It’s the most wonderful time of the year…to “give” your sister lovely gifts that you’ll eventually take for yourself. You guys already share everything with each other. Presents are no exception. Whether you give the gift or get it, you’ll need something that shows your unbreakable sibling bond…or that love-hate relationship. Finding gifts for sisters seems impossible; instead think about what you want so you can borrow it later.
Check out these 21 gifts for sisters that will show you really care.
1. Alex and Ani Bracelet
If you know that you want to get your sister something #basic like jewelry, go for a jewelry company with lots of options. Get a bracelet that showcases her interests, social causes or personality. Or get her multiple bracelets to fit her (and your) complex and indecisive personality. Some themes include Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, snowflake or pineapples. You even have the option to choose between gold, silver or rose gold.
Price: $54.992. A Funny Sister Mug
What person lives without a cute mug in their life? “My desk is lined with different mugs, so my sister sometimes likes to add to my collection,” said University of Maryland, College Park junior Lubna Barakat. If you have a sister in college or in the professional world, she probably lives on coffee anyway. Find one sister-related to make it extra meaningful but also funny for the perfect morning-pick me up.
Price: $11.443. String Lights
Sharing a room with your sister at home doesn’t have to seem that bad. Transform your childhood bedroom into a cozy festival of lights with string lights. You only need to give them to your sister as a “gift” and she won’t even notice that it serves a double purpose. Kill two birds with one stone, am I right?
4. Sister Survival Gift
“I always get along with my sister”—said no sibling ever. A clear guidebook on how to deal with annoying siblings doesn’t exist in this world, but don’t ever stop believing. If you feel too lazy to invest in purchasing something expensive (or your meager bank account won’t let you), buy candy that represents sweet or funny moments in your lives. It means that you can keep some of the leftovers, and it also doubles as sugary snacks (or meals when finals season arrives) for college students.
Price: Varies
5. A Snarky Card
Maybe you only have five bucks to buy your sister a legit gift. Grab a card and write a long, heartfelt note to her. It makes your gift super personal and it barely makes a dent in your wallet. And your sister will only treasure it, especially if it showcases your relationship. “My sister gave me a sarcastic card once,” said Barakat. “I was surprised at how salty she was. And I thought I was the sassy one in the family.” You have to prove yourself as a funny one in the family somehow.
6. A Comedic Movie Celebrating Sisterhood
Nothing says quality bonding time like crying in laughter over a comedy. You both will definitely need one when sitting on the couch at 10 p.m. on a Wednesday during winter break. Fill the quiet noise with never-ending laughter. “My sister and I watch funny movies all the time,” said University of Maryland sophomore Yasmeen Brooks. “Sometimes we watch movies together the whole day.” Any comedy movie would do (I recommend White Chicks, 21 Jump Street or any Madea movie), but go the extra mile with a movie that focuses on sisterhood. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler act like sisters anyway.
Price: Varies7. A Heartfelt Movie Celebrating Sisterhood
Sometimes you just need a movie that’ll leave you warm and fuzzy and want to call your sister ASAP. Or a movie that makes you both a puddle of tears. You could go with a movie like the Notebook that you’ve both seen a billion times, but choose something adorable, depressing and heartfelt. “I love My Sister’s Keeper,” said George Washington University junior Alissar Abbouchi. “I watch it with family all the time and we always cry because it’s so sad and cute.”
Price: Varies
8. Fun Pairs of Socks
When you were younger getting socks as a gift might have seemed lame. But hear us out—when feels like 20 degrees outside, don’t you want your sister to reach for the comfiest pair of socks she owns? “My favorite gift from my sister was macaroni sock. It was thoughtful because she knows how much I love macaroni,” said Gaby Peláez, a recent graduate from Florida International University. Bonus: Buying socks doesn’t put a dent in your budget, so you can spend that extra money on yourself.
Price: $7.999. A Candle
Every time your sister lights up a comforting scented candle, she’ll think of you. And then her love for you will burn away like the candle, until she remembers that you annoy her a lot. At least her room will smell like warm vanilla or fresh cotton for a bit.
10. A Book Celebrating Sisterhood
If you don’t have the luxury to have meaningful 1 a.m. convos with your sister, maybe snuggling in bed and reading a book on sisterhood will do the trick. Okay, it doesn’t beat real life conversations with your sister, but if you live far away from your sister you don’t have another option. You or your sister can also fill up free time to distract yourselves from real responsibilities.
Price: $11.9911. A Book Celebrating Girl Power and Sisterhood
You don’t need to be related to feel like sisters. Bookstores sell plenty of books revolving non-blood related sisterhood and #girlpower. Take this book on Supreme Court Justices and #bossladies Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for example. They’ve stuck together and ruled the Supreme Court in a male-dominated profession and rock their respective roles. Your sister, especially if she wants to work in the legal system or watches too much Law and Order, will appreciate this kind of book.
Price: Varies12. Lush Wrapped Gift Set
You could go to your neighborhood Lush to find your sister the perfect gift, unless you live 30 miles from one. Otherwise you can find a treasured gift set online, wrapped and ready to give. “I’m obsessed with Lush, so my sister just gives me stuff from there,” said American University junior Jozette Allah-Mensah. Go beyond the typical bath bombs and also get shower gels, soaps and lotions that smell flowery or fruity. And when you return home for break, you can use one while you shower. Don’t worry; your sister doesn’t have to know.
13. A Picture Frame
Display your favorite memories with your sister instead of keeping pictures stored on each other’s phones. “Before I went to college, my sister gave me one of those box picture frames with glitter inside it and a photo of us,” said Abbouchi. It only costs around 15 cents to print each 4×6 photo at Target, and then you can buy cute picture frames anywhere. Mix it up with Insta-worthy and super embarrassing photos to make her smile, laugh and cringe all at once.
Price: $17.9914. Sister Box Gift
Indecisive gift givers, rejoice! You don’t need to spend 30 minutes in the store searching for the perfect gift. Just buy a bunch of things to put in a box or a packaged box with a bunch of things. Your sister will think she’s special for getting more than one small gift. And besides, that only means more stuff for you to steal later.
15. Family Recipe Book
You can’t eat ramen forever. It doesn’t matter who goes to college, works in the professional world or attends high school, recipes that don’t come from Tasty videos are always a plus. One super cool gift idea: Fill up a book full of family recipes (with the help of your parents or grandmother). “My little sister likes to bake a lot, so she’d really like something like this,” said George Washington University junior Fatima Pasha. When everyone’s grown up and moved on with life, it’d feel nice to have a collection of recipes to keep family traditions alive. Think of it as a long-term investment on your future.
Price: $13.5916. Journal Full of Memories
A sentimental gift that can basically cost almost nothing. Unless, of course, you go ham on the scrapbooking and decorations. However, your sister will definitely appreciate the handmade gesture. “My sister gave me a scrapbook when I left for college, it’s really cute,” said Allah-Mensah. A gift “from the heart” means a lot more than buying something from the store. And your sister doesn’t need to know how much money you save.
Price: $10.5017. A Fancy Necklace
Pick a necklace as unique as your sister. “My sister and I wear a lot of chokers, so we just buy each other a bunch,” said Brooks. Whether you just want a pretty one or one that celebrates sisterhood, find one that’ll make her ask if you went to Jared. And if you like the necklace too, you can always ask to “borrow” it and then return it to her four months later.
Price: $10.9518. Sister-Themed Wall Decor
Once again, celebrate both of your bedroom walls back home with some wall décor. It also works if your sister is moving into her first dorm room or apartment. She’ll need to decorate the place somehow, and maybe your gift fits perfectly. Sometimes, siblings know best, even if they have different tastes.
Price: $22.9919. A Jewelry Box
Have a sister who always spends 30 minutes of her day untangling necklaces or searching for her earrings? Get her a jewelry box or stand that keeps everything together. Your sis will appreciate the opportunity to get her life in order, especially if she goes to college. You gotta treasure those small victories while you can.
Price: $28.2220. Starbucks Gift Card
Perfect for the sister whose life revolves around coffee. “I drink a lot of Starbucks so I would definitely want this,” said Pasha. “It would save me money at school too.” Your middle school sister will even squeal at the chance to order a vanilla bean or cotton candy frap. Invest in a set of gift cards so you can give the same welcome gift at multiple points throughout the years or every Christmas. It may cost more now, but think of how much time you’ll save in the future.
Price: $10021. A Patterned Snuggie
Fact: Snuggies will never die. Just like your relationship with your sister, but at least you can always rely on your Snuggie. Annoy your sister with a Snuggie that matches your obnoxious (in her opinion) personality. Get yourself one as well to twin with your sister to annoy your parents. You’ll need it on family movie nights during your breaks home.
Price: $19.98Check out 21 more gifts for your sister that you’ll want to keep for yourself.
Written by Samantha Spotswood
22. A Cute Planner to Plan your Self-Care Day
In order to help your sister set aside a self-care day, consider purchasing a planner. “I would want my sister to get me a planner from!” UCLA junior Priscilla Bravo said. You can purchase a cute, inspirational planner that will match your sister’s personality. Not only can your sister use this planner to block off a weekend to relax, but she can also continue to use it to keep track of all of her academic or work responsibilities. She’ll love it so much, you may just want to buy an extra one for yourself.
Price: $19.9023. A Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets have recently become all the rage for their unmatched ability to calm and comfort its users. You can easily purchase an affordable version on Amazon for under $50. Your sister will surely appreciate the coziness this blanket brings, and may even let you join in on the relaxation as you watch your favorite film together.
Price: $121.0024. A Scrapbook of Your Best Moments
What says self-care more than reminding yourself of all the good times you’ve had with your favorite sibling? For the holidays consider making a scrapbook for your sister, and maybe even leave a few pages blank for your future outings. “It would be something cute that they could take with them wherever and if you want to, go all out in the last page. It could include tickets to a movie, concert or destination that you have been wanting to go see, watch or visit together!” UCLA junior Valerie Espinosa said. Include your favorite embarrassing baby pictures of her as well as any cringe-y family portraits you’ve taken. No matter how you personalize it, this gift will definitely give your sister a feeling of joy that no one else could.
Price: $19.5925. Hydroflask to Keep Her Hydrated
Everyone knows that taking care of yourself starts with hydration. Help your sister start this healthy habit by giving her a quality water bottle that she’ll want to carry everywhere. You can purchase a brightly colored Hydroflaskor a Simply Modern bottle with a unique pattern. Whichever you choose, make sure it will fit your sis’s unique personal aesthetic.
Price: $41.66 – $79.9926. Succulents to Liven Up Her Room
Help your sister spruce up her personal space by getting her a small succulent plant. Not only will these plants brighten any room, but taking care of this plant will help remind your sister to take care of herself. Head to your local plant nursery or order some for an affordable price on Amazon. Either way, your sister will appreciate this small yet lively addition to her room.
Price: $15.9527. Face Mask(s) For Face Mask Friday
Who doesn’t love a good spa day? Indulge in your love for skincare by gifting your sister a face mask. Whether you go with the Korean paper mask option, which helps brighten skin with unique serums, or with an exfoliating mask that will leave your skin soft and supple, your sister will surely appreciate this gift. Perhaps you’ll get to take some for yourself by starting a weekly Face Mask Friday between sisters.
Price: $14.4428. A Subscription to Headspace
With how hectic life can seem, sometimes we all need to close our eyes and focus on our breathing. Help your sister with a new meditation practice by purchasing a subscription to a meditation app like Headspace. Not only will this help her feel more zen, but she may even act calmer the next time she finds out you stole her favorite turtleneck.
Price: Free29. Airpods to Help Tune Out the Noise Life Creates
To accompany you sister’s journey with Headspace, or perhaps to help her indulge in her new favorite song, consider purchasing a fresh pair of Airpods. “I think Airpods would be a really versatile gift. I used mine all the time, like while walking to and from class or when studying. I think any student will appreciate them,” UCLA freshman Daniella Lyustin said. Your sister can binge her favorite podcast on the way to class, or listen to her favorite “Self Care” playlist on her day of relaxation. Plus, if you ever lose your own headphones, you’ll have a backup pair you can snag.
Price: $159.003o. Stress Relief Lotion to Help With the Stresses of College
With the stress that accompanies piling assignments, applications and papers in college, your sister will likely need a quick fix to help her get through her roughest weeks. Help support your sis in this endeavor by giving her a bottle of stress relief lotion from Bath and Body Works. “I have a bottle my sister gave me last year, and I use it all the time. It’s probably my favorite thing,” Sacramento State freshman Jessica Simon said. You can even get her a travel size bottle for her to use in class once her professor says he doesn’t plan to curve the final exam.
Price: $12.9031. Becoming by Michelle Obama for her to Become More Amazing
On a relaxing day in, your sister will want to read something inspiring. For this, consider ordering Becoming, Michelle Obama’s new memoir. This book will definitely help drive your sister to make the most of her talents like you want her to. Even better, you can convince your sister to let you borrow this book so you can read it for yourself once she finishes it.
Price: $20.7032. Loose Leaf Tea to Help Her Let Loose
Everyone knows that tea serves as the perfect antidote for the pressures of everyday life. Give your sister her favorite flavor of tea, loose leaf of course, to help her cope with her worries. Whether you opt for a smoother white tea, a fruity herbal tea or a more robust black tea, ensure you also get yourself a mug of this elixir.
Price: $29.9933. A Morphe Palette So She Can Become the Next Makeup Guru
Help your sister transform into the makeup guru she’s always admired by giving her that eyeshadow palette she has eyed for forever. “I’d want the Morphe 15B Brunch Babe eyeshadow palette. I think the different colors and pigments will be fun to experiment with, especially for people into makeup,” UCLA junior Sam Wolf said. Purchase a palette that will most compliment your sister’s eyes and skin tone. Perhaps you can test it on yourself first, just to make certain she’ll enjoy it, of course.
Price: $38.9834.Diffuser to Diffuse the Tension
Another way to help your sister relax includes an essential oil diffuser. Not only will this device expel aromatic water vapor to help produce a sense of calm, but it also simply looks soothing as its light slowly transitions from one calming color to the next. “Diffusers are better than candles because they last a lot longer. It’s really worth your money, and I think any sister would enjoy getting this gift,” UCLA junior Alice Ho said. Your sister will definitely appreciate this decoration. You may even want to take it to spice up your dorm room.
Price: $32.9935. Exfoliating Body Wash to Spice up Your Shower
Give the gift that keeps on giving: some exfoliating body wash to help your sister get smooth skin this winter. She’ll feel extra cozy in her fuzzy pajamas with extra silky skin. Opt for a sweet smelling body wash perfect for the holidays like warm vanilla. This gift will also serve you well since you’ll get to use it discreetly.
Price: $29.4036. A Cookbook for a Hearty Holiday Meal
You can’t complete a self-care day without fixing a classic comfort meal. Give your sister a cookbook full of hearty meals to help her create the perfect dish. “I recommend the Spoon University Cookbook because it features health ingredients in an unpretentious way,” UC Berkeley junior Lilian Kim said. This gift also allows you to join in on the fun as you and your sis can practice your cooking skills together.
Price: $13.3837. Going Out or Staying In Kit
Flaunt your DIY skills by creating a Going Out or Staying In kit for your sister. “You can fill the gift basket with things like nail polish, face masks, cute cups, a candle, travel size perfume, a cute tank top and a silly fanny pack, etc.” UCLA junior Pippi De Ridder said. Whether your sis wants to indulge in a wild night out or wind down with a soothing night in, she’ll feel prepared for whatever comes her way.
Price: $39.9938. A Nice Robe
Everyone knows that only a robe can suffice as proper self-care day attire. “I love my robe since it keeps me warm and it can double as a blanket! It’s really the perfect gift,” UCLA sophomore Jacqueline Wang said. Whether you purchase a silky Victoria’s Secret robe or a fuzzy robe that will cover your sister in warmth, she will certainly appreciate this essential garment.
Price: $18.99 – $28.9939. Bob Ross Coloring Book
Bob Ross videos served as the original ASMR. Take advantage of the natural calming qualities of Bob Ross by gifting a Bob Ross coloring book. Not only will your sister feel the benefits of the peace Bob Ross exudes, but she will also feel a pleasant streak of nostalgia for her youth as she colors inside or outside the lines.
Price: $12.4340. Gold Hoop Earrings to Bring out Her Inner Star
Help your sister feel absolutely fabulous with the perfect accessory for any outfit. “I would want to steal a pair of classic gold hoop earrings, especially since I think they make any outfit more complete. They’re definitely in style right now,” UC Berkeley junior Kate Montana said. Not only will these hoops make her feel bomb on her day in, but they will help her look fresh on a night out. The best part? You don’t have to worry about wearing a different size than your sister when you “borrow” these bad boys.
Price: $7.9941. Personalized Zen Garden to Maintain the Zen Mood
Take self-care and relaxation to the next level with a personalized Zen garden. Your sister can use this tiny kit of sand, stones and small tools to take her mind off of whatever worries her. It also acts as a great addition to any room decor. You’ll want to use this garden yourself once you see how much she enjoys it.
Price: $23.0342. Cash for Good Measure
If all else fails, go for some cold hard cash. “I would give my sister cash so I can take it back. It’s a fungible good,” UCLA graduate Justin Wang said. Anyone will appreciate a few crisp dollar bills, as it can help pay any large bills or go towards something your sister really wants. Who knows? Maybe your sister will use some of this cash to buy you the perfect present.
Price: $105.95*Updated on December 15, 2018 by Samantha Spotswood to include gifts 22-42.
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