‘Tis the season of gift-giving but I’m always such an unprepared gift-giver — to the point where I give my gifts extremely late… like, July of the next year late.
I just find it so tough to find the perfect present for the most important people in my life and somehow sync that up with the busiest period of my year. Hey, Christmas, looking directly at you. Add perfectionist tendencies and bucketloads of pressure to give each person a meticulously-crafted and personalised gift and I’m in full spiral mode. There just isn’t anywhere near enough time between work, sleepy hours, socialising and me-time.
But this year, I’m actually on top of things? Weird. I’ve been planning ahead for ages, scouring the corners of the Internet and making note of all of the cute things that’ll make this year’s Christmas gifting a little extra special — yes, I’ve been extremely protective of my Pinterest boards around my family and friends. Heck, I’ve been feeling so inspired that I told my team about it and our lovely Punkee gal Jannah had an epiphany of what I should theme my gifts: dopamine decorating. AKA choosing things that will give me or my pals that little rush of excitement is the perfect mindset for present picking.
So naturally, Punkee did what we do best: we went overboard.
In fact, we did an entire photoshoot with a bunch of gift-worthy items so you could feel as inspired as me. To make matters even cuter, we’ve teamed up with Pinterest on this huge holiday gift guide for the under-prepared girlies (past me) to lend a much-needed helping hand.
We’ve even split the massive dopamine decorating board into five smaller categories for the most convenient search ever – including self-care beauty ideas, happy place home decor, cute phone decoration, hair care and unique nail design. So now, it’s super easy to get cracking with some online shopping and explore options from adorable niche knickknacks at Typo and dopamine-inducing beauty bits to Penguin books galore and trendy memory-catching cameras from Instax. Thank us later!
While I’m feeling especially helpful, if diving into an epic gift guide sounds like quite the task right now, there’s no need to stress. I’ve put together a wrap-up of our personal faves from the guide right here.
Capture each magical moment of the holiday season
With the holiday season just around the corner, I’ve got to get my face muscles ready because there’ll be plenty of family photos. So, a cute polaroid moment sounds in order.
If you’re not on the polaroid train yet, let me convert you — these adorable little piccies make for cute decor and the perfect addition to any IG dump — plus, the cameras themselves also make great props for my own photos. With an Instax camera bundle, I’m getting everyone ready to say cheese at any point!
Pair aesthetics with practicality to level up your desk game
Surely I’m not the only one who simply can’t be motivated into focus mode unless my working space is cute? Trust me when I say you can’t go wrong with a colourful wireless keyboard and mouse set, it’s just practical! And the best part — Typo’s even got wireless headphones AND a multi-tech laptop-stand-and-case in one to match. Talk about a clear aesthetic.
For cute storage options, Made 590’s steel stackable toolboxes are an adorable addition to a desk, and that’s especially important because practicality and aesthetics are my two non-negotiables. Plus, a sweet treat as an incentive to keep me going sounds like a great idea — and I can do that practically with this retro claw machine by my side.
No more mindless strolls to the kitchen, I suppose.
Brightening up every space — literally
As an avid watcher of The Block, I can’t stress enough how a lamp can make or break a space, which is why I’m always in search of cute options with a little bit of personality. Luckily, Gigi & Tom always have a gorgeous selection to pick from, and so I yionked a few from them. A little retro vibe like the cremini touch lamp in red can be a bold choice, while the pink mushroom lamp has a softer ’60s look, so it really depends on your vibe. (Hint: the Punkee crew adored both.)
And that’s not the only thing — playful decor can really liven up a room, and that’s exactly what I’ve been on the hunt for. Whether it’s a stunning pot plant, a Grinch ball light, random disco ball or a kitsch cat-shaped trinket tray, any eye-catching pieces are a big tick in my book.
The perfect addition to any shelf
From a captivating book to a comfy towel, shelves are made to be filled. So, here’s your opportunity to do just that with either great reads or a stacked selection of soft bath sheets.
I’m always on board with embracing manifestation season with a cutesy journal, like Typo’s heart-patterned a5 buffalo journal, to scribble your thoughts, goals and plans into for the rest of the year. Or, if your gift recipient is on their journalling journey like us Punkee gals, trying out some scrapbooking seems like a fun little hobby.
Pair a little journalling or light reading with a cosy bath — and some incredibly soft pastel-coloured bath sheets and towels from Sheet Society — and you’ve got a hobby that’s perfect for unwinding. But I really think you don’t need an excuse for gorgeous towels (hint for anyone planning me presents this year).
If you’re brave, you can even have a play with an elf on the shelf. Just for the festive vibes.
As for that shiny new addition to the bookshelf, I absolutely recommend these six Penguin reads. I would’ve bought all of them all at once if it was just for me:
Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer by Amy Doak
The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus
The Girl with No Reflection by Keshe Chow
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan
Games Untold by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret by Amy Doak
And what’s a book without a bookmark to go with it? I’m big on bookmarks (mostly because I love pretty things and hate dog-earred pages) and discovering Happy Little Threads’ Etsy shop was a life-changing moment for me I fear.
Not only are the bookmarks gorgeously and intricately designed, but they’re printed in a tarot card vibe and speak to my soul — especially the book lover and couch potato options (screaming internally with excitement).
Add a boost of dopamine to your daily self-care routine
Self-care rituals are a must, I say as someone who doesn’t necessarily have her own. But I still stand by the fact that there’s truly no better way to boost your mood than by decorating yourself! It can span from revamping your personal style entirely to a small spurt of experimenting, just by investing in things that literally make you happy.
And if adorning my space, face and body brings me pure joy, it only feels natural to plan gift ideas that’ll do the same for my loved ones, right?
When I’m trying to elevate a makeup look, Embellish by Rowi‘s face gems are genuinely a joy to use. My current fave is the Neptune pearl pack, which gives both cool-girl aesthetic and mermaid vibes. But if I’m just trying to make the most of a brand new zit that’s appeared overnight, I’d resort to simply chucking on an adorable, star-shaped pimple patch from Starface.
How about something practical for the hotter seasons? Maybe something like… a little Skoop Skincare treat. If you’re planning on beating the heat, or know a fellow sweaty girl (me, I’m her) who is searching for new sweatproof skincare, boy do I have an idea for you. Skoop’s sweatproof duo is calling your name — or maybe the name of your sweaty bestie.
Hot weather can also mean frizzy hair or a mane that is actively uncooperative — as a curly girl, I get the struggles. Luckily, I don’t gatekeep, so let me put you on the travel-safe Mini Duo from Straaand haircare. Trust me when I say that a good wash day is crucial (no matter the hair type) and these travel-friendly companions ensure that your hair will love you back, even if the weather doesn’t.
As for hair accessorising, I’m always down for a good hat, a one-of-a-kind hair clip or a cute scrunchie, so that’s what’s on this list.
For a hat that’ll get a tonne of compliments on any head, snap up this stunning sunflower one. This Sunburnt Country AU hat steal gives country in the best way possible and is perfect for ranch-related endeavours that may (or may not) arise.
Reliable accessories like scrunchies and hair clips can also be fun, I promise. Having options like this galaxy-inspired scrunchie from Ruby Scrunchie Co or a beautiful Valentine’s Day-themed rectangle hair clip from Hyacinth the Label means you’ll have everyone asking where you got them.
I LOVE getting my nails done, and I’m so grateful for the invention of press-ons because finding the time to sit in a salon for hours is impossible.
I’ve been loving the summery feel of a jelly fruit-inspired nail set (which is also trending right now) so for intricately created sets I’ve turned to Etsy. For a chunkier design, Ms Vee Bee Shop‘s summer salad press-on set will get plenty of compliments. For a simpler but just as eye-catching set, look no further than the 3D kudamono jelly fruit press-ons.
For the girlies who aren’t into crazy designs, Candy Claws has got sleek sets at the ready. You just can’t go wrong with a pink nude set like strwbrry mlk, and for something a little more playful, the seventh heaven set gives cutesy summer vibes.
Adding a niche sticker to any given surface that’s got just enough space is a newly discovered hobby of mine, and discovering Quirky Cup Co has fuelled that hobby even further. I just can’t get enough of the holographic BookTok stickers! Love a morally grey love interest? How about a smut-filled read to pass the time? Then this little Etsy store has the goods for you.
If, like me, you know someone who’s been really getting into a complete matching aesthetic, from phone cover to emotional support water bottle and beyond, try a phone charm.
I wasn’t a phone charm girlie until I saw one in person, and now I’m BEYOND sold. Whether it’s as simple as this adorable kirby beaded phone charm from Charm Network, or a colourful chunk choice like the that’s hot Y2k-themed phone charm strap from Charms by Libs, I guarantee you’ll become just as obsessed as I am.
If you’re now keen to check out the full gift guide for even more ideas, head on over to our dopamine decorating Pinterest board, where you can shop to your heart’s content for pressies that’ll rival the best gift givers.
Written by Nishika Sharma, who’s now got all of her Christmas gift-giving in order an entire month early — which is totally unheard of. You can follow her at @nishikasharma_ on socials.
Image credit: Punkee
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