Is anyone else finding holiday shopping just a little… suffocating? Every year, I tell myself I’ll be organized, and every year I end up lost in a sea of “best gift ideas,” only to close the tab and pour a drink. And then there’s the inevitable “I don’t need anything” from friends and family, which is code for: “Good luck figuring me out.”
But this year, I’ve had an epiphany—why not gift the thing everyone loves but never thinks to buy for themselves? Fragrance. I’m talking colognes that make you want to lean in a little closer, candles that make staying home feel like an event, and lotions so indulgent they’re practically love letters to your skin. Scent is intimate, timeless, and always appreciated—it’s the one gift that says, “I put some thought into this” without trying too hard.
So if you’re shopping for the guy who insists he has everything, the friend who’s impossible to buy for, or maybe just yourself (because why not?), this is your guide to the best fragrant finds of the season. Trust me, nothing says “holiday hero” like the gift of smelling damn good. Keep scrolling—you’ll thank me later.
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See also: The ultimate Best Buy Black Friday finds you can’t afford to miss this year
Check out the best fragrances to gift this holiday season
A signature scent is one of the most personal gifts you can give—and this winter, there’s a fragrance for everyone on your list. Think fresh and green for the minimalist, bold and spiced for the adventurer, or something floral and unexpected for the one who loves to stand out. These scents are designed to leave a lasting impression, no matter the occasion.
John Varvatos XX Intense
They call it an aphrodisiac, and it’s easy to see why. Perfect for gifting to your crush, partner, or husband, John Varvatos XX Intense is a bold woody amber made for the sophisticated rebel. Bright bergamot and red ginger lead into warm geranium, with cedarwood, roasted coffee, and tonka bean bringing a seductive finish. It’s the scent that leaves a lasting impression—and maybe a few lingering thoughts.
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Available at John Varvatos.
Malin + Goez Leather Eau de Parfum
Malin+Goetz has managed to bottle leather in a way that feels fresh, wearable, and undeniably cool. This isn’t the overpowering, in-your-face leather of your imagination—it’s layered, approachable, and effortlessly sexy. With its subtle confidence and complexity, it works anywhere: a night out, a quiet dinner, or even a quick stop at the grocery store. No matter who you’re gifting this for, consider those brownie points secured.
Available at Malin + Goetz
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Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
Unwrapping anything from Tom Ford is a moment unto itself, and gifting a bottle of Neroli Portofino is pure magic. Perfect for anyone who deserves a little luxury, this fresh, citrus-forward scent captures the essence of summer with Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, and Sicilian lemon. Think cool breezes, sparkling waters, and endless elegance in a bottle—because nothing says “I love you” like Tom Ford. Believe me, I’d know.
Available at Sephora.
Aesop Hwyl Eau de Parfum
Ever wonder what to get a city dweller who already has everything? How about a moment of refuge in nature, bottled perfectly by Aesop’s Hwyl. This isn’t your typical musky men’s scent—it’s fresh, earthy, and feels like walking through a foggy forest after the rain. With notes of Hinoki wood, a green woody base, and a touch of spice from elemi and pink pepper, it’s a breath of tranquility in the chaos. Trust me, even the most urban soul will find solace in this.
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Available at Aesop.
Comme des Garcons Blackpepper Eau de Parfum
For the elite fashion aficionado who never leaves a room without turning heads, Comme des Garçons Black Pepper is the ultimate olfactory accessory. This bold eau de parfum layers black pepper oil with rich notes of leather, akigalawood, and musk, balanced by cedarwood, patchouli, and vetiver. Spicy, woody, and undeniably chic, it’s an ideal gift for the one who always leaves an impression—now in scent form.
Available at SSENSE.
Check out the best scented lotions in 2024
Winter weather is no match for these body lotions. Rich in hydration and packed with nourishing ingredients, they do more than just moisturize—they transform your routine into something indulgent. Think subtle, tantalizing scents and skin-loving formulas that transcend the Axe and Old Spices of the world. Perfect as a gift or a treat for yourself, these lotions make smooth, well-cared-for skin feel downright luxurious.
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Le Labo Santal Body Lotion
This is a safe space, so I’m just going to say it—I’ll never get tired of Santal. You know the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? That’s exactly how I feel about this scent, and I know I’m not alone. Santal 33 is a smoky, woody masterpiece, blending cardamom with iris and violet, layered over sandalwood, cedarwood, and spicy, musky notes that feel both comforting and addictive. This is the kind of gift that stays with someone long after the unwrapping.
Available at Holt Renfrew.
Sangre De Fruta Botanical Hand and Body Lotion
No matter who it is—chapped, dry skin isn’t exactly swoon-worthy. But you know what is? Sangre De Fruta’s ultra-luxe Botanical Hand & Body Lotion. Fast-absorbing and deeply moisturizing, it’s infused with carefully selected essential oils for a scent that lingers just enough to leave an impression. Formulated with aloe vera, jojoba oil, and sea buckthorn, it’s a lighter alternative to their signature creams, enriched with calendula and marigold extracts to soothe and nourish. It’s the kind of gift that feels indulgent—and earns its place in anyone’s routine.
Available at Sangre De Fruta.
Natureofthings Nourishing Creme
There’s nothing better than a silent, deadly up-and-comer making waves—oh, hello Nature of Things. Their Nourishing Body Creme is a hydration powerhouse, designed to banish dryness and dullness while leaving skin soft, supple, and perfectly elastic. Whether it’s for you or the lucky giftee, this is the kind of indulgent gem you’ll want to take everywhere. Hydration? Handled. Style? Elevated.
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Available at natureofthings.
Oribe Côte d’Azur
If you want to smell like luxury—like the person who always has their sh*t together—this is it. Oribe’s indulgently rich Côte d’Azur Crème doesn’t just hydrate; it transforms. Enveloping your skin in their iconic fragrance, it smooths, softens, and deeply moisturizes while protecting against environmental stressors. The result? Skin that feels as radiant and refined as it smells.
Available at Oribe.
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Tea Tree Body Moisturizer
It’s like stepping out of the spa—nourished, relaxed, and with that perfect tingle from tea tree. Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer is the multitasker you didn’t know you needed. Part leave-in conditioner, part after-shave cream, part body lotion, it does it all. Enriched with jojoba seed oil, tea tree oil, and peppermint, it leaves hair and skin silky smooth and smelling incredible. One product, endless possibilities—this is self-care made simple.
Available at Chatters.
Here are the best candles for the home in 2024
There’s nothing quite like walking into a home that just smells right. It sets the tone, wraps you in comfort, and says, “stay a while.” That’s why candles and diffusers make the ultimate gift—because who doesn’t want their space to feel like a sanctuary? Whether it’s warm and woody for a cozy night in or fresh and floral for hosting friends, these picks do more than fill a room with fragrance—they create moments. And believe me, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t appreciate that.
DIPTYQUE Feu de Bois (Fire Wood) Scented Candle
One of the perks of the holidays? That cozy crackle of a fire and the soft, smoky scent that drapes itself over the room like velvet curtains. For those without a fireplace in their city apartments, Diptyque’s Feu de Bois candle delivers the magic. Encased in sleek grey glass, its sophisticated blend of woods fills the air with the warm, comforting aroma of a crackling fire. All you need is a match to ignite the holiday mood.
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Available at Holt Renfrew.
Glossier Sage Candle
Gifting someone a flight to escape the snowy terrain? In this economy? As if. But the thought is what counts, and Glossier’s candle collection has you covered. With notes of Sandalwood, Clary Sage, and Fig Leaf, it’s like a one-way ticket to a sun-soaked beach—no passport required.
Available at Glossier.
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Milkjar Moonrise Candle
We all have that astrology-obsessed someone in our lives, and whether we understand their starry musings or not, Milkjar gets it. Moonrise combines citrus, neroli, and juicy plum for a scent that feels like warm summer nights and the thrill of endless possibilities. It might even tempt you to chase a little adventure.
Available at Milkjar.
Brand & Iron Oak + Moss Candle
Bring the freshness of the outdoors inside with this woodsy blend of earthy moss, cedarwood, and just a hint of spruce. Hand-poured in small batches in Vancouver, these candles are crafted with clean-burning soy wax sourced from American-grown soybeans. Free from phthalates, petroleum, and harmful additives, they’re sustainable, natural, and as pure as the forest air they’re inspired by.
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Available at Brand & Iron.
Nest Pistachio & Wild Fig 3-Wick Candle
For the one who clings to fall like it’s their personality trait, this Pistachio & Wild Fig 3-Wick Candle is the gift they didn’t know they needed. It’s all the indulgent flavors of autumn—creamy pistachio and wild fig wrapped in the warmth of dark rum and maple sugar—captured in a single flicker. Perfect for those who insist on pumpkin everything long after the first frost, this candle says, “It’s okay, you don’t have to let go just yet.”
Available at Nest.
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