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Best gifts for girlfriends – jewellery, beauty products, days out and more
If you're looking for the perfect gift for your girlfriend and need some inspiration to get started, our carefully curated list of handpicked presents will help you choose wisely.
To build a shopping list covering a range of categories and budgets, we asked Which? staff to share the products they've loved giving or receiving. Our final list includes a range of tech products, beauty essentials and home comforts.
Keep scrolling for access to our first-hand recommendations, plus links to our expert product reviews that reveal the latest Which? Best Buys.
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Home gifts
Scented oil diffuser
What is it? An LED-lit aroma diffuser that releases mist on a timer.
We like: Affordable, easy to use
Watch out for: Comes in various styles, so make sure you choose one that suits your space
A scented oil diffuser is a thoughtful gift if your girlfriend enjoys a fragrant home. To set it up, you fill the base with water, add some drops of oil and then use the buttons to decide how long it will run for until it turns itself off automatically.
You can cycle between different LED colours to set the mood, and the device is reasonably quiet while running – in fact, we think it's quiet enough to put on a bedside table.
Why we chose it:
'A diffuser bundled with a selection of scents is a simple way to create a calming atmosphere while keeping your home smelling fresh.
'With affordable multipacks on offer (often around £10 for a pack of five mini bottles), it’s easy to swap fragrances to suit your mood or the season. In our house, we've been enjoying Mint and Fresh Linen.'
Tom Morgan
Papier The Mini hardback photo book
What is it? A personalised 16.5cm x 16.5cm album.
Available from: Papier
We like: Fully customisable, website is easy to use
Watch out for: Make sure your photos will look fine when they're enlarged
Cherish special memories by gifting your girlfriend a personalised photo album. This hardcover book from Papier has up to 40 pages and comes in various colours including white, pink and lilac.
On the website, you'll need to upload your favourite photos and arrange them manually. You can also tweak the size of the images and add filters.
See how this service compares to rivals with our guide to the best photo album books
Sandringham Bed Linen Set
What is it? Sheets designed to offer 'a freshly laundered feel'
Available from: Brook + Wilde Sleep
We like: Luxurious look and feel
Watch out for: Keep an eye on the brand's website for discount codes
Available in double or king size, these sheets are made from 100% combed cotton and have a thread count of 800. A subtle blush line is embroidered around the edges.
Why we chose it:
'As I enter my mid-life era, I'm starting to obsess over super lovely bed linens. These ones from Brook and Wilde are the nicest bed sheets I've ever owned – they're thick yet cool and give your bedroom luxury hotel room vibes.'
Victoria Purcell
'If your girlfriend is a fitness fan, a parkrun wristband saves her from getting a phone out or fumbling about for a paper barcode to scan at the end of Parkrun. There are plenty of colours to choose from, plus it's waterproof and comfy to wear.'
Lisa Galliers
When shopping for running accessories, it's also worth considering affordable headphones, fitness trackers and water bottles.
Little luxuries
Chilly's Original coffee cup
What is it? An insulated cup available in various colours.
We like: Affordable gift idea, good for travelling
Watch out for: Doesn't have a seal for the drinking hole
This cup uses a double-walled vacuum insultation to keep your drinks hot without burning your hands. If you shop around, you'll have your choice of various patterns and colours to suit your girlfriend's style.
The Chilly's Original Coffee Cup comes in 340ml and 500ml sizes.
Why we chose it:
'Hot-drink fiends should consider the Chilly's Original Coffee Cup – I'm constantly using it in cold weather, and it's been great for walks and commuting into the office.'
Alison Potter
Best travel mugs and reusable coffee cups – our tests reveal the best models from Bodum, Stanley, Thermos and more
Moleskine Classic Diary
What is it? A soft-cover diary for staying organised.
Available from: Amazon
We like: Lots of designs to choose from, affordable gift idea
Watch out for: Make sure you explore the various sizing options and cover styles
A Moleskine diary makes a thoughtful gift for a girlfriend who values staying organised and managing her busy schedule. The diaries let you see the whole week at a glance (no surprises there) but also include pages for travel planning, ideas and goals.
When ordering your Moleskine diary, you can also choose to personalise it with text, a monogram or pins – the options include a gold star, a heart, a snake and various star-sign symbols.
Why we chose it:
'Moleskine diaries are instantly recognisable with their leather covers and year stamped on the front.
'There are plenty of colours and designs, and if you're feeling particularly generous you can personalise the diary for some extra flair.'
Faith Strickland
If you're shopping for your mum or grandma, see our recommendations for the best gifts for women
Gaming gifts
Nintendo Switch bundle
What is it? Nintendo Switch console and a copy of 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'.
We like: Portable, can play your games on a TV
Watch out for: You need to pay monthly to play Animal Crossing online
Nintendo offers several 'console plus game' bundles, and this one – which includes a copy of 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' – is one of the most popular picks. You can play solo or unclip the controllers and enjoy some multiplayer games from the sofa.
The Switch’s hybrid design lets you play in handheld mode, prop it up on a table with the built-in kickstand, or slide it into its dock to display games on a TV – perfect for hosting a games night and watching the action unfold on a big screen.
Why we chose it:
'My boyfriend and I love video games, so receiving a Switch was the perfect gift for me.
'Whether we’re zooming around racetracks on 'Mario Kart' or I’m decorating my island solo on 'Animal Crossing', it gives us a fun way to play games together – but also lets me escape into my own cosy world when I need to unwind.'
Natalie Turner
See also: our Nintendo Switch deals will save you time searching, as well as money
'If you're looking for a fun, affordable gift that's guaranteed to get a laugh, the Molain snail headband could be a winner – it's a themed make-up headband with an elastic design and comes in a range of vibrant colours.
Of course, you could gift a "normal" headband instead, but where's the fun in that?'
Tom Morgan
Beauty gifts
Grüum Timeless Radiance set
What is it? A beauty kit that includes moisturiser, lotion and face wash.
Available from: Grüum
We like: Variety of products included
Watch out for: You might find cheaper skincare kits if you shop around
This Grüum set is a perfect pick for a girlfriend who enjoys pampering herself. The products, which are made in the UK, are vegan-friendly and you get free shipping on all orders over £30.
In the box, you get daily moisturiser, daily defence lotion, prickly pear oil, 'youth restoring' cream and brightening face wash. You can also choose to add reusable gift wrapping to your order for an extra touch of luxury.
Why we chose it:
'Grüum is a sustainable haircare and skincare brand, and its products are made of lovely natural ingredients that smell great.
'There are plenty of gift sets to choose from, and they're a brilliant way to treat those who like zero-waste products and sustainable skincare.'
Victoria Purcell
Check out our pick of the best wedding gifts for more inspiration
The Flat Lay Co. Open Flat Make-up Bag
What is it? A make-up bag that opens up so you can lay it flat on a table.
We like: Useful for staying organised, good for travelling with
Watch out for: If your girlfriend has lots of make-up to arrange, a drawer-style organiser could be a better option
This lay-flat make-up bag has various pockets, compartments and elastic holders to keep your girlfriend's essentials in order. It can store brushes, skincare, travel accessories and more.
There are lots of designs to choose from, including solid colours and vibrant patterns. If your girlfriend loves travelling, she'll surely appreciate having a convenient way to keep her beauty items all in one place.
Why we chose it:
'My other half uses this velvet make-up bag for travelling with. It saves her from digging around for a specific product and folds up neatly to protect your make-up. Plus, it's machine washable.'
Tom Morgan
Get something special for the man in your life with the best gifts for him
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
What is it? A hair dryer and styling wand.
We like: Bundled with various attachments
Watch out for: It's one of the pricier picks in our gift guide
This Shark tool straightens and volumises hair, functioning as both a hair dryer and an air styler.
Once she’s unwrapped the FlexStyle, your girlfriend can put the accessories to work – including a paddle brush, oval brush, two curlers (left and right barrels), a styling concentrator, a diffuser and a storage case.
Why we chose it:
'If your girlfriend's hair-styling tools are on their last legs, this would make a lovely gift. You can dry and style with one tool and it comes with a sleek storage case to keep all the attachments together.'
Sabrina Sahota
Discover the best hot brushes – we've tested hot brushes, including the Dyson Airwrap, Revlon Hair Dryer Brush, Shark FlexStyle and more
'Every year, I ask for Sanctuary body scrub for my birthday – it makes my showers feel a little more luxurious and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.'
Faith Strickland
Beauty Works hair straightener
What is it? A straightener with ceramic-coated plates.
We like: Lightweight design
Watch out for: We've tested a selection of straighteners to see if any are Which? Best Buys, so consult our guide before spending
A savvy pick if your girlfriend is looking to elevate her styling routine.
These straighteners come bundled with a handy travel case, plus a paddle brush and heat-protective glove. There are 12 temperature settings to flick between, plus an LCD display and a temperature control button.
Check our guide to the best hair straighteners to see which models our experts recommend
Braun Silk-épil Epilator
What is it? Made for at-home hair removal.
We like: Easy to adjust settings
Watch out for: Expensive
Braun claims that its Silk-épil epilator can give you up to one month of smooth skin.
This epilator (for use on body only) has two speed settings and a smart-touch mode, which adjusts the speed depending on the pressure applied. It also has a flexible head that's designed to make it easier to manoeuvre around tricky, bonier areas such as the ankles and knees.
Discover the best epilators for easy, effective and comfortable at-home hair removal
Fashion gifts
Long Lightweight Organic Cotton Waffle Robe
What is it? A spa-inspired robe with wide, cropped sleeves.
Available from: The White Company
We like: Luxurious style, available in a range of sizes
Watch out for: If your girlfriend tends to feel cold easily, she might prefer a cosier, fluffier dressing gown
This robe from The White Company blends luxury with comfort to keep your girlfriend feeling pampered. The soft material is made from 100% organic cotton for a 'lighter feel' and comes in pearl grey with front pockets and a self-tie waist.
If you're looking to add some extra goodies to your order when shopping, note that The White Company also sells cashmere bed socks for added cosiness.
Why we chose it:
'When my girlfriend's hints of escaping to a countryside spa retreat finally hit home and we went, the waffle-style robes supplied by the hotel left a soft and luxurious impression.
'I couldn't find the exact robe they used, but this White Company gown was a fantastic option and made a great gift that, hopefully, reminds her that sometimes I do listen.'
Luke Jeffery
'I think these Laneige lip sleeping masks are the best lip balms by a mile and they have incredible flavours. My favourite is Gummy Bear, but all of them are marvellous and it's a nice day-to-day luxury treat.
Although it might seem a little expensive for lip balm, it's definitely worth it in my opinion.'
Alison Potter
Monica Vinader Siren Stud earrings
What is it? 18k gold vermeil and green onyx earrings.
Available from: Monica Vinader
We like: Attention-grabbing green onyx
Watch out for: Your girlfriend might prefer silver jewellery, so do your research
The Monica Vinader website claims that green onyx is one of the brand's bestselling gemstones. Priced at around £100, the Siren Stud earrings are a chic choice for both everyday wear and special events.
These earrings are finished with 18k gold vermeil, which is described by Monica Vinader as 'five times thicker than standard gold plating and far more durable'.
Why we chose it:
'Monica Vinader creates the most beautiful jewellery. It's contemporary and understated, with lots of gold, pearl and gemstone options.
'The earrings and necklaces make great gifts. They're not cheap, but it's worth keeping an eye on the website around Black Friday as the brand offers some great discounts.'
Victoria Purcell
Experiences
Football tickets
Available from: Club websites including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs
We like: See your team up close and soak up the atmosphere
Watch out for: Only buy tickets from reliable sources – scammers are keen to take your money
For girlfriends who enjoy football, nothing compares to a thrilling match-day experience. A ticket to watch her favourite team can make for a brilliant surprise.
While we're talking football, you can also consider buying your girlfriend a stadium tour to get behind-the-scenes access. Price varies depending on your team of choice – Arsenal's Emirates Stadium tour, for example, costs £30 per adult and £20 for children (5-15 years).
Why we chose it:
'If your girlfriend is a fan of women's footie, you can save a ton of money as even the big stadium matches are much cheaper than the men's – that leaves you with more cash to splash on essentials, like taking her out for dinner.'
Lisa Barber
'My book embosser was such a thoughtful gift – it’s a mechanical stamp that lets me personalise my books, making my collection feel even more special.
The stamp itself is customisable, too, and mine features my favourite flower. I’ve already gone through my personal library and embossed most of my books.'
Natalie Turner
Thanks to the following Which? staff for their support in creating this guide: Alison Potter, Ceri Thomas, Faith Strickland, Lisa Barber, Lisa Galliers, Luke Jeffery, Natalie Turner, Sabrina Sahota and Victoria Purcell.