38 thoughtful gifts that your aunt will actually use

A subtly personalized necklace

Zodiac Necklace, $90, available at Mejuri

Mejuri makes some of the most affordable, dainty gold jewelry on the internet — and the company's zodiac collection is particularly perfect for subtle, personalized gifting. The collection includes a ring or necklace in either gold or silver, with all 12 zodiac signs represented in AAA-quality white sapphires. 

Monthly deliveries of fresh coffee from all over the world

Subscription, from three months at $50, available at Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club lets its members try freshly roasted, single origin coffee from all corners of the globe — from Peru to Papua New Guinea — for about $9 per bag. We're big fans of the service, and it's a great way to show your aunt that she can enjoy a sophisticated cup of coffee any time she wants for less than what she'd pay at the grocery store.

A cheery bouquet

Send a bouquet from 1-800-Flowers

If you're looking for a last-minute gift that's still thoughtful, 1-800-Flowers is an excellent option. The flower delivery service not only creates gorgeous floral and plant arrangements, but if you order before 2 p.m. in the recipient's time zone, they'll receive the flowers on the same day.

*Sponsored by 1-800-Flowers

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.

A lottery card that wins money for charities

LottoLove Card, from $5, available at LottoLove

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.

Beautiful candles

Threesome Set, $89, available at Otherland

Otherland makes some of the most highly giftable candles on the market, and you can build a personalized set of three here for $89. Candles are coconut and soy wax blends and come in beautiful glass vessels. Each candle burns for 55 hours — ample time for your aunt to enjoy the new scents in her home. 

The best-selling memoir from Michelle Obama

"Becoming" by Michelle Obama, $11.89, available at Amazon

Michelle Obama's witty, candid memoir "Becoming" held the title of Amazon's number one best-selling book of 2019 solidly for most of the year, and it's also a New York Times best seller. If your aunt has any interest in learning more about the former First Lady, or you see some similarities between the two, she may love owning her own hard copy — and getting to share her favorite parts with you.

An efficient, timeless passport holder

Classic Passport Case, $95+ optional $15 for monogram, available at Cuyana

This passport case is a little smarter than others thanks to an updated design that's been lengthened to perfectly fit airplane tickets. I picked one up on a whim and now it's one of my most-valued travel pieces. It also comes from a company best-known for clean, beautiful leathers — and it'll age gracefully, following her from trip to trip for years to come. 

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.

A 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 $44.58 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

Urpower Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser and Humidifier, from $22.99, available at Amazon

Urpower, the company behind the tiny humidifier that nearly broke the internet, also makes a larger version. It's racked up over 9,500 five-star reviews and functions as an aromatherapy diffuser, humidifier, and optional low-key night light.

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, $123, 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.

A cult-favorite cleansing balm

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask, $7.99, available at Target

Despite the name, this not-so-secret affordable beauty gem has been taking the internet, and the Insider Reviews team, by storm. We love it because of its visible healing and smoothing techniques, and we feel confident that your aunt would, too. 

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 monthly delivery of sheet masks

FaceTory: FOUR-ever FRESH, from $8.90 per month, available at Amazon

Treat her to a four-pack or seven-pack of facial masks every month. The types of masks range from basic cotton sheets to hydrogels — so she can explore a variety without ever getting bored.

A framed memory

Framed Photo, from $39, available at Framebridge

Gift Card, from $25, available at Framebridge

Framebridge makes custom framing for not-custom-framing prices. You can print or paint something on your own and have it framed, or have them print and frame it, and you can take advantage of the team of designers for help deciding which frame to get.

A lightweight, quick-drying waffle robe

Honeycomb Bathrobe, $100, 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

The Night Renewer, $27.95 available at Maelove

Maelove — the radically affordable skin care startup helmed by MIT grads —  makes an excellent night cream that can improve skin texture, fades dark spots, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It's one I personally use, and it's also the favorite product of the company's co-founder, Jackie Kim.

A cute Etsy card

Coolest Aunt Card, $6.04, 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

Membership, from three months for $49.99, available at Book of the Month

If she loves to read and isn't ready to go 100% digital, we can't recommend a Book of the Month membership highly enough. Each month's book selections are chosen by recurring and celebrity guest judges who curate and select the best new hardcover titles for members from a broad range of genres.

A plug-in that adds voice-control to outlets

Wemo Mini Smart Plug, $24.99, available at P.C. Richard and Son

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.

A stylish toiletry bag

Small Hunter Toiletry Bag, $35, available at Dagne Dover

This toiletry bag is made out of a unique neoprene material and comes in a variety of pretty colors, from a bright poppy red to more muted tones like the mossy green seen above. Dagne Dover is also best-known for their thoughtful, next-level organization.

Beauitufl pinch bowls

Gold-Dipped Pinch Bowls, Set of 2, from $58, available at Food52

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 experience

TodayTix virtual experiences, available at TodayTix

If she's been missing theater while Broadway's shut down, TodayTix's virtual experiences are the next best thing. She'll appreciate the ability to remain in touch with one of her favorite interests while also remaining safe.

A luscious house plant delivered to her door

Gift the Snake Plant Laurentii, $44, available at The Sill

Snake plants are some of the easiest plants to take care of. They prefer medium, indirect light and only need to be watered about every two weeks, but will instantly brighten her space. You may also opt to send some fresh flowers.

Healthy foods that take 30 seconds to make

Gift Card, from $25, available at Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest is a subscription service that sends healthy, pre-portioned superfood-packed smoothies, overnight oats, soups, and more to your home either weekly or monthly. The food combinations are developed by a nutritionist and chef, and the company is backed by big names like Gwyneth Paltrow and Serena Williams. We tried the service's smoothies and really enjoyed them.

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.

Kasa Smart Light Bulb, $13.99, available at Amazon

A smart light bulb is a perfect gift to get someone who's been getting more curious about starting their own smart home or just loves the perfect ambiance. TP-Link's bulb connects to the internet and can be controlled through a smartphone app, or a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or Google Home.

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

Personalized Photo Calendar, from $25, available at Artifact Uprising

Artifact Uprising has a personalized photo calendar that adds a sweet touch to her desk either in the form of a brass easel ($49) or wood clipboard. The calendar is updated on a rolling 12-month basis, so you don't have to wait until January to create one.

A 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

Essential for Women Multivitamin, $30 per month, available at Ritual

Ritual is most known for its Essential for Women multivitamin, which fills in the gaps of women's diets and was inspired by founder Katerina Schneider's own experience of shopping for vitamins while she was pregnant. The startup makes taking vitamins a more intentional and enjoyable ritual.

A beautiful cashmere sweater available in tons of colors

Cashmere Crew, $100, available at Everlane

Everlane is a cult-favorite startup, and its $100 cashmere sweaters are one of its most popular products ever. Thanks to the company's transparent pricing, you get a really nice cashmere sweater for the price of a not-so-nice one — and this classic crewneck comes in 18 colors.

A ClassPass gift card so she can access tons of different boutique fitness classes

Gift Card, choose your amount, available at ClassPass

If she's looking for an activity to commit to, ClassPass helps users try boutique fitness classes at studios in her area when it's safe to do, and it has a great selection of virtual classes in the meantime. 

A cooking class with a renown chef

Buy a Cozymeal Gift Card, from $10

Cozymeal lets your aunt sign up for high-end cooking classes (whether virtual or in-person once it's safe) 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.