I Have a Foolproof Holiday Gift List for Your Boyfriend's Sister

Having something personalized with a monogram is an easy way to make a gift feel like you gave it considerably more thought than “Will this arrive by Christmas?” I love the little embroidered decals on this pouch, which she can use to corral the lip products currently roaming everywhere but her makeup bag. Tuck one more inside if you’re feeling generous.

Review: "I love these so much that I’ve already bought five! Quality is great and they make fun, personalized gifts!" — Abodde

Perfume is so subjective that I’m generally hesitant to choose someone else’s, but By Rosie Jane is one of the brands I feel more comfortable gifting. Its softer, skin-like scents feel easy to wear rather than overwhelming to me. This set takes even more of the guesswork out of the equation: she can try the fragrances, then use the included e-gift card toward her favorite full-size bottle.

Review: "This is the perfect way to find the perfume you want in full size. These fragrances are lovely, and I can’t wait to get a full size of Rosie!" — By/Rosie Jane

Does she need Missoni face towels? Probably not, which is precisely why I’d like to buy them for her. This six-piece set makes even washing your face feel a little more glamorous, and the colorful signature pattern is gorgeous enough to leave out for guests. (Ahem, me when I come to visit.)

Review: "I love them - incredibly beautiful!" — Nordstrom

There are body oils you shove in a cabinet, and then there’s Buly. This is definitely an if-you-know-you-know gift, and the ornate bottle alone makes this feel so special, particularly for someone who cares as much about what’s on her vanity as what’s in it. Inside is a gorgeous rose-scented oil that absorbs without a sticky finish. The chicest sister deserves this pick.

Review: "This oil is really special. If you love roses, it's everything you love about roses plus a couple of mysteries you didn't know you needed. It's not cloying, but it's strong. It's a sophisticated floral, but it's still clean. This scent dances on the edge of innocence and decadence, and that suits my personality perfectly. It is strongly scented as Buly oils go. I have other scents, and this one is pretty potent and has lasting power. The oil formulation is magic - absorbs almost immediately; your skin will not feel greasy at all, but it will be velvety soft. My favorite cosmetic." — Buly1803-France

If she’s hosting you for the holidays, arrive with this. Flamingo Estate pairs a miniature candle with its Rich Cream, in Night Blooming Jasmine and Damask Rose, for a gift she can enjoy long after everyone has packed up and left. Preferably with her phone on Do Not Disturb. She’s hosted her brother; she’s earned it.

Review: "This is my favorite scent; I love being able to gift such a luxurious candle and cream combo. Highly recommend!" — Flamingo Estate

I love this hair brush, and I’m only slightly willing to admit how much its good looks contribute to that affection. The handle is beautiful enough to warrant a permanent spot on a vanity, while the mix of boar and ball-tipped nylon bristles gently works through tangles. At this price, it’s an indulgence—which makes it a particularly lovely gift for someone who would never spend that much on a brush herself.

Review: "While it's normal to think twice before investing a certain amount in a brush, from the first use, my daughter and I were won over! The softness of the brushing, the hair that gets into place without effort, and a clearly measurable quality of hair and scalp, I am more than delighted with my purchase." — La Bonne Brosse

Please let me be enthusiastic about a hair towel for a moment, because this one is so freaking good. I personally love it, and while I understand that a towel might not initially sound like an exciting present, this is exactly the kind of everyday upgrade I want someone to buy me. The waffle-knit microfiber absorbs excess water, and an elastic strap secures the whole thing while she gets ready. Practical gifts deserve a little more credit.

Review: "I am OBSESSED with this towel. I loved mine so much that I convinced my sister to buy one too! I have thin hair, and this dries my hair in such a gentle, protective way without making it feel stripped of moisture. My sister has the complete opposite hair type: super thick, long hair, and she loves it just as much. It absorbs the perfect amount of water and makes drying her hair so much easier. And honestly, one of the BEST things about it is the size. It’s actually big enough to comfortably wrap your hair, even if you have a ton of it. It works beautifully for two completely different hair types, which says a lot. Worth every penny. BUY IT!" — Sephora

Of all the hair clips I’ve tried, Machete’s hold up the best. That matters when you’re gifting something she’ll hopefully use constantly, and this blonde tortoiseshell version is especially pretty. I’d happily give it on its own with a handwritten card.

Review: "I love this clip! It's high quality, looks classic, feels comfortable in my hair, and stays ALL DAY right where I put it! I will never go back to purchasing other claw clips now that I've experienced a MACHETE. There IS a difference!" — Target

A Loewe bag may be outside the scope for my sister-in-law audition, but a Loewe hand cleanser? That I can work with. The Tomato Leaves scent captures the fresh, green smell of the plant, making this a lovely pick for someone who pays attention to the smallest details in her home. And yes, fancy hand soap is absolutely a legitimate present. Especially when it’s Loewe.

Review: "A great hand wash with an amazingly realistic smell of tomato leaves. Really luxurious while refreshing. High-quality glass container, too. The scent seems to have been cloned by other brands since Loewe launched this several years ago, but this remains the best for me." — Saks

A floor-length silk robe is a fairly fabulous way to drink your morning coffee, and I wholeheartedly support gifting someone that experience. This Lunya version is made from washable silk, so she can enjoy it without worrying about it disintegrating in the washer. A generous gift, yes, but if you’ve graduated to spending the holidays in matching family pajamas, I’d say she qualifies.

Review: "The smoothest robe and the lightest to wear. The robe flows with your movements and doesn’t get caught in other miscellaneous things. It feels as if you are gliding through air." — Lunya

Chanel makes one of my favorite lip products, so this recommendation comes with some personal enthusiasm. The Rouge Coco Baume Shine formula is so moisturizing, with the kind of color that's slightly sheer but noticeable. This set includes Honey Bliss and Raspberry Kiss, plus a double-sided mirror tucked into a white pouch. She gets the excitement of opening Chanel, followed by lip products she will actually wear every day.

Review: "Packaging beautiful. I intend to put in a Christmas order. Very pleased." — Nordstrom

For a smaller gift, I’d pick a Rhode Pocket Blush in a shade close to one she already wears. The creamy, buildable formula is as good as they say, and at $25, it’s a lovely option that doesn’t require an arm and a leg. If you’re also buying the personalized pouch, this is what I’d put inside.

Review: "This is the best blush I’ve ever used. I used to be very loyal to my Saie blushes and never would sway, but now I am absolutely in love with the blendability and how much I can build it up. As a fair-skinned girl, it also just makes me look sun-kissed, and I get a ton of compliments. So far, I've had it for a year, and it has not been a problem for my acne-prone skin :)." — Sephora

Hand cream might sound like a modest, even overdone, gift until you find one like this. Soft Services’ refillable Theraplush is designed to live on her nightstand, with a dipped lid that doubles as a resting spot for her rings. The overnight formula contains retinol and colloidal oatmeal, while the Hold scent has a soft, warm muskiness.

Review: "I’m absolutely in love with this cream. My hands feel incredibly soft and look so much healthier without that rough, dry feeling. This cream exceeded my expectations; it’s amazing! I highly recommend it!" — Sephora