The holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Right after Thanksgiving, people get frenzied over finding just the right gifts for their loved ones. In our search, Fashion Reverie wants to make sure we give the perfect gift, especially to our significant other. We aim to give them something that speaks directly to them—something that is thoughtful, meaningful, and special.

That’s why this season Fashion Reverie has bypassed the expensive luxury items. Instead, our team has created a gift guide of the best personal presents to give to your better half this holiday. No combing the malls for this years’ “must have” gifts and no scouring the web for this seasons “it item.” These selections are all about personal style—gifts they will enjoy with their significant others without the need of commercial hype.

Some couples have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. If this is you, then we suggest you start the holiday on a cozy note. Hanro has made some of the most luxurious loungewear for more than a century. Our first gift choice is their men’s Jeremy woven pant and their women’s Mila kimono robe. The paisley print pant is made of 100% jersey cotton and has a single button fly and pockets. The robe (we like the lobster red print) is made from silk and elastane for shape, and closes with the matching sash-tie. Both items are great for snuggling up and as you watch the lights twinkle on the tree.

Another gift you two can enjoy together is Salvatore Ferragamo fragrances. The Italian brand has reimagined their fragrance bottles and created a new design in a limited-edition holiday collection. Amo Ferragamo, made for a passionate and optimistic young woman, has notes of black currant, jasmine, tangy rhubarb, and Tahitian vanilla. Uomo Salvatore Ferragamo smells of bergamot, black pepper, orange blossom, and sandlewood. Paul Andrew, the brands womenswear creative director, explains he “envisaged an unusual and particularly luxurious version of the Salvatore Ferragamo fragrances for the holiday season.” The riche black and gold bottles certainly hit the mark.

Our style is influenced by the world around us. Whether it’s the music we listen to, the movies we watch, or the books we read, we are an amalgamation of influences. Our sense of style today is somehow shaped from what we’ve seen in the past. In the book Vintage Black Glamour: Gentlemen’s Quarters (a follow-up to Vintage Black Glamour), author Nichelle Gainer explores the often-neglected stylish world of Black men in the mid 1900’s. While the world was knowledgeable of Hollywood heavyweights such as Duke Ellington, Sidney Poitier, and Muhammed Ali (who are all included in the book), the stories and style of their lesser-known counterparts have gone largely undiscussed. In this book, Nettles brings those biographies and beautiful photographs to the forefront. Although their stories were ignored by mainstream media in the past, their life’s work and attitude stand as inspiration for us today, and has thankfully been catalogued in this book.

In How to Slay, author and fashion editor Constance White expertly discusses African American style of the twentieth century, particularly the past 35 years. While diving into topics such as fashion, music, style, beauty, and attitude, How to Slay demonstrates the influence of Black trends on mainstream culture. Accompanied by images of the most celebrated Black tastemakers, this is an anthology of today’s Black style icons.

If a bit of bling is what she needs, then Dylanlex is the brand you want. Known for their major statement jewelry, you are sure to find a piece that will grab everyone’s attention. For a more subtle statement, opt for the Luca chandelier earrings—beautiful enough to catch stares, but not too huge as to cause a scene. If your guy wants to make a statement at a party or an event, there is no better way than with a watch. Lord Timepieces has released their 45mm Chrono Gold Black chronograph. Water resistant to 5ATMs (yes, you can go swimming with it), this gold timepiece features a black face with gold inner dials, and is sure to be a showstopper on the beach or in the boardroom.

Let’s face it; we live in the new tech age, led by the selfie. Every day, we see folks jostling their phones around for the right angle. Now, Handl has made it easier to take the perfect selfie. Their phone cases (available for both IPhones and Androids) feature a retractable handle that fits around your fingers and allows you to maneuver your hand without fear of dropping your phone. To increase the chic factor, the cases come in different leathers and colors, and the handles come in array of designs.

While the selfie is made for you to be seen, we’ve found a great gift for the tech guy who wants things to remain hidden. For the Jason Bourne in your life, check out these silver usb cufflinks by Uncommon Goods. Each cufflink contains a hidden 8GB flash drive, perfect for holding an extra copy of a business presentation or family photos for an impromptu slideshow. As a bonus, also get him the “secret message” cufflinks that hold tiny strips of paper—a special message from you, an inspirational quote or notes for his next mission. Together, these cufflink sets may prepare him to be the next Secret Agent Man.

Every woman loves a nice pair of shoes, and if they are good to her, she will be good to them. Enter Nina Shoes; their Danella feathered bootie, to be exact. This sexy satin bootie sports a 4-inch heel, but it’s its feathered detail that really sets it off. Dressed up with a form-fitting dress, or dressed down with jeans and a turtleneck, these heels are bad all by themselves. For the guys, turn to Vince Camuto for their Hop boot. Simple, yet stylish, the Hop boot features a moto-inspired crisscross buckle that makes it the perfect replacement for the Chelsea boot of yesteryear.

All images courtesy of the respective brands

Christmas can be draining, especially if you spend the day running around town visiting family. At the end of the day, you want to just kick your feet up, sip a little eggnog, and unwind. While slipping into relaxation mode with your special someone, slip into these matching Netflix and Chill sweaters. A cheeky way to recuperate from the day, these sweaters will bring a relaxing smile to your face as you unfurl on the couch and stream movies until you drift off to la la land.―Carl Ayers