QFIN 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
This holiday season, QFIN’s top picks for gift-giving are centred around the idea of functionality. The best gifts are those that can be worked into seasonal or everyday use, items that will transcend trend cycles and become well-worn favourites. The holiday season often creates excuses for excess consumerism and money spent on fast-fashion pieces that will barely make it into the new year. Gift-giving is a beautiful love language, but it’s important to be thoughtful with your choices, and not feed into unhealthy cycles of wasted money on overconsumption. The following gift ideas are cute and creative, but still functional, ensuring that their receivers will love them (and you) for the long run.
Happy Holidays!
Love, QFIN
For the Hot Girl Walker
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For the Hot Girl Walker 〰️
New Balance 530s- $129.99
To some, this may be controversial, but I am a lover of the dad sneaker. Especially for those of us who spend our days trekking around college campuses, exploring our favourite cities, or even for the leisurely hot girl walk to get in our daily exercise, the dad sneaker is the perfect gift. I’ve gone through many sneakers over the years, from Air Forces to Blazers to Reeboks and more. But these shoes rarely last when overworked from every day, long hours of use, from school to the workplace and everywhere in between. The New Balance 530s are more comfortable than your typical sneaker, perfect for walking all day or staying on your feet during a long shift. They’ve been one of my favourite purchases of the last year and have become well-worn loved pieces of my shoe collection. If you’re not a fan of the New Balance look, or just looking for something different, another great brand to consider is ASICS.
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For the Cold and Cozy
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For the Cold and Cozy 〰️
Earmuffs- range of prices
The cold Canadian winters guarantee a need to cover up those ears, but I’ve always been a hater of hat hair. Last winter I bought a pair of earmuffs, which quickly became a core part of my winter wardrobe. They keep your ears warm while doing minimal damage to your hair, and are perfect for your walk to class or other fun activities like ice skating or a trip to your city’s holiday market. You can cater the colour and design to the recipient of your gift, and find them from a variety of brands at a range of prices. A range of designs and prices are linked below.
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For the Fresh-Faced Friend
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For the Fresh-Faced Friend 〰️
Supergoop! Sunscreen- $30-$65
We all have that one friend who loves skincare and knows all the best products and ingredients. The perfect gift for this person is a facial sunscreen. Sunscreen is one of the most important skincare products, for any skin type, making it the perfect addition to any receiver’s daily lineup. The viral Supergoop! Glowscreen is perfect for lovers of the glowy skin look. The brand carries an Unseen Sunscreen version as well for those going for a more natural look. The brand’s ingredients are clean and sustainable, without the use of harsh chemicals and come in 100% recyclable packaging. Coming in three different sizes and prices, the Supergoop! Sunscreen would make the perfect present or stocking stuffer.
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For the Gym Bro
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For the Gym Bro 〰️
Workout Set- range of prices
For lovers of the gym, one can never own too many workout sets. This gift is perfect because there is a variety of colours, designs, and brands to choose from, ensuring that there are options for every price range. Whether you choose to opt for a sports bra, matching set, or new leggings, you can be sure that the gym-lover in your life will get good use out of it. Athletic wear can be expensive and they’ll surely appreciate the addition to their collection. Aerie makes great workout clothes in a plethora of colours and styles for a reasonable price (Tip- you can usually find great sales on their website). On the pricier side, Alo Yoga, Lululemon, and Gym Shark make great products as well.
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For the Coquette Girl
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For the Coquette Girl 〰️
Dior blush and Lip oil- $50
It’s time to celebrate romantic hyperfemininity with heaps of satin, lace, and bows. Any item consisting of soft, shiny, smooth textures would be perfect for “coquette” friends. But rather than buying something coquette, why not go all the way and be coquette? It’s time to adorn your face with pink blush and add a pink glossy lip oil to your “lippies” collection. The Dior Backstage Rosy Glow is a perfect addition to any complexion, adding a subtle pink glow! Consider pairing it with the Dior Lip Glow Oil (in Raspberry) for a hydrating, plumping - and of course coquette- effect!
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For the Homebody
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For the Homebody 〰️
Lounge set- $29 (per piece)
Winter calls for staying in, protecting your peace, and embracing your introverted self. Or if not, there’s always one of those days when we just want to stay in bed. So why not look cute while doing it? This lounge set is a stylish way of looking cute while feeling comfortable. It might even be cute enough to wear out, and is the perfect versatile gift!
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To Keep Your Toes Warm
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To Keep Your Toes Warm 〰️
Socks - Range of Prices
Socks are honestly an underrated gift. I am constantly running out of socks and would definitely appreciate this surprise stocking stuffer. Get creative with it! If your receiver loves a night in, consider a cozy pair of reading socks for Indigo. For your more stylish friend, gift them a pair of cute and colourful lace stockings, the perfect winter night-out accessory!
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For the Jewelry Love
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For the Jewelry Love 〰️
Jewelry - Range of Prices
Jewelry is the perfect versatile gift. Whether the receiver is into earrings, necklaces, or decking out their hands with rings, there’s something for everyone. Stores such as Mejuri, Ana Luisa, and Leah Alexandra offer luxury everyday jewelry at reasonable prices. If you’re looking to spend a little more, Vivienne Westwood makes beautiful unique pieces.
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Signature Scents
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Signature Scents 〰️
Perfumes - $30 and above
Perfume or cologne is another versatile and elegant gift which works with versatile price ranges. A great reasonably priced option is the vastly popular Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush body fragrance, which now comes in a perfume version as well as the original body spray. More expensive options can be found in Sephora’s fragrant section, with a variety of scents from floral to fruity to vanilla or musky.
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For Wine Wednesdays
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For Wine Wednesdays 〰️
A classy set of wine glasses is the perfect gift that can be shared and enjoyed for years to come. It’s the perfect opportunity to start making wine night and dinner plans for the new year with the additional final touch of a new set of beautiful glasses. Pair this gift with your receiver’s favourite bottle or a cocktail kit. A fun DIY addition to the gift could be a cute homemade book of cocktail recipes!
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For the Caffeine Addict
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For the Caffeine Addict 〰️
For the coffee lover, a drink in hand is the finishing accessory to any outfit. Help out your caffeine-addicted friend with a cute reusable mug or tumbler that will keep hot drinks hot and iced drinks icey. This will also help reduce waste from thrown-out cups and can be catered by colour or design to suit any aesthetic.
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