Elegant Christmas Holiday Gift Guide 2025 (Elegant, Timeless Gifting Ideas)

Personal Stylist | Tonya J.
Nov 13
6 min read

Updated: 23 hours ago

The RWS Holiday Edit:

Style, Self-Care & Hosting Ideas for the Modern Renaissance Woman

Updated daily until December 5th

There’s a particular kind of magic that arrives with the holiday season. The days get shorter, the candles feel warmer, and suddenly we’re craving outfits, spaces, and rituals that feel a little more intentional.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur booked solid with clients, or a devoted 9–5 professional juggling year-end deadlines, this Renaissance Woman of Style Holiday Gift Guide is designed to take the stress out of the season and replace it with calm, curated elegance.

Over the next several days (until mid-December), this post will grow into a living, evergreen guide filled with:

Chic outfit formulas
Thoughtful gift ideas
Cozy lifestyle essentials
Hosting pieces & simple festive recipes
Little luxuries just for you

Think of it as your on-going holiday companion — bookmark it, come back to it with a coffee, and let’s make this Christmas feel beautifully, effortlessly prepared.

DAY ONE:

View the original post + follow to receive timely updates before they're posted!

@RenaissanceWomanofStyle

Day One — RWS Holiday Gift Guide

(Cozy, Chic & Effortlessly Festive)

We begin with the foundation: what you wear when the temperature drops and your calendar fills. Day One is inspired by rich chocolate browns, deep denim, creamy winter whites, and a holiday red lip — an outfit formula that works for everyday errands, casual meetings, and festive coffee dates.

The Outfit Formula

Chocolate faux-leather jacket
Ivory winter scarf
Dark denim
Chunky Chelsea boots
Ivory fluffy bag
Festive red lip + matching nails

It’s comfortable, warm and polished, but still feels relaxed and modern.

Get the Festive Look: Faux Leather Jackets

Aritzia – Faux Leather Jacket – approx. $228
Nordstrom – Faux Leather Moto – approx. $118
Zara – Faux Leather Jacket – approx. $109.99
Pull&Bear – Faux Leather Jacket – approx. $79.99

Get the Festive Look: Ivory Winter Scarves

Old Navy – Ivory Scarf – $19
Maison Simons – Winter Scarf – $39
Banana Republic – Soft Ivory Scarf – $130

Get the Festive Look: Chelsea Boots

Joe Fresh – Chelsea Boot – $59.97
The Shoe Company – Chelsea Boot – $79.97
Sorel – Winter Chelsea Boot – $170
Simons – Premium Chelsea Boot – $495

Get the Festive Look: Ivory Fluffy Bags

Amazon – Fluffy Shoulder Bag – $19.29
H&M – Faux Fur Bag – $36
Ardene – Soft Ivory Bag – $27.90

Get the Festive Look: Fit & Style Jeans

Get the Festive Look: Festive Reds (Nails & Lips)

Day One is all about ease: one formula you can repeat all season with minimal thinking and maximum style.

DAY TWO:

View the original post + follow to receive timely updates before they're posted!

@RenaissanceWomanofStyle

Day Two — Scent, Softness & Luxurious Little Rituals

Once your wardrobe is sorted, we move into the details that make your home and evenings feel warm and restorative. Day Two is dedicated to scent, sleep and self-care — the quieter side of the holiday season.

Get the Festive Vibe: Scented Candles

Amazon – Balsam Cedar Candle – $16.99
Amazon – Magnolia & Sandalwood Candle – $19.99
Amazon – Apple Cinnamon Candle – $26.99
Thymes / Amazon – Frasier Fir Candle – $49.99

A single candle lit in the evening while you answer emails, wrap gifts or simply sit with a book can completely change the mood of your space.

You might also enjoy my Sand & Fog Thanksgiving Review (HERE)

Get the Festive Vibe: Luxe Eye & Sleep Masks

Slip – Silk Sleep Mask – $26.25
Silk & Snow – Silk Mask – $26.25
LilySilk – Eye Mask – $29
Dore & Rose – Weighted Silk Mask – $73

Perfect for post-holiday parties, Sunday resets, or travel days when you still want to protect your sleep (and your skin).

Get the Festive Vibe: Cashmere Gloves

Simple, timeless and endlessly wearable — these make lovely gifts for friends, colleagues or yourself.

Get the Festive Vibe: DIY Spa & Body Care

Leaves of Leisure – Snow Angel & Autumn Breeze Teas – from $39
ILIA – Tinted Lip Balm – $38
Sable Labs – Cleanser – $28
Bumble & Bumble – Travel Thickening Set – $48

These are perfect for stocking stuffers, self-care boxes, or as part of a “holiday wind-down” gift for a friend who’s been working non-stop.

Get the Festive Vibe: Luxe Small Leather Goods

INSÉRIF – Personalized Laptop Sleeve – approx. $106 INSERIF+1
COACH – Leather Journal – $90
Michael Kors – Small Wallet – $59
Simons – Chocolate Croc Shoulder Bag – $49.95

These pieces feel especially thoughtful for the women in your life who are always on their laptops, in meetings, or commuting between client appointments.

DAY THREE:

View the original post + follow to receive timely updates before they're posted!

@RenaissanceWomanofStyle

Day Three — Elegant Holiday Hosting, Simple Recipes & The Curated Coffee Corner

Now that you’re dressed and your space feels soft and scented, Day Three moves into hosting and kitchen rituals — the part of the season where we gather, nibble, sip, and share.

A Signature Holiday Cocktail

Pomegranate & Rosemary Prosecco with Nutmeg

Ingredients:

2 oz pomegranate juice
1 sprig fresh rosemary
4 oz prosecco
Fresh grated nutmeg
Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Serve this in a vintage glass with candlelight in the background and you instantly have a scene worthy of a holiday film.

Get the Festive Vibe: Holiday Serving Ideas

Pottery Barn – Heirloom Stoneware Dinnerware Collection – $48–$72
Crate & Barrel – Tondo Acacia Round Serving Board – from $62.95
Williams Sonoma – ’Twas the Night Before Christmas Handled Platter – $115.98
Boarderie – Happy Holidays Classic Cheese & Charcuterie Board – $139 Boarderie+1

Even if you’re hosting something very relaxed, beautiful serveware makes the entire occasion feel more intentional and elevated.

A Fool-Proof Appetizer: Baked Brie with Honeycomb & Thyme

Ingredients:

Wheel of brie
Honeycomb or good-quality honey
Fresh thyme
Puff pastry (optional)
Crushed pistachios

Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes and serve with artisan crackers or sliced baguette. It’s golden, bubbling, and incredibly easy.

Get the Festive Vibe: The Curated Coffee Corner

Amazon – French Press Coffee & Tea Set – $39.99
Anthropologie – Espresso Cup & Saucer – $18
Simons – Festive Tea Towels – $12
Zavida – Spiced Eggnog Coffee – $12

A tiny dedicated coffee/tea corner instantly makes mornings and late-night editing sessions feel more like a ritual and less like a rush.

A Handmade Sweet Finish: Dark Chocolate & Orange Truffles with Decadent Cherry Drizzle

Ingredients:

8 oz dark chocolate
½ cup heavy cream
Orange zest
Cocoa powder for dusting
Cherry drizzle or compote

Roll them, dust them, and tuck them into vintage tins or small glass jars with ribbon. They make beautiful gifts for neighbours, clients, or as a treat tray at your next gathering.

The RWS Holiday Rhythm

So far, our Holiday Edit has unfolded like this:

Day One dressed you: warm neutrals, rich textures, festive beauty.
Day Two softened your world: candles, sleep, self-care rituals and quiet luxuries.
Day Three brought everyone to the table: chic hosting pieces, simple recipes, a sparkling cocktail, and a curated coffee corner.

Together, it creates a calm, elevated through-line for your holiday season — whether you’re working, creating, building a business, or simply craving more intention in December.

This post will continue to grow until Mid-December, with more:

Outfit ideas
Giftable beauty and fragrance
Cozy loungewear and sleepwear
Home and lifestyle essentials
Elegant, seasonal recipes

The RWS Holiday Message of the Day

Day Four is your gentle reminder that softness is powerful. Elegance doesn’t only live in structured coats and festive dresses — it is present in the quiet rituals, the warm layers, the simple luxuries we choose for ourselves.

Over the next few days, the RWS Holiday Winter Edit will continue to build — more gifting ideas, home inspirations, festive beauty, and curated lifestyle indulgences that align with who you are becoming.

This season is yours. Let it feel magical and beautiful.