6 Unexpected People You Should Add to Your Holiday Shopping List

The holiday season is in full swing at Brit + Co HQ. We’re playing holiday classics and ideating lots of fun ways to spread some good ol’ holiday cheer. This year especially, we’re making it a priority to embrace the joy of giving. What better way to do that than by showing appreciation to a few of our unsung heroes — people who touch our everyday life in ways that oftentimes go unnoticed.

With the help of JCPenney, we’re adding six unexpected people to our holiday shopping list this year. From the go-getter trainer who constantly pushes us to the fitness limit, to the jolly postal worker who delivers our mail every morning, it’s time to spread a little joy to the folks who totally deserve the recognition! This season, let’s add an extra seat to the dinner table and wrap a few more gifts. Now that’s #JoyWorthGiving.

The #GirlBoss Mentor

You know who this is. She’s an old grade-school teacher whose lessons constantly serve as mantras in our day-to-day life, or maybe a workplace motivator who knows the value of working hard to play hard. We’ve lined up a few gifts that are perfect for the one who constantly inspires us.

  1. Mixit Get Organized Planner: With all the amazing endeavors she’s constantly undertaking, she’ll need ways to stay organized. Give the gift of organization with this adorable planner, packed with sticky notes and tons of mini compartments.
  2. #Shimmer Mixit Travel Mug and Notepad Set: Because she’s running between meetings and her desk and sometimes she needs a nice reminder to #shimmer and stay hydrated.
  3. Women’s San Francisco 49ers Puffer Vest: Help her stay warm while repping her favorite team with something from JCPenney’s Sports Fan Shop.
  4. Womens Watch and Bracelet Set: From jet setting to meetings and more, she’s continuously looking for easy ways to look put together. Give her the gift of some sparkles and time with this watch and bracelet set.
  5. Towle® Set of 2 Hammered Copper-Plated Moscow Mule Mugs: Let’s face it — there are days when she’ll need to enjoy a cup of bubbly or a tasty Moscow mule. What better way to wind down than with this pretty copper mug set?

The Magic-Working Stylist

Be it your go-to hairdresser or transformational tailor, they all deserve some extra love this holiday season. To thank them for all the magic-working moments, we’ve picked out a few gifts to help them stay stylishly warm and glammed up for the holiday season.

  1. Nicole by Nicole Miller Cold Shoulder Cowl Neck Sweater: Because she’s always in need of trendy, versatile pieces to help her go from a cute work look to a flirty night out. This cold-shoulder sweater is a perfect winter staple to keep the compliments coming.
  2. Mixit Cold Weather Scarf: Keep her looking chic and warm with this fur-lined circle scarf. It’s bound to be a go-to for her cold-weather wardrobe.
  3. Big Sexy Hair Holiday Gift Set: She’s constantly thinking about how to make her clients stand out. Why not help *her* stand out with this extra volumizing and texturizing trio? It’s sure to give her holiday party hair stellar volume.
  4. The Wet Brush Pro Select Blowout Brush: Complement the hair holiday set above with this carbon fiber barrel brush. Designed to fight the wear and tear of high heat and common salon chemicals on hair, this brush is sure to be a great addition to any hair care set.
  5. Bite Beauty Best Bite Redux: From vampy to classic, this bold lip crayon set has a rich assortment of shades to keep her winter lip game strong.

The Unofficial Nieces and Nephews

Chances are you know a few kids who aren’t exactly your nieces and nephews, but you see them often enough that they might as well be. For all your friends’ children or your cousin’s baby cousins, we’ve drummed up some fun holiday gifts for all the kiddos in your life.

  1. 4-Piece Batman Pajama Set: For the little one who believes he’ll be the next Batman, help him make his dreams come true with this four-piece pajama set.
  2. Okie Dokie® Yawn 2-Piece Sleep Pants Set: She’s the elite preschooler who is curious about all things around her and somehow finds it hard to sleep before 10pm. Give her the gift of cute comfort with this adorable pajama set.
  3. Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Portable Turntable: For the teenager who loves music, share the beauty and art of record players with this charming suitcase-style turntable.
  4. Tzumi Dream Vision Virtual Reality Headset: He’s into video games and loves fantasy novels. This VR headset is sure to be his delightful escape, transporting him to another world of action-packed adventure.
  5. Disney Collection Anna and Elsa Dolls: These ice skating Anna and Elsa dolls are sure to bring hours of Frozen fun to any playtime. Get ready to sing and dance the night away with your favorite little ones.

The Go-Getter Trainer

Be it a personal trainer or your go-to yoga instructor, we’ve all got that favorite fitness teacher who helps us destress during an overwhelming week. Time to show them appreciation with a few winter essentials!

  1. Mixit™ Zig Zag Stitch Ombre Fringe Scarf: Be it an outdoor workout or a Sunday brunch, this ombre fringe scarf is a perfect addition to any wardrobe. It’s fashionable *and* functional.
  2. Flirtitude Cozy Fleece Sweatshirt: No trainer’s wardrobe would be complete without a sassy sweatshirt. Make her smile with this “I Slay” top.
  3. Mixit® Essentials Touch Tech Gloves: These touch tech gloves are perfect for those outdoor runs and workouts. Help her keep her hands warm even when she’s navigating her route or changing the playlist.
  4. HMDX Jam Replay Wireless Speaker: With its compact size, this durable speaker helps keep the energy levels high no matter where the party or work out is.
  5. Mixit Pineapple Water Bottle: She’s bound to need a little reminder to stay hydrated. Carrying this cute pineapple water bottle will make sure she does so.

The Go-To Babysitter

She’s there for all the times you’ve needed a day with your special someone. Watching over your little rascals is surely not an easy task, so think fun tech and winter apparel for this one.

  1. Tzumi™ Bluetooth Wireless Headphones With Built-In Microphone: After listening to the little ones ramble all night, it’s nice to have some solace with a headphones session. These wireless headphones are sure to be a delight for the evening podcast sessions or walks between school and her babysitting gigs.
  2. Womens Rose Goldtone Watch Boxed Set: Between acing her classes and finishing her babysitting duties, she is always on the go. Help her stay stylishly on time with this watch boxed set.
  3. V. Fraas Ombre Check Oversized Scarf: Babysitting in the winter could mean brutally cold commutes to and from work. Make sure she stays bundled up this holiday season. Give her a cute scarf to don for all her commutes between school, work and home.
  4. Tiara Reindeer Crew Neck Sweater: Because one can never have enough tacky Christmas sweaters for the holiday season. Add a fun twist to her wardrobe with this cute reindeer sweater.
  5. Tzumi Pocket Juice 4000 mAh Portable Power Bank Charger: That’s right — help her keep her phone charged. You never know when you’ll need to contact her as an emergency babysitter ;)

The Jolly Postal Worker

Be it your mailman or your newspaper delivery dude, you can always count on him to safely deliver your stuff. With all the holiday deliveries coming up, he’s sure to be a little more overwhelmed than usual. Take the time to say thanks and reduce some of his stress with these choice picks.

  1. Xersion Packable Puffer Jacket: Delivering mail can be especially tough in the bitter cold. This puffer jacket is perfect for these chillier months, as it’s water-resistant, wind-resistant and retains heat. Bonus points for being easy to fold up, making it the prime coat for storing or travelling.
  2. Xersion® Puff Cap: One could never go wrong with a nice puff cap for the winter months. These cool colored stripes are stylish and versatile for almost any wardrobe.
  3. Stafford® Herringbone Reversible Scarf: Albeit another winter accessory to adorn, this scarf proves its worth as reversible and water resistant… utility FTW!
  4. Men’s San Francisco Giants Adjustable Hat: Are you always talking to him about sports? Help him celebrate his team loyalty with a solid sports cap.
  5. Xersion® Textured-Mesh Multi-Grip Gloves: He’ll definitely appreciate these lightweight and textured-mesh gloves. Featuring Touch Technology, these gloves are designed to work with any touchscreen device, as well as provide added warmth for the winter deliveries.

And that’s a wrap! Imagine the smiles on their faces when they receive your gifts. You’re sure to be the crowd favorite this year. Now encourage someone else to do the same! If each and every person in the world added just one more giftee or thoughtful gesture to their list of to-dos, the world would feel so much fuller.

Who are you adding to your holiday shopping list? Share your gifting photos with us on Instagram by using the hashtags #britsagram and #JoyWorthGiving!

Styling: Karen Pham

Photography: Kurt Andre

Trader Joe’s has been popping off lately, thanks to the holiday season. The grocer always brings out the big guns once Christmas starts creeping up – my favorite items being the Dark Chocolate Stars, Candy Cane Joe-Joe's, Jingle Jangle, and Candy Cane Green Tea, just to name a few.

If you’re also an avid TJ’s shopper, you know the vibe. This year, share all the Trader Joe’s love with your loved ones by getting some of your gift shopping done at the beloved store. These 15 Trader Joe’s gifts are all under $13, and span across food and non-food gift ideas so you can perfect your holiday haul.

Scroll on to see the best Trader Joe’s gifts to give this year!

Trader Joe's Food Gifts

Trader Joe's

Rum Balls

These fudgy bites are infused with rum, making them one of the best gifts for your pal who loves all things boozy.

Trader Joe's

Cocoa Berry Black Tea Blend

Give the tea lover in your life a box of this fruity-yet-warm tea blend alongside a mug (new or thrifted!) for an adorable gift. You'll definitely want to snag a box for yourself, too.

Trader Joe's

Hot Chocolate Stirring Spoon

This $1 hot chocolate spoon makes such a great, yummy stocking stuffer. I'll absolutely be grabbing a minimum of 15 to give to friends and family.

Trader Joe's

Boozy Bottles

This 9-pack of "sweet and sophisticated" chocolate bottles will instantly get the Christmas party started, thanks to the cognac liqueur inside of 'em.

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Dipped French Butter Cookies

You truly can't go wrong with chocolate when it comes to Trader Joe's gifts. Case in point: these "exquisite" dark choc-dipped butter cookies!

Trader Joe's

Crunchy Chili Onion

This chili and onion jar can be used as a dressing, dip, or cooking agent. The crunch is the best part! Just pop a cute lil' bow on this bad boy to totally nail your foodie's stocking stuffer.

Trader Joe's

La Burgondie Cremant De Bourgogne Rose Brut

This $12 raspberry-flavored wine is full of "delicate and refreshingly crisp" sips. It makes the perfect gift to give a host or simply just the wino in your life.

Trader Joe's

Cinnamon Spiced Coffee

Coffee snobs will go crazy for the cinnamon-y goodness of these beans. Try pairing it with TJ's Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins to seal the deal!

Non-Food Trader Joe's Gifts

Trader Joe's

Candy Cane Body Scrub

This coarse, yet nourishing body scrub will give your giftee a taste of the holidays with a refreshing candy cane scent that blooms in every shower.

Trader Joe's

Orange & Spice Scented Candle & Room Spritz

Anyone who loves a good scent will adore this spicy orange duo!

Trader Joe's

Body Wash & Serum Duo

If they still haven't tried any Trader Joe's beauty goodies, this gift set is the perfect pick!

Trader Joe's

Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum

Instantly upgrade their winter skincare routine with this hyaluronic serum that expertly locks in the skin's natural moisture. It's only $9!

Trader Joe's

Brazil Nut Body Trio

This gift set hosts possibly one of TJ's most viral body care scents, Brazil Nut. Many shoppers say it's a nice dupe for the Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream. Using the body butter, body oil, and body mist in conjunction will have your giftee smelling heavenly!

Trader Joe's

Lip Butter Balm Duo

This fan-fave Summer Fridays dupe can hang right on the Christmas tree for a nice December 25 surprise!

Trader Joe's

Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Trio

The same goes for this adorable hand cream trio, which includes scents like olive oil, cherry blossom, and lavender.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more of our favorite Trader Joe's finds!

If there's one thing I love to see, it's celebrities going makeup-free. And I'll celebrate it every single time! In addition to Drew Barrymore taking her makeup off on live TV (and throwing her extensions on the ground) and Millie Bobby Brown showing off her acne in selfies, Lady Gaga loves to go makeup-free. Remember when she performed at the Oscars with no makeup and ripped jeans?! Well the actress and singer just posted another adorable selfie without a stitch of makeup.

Here's what Lady Gaga had to say about "Die With A Smile" alongside her no-makeup selfie.

Lady Gaga is "so grateful" the song is #1.

To celebrate "Die With A Smile" (her song with Bruno Mars) hitting number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Lady Gaga posted a photo of her laying in the grass with a huge grin on her face — and without any makeup.

"Thank you to all of the monsters and hooligans for helping make 'Die With A Smile' #1 on the Billboard Hot 100! We love you and are so grateful," she says in the post. "Having multiple songs of mine hit #1 across three decades feels surreal, and I am overwhelmed by the love and support you have shown me from the beginning. I have so much more in store for you and can’t wait to share it."

Friends and fans flooded the comments with everyone from Noah Cyrus saying, "you’re so gorgeous," to a fan account adding, "Thank you for your art! So proud of you and Bruno. You deserve this!"

And she loved recording it with Bruno Mars!

The song was released on August 16, and in a statement to Page Six, Lady Gaga praised Bruno Mars as a collaborator. “Bruno and I have a lot of mutual respect for each other and were talking about collaborating,” she says. “I was finishing up my own album in Malibu, and one night after a long day he asked me to come to his studio to hear something he was working on...It was around midnight when I got there, and I was blown away when I heard what he had started making.”

After revealing they "stayed up all night” to finish both writing and recording it, Lady Gaga continues, “Bruno’s talent is beyond explanation. His musicianship and vision is next level. There’s no one like him." There's no one like you either Gaga!

Has "Die With A Smile" been on repeat for you? Let us know your favorite Lady Gaga song on Instagram!

Who says thoughtful gifts have to come with a hefty price tag? With a little creativity (and even more searching online), you can find some pretty neat gifts under $15 that are sure to impress. These budget-friendly finds pack a big personality into a small price.

Check out the 16 best gifts under $15:

These are our top favorite gifts under $15!

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Bistro Tile Monogram Mug

Nothing beats a personalized gift. Even if it's just their initial on a stylish mug like this one, they're gonna love it. Morning coffees will never be the same!

Anthropologie

Daily Practice Athletic Icon Socks

These socks will allow your giftee to truly start their day off with a smile. They're perfect for workouts, walks, or even just lazy days spent at home.

Flewd

Flewd Ache-Erasing Bath Soak

This bath soak is specially designed to work out and relieve tight knots in muscles and achy joints – the perfect gift under $15 for your pals who are always nagging about their back pain.

Amazon

Compendium ThoughtFulls Pop-Open Cards

This deck of thoughtful pop-open cards delivers 30 different inspiring messages that are sure to brighten anyone's day.

Amazon

Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Bar Variety Pack

This sustainably-made chocolate that comes in cheery rainbow packaging is an instant boost (sugar rush included) for anyone's holiday season. You could even divide up this 6-pack among different family members and friends for a tasty stocking stuffer.

Anthropologie

Capri Blue Mini Volcano Hand Cream

This stuff smells like heaven. Now, with this travel-size tube, they can take Capri Blue's iconic Volcano scent anywhere.

Urban Outfitters

Craighill Wilson Brass Keyring

For the always put-together and design forward, this brass keyring pushes the boundaries of what you thought you knew about carabiners.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more iconic gift ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Many people look for the new year to bring new opportunities and, in some cases, a fresh start altogether. But for me? As a longtime entertainment reporter, there is one thing I can’t help but get excited about when another year rolls around: the upcoming movie releases and, of course, the most anticipated television shows. While I'm looking forward to see what happens to Eleven and the rest of the Hawkins crew in Stranger Things 5 on Netflix, there are a bunch of new TV shows that have been at the top of my watch list from the moment they were first announced, including Suits: LA and It: Welcome to Derry.

Here are the 2025 television shows that should be on your radar (if they aren’t already!).

Severance Season 2 — On Apple TV+ January, 17 2025

Apple TV+

After Mark Scout, Helly, and Irving learn the truth about the “severance” experiment and manage to break free from its clutches in the Severance season 1 finale, the three coworkers (along with the rest of the Lumon Industries employees) are forced to return to work in the second installment of the series. Now that Mark and some of his peers know what the company was really doing to the Lumon staff, one could only wonder: What are Lumon Industries's hidden objectives? (And what’s with all the GOATS?!)

Severance season 2 premieres on Apple TV+ on January 17, 2024 and stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Dichen Lachman, Dichen Lachman and Patricia Arquette.

The White Lotus Season 3 — On HBO and Max February 16, 2025

Mario Perez/HBO

Pack your bags, White Lotus fans, because our favorite hotel residents are catching a first-class flight to…Thailand! While there are a bunch of new guests checking into a luxury hotel, there’s one returning guest who needs no introduction. Natasha Rothwell, who made her debut at Belinda Lindsey in The White Lotus season 1, is the only returning cast making a brief cameo in season 3. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, here we come!

The White Lotus season 3 is coming in February and will star Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal.

The Last of Us Season 2 — On HBO and Max in April 2025

Liane Hentscher/HBO

I can’t be the only one still thinking about that bombshell season one finale of HBO’s The Last of Us! And apparently, I’m not the only one who’s eager to see the continuation of Joel and Ellie’s story in season 2. Fans of the video game adaptation have been keeping their eyes peeled for a new update about season 2. And one teaser later, we might have just gotten the news we’ve been looking for. Following the 2024 Emmy Awards, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content Casey Bloys toldDeadline that The Last of Us season 2 will premiere around “generally first half of the year [2025], I expect them to be in the Emmy window.”

The Last of Us season 2 will star Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Rutina Wesley, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Spencer Lord, Danny Ramirez, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Wright, Tati Gabrielle and Ariela Barer.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 — On Prime Video in 2025

Erika Doss/Prime Video

It's almost time to return to Cousins Beach, and I have missed all the hydrangeas, fair rides, and ocean sunrises. We haven't heard for sure whether season 3 will be the end of the road for this series, but if it follows even a few chapters in the third book in The Summer I Turned Pretty series, We'll Always Have Summer, then we will absolutely be getting some drama.

The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 premieres in 2025 and stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, Rain Spencer, Jackie Chung, and Rachel Blanchard.

It: Welcome to Derry — On Max in 2025

Warner Bros. Entertainment

Bill, Richie, Beverly and the rest of the Losers Club members might have been able to defeat Pennywise in It: Chapter Two, but that doesn’t mean we've seen the last of Derry, Maine. Serving as a prequel series to the It movie franchise directed by Andres Muschietti, Welcome to Derry will delve into Pennywise’s origin story and how the child-preying clown arrived in Derry. But that’s not even the best part: Bill Skarsgård, who starred in It and It: Chapter Two, will reprise his role as the killer clown in the upcoming HBO series, which will be released in 2025. So until then, no accepting red balloons from creepy clowns, okay?

It: Welcome to Derry will star Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, Alixandra Fuchs, Kimberly Guerrero, Joshua Odjick and Morningstar Angeline.

Stranger Things Season 5 — On Netflix in 2025

Netflix

I’ve been a fan of Stranger Things since it premiered on Netflix back in 2016, and come next year, longtime fans like myself will finally get to see how the story ends. Last time we saw Eleven, Mike, Will and the rest of the Hellfire Club crew, they were facing an impending apocalypse after Vecna’s devious plan came to full fruition. So, will the group of friends defeat Vecna and save their home? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see because Stranger Things 5 likely won’t premiere until late 2025. Now, all we need is that release date, Netflix…

Stranger Things 5 is coming to Netflix soon and stars Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Sadie Sink, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Amybeth McNulty, and Priah Ferguson.

Suits: L.A. — On NBC in 2025

David Astorga/NBC

Court is back in session! Only this time, our favorite lawyers from the OG Pearson Hardman firm are not on the case. Thanks to Netflix, the original Suits (which starred the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle) experienced a renaissance of sorts upon its arrival to the streaming service in June 2023. And as a result, NBCUniversal ordered a spinoff series earlier this year. But instead of the bustling streets of New York City, a new group of lawyers are setting up shop in the Golden State in Suits L.A.

The new spinoff will center around an entertainment and criminal lawler named Ted Black, who launches his own law firm in California after moving from the East Coast. Originally, Suits L.A was slated to be a part of NBCUniversal’s 2024-2025 lineup. However, according to Deadline, there was a slight change in the production location, making a Fall 2025 release more likely. So, who’s up for a Suits marathon?

Suits L.A. is speculated to premiere sometime in 2025 and is set to star Ted Black, Josh McDermitt, Rachelle Goulding, Victoria Justice, Troy Wingush, Bryan Greenberg, Lex Scott Davis, John Amos, Kevin Weistman and Alice Lee.

Wednesday Season 2 — On Netflix in 2025

Netflix

Looks like Jenna Ortega won’t be giving us another macabre number anytime soon because Wednesday season 2 won’t arrive on Netflix until 2025. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Ortega teases the upcoming installment will be much “darker” this time around. “I think the feel that we’re going for is a little bit more horror-inspired,” the Beetlejuice Beetlejuicestar adds. “Not to say that suddenly we’re the goriest show of all time. I mean, there’s six-year-olds watching.”

“This season is going to be bigger and more twisted than you can ever imagine," Catherine Zeta-Jones says in the new Wednesday season 2 first look.

“If we showed you any more, your eyes would bleed,” Ortega says. “And I'm not that generous.”

What TV show are you most excited to see in 2025? Personally, I can’t wait for Sweet Magnolias season 4 to drop! (Margarita, anyone?) Make sure to follow us on TikTok and Facebook for more TV exclusives and latest news updates!

This post has been updated.

Kate Middleton has been top of mind for a lot of people over the last year after the princess announced in March 2024 she was battling cancer. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown," she shared in a video update. "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved." And in honor of Kate's 43rd birthday, Prince William posted the sweetest tribute honoring her strength and perseverance.

Here's what Prince William had to say in Kate Middleton's birthday tribute.

Prince William celebrates "incredible" Kate Middleton's "strength."

Kate Middleton turned 43 on January 9, 2025. In honor of the big day, Prince William took to Instagram to celebrate, praising his "incredible" wife.

"To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable," he says in the post. "George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W."

And well wishers flooded the comments. "Happy Birthday Catherine, wishing you a wonderful year ahead surrounded by family and loved ones," one user says, while another adds, "Happy Birthday Princess of Wales! What a gorgeous photo. Wishing you a wonderful year 😍 xx"

And the tribute comes after revealing Kate was doing "amazing" following her cancer battle.

The birthday celebration comes after the prince shared an update on Kate in early November that had us all breathing a sigh of relief. “She's doing really well thanks. And hopefully, she is watching tonight. So cheering me on," he said before the Earthshot Prize awards (via People). “She's been amazing this whole this whole year. I know she will be really keen to see tonight be a success."

"From what I understand, Catherine is doing very well," royal author Robert Jobson added in an interview withHello!that same week. "She is back training at the gym and doing all the things she wanted to do."

We're sending Kate Middleton so much birthday love! For more about your favorite members of the Royal Family, check out Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cooking Show Will Feature Some Of Your Fave Celebs.