, the brand that everyone loses their minds over: choose a stoneware mug from among a rainbow of colours.
Best unique gifts for sisters
You've seen the gift guide memes out there and if you're shaking your head at this one, feeling all let down by the options on it, then hopefully these ideas will change your mind. Behold: a few more interesting, unique and unusual ideas for when you've exhausted every jumper, dressing gown, hamper and candle on Christmases past.
From garnet in January through to tanzanite in December, each month has an associated birthstone, and Minetta Jewellery allows you to select which corresponds to your sister.
Three daily prompts — which look ahead in the morning before summing up in the evening — intended to improve the quality of life for whoever answers them consistently.
Perhaps the most sought-after eau de parfum of the decade, Le Labo’s mega-popular Santal 33 is mixed by hand in-store by experts whose raison d’être is fragrance.
If you’re feeling exceptionally generous, a Lulu Guinness bag would go down wonders with sisters who favour a little bit of kitsch. Failing that, a handbag hook by the label comes just as imbued with retro glam.
For when the sun comes back out, how about sending her and a chosen plus one (which I assume won't be you) to Kew Gardens for a cream tea and a wander.
There is some irony to an app being the solution to the overwhelming world we're all forced to live in, but if it works then it works (and with consistent use, Headspace has been proven to).
