I'm a Lifestyle Shopping Writer, and These Are 14 Holiday Picks From Nordstrom I'm Eyeing This Year

nordstrom.com

Although June still feels like it was just a minute ago, the holidays are undeniably fast approaching with Thanksgiving just four weeks away. While it still seems early and most of us typically put off holiday shopping until at least November or early December, many business analysts have warned of holiday delays and supply chain issues this year and urged shoppers to start your holiday gift-buying as early as possible.

As a lifestyle shopping writer, I always look forward to the holidays when brands bring their A-game with tons of festive gift sets, holiday sales, and special launches, and my go-to destination for holiday shopping has always been Nordstrom. As someone who shops Nordstrom for a living, I've been keeping my eye on its huge selection of holiday gifts ever since it went live last week—and frankly, the selection is stellar this year.

With more than 9,000 items in its holiday hub, Nordstrom fans have no shortage of inspiration for what to get their loved ones, and I already have a list of the 14 best picks under $60 that are so good, I even want them for myself. Including stocking stuffers and functional gifts like a stylish thermal mug that is equal parts pretty and practical, these picks are bound to earn the approval of even the toughest person to shop for. Check out the 14 under-$60 gifts to buy this holiday season from Nordstrom below, and remember to order them as soon as you can to beat the rush.

Street Level Reversible Faux Leather Tote & Wristlet

A reversible faux leather tote that's only $49? No wonder this two-in-one Street Level bag has more than 1,700 reviews on Nordstrom (a truly impressive benchmark). It even comes with a small wristlet insert for holding essentials like keycards, hand sanitizers, and lip balms—the perfect work bag, if I ever saw one.

BP Mock Neck Long Sleeve Cotton Blend Rib Sweater Dress

If you're expecting holiday party invites this season, a sweater dress is probably your best bet to look chic while mingling without losing any warmth. BP's rib knit design is so flattering that all you need to complete the outfit is some bold earrings, a pair of cozy boots, and a great lipstick.

Slip Pure Silk Skinny Hair Tie Nightlife Holiday Bauble

Since I have long hair, I can never have enough hair ties to keep my hair out of my face. Silk ties are my favorite for not snagging on my strands or pulling on my scalp, and Slip's holiday bauble comes with four pairs of gorgeous scrunchies—all in an aptly festive holiday bauble case that's perfect for stuffing stockings.

Nécessaire The Body Oil

My love for Nécessaire is well-documented at this point, and the clean body-care brand really hit a home run with its moisturizing, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy body oil that I'll be slathering on from head to toe this winter. The bottle looks so good on my bathroom shelf, too, with its minimalist black glass packaging.

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

These Zella pants are the most highly rated leggings on Nordstrom for a reason: They're unbelievably soft and flattering, and they wick away moisture so well that even reviewers wear them to high-intensity workouts. They sell so well that it's rare to find them fully in stock—grab yours fast.

Otherland Tapestry Scented Candle

Never judge a candle by its cover, but in this case, I think the packaging on Otherland's beautifully designed votive only makes it one of the best gifts you can buy for the friend or family member with artistic taste. Not that it's not worth it for the scent: Otherland's Tapestry Candle smells of burnt maple, smokey oud, and rich velvetier—perfect for a night cozying up on the couch and watching your favorite holiday movie.

Kate Spade Heart of Gold Bracelet

I'm not one for flashy jewelry and prefer understated, timeless pieces. Kate Spade's Heart of Gold bracelet is simple yet elegant, and it includes a discreet "heart of gold" engraving on the inside of the piece. It'll be another great stocking stuffer for less than $40.

Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks

Nothing screams the festive season more than gold and glitter, and Wander Beauty's beloved eye masks fit the brief precisely. They're soaked in soothing aloe leaf extract, peptides, and amino acids for a concentrated moisture boost to tired under-eye areas, and a Nordstrom reviewer said it "diminished the dark circles that are a constant fixture" on their skin.

Ilia Small Wonders Makeup Set

Ilia is one of my favorite clean beauty brands that actually live up to the hype. Its Limitless Lash Mascara and Hydrating Lip Mask are my holy grail beauty products for keeping lips hydrated in dry weather and for making my lashes look so full, people actually ask me whether I'm wearing false lashes. This gift set gives you both as trial-size products, plus the new volumizing mascara and a tinted lip oil, all for just $29.

54 Thrones Egyptian Lavender + Moroccan Mint Beauty Butter

This Black-owned skincare brand by Christina Funke Tegbe has long been on my radar, and its Egyptian lavender and Moroccan mint beauty butter would make the perfect gift for anyone suffering from dry skin in cold weather. Its mix of avocado, sweet almond, and jojoba oils is safe to use from head to toe, and its gorgeous gold packaging would match any festive stocking.

Fellow Carter Everywhere Thermal Mug

Who doesn't love a cup of hot cocoa in the morning or a mug of hot coffee to bring to work in the winter, especially when the mug looks as good as its contents taste? Fellow's Carter Thermal Mug keeps drinks hot for as long as 12 hours and cold for as long as a full day, and it would immediately elevate a special someone's workstation. Its leakproof lid means you can bring it safely in your work bag, and the ceramic inner coating avoids tainting your coffee or tea with a metallic taste.

Nest Grapefruit Reed Diffuser

The last time I went to a high-end restaurant, I was less interested in why its food tasted so good and more in why its spotless bathroom smelled so good. It turned out to be thanks to Nest's Grapefruit Reed Diffuser that smells fresh and floral, and I immediately went home to buy my own. I've gotten endless compliments from friends about how well my apartment smells ever since, and it's the top gift I'd buy for anyone who loves a good home fragrance.

France Luxe Small Couture Jaw Clip

Hair clips might be controversial depending on who you ask, but I've always been squarely behind this '90s hairstyling essential. France Luxe's clip is strong enough to hold all my voluminous hair, and I love its marbled design. Shoppers say the clip is "so light and comfortable yet strong, you'll forget it's there." But don't worry, whomever you buy this clip for won't forget it.

Acorn Spa Wrap Slipper

Fuzzy slippers are the first thing I put on after slipping out of bed on cold winter mornings, and I'd love a pair that provides some support to my flat feet. Acorn's Spa Wrap Slippers come with arch support from a contoured footbed, and its EVA foam cushioning makes it breathable. It even has an anti-slip bottom, making it perfect for hard floors.