Extra days off, the biological desire to hibernate when it’s cold, “New Year, new you” marketing everywhere you look—all factors that add up to make December and January prime time for plastic surgery. We support investing in yourself any day of the year, but it just so happens that holiday season is also when your loved ones want to treat you to something special. So take advantage of the timing and ask for something that will make your cosmetic journey less anxiety-inducing and more glamorous.
Here, 15 gifts to put on your list if you’re planning to get a cosmetic procedure in the New Year. (And don’t worry, if you’re trying to keep your nips, tucks, and tweaks under wraps, none of these items will give away your secret—although asking for a pill box is a little unusual.)
Gifts for surgical procedures
Nutritious meal plan
Eat Sunny Signature Plan ($325/5 days)
Grocery shopping and meal planning are low on the list of things you want to think about before going in for surgery, so consider asking your most generous family member to help stock your fridge with healthy, savory, no-fuss meals. Eat Sunny’s plan includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack—and is complete with all the lean proteins and antioxidants your body needs as it heals.
Pill organizer, for your post-op meds
Port and Polish Pill Box ($20)
If you’re undergoing a more invasive procedure, plan on filling quite a few prescriptions. Your doctor will likely have you on antibiotics, anti-nausea meds, and different forms of painkillers—and when you’re already groggy, differentiating cephalexin from clindamycin from Celebrex will feel like rocket science. A pretty pill box is a small thing that will be a big help.
Stylish compression garment
Skims Sculpting Bodysuit ($68)
In the days or weeks following surgery, you’ll be wearing compression garments pretty much around the clock. They’ll probably be Bandaid-colored and fairly ugly, but that’s okay because—to get real for a moment—they’re going to end up with blood and fluids on them. Once you’re well into your recovery though, you’ll want compression that’s… sexier. This bodysuit will do the trick, and you’ll continue to wear it under LBDs for years to come.
Full-body pillow
Sleep Again Pillow System ($300)
Sleep doesn’t come easily post-op—whether you’ve had a rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, or BBL. A good pillow will go a long way, and this one offers it all: leg elevation, head and neck support, contoured sides to cradle your hips, and just the right amount of incline to keep circulation flowing.
Cozy robe
Eberjey Chalet Eco Plush Robe ($148)
Everyone loves a supersoft new robe. Everyone.
Waterless way to shower
Megababe Cucumber Mint Shower Sheets ($12)
Bathing is generally advised against in the immediate days after surgery (and even if your doctor allows it, you won’t want to). These oversized shower sheets that smell like spa water and don’t leave a filmy residue behind make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Blowout in a can
Living Proof Joy to the Clean Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Duo ($35)
Ask any beauty editor what the best dry shampoo is, and they’ll point you to this one. It works its magic under the most dire conditions, like after Spin class, so sopping up a little “day three of not leaving the couch” grease will be nothing.
Healthy supplement trio
Love Wellness Daily Health Kit ($80)
You should always consult your doctor before starting a supplement routine—especially post-surgery—but if they give you the green light, this is the ideal starter pack. It’s got probiotics for gut health, a full-spectrum multivitamin for everything health, and fiber to get things moving after general anesthesia.
De-stressing CBD cream
Prima R+R Cream 750mg CBD Recovery Rub for Soothing Comfort ($38)
The jury is still out on whether CBD is a wonder ingredient—there just aren’t enough studies on it yet—but if you’re in need of a luxurious cream to soothe sore, achy muscles, you can’t go wrong with this cooling blend of hemp CBD, eucalyptus, and menthol.
Gifts for noninvasive procedures
Gentle skin-care lineup
Alastin Procedure Enhancement System ($270)
After a laser treatment, chemical peel, or microneedling session, your skin is as delicate as a baby’s. This four-piece set–which includes a cream cleanser, lightweight moisturizer, sunscreen, and proprietary post-procedure healing formula—will take care of your complexion, speeding up results without irritating you along the way.
Trendy hat, to block out the sun
Brixton Field X Hat ($75)
If a hat could transport you to a $1,000/night room at the Jackson Hole Amangani, it would be this one. Alas, it can only provide you with style and the UV protection you’ll need after a skin resurfacing procedure. But that’s still a pretty good deal.
Sunscreen so glamorous, you’ll actually want to apply it
RéVive Soleil Superiéur Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen ($115)
Everyone says they wear sunscreen every day. We’ve been told what to do so many times, we know why we should do it, and yet… Following guidelines is hard sometimes. If you’re someone who swears you’ll wear sunscreen as soon as you find one you like, the search is over. This chemical formula is light, quick-absorbing, and nongreasy, and it feels like luxury skin care (because it is). The price tag is at the higher end, but that’s why you’re asking for it as a gift.
Pro palette, to conceal redness and bruising
Stila Correct Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette ($45)
Redness and bruising after injectables and milder lasers is usually minimal, but it’s always handy to have color-correcting tools on hand, in case there’s a last-minute social event. If the dark spots you zapped get darker before they slough off, cover them with yellow. If you have a purple mark where the needle went in, dab on peach or orange. If you’re red, reach for green. The included booklet will explain the rest.
Makeup, to enhance your Botoxed skin and fuller lips
Dior Dior Addict Lip Glow Set ($70)
Good cosmetic treatment results are usually subtle—if you walk into a party and everyone says your lips look huge, you’ve probably gone too far. On the flip side, after getting hundreds of dollars worth of hyaluronic acid or neurotoxin injected, you kind of want some acknowledgement of how good you look. That’s where makeup comes in. This set gives you a full-size lip balm in a universally flattering pink, a plumping gloss, a lash maximizer, and a primer to further airbrush your line-free forehead.
Workout set, to show off your Emsculpt results
Free People Team Player Set ($98)Every lazy cosmetic treatment enthusiast’s least favorite phrase: “You have to maintain your results.” It’s especially true after Emsculpt, the muscle-building, fat-burning procedure that can trick you into thinking you’ve been working out on the reg for years. Plan ahead and ask for this color-blocked outfit, which is so flattering that you’ll want to head to the gym to show off your abs. And once you’re there, well, you might as well do some of those crucial maintenance crunches.
