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16 best gift ideas for women from as little as £6
From e-bikes and ebook readers to retinol and roses, our experts give you their top gift picks for her, whether you're spending under £20 or splurging on something truly special
Not sure what gift to get for your partner, wife, mum, sister, grandma, aunt or best friend?
Whether she's into running or reading, or would cherish the chance to celebrate with friends over afternoon tea, we've got imaginative ideas for women to suit all occasions, ages and tastes.
Our experts have come up with 16 of their favourite gift ideas to help you find a thoughtful present she'll truly appreciate, whatever your budget.
Best gifts for £20 or under
A rose plant
Price: From around £15 (or as little as £6 for a bare root plant)
Why we like this gift: It keeps giving as it grows
Rather than a bunch of roses that will go in the bin after a week, I'd recommend buying a rose plant so she can enjoy the flowers for years to come. You can even get smaller-growing varieties that will thrive in pots so she doesn’t need much outdoor space to enjoy them.
Whatever the occasion, you can say it with flowers, but why not make the moment last with a rose plant?
Have some fun by picking a rose named in recognition of a special occasion, such as 'Celebration Time', 'Mum in a Million' or 'Many Happy Returns', or search for a specific name on the British Association of Rose Breeders' 'rose locator'.
Look for our Best Buys for free-flowering varieties that resist disease, and don't forget there's a rose for pretty much everyone, including small potted varieties to grow on a balcony or even indoors.
Read our guide on how to buy and grow the best roses.
The Chocolate Detective bird eggs
Price: Around £13
Why we like this gift: Post-friendly gift for confectionary lovers
Luxury chocolate in visually stunning packaging is a perennially popular gift, and The Chocolate Detective's bird eggs hit the mark on both fronts (available from The Hambledon and Different Kind).
Lisa Barber, Which? Tech editor (and chocolate fan), says: 'The Chocolate Detective does lovely chocolate bird eggs. They're unusual, beautiful and - so lucky recipients tell me - rather tasty.'
The praline or salted caramel eggs are daintily speckled to look like real eggs - they even come in a protective egg box which makes them a perfect gift for posting.
Pick up a box of chocolate eggs from The Hambledon or Different Kind.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Price: Around £16
Why we like this gift: A keenly-priced product for beauty fans
Gifting is a great way to introduce someone to a stellar product they didn't know they needed, like a must-have beauty product such as an effective retinol formulation.
Martha Roberts, senior content writer, says: 'I'm naturally sceptical about anti-ageing brand claims but The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% emulsion really works for me. Strong retinoids can irritate skin but the type of retinoid in this is scientifically proven to be gentle, even at a 5% concentration. It's a luxe gift without the luxe price tag, plus it lasts for ages.'
It also contains the moisturising and anti-inflammatory ingredient, squalane, and is a lot cheaper than some high-end brands containing similar (or even less effective) active ingredients.
A bottle of champagne or crémant
Price: Under £20
Why we like this gift: A celebration is incomplete without fizz
Crémant is a close relative to champagne. It's made in a similar way, with secondary fermentation in the bottle, but using grapes from outside the Champagne region. If you're looking for the champagne experience for less, a good crémant fits the bill. It's got the 'little luxury' factor that makes it the perfect gift bottle, without blowing the budget.
Gifting a bottle of something sparkling feels like the height of luxury, but buying bubbles doesn't have to break the bank.
In our champagne taste tests, our panel of independent wine experts put both high-end and high street options under scrutiny and uncovered great champagne for under £20.
An even more affordable (but equally delicious) way to gift fizz is with a crémant sparkling wine.
Which? subscribers can find out more about our two standout crémants in our taste tests of Best Buy sparkling wines.
Husk & Seed Discovery Set
Price: £20
Why we like this gift: A great value beauty treat
This starter kit, complete with cotton make-up bag, is a thoughtful but great value present for a jet-setting friend to pop in their hand luggage or weekend bag. Plus, it's small enough to send easily by post.
Daniella Delaney Mendes, Which? senior editor, says: 'The products are delicious, last for ages for the price and I like their ethos. What's more, they offer regular discounts and loyalty points scheme to get money off.'
The Discovery Set (£20, Husk & Seed) contains six products and there's a discount code included if she decides she loves the brand so much she'd like to make a habit of it.
Best gifts for £50 or under
Afternoon tea
Price: from £38
Why we like this gift: An opportunity to make (delicious) memories
If you want to spend quality time with your loved one, take them for afternoon tea. If you want luxury, you can’t go wrong with the popular London hotels such as Claridges and The Savoy. If you're on a budget, head to Fortnum's Bar and Restaurant at The Royal Exchange for a pared-down version of its classic afternoon tea for £38 each.
2016 research from the journal of Consumer Research reveals that gifting an 'experience' helps to bring people closer - and what better experience than a celebratory afternoon tea, complete with cakes, sandwiches and a brew, at a classic London venue?
If you're not in the capital or you'd like to gift an afternoon experience at home, Which? content editor Jenny Harby recommends a delivery of macarons from Laduree Paris to help replicate the experience (£27 for a Napolean III gift box of eight macarons, Laduree).
Find out more about booking an afternoon tea experience in our Best afternoon tea in London guide, where our experts rated each venue on ambiance and service as well as taste and presentation.
A Lego orchid
Price: Around £45
Why we like this gift: A creative challenge with wellness benefits
There’s a huge variety of sets that appeal to kids of all ages and interests plus adults like Lego, too. I have the Orchid and Bonsai Tree as well as Disney and Harry Potter themed sets. I enjoy focusing my energy for a few minutes (or hours!) on building something then enjoying the satisfaction of sitting back and admiring my creation.
In a 2022 study conducted by Lego, 87% of adults said play helped them to feel calm, with many citing hands-on activities as the best way to achieve this.
Give them the Orchid or Bonsai Tree from the Botanical Collection or peruse the Lego sets for adults collection of 100-plus sets. From architecture to video game-themed sets, there's something to build for every interest.
If she's more of a games fanatic, head over to our guide to the best board games to find a present to suit - from popular classics to hot new choices.
A magazine subscription
Price: From £39.50
Why we like this gift: An inspiring present to broaden their knowledge
Relaxing with a magazine is one of life's little pleasures. I find it the perfect way to wind down in the evening or in the garden when the weather is nice. Whether it's a lifestyle, cookery or gardening magazine or something like science, current affairs or tech, there's something out there to suit all interests.
In a digital world, research shows that people of all ages still enjoy flicking through a physical magazine.
An annual gift subscription of one of our Which? magazines is also a brilliant present - as well as Which?, there's Which? Gardening, Which? Tech Support, Which? Money and Which? Travel.
If she'd prefer a digital version, a Readly subscription gives access to 7,000-plus magazines and newspapers.
Best gifts for £100 or under
Foot spa
Price: Around £80
Why we like this gift: A luxury spa-like experience at home
A foot spa can help them replicate the salon or spa experience at home but at a fraction of the cost.
It may even help with some health conditions, with one Turkish 2024 study describing a warm water foot bath as an 'uncomplicated, economical and effective' way to improve pain and insomnia.
Chris Brookes, Which? researcher and writer, says: 'The Rio multi-functional motorised foot spa allows you to set it to your preferred temperature and let the motorised rollers do all the work on the soles of your feet. Or, if you prefer, you can enjoy the 'bubbles only' setting.'
You can read our review on the Rio Multi-functional Motorised Foot Spa Bath and Massager and other foot spas or check out prices below:
Stripe and Stare knickers
Price: Around £50 for pack of four
Why we like this gift: Great colours plus they wash well
These are the softest and most comfortable knickers I've ever worn, plus there's no visible panty line (VPL). They are made from super soft bamboo and come in a range of designs and colours - personally the bright neons always cheer me up in the morning.
Although they're more expensive than high street brands such as M&S, Stripe and Stare hold regular sales and offers to make this great gift an affordable one, too.
They should last a long time if looked after by washing in a laundry bag at the correct temperature - our expert says she's had some pairs for more than three years.
Best gifts for £200 or under
Bread maker
Price: Around £200
Why we like this gift: Gives the gift of making delicious homemade bread with homemade ingredients
I love toast for breakfast, so waking up to the smell of freshly-baked bread and knowing I'll have a tasty breakfast really helps kickstart my day. For an added bonus, I know exactly what's gone into it, which means it's about as far removed from an ultra-processed claggy loaf as you can get.
Gifting a quality bread maker is the perfect way to spread the joy of homemade baked goods without the effort.
Whether they're a cooking convert or beginning their baking adventures, the Panasonic SD-B2510WXC bread maker makes all kinds of creations - including cake, dough, jam and even sourdough starter.
You can read our review on the Panasonic SD-YR2550SXC bread maker or check out prices below:
Ebook reader
Price: Just under £200
Why we like it: Perfect for avid book lovers of all ages
Gift an ebook reader and you're gifting access to millions of ebooks that usually cost a lot less than buying paperbacks, from novels and non-fiction to mysteries and manga.
Amy Axworthy, Which? senior researcher, says: 'My recommendation is the Kobo Clara 2E because you can adjust the brightness on the paper-like screen to keep reading comfortably in bright and dark conditions alike. Choosing a Kobo over a Kindle gives you access to free library ebooks, too.'
It is also small, light and - crucially - waterproof, which could turn out to be a huge bonus if the woman you're gifting likes reading in the bath or by the pool on a beach holiday.
You can read our review on the Kobo Clara 2E or check out prices below:
Best gifts for £300 or under
Hair straighteners
Price: £239
Why we like it: Easy to use for all hair types
Whether she's got hair that's short or long, straight, wavy, curly or coily, decent hair straighteners can help her achieve a professional look every day.
Jus Rai, Which? scientific advisor, says: 'The GHD Platinum+ is a super versatile straightener that allows me to easily achieve a variety of looks. As well as being able to smooth even thick sections of hair, its rounded edge means I can also create perfect, bouncy curls.'
The lightweight design means styling without hand strain, however long she's using it for - a bonus if it takes time to tame her mane or you know she suffers from hand pain.
You can read our review on the GHD Platinum+ or check out prices below:
Camera
Price: Around £250
Why we like it: Helps to capture special moments without using a phone
There are some obvious advantages a digital camera has over a phone, including better image quality, optical zoom features and faster shutter speeds, but there are the less tangible benefits, too. A camera forces you to think more deliberately about your surroundings; slowing down, observing finer details and engaging with the environment on a deeper level.
Whoever you're giving the gift of a camera to, it's worth trying to establish what they're likely to be using their camera for and therefore what features would fit the bill.
Our expert says the GoPro Hero11 is a rugged action camera that's ideal for gifting to someone with a spirit of adventure, while a mirrorless camera like the Canon EOS R100 is the perfect choice for a beginner or hobbyist who is looking to upgrade from their smartphone but without too much hassle.
You can read our review on the GoPro Hero 11 or check out prices below:
Headphones
Price: £250
Why we like this gift: Ideal for anyone from music lovers to fans of silence
Music or gaming nut, fitness fanatic or lover of audiobooks, podcasts or even silence, whatever the interests of your gift recipient, a decent pair of headphones can enhance the experience.
Callum Pears, Which? Product Testing researcher and writer, says: 'If you're gifting a set of earbuds with a punchy sound for the gym, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are just the ticket, with stability bands to keep them extra secure during intense activity and exceptional noise cancelling for a distraction-free workout.'
For an over-ear option, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e headphones have a superb microphone for making calls and are versatile headphones useful for numerous roles, whether at work, on a walk around town or just at home.
You can read our review on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or check out prices below:
Once-in-a-lifetime gifts
Ebike
Price: £3,230
Why we like this gift: A light and portable option to suit various heights
What better gift for someone who has mentioned wanting to cycle more or try a different way to commute than an ebike.
Sam Morris, Which? senior researcher and writer, says: 'The Brompton Electric C Line Explore is lighter than most folding e-bikes we've tested, plus it locks in position when folded, making it easy to carry. It's small enough to fit into compact car boots.'
Twin handle bar heights mean the bike can be adjusted, perfect if the woman you're gifting is on the shorter side.
You can read our review on the Brompton Electric C-Line Explore or buy it from Brompton directly.
Best electric bikes - our roundup of electric commuter bikes for under £1,000, off-road mountain bikes and everything in between
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