Holiday Gift Ideas — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas so, to make sure you fulfill all your Santa duties with panache this year, I have some gift ideas that are sure to please everyone on your list! I shared these suggestions on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin,” so make sure to watch that segment here and keep on reading for the scoop on all these great giftables!

CAROLINA HERRERA 3-PC. GOOD GIRL SUPREME EAU DE PARFUM GIFT SET

Even if you’ve had the occasional bout of naughtiness this year, if you’ve been a good girl overall and managed to make it onto Santa’s Nice List, you deserve a reward. After all, 2020 has had more challenges than most years, so we all deserve some applause for learning how to adapt and persevere! And if there’s a fragrance for women that feels like the aromatic equivalent of a gold star, it’s the Carolina Herrera Suprême Eau de Parfum.

As the most daring fragrance in the Good Girl family, the Good Girl Suprême EDP opens with top notes of juicy gourmand berries, then struts right into a heart of seductive Egyptian jasmine, sealing the aromatic experience with base notes of creamy tonka beans and sparkling vetiver. The fragrance composition deftly reinvents the contrast between light and shadows that inspired the original Good Girl fragrance, and that’s reflected in the updated stiletto-shaped bottle, which features a black-to-glitter dégradé design.

This holiday season, this irresistible scent is available as part of an ultra-glamorous gift set: the Carolina Herrera 3-Piece Good Girl Supreme Eau de Parfum Gift Set ($135 at Macy’s and Macys.com). Packaged in a glittering gold box bearing an illustration of the fragrance’s stiletto-shaped bottle along with dynamic starbursts, the set includes the stunning eau de toilette in an 80 ml bottle, a luxurious scented body cream, and a miniature fragrance that’s perfect for travel.

CAROLINA HERRERA 2-PC. BAD BOY EAU DE TOILETTE GIFT SET

There’s a reason why Zara Larsson sang that, “There’s something ’bout the bad boys that makes the good girls fall in love.” Maybe it’s the swagger in their walk, the confidence in their speech, or the unapologetic attitude they exude, but there’s something magnetic about guys we perceive as rebels, as having a bit of an edge. But of course, no girl wants to end up with a true-blue criminal or someone who actually mistreats her: we just crave a little bit of that thrill we get from flirting with danger.

And that’s exactly the vibe you’ll get when you smell the Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Eau de Toilette, a scent that embodies refined masculinity with just a hint of edge. The fragrance opens with spicy notes of black and white pepper that are blended with vibrant Italian green bergamot, instantly capturing your attention, then reveals an elegant and masculine heart of cedarwood and sage, finishing with addictive and seductive base notes of tonka bean and cocoa.

This holiday season, you can make your significant other smell all the more enticing by gifting him the Carolina Herrera 2-Piece Bad Boy Eau de Toilette Gift Set ($100 at Macy’s and Macys.com). Packaged in a glossy black box with metallic gold detailing, the set includes the Bad Boy EDT in its cool-as-can-be lightning bolt-shaped bottle and a shower gel.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER  2-PC LE MALE EAU DE TOILETTE GIFT SET

With its sculptural, torso-shaped bottle, aquatic color scheme, and masculine yet gentle quality, Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male EDT has been a favorite since its debut in 1995. Like most unforgettable scents, Le Male is built on contrasts, with top notes of fresh mint and lavender that evoke a sense of strength and tradition, evoking the familiar and comforting smell of shaving soap, juxtaposed against a vanilla base note that’s sensual and inviting.

This holiday season, the brand is offering the Jean Paul Gaultier 2-Piece Le Male EDT Holiday Gift Set ($122 at Macy’s and Macys.com) which features the Le Male fragrance in a full-size bottle and in a travel spray.

PACO RABANNE 3-PC. INVICTUS EAU DE TOILETTE GIFT SET

What does victory smell like? Well, I think it’s a bit like Paco Rabanne’s Invictus Eau de Toilette, which is aptly packaged in a trophy-shaped bottle. Designed to embody masculine strength, the woody-aquatic fragrance juxtaposes refreshing top notes of grapefruit peel and marine accords against sensual notes of Guaiac wood and patchouli.

So, if you’re in it to win it, pick up the Paco Rabanne 3-Piece Invictus Eau de Toilette Gift Set ($96 at Macy’s and Macys.com) which contains the Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette in its distinctive trophy-shaped bottle, a Deodorant Spray, and a travel spray.

STRIVECTIN BEST SKIN WONDERS GIFT SET

Why gift someone a skincare kit? Well, for starters, good skin lasts way longer than a popcorn tin! Besides, the best holiday gifts encourage those around us to pamper themselves, and skincare is an important element of self-care.  So to help your loved one start her glow up, pick up  the StriVectin Best Skin Wonders gift set ($89 at Macy’s), a collection of four top-selling products: the TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream, the SD Advanced Plus Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate, the Advanced Retinol Night Moisturizer, and the Intensive Eye Concentrate.

Each of the 4 products in this kit serves a unique purpose: the TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream tightens and firms the skin in the neck area to reduce any sagging and crepiness while also minimizing hyperpigmentation along the decolletage; the SD Advanced Plus Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate features anti-aging ingredients like copper tripeptide, white water lily extract, and a proprietary sea salt ferment that target 10 types of collagen, helping to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks; the Intensive Eye Concentrate reduces the look of wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness along the eye area; and the Advanced Retinol Night Moisturizer stimulated cellular turnover as you sleep so you can awaken to noticeably smoother and more youthful skin. The StriVecti Best Skin Wonders kit, then, is the perfect introduction to a complete skincare regimen.

And this year, StriVectin’s holiday line-up is extra special because of its greener packaging. All of StriVectin’s holiday gift sets, including this one, feature packaging that’s free of foil, metallic boards, and UV varnishes, so they’re completely recyclable. Plus the cartons use FSC-certified board, which means they come from responsibly managed forests.

LOVE BEAUTY AND PLANET HOLIDAY KITS

While we’re on the subject of eco-conscious beauty, it’s time to introduce y’all to some spectacular holiday gift sets from clean, vegan, and cruelty-free brand Love Beauty and Planet — all retailing for just $9.99 each at Target and Target.com.

First, check out the Love Beauty and Planet Haircare Gift Set, which includes the Blooming Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner, alongside the brand’s new Dry Shampoo, which is powered by nature and produces no greenhouse gas emissions. All three products in the kit feature nourishing murumuru butter and coconut oil to soften and hydrate strands while enhancing your hair’s color, plus they have the sweet scent of Bulgarian rose petals.

Another great option is Love Beauty and Planet’s Hand and Body Lotion Kits, which come in an array of scents like Walk in the Woods, aptly named because it incorporates marula oil and cedarwood, and All Snuggled Up, which has an indulgent and sweet scent thanks to the tucuma butter and vanilla. Both the lotion and hand cream in each of the sets contain only plant-based moisturizers and are free of parabens, silicones, and artificial dyes.

RENEE GREENSTEIN APPAREL

There’s nothing more attractive on a woman than self-confidence, and clothes that fit properly and look stylish can do wonders to boost our self-esteem. This season, help the ladies in your life find their go-to fashion staples with a little help from Renee Greenstein, the designer behind two of QVC’s best-selling fashion lines: Attitudes by Renee and Women With Control. Renee’s pieces are designed to fit real women, so they come in a vast range of sizes (from XXS to 3X), and they’re meant to enhance, shape and support women’s bodies while being comfortable. Moreover, Renee’s pieces are incredibly versatile so you can wear them in a multitude of ways, making them as functional as they are fashionable.

You’ll find plenty of giftable pieces from both the Attitudes by Renee and Women With Control lines at ReneeGreenstein.com and QVC.com. My absolute favorite is the Attitudes by Renee Overlay Como Jersey Jumpsuit ($55 at ReneeGreenstein.com), a full-length jumpsuit with an overlay detail that drapes from the waist down, resembling a wrap maxi skirt to give the piece more movement and elegance. This pull-on, no-fuss jumpsuit features a ballerina neckline, a wide leg fit, and 3/4-length sleeves, plus the Como jersey knit fabric is buttery-soft and has a fluid quality that allows the garment to gracefully follow the natural lines of a woman’s silhouette.

Another great gift option is the Attitudes by Renee Renee’s Reversibles Packable Pocket Puffer Jacket ($69.75 at ReneeGreenstein.com). This fully reversible, zip-up puffer jacket features a dynamic, vibrant pattern on one side and a solid color on the other, so you can choose whether to have your jacket be the statement piece in your look or whether to have it be more of a supporting piece to another garment. Because it’s fully reversible, the jacket is fantastic for travelers who want to pack light but still have options when it comes to their fashions.

And you can’t go wrong with the Women with Control Tummy Control Leggings ($34 at ReneeGreenstein.com), which hold you in without feeling confining or tight. They also have no side seams or outside seams, os you don’t have to constantly fuss with your leggings to make sure they’re on correctly. Made of 86% cotton and 14% spandex, these leggings are available in colors like black, navy, olive, and burgundy.

ALAFFIA GOOD SOAP BARS

Once the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, it’s time to fill them up!  You can do so with Alaffia’s Good Soap bars ($2.49 each at Whole Foods Market), which are triple-milled, zero waste soap bars that are made with moisturizing ingredients like fair trade unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, goat’s milk, and African black soap. These gluten-free, cruelty-free and sulfate- and  paraben-free bars are available in a variety of natural fragrances like Golden Milk, African Coffee, Cucumber, and Cherry Blossom.

Not only are Alaffia’s Good Soap bars excellent stocking stuffers, but they’re a gift you can feel good about. Why? Because 100% of proceeds support communities around the world through a variety of empowerment projects. For instance, Alaffia’s Good Soap Bars fund the construction of one kindergarten a year in Togo, with 6 kindergartens built since 2014. These soaps are made with good ingredients, they smell delicious, and they do good — what more can you ask for?

For more info, visit GoodSoap.com

ALVIES COWBOY BOOTS & FLIP-FLOPS

You can spread some good cheer and gift a bit of Texas swagger this season with some help from Austin-based footwear company Alvies. The company specializes in stylish, durable, comfortable cowboy boots and flip-flops for men and women — all handcrafted using high-quality leather in Leon, Mexico, which is known as the boot-making capital of the world. The Alvies team believes that, for a Lone Star state of mind, cowboy boots and flip-flops are the only two types of footwear you really need. To that end, they’ve perfected these two categories of footwear, making looking stylish and feeling comfortable truly effortless.

Not only are Alvies’ boots and flops chic and versatile, but they feature a Fast Break-In Fit that makes them feel comfortable after one or two wears, so there’s no need to spend months and months trying to break in and soften stiff and unyielding leather.

Above, you’ll find two amazing boot styles for the ladies: The Rainey ($265 at Alvies.com), a zip-up ankle boot that looks great whether paired with a sweater dress, cut-off shorts, or a romper; and The Guadalupe ($285 at Alvies.com), a classically styled, pull-on boot cowboy boot with a classic J-shaped toe and snipped bottom sole. Both of these boots feature Alvies’ signature blue heel stripe as well as some of their exclusive stitching patterns along the toe.

Their flip-flops are equally well-crafted and feature the softest nubuck leather.

Visit Alvies.com to start shopping for flops and boots that truly were made for walking!

WONDERCIDE HOLIDAY SAMPLER BOX

What about a gift for the “ultimutt” dog lover? I’ve got a “pawsome” one right here!

Austin-based Wondercide, which specializes in safe and effective, plant-based pest protection for pets, is offering a great Holiday Sampler Box ($9.99 at Wondercide.com). You can choose between  three of Wondercide’s best-selling products: Flea & Tick Pets + Home, a natural spray for use on pets that’s clinically proven to kill, repel, and prevent 98- 100% of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes and which can be spritzed directly onto your dog’s coat; the Indoor Pest Control, an aromatherapeutic spray for the home that kills and repels indoor pests like ants, roaches, spiders, flies, fleas, ticks, wasps, scorpions, mosquitoes, fruit flies, silverfish, moths, gnats, and more; and the Insect Repellent, which is meant for use on humans so we can enjoy protection from all the aforementioned pesky pests.  Once you select your product of choice, you’ll receive a gift box with a sampling of all 4 scent iterations of that product: Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Rosemary and Peppermint.

Not only you help the dog lover in your life banish pests, but you’ll be helping a worthy cause: a percentage of proceeds from the sale of these holiday kits will benefit Dog is My Co-Pilot, a non-profit that seeks to save at-risk animals from overcrowded shelters by bringing them to adoption centers in other regions where loving families are waiting.

VOCHILL PERSONAL WINE CHILLER

There’s a reason why wine enthusiasts prefer to use stemmed wine glasses. Every part of a stemmed wine glass serves a purpose: the bowl is meant to bring out all the aromas in the wine; the stem allows the drinker to hold the glass without touching the bowl, which would compromise the wine’s temperature; and the rim is designed to make the drinking experience seamless, directing the liquid into the taster’s mouth effortlessly. Simply put: for a superior wine tasting experience, you need a proper stemmed glass.

But here’s the challenge: until now, there hasn’t been a truly great way to keep wine cool when drinking out of a stemmed glass. And temperature is also a key component of any wine tasting experience as it’s the only way to bring out that wine’s intended flavor profile.

Luckily, we can all make wine o’clock even all the more enjoyable thanks VoChill, a personal wine chiller designed right here in Austin, Texas. When placed on a tabletop, VoChill keeps  stemmed wine glasses perfectly chilled without compromising taste, smell or style, all of which can happen with other wine chilling alternatives like ice or metal and plastic tumblers. Plus, VoChill keeps your wine glass chilled for over an hour when indoors so you can take your time and savor every sip.

How does it work? Well, you start by storing the chill cradle in the freezer. When it’s time for some vino, you can remove the chill cradle form the freezer and attach it to the stand via the built-in magnetic mechanism. You can then place your stemmed glass inside the VoChill unit, pour your chilled wine into your cup, and drink, then cradle your glass in the VoChill in between sips. How simple is that?

VoChill retails for $44.99 at VoChill.com, and is available in 4 neutral notes — Quartz, Blush, Sand, and Stone. Make sure to place your order by December 11th for guaranteed holiday delivery with ground shipping!