The Only Gift Guide You Need This Year

Tell us the truth - how many gift guides have you already looked at this year? It’s so easy to get caught in a sea of “5 best gifts for your BFF” posts, only to read through them and find the same old things that, really, when you think about it, have no personal touch.

Luckily for you, gift giving is one of our love languages. We strive to give gifts that have meaning, that carry sentimental value or grow your relationship with your loved one long after the day that you hand over your beautifully-packaged gift. To us, gifts aren’t a monetary exchange, they’re a way to show someone that you care about them, that you understand them, that you thought of them when you saw a specific items and you knew that they had to have it.

When you’re picking out a gift for someone you love, it can feel overwhelming, like there are too many choices out there and the recipient deserves them all. In this gift guide, we’re helping you narrow down your ideas (perhaps introducing a few new ones) to ensure that you can make your purchase confidently.

That’s the approach that we take to our entire shop at Dune Gift + Home. Every piece is hand selected with a gift recipient in mind (though we won’t tell if you buy yourself a little something too!). In addition, many of the items in Dune are either created by a small business owner or sourced vintage pieces, which means you’re not only going to give a gift to your loved one that they’ll cherish, you’ll do it knowing that your purchase supported the local economy and promoted sustainability.

Without further ado, here is the only gift guide that you need this year:

For the Self-Care Guru

We think everyone could use a little self-care after this year, but the self-care guru wants to go full force into relaxation. You can buy them a gift that will help them achieve all of their wellness dreams.

Bath goods

Self care starts in the bathtub for many of us, and having products on hand that make the experience even more rejuvenating is a lovely way to treat yourself. If you’re giving a gift to a self care guru, consider bath salts or a bath soak (even a package of incense to set the mood!) that they can use to elevate their bath time routine.

Luxurious skincare

Skincare has become something of a utilitarian addition to everyone’s medicine cabinets, part of a routine that can easily become monotonous. If you’re considering skincare as a gift, go for items that feel like little luxuries, products like mud facial masks, silky oils, or even face rollers. We also like the idea of throwing a bandana into the mix so your loved one can pull their hair back and embrace the self care moment.

Wellness journal

Self care goes beyond the physical, and gifting a journal is the perfect way to encourage focus on mental health as well. The recipient of this gift can track their wellness rituals, or simply clear their mind after a long day. 

For the Decorator

Those who are obsessed with interiors are notoriously difficult to buy gifts for. Often, they’ve already purchased everything under the sun for themselves, and they have very specific taste. However, that doesn’t mean that you should throw your hands up in surrender. We happen to know a few of these types of people (*ahem*, they’re us), and have ideas that will ensure you go down as the best gift giver this year.

Vintage art

While a tricky gift to pick out at first, if you find the right piece your loved one will be over the moon. Look for art that fits the general style of their home (traditional vs. eclectic vs. modern or minimal) and don’t forget to consider the frame! We love this fox print for a splash of color, or something that could work for almost anyone like a leaf print with an oval mat.

Unique textiles

Textiles are a gift that engages the senses. Finding the right print or texture will make a huge difference with this one. If you’re looking at pillow coverings, choose something that fits the current color scheme of their home, and ensure it’s comfortable enough to lounge against. Blankets should be soft, not scratchy, and vintage rugs should be in tip top condition.

Woven baskets

Woven baskets have a variety of uses that will translate across many interior styles. They can be planters or jewelry boxes, or even just the basket that contains the other gifts you’ve picked out for this person!

Coffee table books

As much as we’d like to say that we read all of our coffee table books from front to back, the cover and the binding are most important to a decorator. Consider the style of the cover art and whether this book would look good in a stack.

Candles, candles, candles

Last, but not least, you certainly can’t go wrong with a candle. For a decorator, scent is important, but so is style. Look for pillar candles in interesting shapes and maybe even find a vintage candle holder or two to round out the gift.

For the Stocking Stuffers

Stocking stuffers can be meaningful too! When you’re in need of a gift that doesn’t break the bank, don’t head to the dollar aisle - you’ll only end up with a handful of items that don’t quite make the statement you were hoping to make. Instead, think about small groups of items that will brighten the person’s day, while making it clear that you picked them out thoughtfully and with intention. We like grouping items like scrunchies, nail polish, and an intention card deck together for a self reflection moment, or socks, luxe hand cream, barrettes, and incense for a cozy vibe. Choosing a theme for your stocking stuffers will make it easier for you to narrow in on what’s actually a good gift and what is just a good deal.

For the Foodie

Have a friend or family member who’s most at home in the kitchen? They likely have all of the latest gadgets and goodies on the market, but there’s still an opportunity for you to surprise them with something that aligns with their interests.

Sustainable kitchen goods

Kitchens are a great place to start when considering sustainable options. Your foodie friend would likely jump at the chance to switch out some of their less-green habits for a forward-thinking option. We like wooden dish brushes and washing blocks, wooden cutting boards instead of plastic, and produce bags that they can take on their frequent grocery trips.

Double-duty decor

Kitchens not only need to be functional, they also need to look nice! Tea towels with unique prints can make such a statement hanging from the sink, while hand thrown pottery and ceramics can serve as shelfie standouts or the perfect vessels for a morning beverage. Purchasing these types of items from a boutique like Dune over a big box store ensures that you’re giving a gift that they don’t already have.

Cookbooks and inspiration

Kitchen connoisseurs love to try new recipes, but there’s also something to be said for the beauty of stunning food photography. Look for a cookbook that fits their preferred cuisine, but also has artful impact so that they can display it on a mini easel on the counter, or in a curated stack near the stove for easy access.

For the Mama

Whether she’s a new mother, or has teenagers running through the house, moms deserve a concentrated, elevated, kind of gift that showcases the love that you feel for them and the gratitude for all they’ve done for their children.

Cozy accessories

If you’re purchasing a gift for a holiday this winter, you simply can’t go wrong with a warm accessory for a mom. Often, moms are busy buying things like scarves, hats, and mittens for their littles, and realize later on that they’ll just have to settle for the items they bought themselves years ago because they haven’t had time to switch them out since. Choose accessories that are a bit more luxe than they may purchase for themselves. These gifts should feel like an extra special treat - practical, but fashionable.

Products for mindfulness

At the end of the day, moms have so much on their minds. Give her a gift that will allow her to calm the frenzies voices in her head and come back to herself. A book on mindfulness, a soothing candle, adaptogens to comfort her from the inside out, bath soaks, and more can be an incredible way to show your appreciation for the work she puts in each and every day.

A little bling

Finally, moms deserve a bit of sparkle too. When choosing jewelry for your mom, or a mom that you know and love, pick a piece that will go with just about everything she owns, something neutral but so special. She shouldn’t have to think twice about whether the piece will work with her outfit - she’ll simply be able to go about her day knowing that she looks put together, fashion-forward, and just a bit glamorous.