Holiday Gifts You’ll Want to Keep for Yourself

When it comes to holiday gift-giving, it can be hard to nail the perfect present. But instead of settling on kitschy socks and calling it a day, I always ask myself two key questions: What do I love doing with this person? And, what might I want myself?

When I’m stuck, I also opt for a few small presents instead of one big one, that remind me of the things we bond over. This year, I’m proposing you try it too. Curate your loved one—whether it’s your best friend, your partner, or the person throwing this year’s family Christmas party—a thoughtful gift box with items you know they’ll love (because you love them yourself!). Check out the ideas below, which include pieces from the GODIVA holiday collection, for added wonderment and deliciousness.

The BFF Box

Let’s start with the easiest person to knock off your list: your best friend. They are an extension of yourself, your other half, and often the person you became an adult with. You have many of the same interests, which makes gifting this person effortless.

For my best friend, I usually go with two types of gifts. The first: items that encourage us to spend more time together and have meaningful conversations. This year I picked out stunning new wine glasses and the GODIVA Assorted Chocolate Domes Collection, with flavors like “Milk Chocolate Crispy Hazelnut” and “Dark Chocolate Double Chocolate”—which I suspect will pair well with our favorite TV shows, gossip, and takeout.

The second type of gift I love to give my best friend are wellness gifts. Luxurious hand cream and this nifty wellness planner (that I also bought for myself after this arrived at my house) serve as a gentle reminder to take care of herself and prioritize her own needs, alongside her husband’s and children’s.

Romantic Night In Box

The fun part about this romantic gift box for your partner is that it’s kind of for you, too. This DIY bundle encourages quality time and bonding—so fill it with things you both love to experience together.

My partner and I are homebodies who don’t need a gift box to stay in. (Really, just say the word.) We love cooking, making cocktails, and relaxing in the living room with a board game and music. The gifts I chose this year will definitely help us take all of those things to the next level—and more importantly—as anyone in a long-term relationship knows—keep things exciting. A new candle always sets the mood for a cozy night in, while this love language board game will promote deep conversations about family, intimacy, and more.

After dinner, we can break open the GODIVA Holiday Goldmark Assorted Giftbox, filled with flavors like “Hazelnut Heaven,” “Milk Chocolate Caramel Embrace” and “Dark Chocolate Raspberry Velvet.” We can make our favorite winter drink—hot toddies—and keep them warm in our new (I mean, his new) temperature-controlled mug throughout the game or even an entire movie. Yeah…better get two of those.

Hostess Gift Box

The last gift box is for someone who asks for nothing yet delivers the most memorable moments of the holiday season: the party hostess. They go to great lengths to make sure every detail is in place, that every guest’s tastes and dietary needs are accounted for, and that you leave with more leftovers than you know what to do with. Frankly, this is the person I aspire to be.

If the host is a neighbor or colleague, you might not typically exchange gifts, which makes a little trinket or two all the more appreciated.

I love to fill this gift box or basket with useful presents the host can put out immediately or save for events to come. These spiral candlesticks, for example, don’t even need to be lit to add to the atmosphere (just look how cool they are!). They’re festive and colorful enough for a holiday party, but could also add glamour to a weekday dinner. I also love simple elegant housewares like this trivet—which I know will come in handy when another guest’s side dish or pie comes out of the oven—and this stunning ceramic planter.

Lastly, my mom taught me to never show up to a party without something to eat or drink, and the GODIVA Holiday Masterpieces Collection is the ultimate crowd pleaser. You can’t go wrong with a combination of “Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts,” “Milk Chocolate Caramel Lions of Belgium” and “Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Oysters.” Plus, if there’s one thing party hosts love to receive, it’s help feeding hungry guests.

Photography: Cody Guilfoyle; Art Direction: Mandi Hayes; Production: Kevin Kushner; Prop Styling: Summer Moore.