Is Perfume a Good Gift? [A Complete Guide with Gift Ideas!]

When it comes to gifting a perfume, you want to make sure you get it right! Not only can a perfume gift be expensive, but it can also be a hit or miss depending on the situation, the person you are gifting it to, your relationship with them, and the occasion for the gift, among other things! All these variables may leave you wondering whether a perfume is a good gift to buy and whether it is an appropriate gift!

In general, perfumes are almost always a great gift for your loved ones and close friends – male or female, young or old, or rich or poor! Make sure that you match the perfume with the individual’s choice or personalize it for maximum effect! However, avoid gifting perfumes to your boss or co-workers.

But, how about holidays and other occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings etc? There are several occasions when you will want to consider perfume as a gift and will wonder whether it is a good gift for that occasion and the person you have in mind!

So, in this article, we’ll share the nuances of gifting perfumes – when is it a good gift and when is it not! We will dive into details for most common occasions. Plus, we will also provide you suggestions on what perfumes you can consider for a particular occasion!

So, let’s get started!

If you don’t have time to read the article and are looking for a great suggestion for a blind buy – I recommend going with Dior Poison Girl by Christian Dior or Chanel Chance Eau Tendre for women, and Acqua Di Gio Profumo or Dior Sauvage for men. A full review of these perfumes is listed towards the end of this article.

Can You Gift Perfume to Your Girlfriend? Is Perfume an Intimate Gift?

Gifting someone a perfume is one of the most intimate gestures you can make. It’s more than just giving somebody something they might like, it’s about telling them that you know what they love or want and have gone to the lengths to get it!

You can gift perfume to your girlfriend if you are in a serious relationship and want to express your intimacy. Since perfumes are applied to the skin, it is a sensuous gift idea! 

Related Article – Perfume for Girlfriend: Is it a Good Idea? [With 4 Gift Options!]

Gifting perfume to your girlfriend, however, should not be a lazy decision i.e. just going with any perfume you find. Instead, invest time to become familiar with what scents she likes or responds to. 

Make note, though women like the whiff of male fragrances but do not gift one for your girl UNLESS she asked for it! It just might come off as rude as a gift. 

If you are unsure of what she likes, you can try figuring out what kind of scented lotions or shampoos she uses. Most likely your girlfriend would like a perfume with a similar scent!

If you are stuck how about buying perfume you can try something neutral like a body lotion from Burberry or Chanel – and if she likes it, then she can come along and pick one perfume bottle with you from the extensive range!

Floral and Citrus notes are the most commonly loved perfume fragrances in women so might want to explore those first.

Do Guys Like Perfume as a Gift?

So when you are looking at buying a gift for your guy, then it is important to understand it is not about the money you throw at the gift but the thought behind it.

In general, guys do like perfume as a gift when you have taken care to pick out an appropriate one for their personality! Guys usually gravitate towards woody and oriental notes. Stronger notes work off well with a man’s body chemistry. 

Talking from personal experience, men in my life i.e. my husband and brother have requested to receive perfume as a gift from me. So that makes the answer pretty intuitive!

I have gifted my husband a Calvin Klien One and my brother, Montblanc Starwalker Eau de Toilette. Even Dad loved getting the Yves Saint Lauren Kouros as an addition to his massive collection.

That said, my personal experiences will obviously not be applicable to all men. So, try to figure out if your man likes using fragrances. You can get a sense of that based on whether or not they apply perfume on them.

Moreover, you can also check to see if they use some sort of cologne or aftershave. Some men don’t use perfume but they are not averse to fragrances, and these methods will give you a good indication of whether to buy a perfume for them or not.

Is Perfume a Good Valentine’s Day Gift?

Perfume is a great gift for the Valentine’s day since it is often considered an intimate gift! Furthermore, when your partner receives perfume on a valentine’s day, he or she is less likely to consider it as a subtle message or a hint to suppress body odor or to smell good.

On the whole, perfume makes a good choice for such special days that signal romance! It is an intimate gift suited for Valentine’s Day.

Some people believe that since perfume signifies intimacy, it can also be perceived as your partner or your spouse desires more closeness! Although this is a relatively less common thought, however, it would be best that you make sure that you and your are partner don’t have any such misunderstanding and are on the same page!

Is Perfume a Good Gift for Your Boss?

We’ve all seen the movie “The Devil Wears Prada.” It can’t hurt to make your boss happy, right?! Yet gifts, in general, can be an emotional subject. 

Sometimes we give gifts because we want to show the recipient love, appreciation, or gratitude — and sometimes they’re just a token of our affection. But have you ever wondered: “Can I gift my boss a perfume?”. I mean what does it mean to gift something usually so intimate and thoughtful?

Perfume does not qualify as a good gift for a boss because of its intimate nature. Experts recommend that one should not gift anything to a boss that touches the skin. It is misleading and can be misconstrued.

I recommend that if you are planning to gift something to your boss, think of something more neutral such as a fashion accessory like a wallet or a purse.

Can You Give Perfume as a Birthday Gift?

People love to give gifts. It’s a way of showing someone that you care for them and want to make their lives better. But sometimes, it can be hard to find the perfect gift for your loved one – especially when choosing to gift perfume for someone’s birthday!

As a general rule, perfumes make great birthday gifts! Maybe even better than just giving them cash because this way the scent will always remind them of what an awesome friend/family member you are.

I would think that you do vary the routine though. Do not go with a bottle of perfume blindly every year – a touch of surprise helps! Of course, if they’ve been pining and asking for a special fragrance, then go for it!

Is Perfume a Good Holiday Gift?

We love to give perfume as gifts because smell memories are powerful. Sometimes, a whiff of vanilla bean can remind you of childhood memories – maybe strolling inside your mom’s kitchen. Marine fragrances always remind me of beach holidays with the family, building sand castles and collecting sea shells…. 

Perfumes make a great addition to the holiday gift basket when you are looking at making some vivid, cherished memories! In fact, even published science says the right fragrance can let you imprint a beautiful memory far more potently than even a photograph. 

Overall, perfumes are perfect gifts for the holiday season! Whether Christmas to New Years’ to Valentine’s Day – when you give someone perfume as a gift, they feel special and cared for. 

Is Perfume a Good Gift for Your Mother?

The thumb rule for a good gift for your mother is that it’s something that is unexpected and will be cherished. In that regard, a well chosen perfume is more than just a scent, it’s an expression of luxury you want your mother to enjoy. 

Perfumes are a great gift choice for mothers as it is a thoughtful and personal gift. In fact, perfumes are perceived as the epitome of luxury. So you can give your mother a bit of indulgence with a lovely perfume that she would enjoy wearing.

Of course, there are some mothers who may not be big on wearing perfume all day, but will still enjoy the scent around their home or simply like opening it up every now and then for a whiff of something pretty!

I think it is always sweet to gift something to your mother every once in a while. 

In general, perfume is a great choice for gifting as fragrances also are linked to cherished memories. So, therefore, if you are looking for the perfect gift for your mother to remember you when you are not around – a good perfume will be a great choice!

Is Perfume a Good Bridal Shower Gift?

Giving perfume as a bridal shower gift is a wonderful idea. It is a chic and classic choice! Generally, for bridal showers, close friends end up gifting satin sheets, lingerie, and perfumes. All these, including perfumes, are intimate gifts and quite appropriate for a bridal shower.

If you’re gifting this to your friends, be sure to keep your budget in mind and buy something they’ll love: an expensive luxury scent when all your friend really wants is a subtle scent for everyday wear won’t cut it.

And if you don’t know anything about fragrances yourself, then take care of reading up on various types beforehand so you have some idea of what might work well for your recipient.

I have a list of perfume recommendations if you are unsure of what to buy. I’ve also included some blind buy perfume options that are quite safe as they have a great mass appeal in case you aren’t able to figure out something that will go well with the personality of your friend.

These days you can also even set up a perfume bar at the bridal shower! It is quite an exciting activity for the bride and guests.

A perfume bar is an experiential event. To set up a perfume bar you usually need a small selection of essential oils, a mix of perfume bottles that are ready to be poured into perfume atomizers, perfume dabbers to enjoy the fragrance, some decanters, and DIY kits. It is a fun way to get guests to create their own fragrance blends which they can carry back with them in a vial/atomizer.

Is Perfume a Good Anniversary Gift?

For your wedding anniversary you are usually searching for a gift that is intimate and deeply personal. 

Perfume is an excellent anniversary gift because it has so many powerful emotions linked to it. It can evoke memories, imprint new ones, and can boost your mutual attractiveness for each other as perfume is also an aphrodisiac!

Science has proven that certain scents can effectively act as an aphrodisiac such as Ginseng, Ylang Ylang, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Jasmine, Sandalwood etc. In fact, the research paper on Exploring scientifically proven herbal aphrodisiacs, clearly shows a link between several of these natural herbs and libido.

With this in mind, would you be buying perfume as your anniversary gift? Heck, yeah!

Of course, be aware that certain cultures think it can be an invitation to new love! So if you are the superstitious type, then please skip this!

If you are looking to buy perfume for somebody else’s anniversary, then go with subtle scents as you may not be aware of their choices. You can study one of the many I have suggested below as an option as well.

Best Perfumes as Gift Options for Every Occasion!

When gifting perfume to your loved ones, it is important to know their taste, personality, and perfume preference. However, sometimes, that may be a bit difficult to judge, or perhaps you may not have enough time to find out. In such a scenario, you can choose to go with the options mentioned below.

Please note – perfumes that I’ve recommended below are very versatile in nature and are generally well-received. So, you won’t go wrong with these perfumes.

One more thing to keep in mind is that I have given 1 or 2 of my best recommendations for every occasion. These are the very best options for you to choose based on my personal experience. However, feel free to mix and match.

With that, let’s take a look at the recommendations –

1. Best Perfume Gift (Overall)

• Best Perfume Gift for Him – Dior Sauvage
• Best Perfume Gift for Her – Dior Poison Girl

The best overall perfumes are great to gift on any occasion! I like to call it the swiss army knife of perfumes! I have included some of the most versatile and the most liked perfumes for you to choose, making them really safe options

Best Perfume Gift for Him (Overall) – Dior Sauvage

When buying Dior Sauvage, go with the Eau de Toilette version. It has the perfect balance of the spicy flavor and the fresh and clean feeling that you can find only in the EDT version of Dior Sauvage! Besides, it also provides a better return on the investment as compared to the Parfum and Eau de Parfum versions.

Meant for – Most men (Boyfriend, brother, husband, friend, etc)
Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Francois Demachy
Top Notes – Calabrian bergamot, and Pepper
Middle Notes – Sichuan Pepper, Lavender, Pink Pepper, Vetiver, Patchouli, Geranium, and Elemi
Base Notes – Ambroxan, Cedar, and Labdanum
Price Rating – $$$$
Alternative Options – Acqua Di Gio Profumo (Affordable), Prada L’Homme (Affordable)

Best Perfume Gift for Her (Overall) – Dior Poison Girl by Christian Dior

Perfumes by Christian Dior are one of the most sought-after fragrances! It is perhaps second only to Chanel in terms the branded perfume. This makes a Dior perfume a great option for Gifting!

All these factors not only makes Dior Poison Girl a great perfume, but also a great perfume gift item to give to a woman!

I will recommend going for the Eau de Toilette version over the Eau de Parfum. I found the EDT version to be longer lasting than EDP!

Meant for – Gifting perfume to any woman (Girlfriend, Wife, Friend, Sister, etc)
Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Francois Demachy.
Top Notes – Frosted Orange, Bitter Orange, and Lemon
Middle Notes – Neroli, Orange Blossom, Grasse Rose, and Damask Rose
Base Notes – Vanilla, Caramel, Tonka Bean, Heliotrope, and Cashmeran
Price Rating – $$$$
Alternative Options – Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (Expensive), La Vie Est Belle (Affordable), Mon Guerlain by Guerlain (Affordable)

2. Best Perfume for Your Girlfriend – Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Olivier Cresp.
Top Notes – Lemon and Granny Smith Apple
Middle Notes – Marigold and Jasmine
Base Notes – Musk and Amberwood
Price Rating – $$$
Alternative Options – Dior Poison Girl (Expensive), Chanel Chance Eau Tendre (Expensive)

3. Best Perfume Gift for Your Boyfriend – Bleu de Chanel

It is a Chanel, and it is amazing!

In my opinion, Bleu de Chanel competes directly with Dior Sauvage for the top spot, and perhaps just misses out on being the best overall only on the performance and the longevity. Don’t get me wrong, both are different perfumes that have different concentrations. So, you can buy both together as well.

That said, when you’re going for this perfume, I would recommend buying the Eau De Toilette version amongst the other versions of this perfume.

An interesting fact is that the Eau De Toilette was the first version to be released in this line of perfume. And, as the rumor has it, they picked the best concentration to be released first. I don’t know how true the rumor is but when you test it out, it certainly feels so!

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Jaques Polge.
Top Notes – Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, and Pink Pepper
Middle Notes – Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine, and Iso E Super
Base Notes – Incense, Vetiver, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Labdanum, and White Musk.
Price Rating – $$$$$
Alternative Options – Acqua Di Gio Profumo (Affordable), Tom Ford Grey Vetiver (Expensive)

4. Best Perfume Gift for Bridal Shower – Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

The brand of Chanel sits right at the top of the pyramid when it comes to fragrances! It is not the most expensive brand, but it definitely screams luxury.

It can also be worn just as easily at the workplace, or on any other occasion as well. Remember – a Chanel perfume will only get your more respect and more admiration from others!

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Jacques Polge.
Top Notes – Quince and Grapefruit
Middle Notes – Hyacinth and Jasmine
Base Notes – Musk, Iris, Virginia Cedar, and Amber
Price Rating – $$$$

5. Best Perfume Gift for the Groom – Dolce & Gabbana The One

If I were to describe Dolce & Gabbana The One in one or two words, that would be the “Gentlemen’s Fragrance”!

Most of all, it is a great compliment getter! So, not just men, but women love this fragrance on men! It is a very safe perfume so you can not go wrong with this perfume!

For this perfume, I would recommend going with the Eau de Parfum. In my experience, I’ve seen that this perfume gives a better performance than the Eau de Toilette version.

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Olivier Polge.
Top Notes – Grapefruit, Coriander, and Basil
Middle Notes – Ginger, Cardamom, and Orange Blossom
Base Notes – Amber, Tobacco, and Cedar.
Price Rating – $$
Alternative Options – Arfmaf Club De Nuit (Cheap) , Prada L’Homme (Affordable)

6. Best Perfume Gift for Your Mother – Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

It has these white floral fragrance which is particular loved by women in their middle to later ages – which is what makes it one of the best perfume to gift your mother!

Apart from the fact that the fragrance is really good, you also get to wear the luxury of Chanel. More than that, when you wear a Chanel fragrance, people relate you to a “Premium” lifestyle!

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Jacques Polge.
Top Notes – Orange, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, and Orange Blossom
Middle Notes – Turkish Rose, Jasmine, Mimosa, and Ylang-Ylang
Base Notes – Patchouli, White Musk, Vanilla, Vetiver, Tonka Bean, and Opoponax
Price Rating – $$$$$

7. Best Perfume Gift for Your Dad – Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford

One last thing I will mention about Tobacco Vanille is that it makes a person smell upscale, luxurious. Plus, when it comes to performance, Tobacco Vanille is a monster! I mean it lasts really long – upwards of 15 hours. One thing to remember is that it is mostly a winter fragrance and doesn’t perform nearly well during the summertime. So do keep that in mind.

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Olivier Gillotin.
Top Notes – Tobacco Leaf, and Spicy Notes
Middle Notes – Vanilla, Cacao, Tonka Bean, and Tobacco blossom
Base Notes – Dried Fruits and Woody Notes
Price Rating – $$$$$
Alternative Options – Bentley For Men Absolute (cheap), Bottega Veneta (Affordable), Terre D’Hermes (Affordable)

8. Best Perfume Gift for Holidays

When gifting a perfume for Holiday season, you want it to something really amazing but also want it to be something that you can use more than just during the holiday season!

So, the fragrance options that I’m sharing below will work for most holidays, and for most occasions. Plus, these also have practical applications as they can also be used for wearing to office or other daytime use.

1. Best Holiday Perfume Gift for Her – La Vie Est Belle by LANCOME
2. Best Holiday Perfume Gift for Him – L’Homme Ideal by Guerlain

Best Holiday Perfume Gift for Her – La Vie Est Belle by LANCOME

The perfume has more of a fruity floral type of a scent. The performance of La Vie Est Belle is enhanced during the winter time although it is still great during the summertime as well.

In my opinion, this is a great all round perfume. Meaning – you can choose to use this perfume for pretty much any occasion. It is amazing during the daytime, and really good even at nighttime!

The only drawback with this perfume is that since it gets so many compliments, a lot of women love to wear this perfume. So, it is not the most unique scent on the market. That said, it is still an absolutely amazing gift!

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo
Top Notes – Black Currant and Pear
Middle Notes – Iris, Jasmine, and Orange Blossom
Base Notes – Praline, Vanilla, Patchouli, and Tonka Bean
Price Rating – $$$
Alternative Options – La Vie Est Belle Eclat (another version of the same perfume),

Best Holiday Perfume for Him – L’Homme Ideal by Guerlain

When you are gifting a perfume during holidays, you want it to be a perfume your loved one can use for most occasions.

Interesting thing about this perfume is that it emits vanilla flavor once it settles – something that women love! Also, during the later part of the day, it smells more like leather and wood (again, something women really dig).

It also can be easily used at the workplace (something that you should always consider when gifting perfume during holidays). So, all in all, a great perfume perfume to buy for a guy!

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk
Top Notes – Almond, Spices, Lavender, Bergamot, Thyme, and Rosemary
Middle Notes – Cherry, Vanilla, Incense, and Bulgarian Rose
Base Notes – Leather, Tonka Bean, and Sandalwood.
Price Rating – $$
Alternative Options – Acqua Di Gio Profumo (Affordable), Versace Dylan Blue (Cheap)

9. Best Perfume as a Gift for Anniversary

For the anniversary perfume gift options, we will talk about the best options to gift to your wife and your husband. You can also combine the two perfumes together to form a set that you can gift to someone else in case it is not you who is celebrating the anniversary. So, let’s get started!

• Best Perfume Gift for your Wife – Mon Guerlain by Guerlain
• Best Perfume Gift for your Husband – Versace Dylan Blue

Best Perfume Gift for Your Wife – Mon Guerlain by Guerlain

Buy the Eau De Parfum version of this fragrance.

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk
Top Notes – Lavender and Bergamot
Middle Notes – Iris, Jasmine Sambac, and Rose
Base Notes – Tahitian Vanilla, Coumarin, Australian Sandalwood, Benzoin, Licorice, and Patchouli
Price Rating – $$$
Alternative Options – Givenchy L’Interdit (Affordable)

Best Perfume Gift for Your Husband – Versace Dylan Blue

This is a great perfume gift for any man, and here’s why!

However, the low cost of the perfume is not the main reason I recommend it. The reason it makes it to the top of my list is because of its performance. It lasts super long and has great sillage. Plus, you can wear it to pretty much any occasion! If you want to own just one perfume for everything, this definitely falls in that category (just like Dior Sauvage & Acqua Di Gio Profumo).

Perfumer – The nose behind this fragrance is Alberto Morillas
Top Notes – Calabrian bergamot, Grapefruit, Water Notes, and Fig Leaf
Middle Notes – Ambroxan, Patchouli, Black Pepper, Violet Leaf, and Papyrus
Base Notes – Incense, Musk, Tonka Bean, and Saffron.
Price Rating – $
Alternative Options – ALLURE Sport Extreme by Chanel (Expensive), Acqua Di Gio Profumo (Affordable)

Is it Bad Luck to Give Perfume as a Gift?

So before you buy a perfume for your lover, friend or family – you might want to consider if they are the superstitious type!

In certain cultures, mostly Asian, it is bad luck to gift perfume. It can signal that the love between the partners is fading, like how fragrance fades over time, or you are looking to invite an outsider into your existing relationship with an attractive new scent of love.

Thai people suggest that gifting perfume means that you have signalled that romance is fading away. It is supposed to be an unsaid way to indicate that the romance needs some reinvigorating! Ancient Chinese and Greeks used perfumes a lot but considered it an unlucky gift to a loved one as it could attract unwarranted attention, and cause a break-up! They thought of a new scent as an invitation to new love i.e. a new partner! (Talk about a potent love potion!)

Europeans have long considered gifting perfume as a declaration of a solid, loving relationship. With mass market perfumes, however, gifting perfume has moved to a safe option for almost anyone and no longer means: I love you! 

So, the may be the case that some cultures believe it is bad luck to give someone perfume as a gift, or only if you are in love with them. However, this does not seem like an accurate belief and there doesn’t appear any evidence of such beliefs being true – they’re more likely superstitions than anything else! 

So unless the person you are gifting perfume is overly superstitious, I would not worry about keeping perfume as a gift option.

Why is Perfume Considered the Best Gift?

Generally, when I want to make a good impression or want to shower my love on my spouse – my go-to gift is perfume. 

Perfume is often considered the best gift to buy as it is a versatile gift and can represent a range of emotions: your love, affection, or appreciation for the recipient. This is why perfumes are gifted often to people who are special to us.  

NOTE: Perfume is the best gift when you are ready to spend time and money to select an appropriate one. I mean not the cheap knock-offs or department store versions, but a proper Chanel, Versace, Dior, or Burberry! Most people love to receive an expensive fragrance bottle, no matter how many they already own! 

What is the Symbolic Meaning of Perfume as a Gift?

Honestly, there is nothing like the feeling of opening a beautifully wrapped gift. The perfume bottle sitting there all pretty with a bow on it, just waiting to be opened and used. 

As a category, perfume is in general considered a safe bet when thinking of giving gifts. But what you don’t know is what signal it sends out? What kind of symbolic meaning does perfume as a gift indicate?

There are many different meanings that can be inferred based on the perfume. 

If you go by ancient texts, you will see that fragrant perfume oils or incense sticks were burnt to please the Gods. In fact, Frankincense and Myrrh were two perfume fragrances that were gifted as per the Bible to baby Jesus. So gifting perfume back then indicated a sacred activity.

Early historical records suggest that perfumes or fragrances were used as a medium to convey messages and prayers. In Egypt, scents were used to pray for blessings for the dead, to purify the body and to conduct embalming ceremonies.

Ancient Chinese and Indus Valley texts too signal the use of fragrances to worship deities. To this day, holy places will have essential oils, incense sticks or fragrant candles burning at the altar to express respect.

Perfume, nowadays, is no longer restricted to just sacred activity, but is an essential part of the haute couture culture! Applying perfume is also considered part of good hygiene!.

On the whole, gifting perfume in recent times signals that you consider the person receiving it as special and cared for by you. Since perfume touches the skin, when gifted to your loved one it can also signal a more familiar and deeper relationship between the two of you.  Perfume can also signal that you consider the recipient worthy of luxury.

NOTE: Of course, I know some of you worry if it is insulting to gift perfume – let me tell you it is not! Perfumes purpose is to make you smell nice and uplift you, and not mask any foul odour. Gifting a deodorant would be upsetting though as it is meant to cover body odour!

If you’re not sure about what your loved one’s favorite fragrance is, opt for something with subtle notes – nothing too loud, or with too strong a sillage! 

Check out my recommendations mentioned above.

Credit to Jill Wellington from Pexels for the featured image of this article