Gifts for Beach Lovers That Work in Winter
The best gift for someone who loves the beach, given in December, is one that brings the beach back on an ordinary weekday: a body oil that smells of coconut and tiare after a hot shower, a candle for a dark evening, a mini for the carry-on. Beach gear can wait for summer. Below are ideas from $9 to $62, sorted by where she'll use them.
Why scent makes the best beach gift
A beach towel is useful for three months a year. Scent works all twelve. One breath of warm coconut and gardenia is enough to put plenty of people back on a particular stretch of sand, and it does that every time she uses it, not just on the day she opens it.
Our whole range is built around monoï de Tahiti: tiare flowers steeped in coconut oil, the traditional skin and hair oil of French Polynesia. If you'd like to know what it actually smells like before you choose, we wrote a guide to the scent of monoï.
Beach lover gifts, by where she'll use them
For the bathroom shelf: Tahitian Oil, $62
Our monoï body oil with kukui, macadamia and passion fruit, in a 1.69 fl oz / 50ml mist. Sprayed onto damp skin straight out of the shower, it sinks in to a satin finish and leaves skin soft and luminous. It's the closest thing we make to the feeling of skin after a day in the sun and salt water. Shop Tahitian Oil
For a dark winter evening: Tahitian Candle, $44
Coconut wax, notes of tiare, frangipani and coconut, and about 50 hours of burn time. For the person who loves the scent but doesn't want another bottle on the shelf, or for the friend hosting this year. Shop the Tahitian Candle
For her bag or carry-on: the minis, $9 and $15
The Tahitian Oil mini (8ml, $15) and the Nomad Rose hand cream mini (7ml, $9) are both well under the 3.4 oz carry-on limit for liquids. Together they make a $24 stocking that covers body and hands.
For the driest winter skin: Tahitian Balm, $55
The same scent in a rich balm with cocoa and shea butters, for elbows, knees, shins and hands when the heating is on. Shop Tahitian Balm
For the one already planning her next trip: a gift card
Delivered by email in $25, $50 or $100, so it arrives on time even when you've left it late. Shop gift cards
A note from Evelyn
"During the summer, I love going for a sunset swim if the weather is really warm. My days can be intense with a lot of multitasking, so sometimes it takes a dip in the Pacific to feel like a reset. When I do go in the water, I'll need to shower again and go back to Tahitian Oil."
— Evelyn Ginossi, founder
What not to give a beach lover
If she's actually heading somewhere sunny this winter, remember that body oil is not sun protection. Tahitian Oil contains no SPF, so pack a sunscreen alongside it and save the oil for after the shower.
And if she dislikes coconut, or avoids fragrance altogether, skip scented body care and choose the gift card. A beautiful bottle she can't wear isn't much of a present.
Questions about gifts for beach lovers
What do you get someone who loves the beach?
Something she can use when she can't get there: a scent that reminds her of it, a body oil for after a warm shower, or a candle for a winter evening. Save towels and bags for summer birthdays.
What's a good gift for someone who misses Tahiti or Hawaii?
Anything scented with monoï or tiare. Tiare is French Polynesia's national flower, and for many visitors it is the scent of the islands. Read more in what is tiare.
Does Tahitian Oil have SPF?
No. It's a body oil, not a sunscreen. Use it after the shower, and use a separate SPF in the sun.
What's a good beach-lover gift under $25?
The two minis: Tahitian Oil ($15) and Nomad Rose ($9), together $24. For more by budget, see our body care gifts under $75.
Can I send a gift at the last minute?
Yes. Gift cards are delivered by email, so they arrive the same day.
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