I’m not a big fan of gift guides because so often they’re nothing more than a marketing gimmick, but I love seeing the stuff people actually buy. Maybe you do too? If so, this post is for you. I’m going to share a bunch of things that are on my Xmas wishlist … some of which may or may not already be waiting for me under the Xmas tree.
Guerlain Insolence
I’ve had this on my perfume wishlist for a long time. I love violet-forward scents, and Insolence is a classic. I finally found an unopened bottle on Poshmark and, long story short, it’s on its way to me as we speak. It will be my dad’s gift, because we have a new tradition where he buys me perfume for Xmas and/or my birthday every year. Now that The Bay is defunct, it’s hard to find less mainstream perfumes locally. My local Shoppers stocks some Guerlain fragrances, but not Insolence. I’ve bought perfumes on Posh before without any issues, so I hope this one arrives safely.
Tripod and Ring Light
As I look ahead to 2026, I see a lot more IG Reels in my future. Sigh. Making videos of myself is NOT my fave activity (by a long shot) but it’s a necessary evil for a self-published author trying to figure out the whole marketing side of the business. My current set-up is basically, umm, me and my phone. I don’t mind having videos that feel more “homemade” than super polished, so I’m not looking to massively upgrade my tech … but it will be nice to have a hands-free set-up and slightly better lighting at least. My SIL picked a tripod/ring light for me off Amazon, so I don’t actually know the model or anything. Hopefully, I’ll be able to figure out how to use it, lol!
Day Planner
To be clear, I’m not a journaling girlie. I’m just someone who lives and dies by her To-Do list, and I like writing mine down – hence the need for a day planner. I’m very proud of myself because, instead of buying a new one in August when the new batch of 18-month planners came out, I continued to use my current one, which runs to December. Well, guess what? It’s now December. And a new planner is a great gift for one of my kids to buy for me.
Vintage Coach Bag
I don’t need another Coach bag … but I kinda want one? Specifically, another vintage XL duffle bag in a different colour. I bought a cognac one earlier this year and I’m obsessed with it, and I think a red one would be fab to have. I love red bags and this duffle style is *chef’s kiss*. I’d be open to other colours as well, apart from black. The problem is finding the right bag at the right price. The resale market for vintage Coach is insane right now, and this particular style doesn’t come up very often. I’d rather wait past Christmas, if necessary, than buy something else just for the sake of the occasion.
Uniqlo Cashmere Blend Turtlenecks
I live in turtlenecks for 6 months of the year, and I really love having lightweight wool-blend ones that I can wear right next to the skin (aka not scratchy ones). I have 2 old Club Monaco ones that I bought back in 2016 or so, which are fine merino wool and super lightweight, and they’ve been absolute workhorses in my wardrobe. I still wear them regularly, even though they’re starting to show their age a bit. A friend brought these Uniqlo turtlenecks to my attention and I feel like they might be the perfect replacement. I want at least a couple of colours, starting with brown.
What’s on your Xmas wishlist?