A subtly personalized necklace
Monthly deliveries of fresh coffee from all over the world
A self-watering indoor garden
Click and Grow, $99.95, available at Amazon
The Click and Grow is a smart indoor garden that grows fresh herbs for your aunt year-round, with minimal intervention from her. This way, she'll always have access to fresh ingredients — be they basil, thyme, sage, parsley, cilantro, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, peppers, flowers, or even strawberries.
A coffee table book of record covers
"1000 Record Covers", $18, available at Amazon
Record covers are a unique time capsule of our lives and the times themselves, and this coffee table book curates 1,000 that address such topics as love, life, death, fashion, and rebellion.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA lottery card that wins money for charities
LottoLove Card, from $4.95
When you scratch off a card from LottoLove, you won't win any money. Instead, you "win" a charitable prize that's donated to someone in need. There are four possible prizes, which help provide clean water, solar light, nutritious meals, or literacy tools. Each card costs just $4.95, but gives back in invaluable ways. To date, LottoLove and its charitable partners have impacted lives in over 60 countries.
The best-selling memoir from Michelle Obama
An efficient, timeless passport holder
Vibrant reusable straws
Food52 Five Two Silicone Straws, $25
Food52 makes deceptively chic silicone straws out of platinum-grade silicone that's BPA- and BPS-free. It won't pick up odors or tases, and they come with their own squeegees for speedy cleaning, plus a mini carrying case.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA multi-purpose cutting board designed for bakers
Epicurean Matte Black Multi-Purpose Baking Board, $65
If she loves to bake, Food52's multi-purpose baking board is a good tool she may not already own. The matte black cutting board is made from natural, non-porous wood fiber. One side is blank for regular chipping, and the other has easy-to-read pastry ring guides with every conceivable measurement.
A cult-favorite, skid-less yoga towel
Yogitoes Yoga Mat towel, from $35.08 available at Amazon,
REI, and
Manduka
Yogitoes is the go-to yoga mat towel for good reason. It's ultra absorbent, lightweight, and quick-drying. The patented Skidless Technology is basically just silicone nubs that grip the mat to stay in place — and this translates to a better practice. If she likes yoga, this is a particularly thoughtful and useful gift. Find a full review here.
A multi-functional humidifier
An online class taught by a legend
Gift card, from $90, available at MasterClass
MasterClass offers video lessons on a wide range of subjects led by experts in their respective fields. You can gift them one class, which they'll get lifetime access to, or give them a year of unlimited access to every course on the site. Some standout courses include cooking basics with Gordon Ramsey, comedy with Judd Apatow, space exploration with Chris Hadfield, and tennis with Serena Williams.
A stylish, well-designed weekender
Catalina Deluxe Tote, $94.90, available at Lo & Sons
Lo & Son's Catalina Deluxe Tote has taken the internet by storm as one of its best — and most affordable — weekender bags. It's made from a sturdy, lightweight canvas and comes in seven different colors. Owners love the thoughtful design, which includes a separate compartment for shoes as well as a suitcase handle sleeve and key leash.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA cult-favorite cleansing balm
Cleansing Balm, $68, available at Beautycounter
Beautycounter is beloved equally for its clean beauty mission and a consistently excellent and award-winning product lineup. The multi-tasking balm is one of the company's best-selling products. Primarily used as a cleanser, it can also be used as a makeup-melting and removing balm, and a high-impact overnight mask.
A gift subscription to a cool new wine service
Vinebox 6-Month Gift Subscription, from $158, available at Vinebox
Vinebox gifts let the recipient try nine of the best wines of the moment once every quarter. Their delivery will include nine vials pre-portioned to be full glasses, with each selected based on your aunt's personal preferences. She'll also get a credit for either $15 or $30 to use on full bottles.
A cooking class with a renown chef
Buy a Cozymeal Gift Card, from $50
Cozymeal lets your aunt sign up for high-end cooking classes to learn how to make everything from Italian pastas to vegan soul food. She'll select her preferred experience, pick a date, and show up to learn from one of the nation's top chefs — including a few who have worked in the world's best Michelin-starred restaurants. Classes can be held at the chef's location of choice or the gift recipient's home. You can read our full review of Cozymeal here.
A monthly delivery of sheet masks
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA lightweight, quick-drying waffle robe
Honeycomb Bathrobe, $98, available at Snowe
Snowe's big terry robe is my all-time favorite, but the company's lightweight, fast-drying Honeycomb version is equally wonderful and may be best for hotter weather. The soft construction is slightly oversized, and colorways are chic and easy. It's also Oeko-tex certified.
A gentle glycolic Acid nighttime cream
A cute Etsy card
Coolest Aunt Card, $6, available at Etsy
You don't have to spend a ton to get her something special — and sometimes that means going out of your way to get her a clever, cute Etsy card. The inside is blank, so you can fill it in with thanks and memories.
A monthly delivery of a new hardcover
A plug-in that adds voice-control to outlets
Wemo Mini Smart Plug, $28, available at Amazon
These plug-ins will turn a "dumb" outlet into a smart outlet. Plug in the WeMo Mini Smart Plug, download the free app, and that's it — you control your lights and appliances from your phone anywhere and your voice through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home Kit. It only needs WiFi — no expensive hub.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdBeauitufl pinch bowls
Gold-Dipped Pinch Bowls, Set of 2, $58
These beautiful stoneware bowls are the ideal size for adding just a "pinch" of something to a recipe or holding snacks, jewelry, or even small candles around the house.
Tickets to a Broadway show
A luscious house plant delivered to her door
A ClassPass gift card so she can access tons of different boutique fitness classes
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The best pair of socks she's ever tried
Women's Performance Tennis Ankle Sock 3-Pack, $48, available at Bombas
They may just seem like a basic, everyday accessory, but socks are among the most underrated gifts you can give. Bombas spent two years perfecting their gym socks, and we think they got it right. With thoughtful innovations like a blister tab and cushioned foot beds, her feet will notice the difference. Bombas also donates a pair to a homeless shelter for every pair purchased.
37 thoughtful gifts that your aunt will actually use
A hair wrap that cuts drying time by 50%
Lisse Luxe Chevron Weave Hair Turban, $30, available at Nordstrom
Made with ultra-fine thread, this towel won't grab at hair cuticles like regular bath towels. It can also reduce drying time by up to 50%, which sounds hyperbolic until you've tried it yourself. This is the one I own and it works far, far better than I had dared to hope.
A personalized photo calendar
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA cute set of mugs
Personalized Family Mugs, from $30, available at Uncommon Goods,
Turn your aunt and her family and/or her nieces and nephews into cartoon characters on a cute set of mugs they'll keep for years to come. One side features the artists' depiction of them (personalized through your choices of skin tone, hair, and clothing color) and the mug owner's first name, while the other displays your family name and year established (optional).
A cleaner, more efficient multivitamin
A beautiful cashmere sweater available in tons of colors