gift guide

2023 Holiday Gift Guide

November 3, 2023

Holiday Gift Ideas

It’s almost time for the Millennium Park tree lighting, Christkindlmarket, Coquito cookies, lights down Michigan Avenue, Jack Frost’s Winter Pop-Up, and holiday shopping. Whether you are buying for yourself or others, here is a holiday gift guide list of recommended presents!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you in advance for your support towards Sweating Champagne and my writing goals!

The Beachwaver Co. Rotating Curling Iron

I use the Beachwaver Co. rotating iron to curl my hair and I love it! It’s fast and easy to use. They offer a variety of barrel sizes and iron designs. Photo: beachwaver.com | Beachwaver Co. Rotating Curling Iron: $99+ (Use promo code ALYSSAM20 for 20% off your order!)

Books, Books, and More Books

This year I became obsessed with reading again. Books are a timeless gift! Right now there are popular books trending on TikTok and in the bookstores, as well as underrated stories that need to be read. Here are some book ideas for your TBR list. Photos: amazon.com

City of Ghosts – Victoria Schwab
The Housemaid – Freida McFadden
Forth Wing – Rebecca Yarros
Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas
The Woman in Me – Britney Spears
Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Ninth House – Leigh Bardugo
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series – Sarah J. Maas
Once Upon a Broken Heart – Stephanie Garber
Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling

A Bejeweled Winter Hat

Add a little glimmer to the gloomy winter months with an embellished hat! This one is from Amazon and comes in a variety of colors. Photo: amazon.com | Funky Junque Beanies Women Rhinestone Winter Hats: $28

Tickets to a Broadway Show

Broadway shows are a great gift that you can look forward to experiencing. My favorites include Wicked, Aladdin, and Cats. If you live in Chicago, Broadway in Chicago offers tickets for many shows! Upcoming shows include Hamilton, Mama Mia!, Peter Pan, SIX, Beetlejuice, Stomp, and Pretty Woman. If in a different location, shows can be found through a local Google search. Photo: ticketmaster.com | Prices range

A Vinyl Record Player

Vinyl record players and albums are in! Almost every popular artist makes their record in vinyl form, so it’s a great way to listen to your favorite ones! Photo: amazon.com | Vinyl Record Player with Speaker: $50

Vinyl Record Albums

If you’re going to get a vinyl record player you might as well stock up on your favorite tunes. Here are some album ideas to get you started! Photos: amazon.com

GUTS – Olivia Rodrigo
Born to Die – Lana Del Rey
Stripped – Christina Aguilera
Everything in Transit – Jack’s Mannequin
Greatest Hits: My Prerogative – Britney Spears
1989 – Taylor Swift

InvisaWear SOS Safety Keychain

InvisaWear offers cute jewelry that also serves as an SOS panic button during an emergency. Five emergency contacts can be added to receive alerts and you can also allow dispatchers to access your location as well. They offer keychains, bracelets, and necklaces. Photo: invisawear.com | Classic Keychain: $99 (Use promo code INVISAWEAR-SWEATINGCHAMPAGNE for 10% off your order)

Soft Plush Robe

This robe is perfect for cozy weather! The soft material comes in many great colors to choose from. Photo: amazon.com | Women Plush Robe: $28

2022 Holiday Gift Guide

November 22, 2022

Time to get shopping! This year I have a great roundup of both products and experiences that you can give a loved one this holiday season, or really anytime for a birthday or special occasion. Most of these I have owned or experienced myself and would highly recommend to others. Read below for my 2022 Holiday Gift Guide!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you in advance for your support towards Sweating Champagne and my writing goals!

WIS Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Face Masks

These sheet masks are THE BEST for bringing moisture and hydration back to your face. I love them. Perfect for the winter months! Contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, oatmeal extract, aloe vera, and vitamin b5. Photo: Amazon | Pack of 24: $33.

Local Aura Reading

If you’re looking to give someone a unique experience, I highly recommend an aura reading! I’ve had my aura read twice in Chicago by Cindy from Revealing Soul. It’s really cool to hear the explanation of why colors show in certain places within the photograph. Photo: Revealing Soul’s Facebook | Aura Photo + Mini Reading: $75

InvisaWear SOS Keychain

InvisaWear offers cute jewelry that also serve as an SOS panic buttons during an emergency. Five emergency contacts can be added to receive alerts and you can also allow dispatchers to access to your location as well. They offer keychains, bracelets, and necklaces. Photo: invisawear.com | Classic Keychain: $99 (Use promo code ‘INVISAWEAR-SWEATINGCHAMPAGNE‘ for 10% off your order)

Tickets to a Show

Tickets to a concert, musical, you name it is always a great gift. It’s a way to get personal and can even involve quality time with the person receiving the experience. Photo: thesource.com

The Beachwaver Co. Rotating Curling Iron

I use the Beachwaver Co. rotating iron to curl my hair and love it! It’s fast and easy to use. They offer a variety of barrel sizes and iron designs. Photo: beachwaver.com | Beachwaver Co. Rotating Curling Iron: $99+ (Use promo code ALYSSAM20 for 20% off your order!)

Holiday Gift Guide For Her 2020

September 5, 2020

We may be going through a global pandemic, and I may not be attending my favorite Christmas pop-up bar this year, but the holidays are not canceled! How are you spending Christmas this year? My family and I will still be getting together to see each other and do our holiday traditions. I’ve listed items I’ve had my eye on below for a Holiday Gift Guide for Her. Some can be bought anywhere, where others are for my fellow Chicago locals!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you in advance for your support towards Sweating Champagne and my writing goals!

InvisaWear Keychain

InvisaWear offers cute jewelry that also serve as an SOS panic buttons during an emergency. On the back of each piece of jewelry is a button that can send out a distress signal when clicked two times. Five emergency contacts can be added to receive alerts and you can also allow dispatchers to access to your location as well. They offer keychains, bracelets, and necklaces. All perfect holiday gifts! Photo: invisawear.com | Silver LimeLife Keychain: $149

Natalie Mills Rhinestone Face Mask

Face masks are here to stay, so why not add a little glitz and glam to it? If you’re looking for something a little more fun and fashionable, I recommend taking a look at rhinestone face masks from Natalie Mills. I have one in black and love it! They’d also be a great item for dressed up holiday parties and functions. Photo: amazon.com | Rhinestone Face Masks: $22.50

Rare Beauty Matte Lip Cream

Selena Gomez recently released her new beauty line, Rare Beauty, and I absolutely love it. With 1% of proceeds going to The Rare Fund, which was created to donate to mental health organizations such as NAMI, I think the company is advocating towards such a great cause. Rare Beauty offers a lot of different products that are all about showing what makes you unique. Some examples include lipstick, eyeliner, highlighter, brush tools, and more. My cart on launch day included the Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation in shade 210N (one of their Light Medium shades) and the Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in shade ‘Courage’. Photo: rarebeauty.com | Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream: $20

Bose SoundSport Free Wireless Headphones

These have been one of my most prized possessions for numerous years. Numberless commutes, work outs, you name it – these wireless headphones have sure gotten their use and STILL have the best sound and quality I have ever found in a set of wireless headphones. I also like how the earbuds still inside your ears since I have a hard time keeping other ones in my ears, especially while working out. The purple option is pretty hard to find, but the headphones also come in black, blue, and bright orange. Photo: amazon.com | Bose SoundSport Free Wireless Headphones: $299

Aura Reading from Revealing Soul

If you live in Chicago, I highly recommend having your aura read by Cindy from Revealing Soul. It’s such a unique experience! I’ve had my aura read by her twice now. It’s really cool to hear the explanation of why colors show in certain places within the photograph. Aside from aura readings, she also offers private and group channeling sessions. It’s a unique holiday gift! Photo: Revealing Soul’s Facebook | Private Aura Reading + 15 Min of Channeling: $120

Beachwaver Co. Curling Iron

If you want easy, luscious curls, I highly recommend a curling iron from Beachwaver Co. – it’s what I use to curl my hair! The curling iron has a button you can push to automatically rotate the barrel to curl your hair and hold. You can have it curl inwards or outwards. It also heats up super fast and distributes heat evenly from top to bottom. Beachwaver Co. offers other barrel sizes, but I like the 1.25 inch model the best. Photo: ulta.com | Beachwaver Co. Voltage Rotating Curling Iron: $129 (Use promo code CHAMPAGNEWAVE for 10% off your order!)

Transit Tees Chicago Red Line Magnet

Transit Tees, in my opinion, has some of the best Chicago themed items around. One item of theirs that I really like is the Transit Line Magnets. I want to get one for the Grand stop to represent my neighborhood! They offer magnets for the red line, brown line, purple line, blue line, green line, orange line, pink line, and yellow line. Aside from magnets, Transit Tees also has some cool Chicago games, apparel, jewelry, keychains, glassware, and stationary. SO many great, affordable options that are perfect for gifts or stocking stuffers! My eye is on these transit magnets, Loop: The Elevated Card Game, the Loop stripe coffee mug, and the CTA token camper mug. Photo: transittees.com | Red Line Transit Magnet: $5

Holiday Gift Guide for Her 2019

October 13, 2019

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, which means it’s TIME TO SHOP! Sales and product releases are happening earlier and earlier each year, so I recommend making your gift list (or wish list) sooner than later. Start giving those hints! I have rounded up a list of Alyssa-approved gifts in a holiday gift guide that are worth giving or being given this holiday season below. Let me know which ones are your favorites!

Bose: Soundsport Wireless Headphones

These have been one of my most prized possessions for the past three years. Numberless commutes, work outs, you name it – these wireless headphones have sure gotten their use and STILL have the best sound and quality I have ever found in a set of wireless headphones. I had the pair in black, but after recently losing them (could have kicked myself) I replaced them with the violet pair! Honestly, these are a great gift and an even better item to have on your personal wish list. My number one recommendation, for sure.

Clothing Garment Rack

For the fashionista in your life, an easy, yet affordable, option is a clothing garment rack! These really add a stylish flare to any room and are great for having in the background while taking #ootd pictures. For this reason, I had to include it in this holiday gift guide! I recently got one for my apartment and love it. I have linked the exact clothing garment rack I purchased HERE.

Cole Haan: ZERØGRAND Explore Hiker Boots

cole haan zerogrand explore hiker boots gift guide

I love these winter boots from Cole Haan. They are waterproof (much needed in the city) and are really stylish. They also have rubber pods for traction and a great cushioned footbed. When Chicago hits the polar vortex again, these are the shoes I want to have handy!

Venus Et Fleur: Lé Mini Round

These tiny rose arrangements are the perfect gift for any occasion. They’re unique, beautiful, and a great price range! Each rose lasts up to about a year on their own, no watering needed, in a cute mini box. The Lé Mini Round style offers a variety of box colors and rose colors to choose from. It’s perfect!

AE: High-Rise Plush Leopard Legging

american eagle high-rise plush leopard legging

If you know me, you know I absolutely love leopard print. On any occasion. On any piece of clothing. Did you catch my post about leopard print styles for Fall?? These leopard leggings from American Eagle look SUPER comfy and would be a great lounge addition to your closet. The price is not too shabby either!

Corkcicle: Stemless Insulated Wine Glass

These babies are perfect for Wine Wednesday! Stainless steel that keeps cold drinks colder than cold and hot drinks hotter than hot. Sounds like the perfect, sleek wine glass to me! Did I mention it has a shatterproof lid and is super cute?

Spanx: Jean-ish Ankle Leggings

Now these are on my wishlist! I love the way Spanx leggings are made. I have their faux leather leggings and love the high-waisted fit as well as the quality of the material. I think these Jean-ish Ankle Leggings are perfect for Fall and Winter this year. The best thing about Spanx and these leggings, they come in regular and PETITE size! Woo hoo!

Fitbit: Versa 2

I have a Fitbit Versa 2 (just got it) and LOVE it. I love being able to track my steps, heart rate, and sleep every day. The Versa 2 is the latest edition released by Fitbit this past September. It comes in multiple colored bands and there are many cheap bands sold on Amazon for them as well (view my leopard band here!). You can also sync Spotify and Alexa to it!

The Beachwaver Co. S1 Curling Iron

If you want luscious curls, I highly recommend this Beachwaver curling iron – it’s what I use! It is $129, and worth every penny. The curling iron has a button to push to automatically curl your hair and hold. It also heats up super fast and distributes heat evenly from top to bottom. I like the 1″ inch model for not too tight, not too loose curls!

Timberland: Carnaby Cool Bootie

What would a holiday gift guide be without cute, girly booties for fall and winter? I’m a big fan of the color pink, so I am a big fan of these pink Timberland booties. They come in women’s size 5.5 to 11 and have an OrthoLite® footbed for increased comfort. They also have a little bit of a heel, which is a plus for style!

Balance Athletica: The OG Pant – Tie Dye Intuition

Balance Athletica offers super cute leggings for every woman, no matter her shape or size. Worthy of being on a holiday gift guide! Their newest collection, the Aura Collection, are especially head-turners. These tie-dye styles come in three different colors – with pink of course being my favorite – for $70 each. I love that they are high-waisted and flattering to the behind!

Unique Gifts for Mom This Mother’s Day

May 2, 2019

Still need a gift to give the lovely lady in your life? I have rounded up unique gifts for mom this Mother’s Day that are sure to impress! Some I even put on my wish list 🙂 Read below for gift ideas!

Coffee Caffeinated Gummy Bears Set

This gift is a yummy one for the coffee mamas out there! Sugarfina’s coffee gummy bears are caffeinated, come in a six-pack, and feature the following flavors: Icec Vanilla Latte, Bourbon Cold Brew, and Cold Brew. YUM.

Pure Enrichment Humidifier

So I actually bought this specific humidifier for myself recently and LOVE it. Humidifiers are a great gift idea for anyone, but especially if your mom is looking for some extra skin hydration! They are not expensive (this one is only $39.99) and are sure to be a room pleaser.

Patchology Happy Place Eye Patches

These gel eye patches from Patchology are so cute and are sure to brighten up your mom’s beauty routine! With rose aromatherapy, these Happy Place patches are made of Hibiscus, Coconut-Extract, and Lotus Flower. I want these on my next beauty wish list!

Click and Grow Indoor Garden Kit

This indoor garden kit lets you mom grow her garden all year round! Use over 30 different capsules to grow your choice or herbs with smart soil technology. This smart garden kit is $99 and comes with basil capsules to start you off!

XO Marshmallow Rose Gold Rosé Marshmallows

If you are looking for a unique gift, look no further than these rose gold rosé marshmallows from Chicago’s XO Marshmallow. I personally have tasted these marshmallows – bought some at Market for Makers – and they really do taste like rosé! If your mom likes it too, these are a great gift.

AYO Light Therapy Glasses

Guys, these are so cool and frankly everyone could use a pair. These AYO light therapy glasses are great for combating jet lap, boosting energy, and normalizing sleeping cycles. They mimicking natural sunlight and are a unique, yet useful, gift to give.

Argento Vivo MAMA Slider Bracelet

Let you mama say it loud and say it proud with this Argento Vivo MAMA bracelet. I think it’s super cute and a great way for mom to show her mama bear spirit. This bracelet is also a great price for a gift at less than $60. Win, win!

Skin Gym Rose Quartz Workout Set

Yep, you read that right. This is a workout set for your face using a rose quartz facial roller and sculpty tool. The brand behind it, Skin Gym, recommends you stroke and massage using the set for 10-15 minutes per day! Love it.

Aire Ancient Baths Gift Card

I recently had a girls day at Aire Ancient Baths Chicago and it was sooo relaxing. Giving your mom a gift card to experience the Ancient Thermal Baths for herself is the perfect gift! If this is also your thing, make it a day for the two of you to enjoy!

Phone UV Light Sanitizer

Clean your life-line (your phone) with this fun device! Open it up, put in your phone, and let the cleaning commence. Keep your momma healthy and get ride of bacteria with the Photosoap UV Light Sanitizer!

Earth Based Body Natural Bath Soak Set

Another company I bought from at Market for Makers, I love the bath soak sets from Earth Based Body. The bath salts packaging is aesthetically pleasing and the results in your tub are even better. The Soak Set lets your mom try five different soaks with convenient sample sizes!

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Holiday Gift Guide for Her

November 6, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Whether she’s been naughty or nice, find great gift ideas for every woman in your life with this year’s Holiday Gift Guide for Her! I absolutely love the holiday season. All of the shiny, sparkly items come out and it’s the perfect time to shower the people you love with thoughtful gifts. Not to mention my birthday is also in December! Keep reading for a full list of detailed holiday gifts and where to buy them.

Disclaimer: Some of the URLs below are through ShopStyle Collective, meaning that I receive a small commission on items purchased through the link used. Thank you in advance for supporting all the ways that make Sweating Champagne possible!

Kate Spade Winter Boots

I love everything embellished, so I am OBSESSED over these Kate Spade Rosalie Boots! The rhinestones, fur, and 1″ heel make them super stylish while it’s 100% sheep leather lining is perfect for Winter. They come in colors Roasted Peanut & Black!

Patagonia Los Gatos 1/4-Zip Fleece

It’s time to get warm and fuzzy. This 1/4-zip pullover jacket from Patagonia is perfect for watching a holiday movie and drinking a hot cup of hot chocolate. I want one!

14 Hands Wine

This gift is perfect for giving to your girlfriends and/or family (for those that are 21+ of course). 14 Hands wine tastes like $50 worth of perfection in a $12.99 bottle. Affordable and a crowd pleaser! Discover a yummy sangria recipe using their wine I blogged about here. My favorite blend from them is Hot to Trot smooth red blend. Bottles can be found in local Jewel, Mariano’s, and Whole Foods stores.

Bose Soundsport Free Wireless Earbuds

I have used these earbuds for about 6 months and absolutely love them. They stay in your ear through any workout, are perfectly subtle for commuting around the city, and have great sound. Read more about them here! Currently on sale!

Victoria’s Secret Flannel Romper

Who said holiday PJ’s had to be blah looking? Pajamas meet chic with this flannel romper from Victoria’s Secret. It is super cute and looks super comfy.

Cole Haan Waterproof Hiking Boots

For those living in a commuting city, you know how brutal winter can be. The subway steps are icy, the windy is howling, and all you want to do is take an Uber everyday instead of facing Mother Nature. These boots are stylish and perfect for those commuting outside.

Schrute Farms Sweatshirt

Any fans of The Office out there? Aka one of the best shows ever made. This sweatshirt from Etsy not only gives ode to this famous show, but is a cozy edition to your lounge wear.

Tumi Backpack

Tumi is known for being a trusted, durable travel accessory company. I have personally wanting one of their backpacks for the longest time. At $325 they are no small price, however they are super practical and stylish.

ASOS DESIGNS Embellished Heels

Probably the most perfect holidays heels, EVER (read all about them and an outfit to go with it in this post). They are sparkly, festive, and just the right height for any holiday gathering. These are currently on MAJOR sale!

Joriki Yoga Leggings

Joriki Yoga is a women-run company based in Humbolt Park here in Chicago. Their clothes are super cute and each purchase gives 10% back to a current charity of choice. I have a pair of their slouch leggings as well as essential leggings and love both. They also have really cool Chicago flag leggings that are very unique!

Ellis James Designs Travel Jewelry Keeper

For the jetsetter in your life, make styling while traveling easier with a fashionable jewelry organizer from Ellis James Designs! I personally love this jewlery organizer in the color cream, however all of their jewelry and makeup organizers are super cute.

Rose Gold Sperry Duck Boots

These waterproof duck boots are usually over $100, however you can find them on sale for just $80 here.

Keurig K-Cafe

Who loves coffee? Keurig’s new K-Cafe not only makes your favorite single-serve coffee, but now lattes and cappuccinos as well. Wouldn’t it be nice to save a few bucks and make your favorite drinks at home? AMEN.

kate spade leopard hoodie holiday gift — Katespade.com

Kate Spade Leopard-Print Terry Hoodie

If you love leopard print like I do, you’ll love this terry hoodie from Kate Spade. I especially love the flattering ruffle waist detail to show your silhouette!

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

These little babies are on hot trend alert right now. Spanx’s Faux Leather Leggings are fashionable for the season as well as flattering to the tummy, hips, and thighs area. Get these babies on sale during Black Friday/Cyber Monday!