Nordstrom gift guide: SPLURGE or SAVE!

Grab your hot cocoa and turn on that NSYNC holiday album because it's coming on Christmas (QUICK!) and I'm sharing some of my very most favorite gifts from Nordstrom for him AND her – in splurge AND save mode!! Most of these are things I have received as gifts or given as gifts that I absolutely LOVE.

There are splurge options and save options for every.single.item because Christmas is the season of giving and you totally deserve it! Holiday gifting doesn't have to break the bank, but there are some splurges that I think are absolutely worth your pennies! If you're looking for even more holiday gift inspiration, make sure to check out Nordstrom's own curated gift guides as well.

Splurge or Save Gift for Her

Multifunction Hair Tool

SPLURGE: THIS. I cannot get over the Dyson Airwrap. It is so good and such a great combo tool for drying, curling, waving, or smoothing your hair! I have NOT heard enough people talk about how this tool gives you a PERFECT Farrah Fawcett curl! I prefer to allow my hair to mostly air dry prior to blow-drying or styling. The Dyson Airwrap allows me to do exactly that, but BETTER because it dries AND styles all in one shot! It's super quick, super easy, and uses the minimum amount of heat to protect your hair.

SAVE: The Dyson Airwrap is spendy and this Drybar Double Shot is a really nice version of something similar for several hundred dollars less! All Drybar tools are perfectly, thoughtfully designed and really well made. It's a newer product but has earned perfect rave reviews so far!

Closet Staple Sandal

SPLURGE: I just LOVE these Tory Burch Miller Flip Flops. They are the PERFECT gift for any woman-especially if there's a beach vacation or warm-weather getaway in her near future! These top-rated sandals have been one of my closet staples for YEARS and a gift guide favorite! These are my favorite flip flops of all time EVER!! I take them on every single trip because they're so SO comfortable but just a little bit fancier than your average flip flop. When I say comfortable, I mean comfortable-I wore these all over Europe a few years ago and had zero issues!

SAVE: I am equally in love with the Havaianas Slim Flip Flops and they're JUST $26! I’ve had my pair of black Havaianas for FOUR YEARS and they still look and act brand new! They’re crazy comfy from the very first wear. Absolutely no break-in necessary with these babies! I'm not the only one in love because they have over 430 nearly perfect reviews! The sand washes off like butter and they're 100% waterproof. An absolute must for any beach vacation in my opinion!

Totally Versatile Tote

SPLURGE: I cannot recommend the MZ Wallace Medium Metro enough. The limit, literally, does not exist when it comes to my love for this tote! It is such a perfect gift. It's nice enough to go anywhere you want but also casual enough for the gym or the beach! It is the ultimate EVERYTHING bag. It squishes into the smallest corner of your suitcase and pops out looking perfect, it wipes clean and has removable zipper pockets on the inside. It's just amazing.

SAVE: It's baaaaaack and better than ever! This Reversible Faux Leather tote now comes in a black and leopard combo and I LOVE it!! It has over 1.5K amazing, amazing reviews. Everybody I know that has it loves it. Everybody that I have ever gifted it to loves it. It's a guaranteed gifting win and it's just $50!

Cozy Slippers

SPLURGE: My mom gifted me these UGG Bow Slippers for my birthday and they feel like a dream!! Just like your most favorite UGGs but meant for inside wear! If you're gifting to a girly girl like me, they are going to LOVE the plush bow detail.

SAVE: If gifting UGG slippers isn't in your holiday budget, these BP Bedroom Slippers are a super cute alternative. They come in tons of colors and look super cozy.

Animal Print Clutch

SPLURGE: I have had this Clare V. clutch for YEARS and absolutely used it to death! It's been on a million trips and come to so many work events, date nights and lunches. I have used it a TON and it has held up perfectly! It is worth every single penny and such an amazing gift!

SAVE: This Sole Society Clutch is an *almost* identical look and UNDER $40!

Stud Heels

SPLURGE: I loooooove this shoe. So freaking much. I got these Rockstud T-Strap Pumps a few years ago as an early Christmas gift to see Mariah Carey in Vegas! The girl in the store said it was like wearing Nike's in a heel and she was 100% right! They are significantly more comfortable than some of my other designer heels. I would absolutely buy them all over again-a very, very worthy splurge!

SAVE: These Steve Madden pumps might not be a perfect dupe, but they are still so cute and kind of spicy! They're just over $100 and would be so much fun for a NYE party!

Classic Trench

SPLURGE: One of my all-time FAVE splurge purchases is this Burberry Trench! I got it on our 5 year anniversary trip in Europe and I have used it TONS! It is so timeless and classic and I absolutely love it. It is expensive, but I'll have it forever and will probably end up handing it down to my daughters.

SAVE: This London Fog Trench is $250 so it's not crazy cheap, but if you don't want to spend Burberry money and still want a very highly-rated, high-quality trench THIS is it. Coats are the type of thing you want to buy once and use for a decade (at least)!!

Splurge or Save Gift for Him

Black Silk Tie

SPLURGE: If you're looking for a splurge tie for a special dude in your life, this silk Gucci tie totally fits the bill! It's very very classy and won't EVER go out of style! Great gift for the guy that has everything.

SAVE: Neil has been gifted many of these highly-rated, high-quality, and affordable ($25) Nordstrom Tie Bar ties over the years. He loves them and totally wears them on repeat.

Leather Wallet

SPLURGE: Super timeless and classic looking wallet. It's stylish and smart and gets great ratings.

SAVE: This Fossil leather wallet looks nearly identical to the splurge, but for less than 1/4th of the price at $44! It has 27 almost PERFECT reviews and tons of useful pockets and compartments.

Sleek Black Watch

SPLURGE: Movado's reputation for creating really, really high-quality timepieces makes this watch a worthy splurge! It's absolutely gorgeous and a great gift for somebody really special.

SAVE: Neil owns this Nixon watch and it has been featured on several Men's Gift Guides over the years. It's simple and classic and priced just right. Get it now on sale for 25% off- just $75!

Classic Sunglasses

Splurge

SPLURGE: Neil has these Gucci sunglasses and has actually (to my surprise) taken care of them and not lost them! It must mean he loves them, right? The reviews are amazing and they're just so cool. And isn't that what dudes are about? HA! Neil is super duper picky about his sunglasses and these are his very favorite pair.

SAVE: This pair of sunnies looks so insanely similar to the Gucci sunnies, but they're $50! SCORE! I own several pair of Quay sunglasses and love this brand! If you like the look of the Gucci's but not the price tag, these are a great, affordable but still super HIGH-QUALITY alternative.

Running Shoes

SPLURGE: The Adidas UltraBoost was the HOT athletic shoe of 2019 and the reviews are bananas! Over 800 perfect or near perfect reviews! Neil doesn't have these yet, but another male member of our Mint Arrow family is OBSESSED with this shoe! I absolutely love my UltraBoosts and I'm confident these would make an amazing gift!

SAVE: Well UNDER $100 the Adidas U-Path is a highly-rated and affordable alternative to the $180 UltraBoost. It gets raves for being a lightweight and comfortable shoe.

Athletic Massager

SPLURGE: Obsessed is the understatement of the century when it comes to Neil and his Hyperice Device love. All his workout bros are obsessed with this brand too! And since foam rolling is all the rage right now, I might just be splurging on this Vibrating Fitness Foam roller for Neil this Christmas. But ANY of their devices would make a really great gift for any man.

SAVE: The splurge is $200 so if you're looking for a cheaper version, the SAME company makes a Mini Vibrating Fitness Massage Ball for UNDER $100! Neil doesn't own this device, but it comes HIGHLY recommended from one of his good gym buddies that does!

Modern Puffer Jacket

SPLURGE: At over $1K this Canada Goose parka is a legit splurge, but it has perfect, perfect PERFECT reviews!! If you live in a cold climate and you're on the hunt for a really nice men's gift that will last FOREVER, this is a great option.

SAVE: A coat to me isn't an item you want to go crazy cheap on because you want it to last! It's worth spending a little more money initially to get a coat that lasts years and years. Even though $200 might not seem like a save, it's way less expensive than the splurge and it's built to last! This classic Patagonia Puff Jacket has over 125 5-star reviews! It comes in tons of different colors and is not going to go out of style!

Only a Few Shopping Days Left

Christmas is right around the corner and if you're still on the hunt for the PERFECT gift, Nordstrom has got you covered! Shop all our Splurge or Save Faves below. The BEST thing about Nordstrom is FREE shipping and FREE returns! Nordstrom has the MOST generous return and exchange policy so it's totally happiness guaranteed holiday gifting!

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