Nice gift!

I don't wear an Apple watch but if I did, I love Machete's bands! https://shopmachete.com/collections/smart-watch-bands

I bought a few different bands on Amazon. I found I don't like the ones with magnetic clasps because I have to pull them apart when I put it on the charger and the metal sticks to the charger. It's a minor problem but it has caused me to stick with the silicone sports bands which I have in a bunch of colors. They are not pretty nor would I call them fun so not what you're looking for. Those Machete bands are very pretty!

Thanks Mtn those popped up in my search and I am considering classis tortoise or bright orange!

@3katz4me that is a great note about the magnetic closure.

I am wondering how heavy the machete ones are, I think I‘ll ask them.

I like the stainless mesh bands and have been using this one for over a year. I wear my iWatch with this band daily, even in the pool 4 or 5 days a weeks and the chemicals haven't altered it at all. At $29 it's much cheaper than Apple's band and I actually prefer the magnetic clasp. If I'm dressed to go out I switch to my good watches

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-stainless-steel-mesh-band-for-apple-watch-38mm-40mm-41mm-se-and-42mm-series-10-champagne/6570286.p?skuId=6570286

I may add one from Quince:

https://www.quince.com/unisex/stainless-steel-bracelet-apple-watch-band?irclickid=QhWXHezhmxyPTiwQH4zwKTwXUksyiNUlwQUwQE0&irgwc=1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=impact&ircid=21926&irpid=249354&iradid=1835359&irgroupname=content_tier_1&mp_value2=&sharedid=&subid=&color=silver

That quince one is very pretty!

I have one of the Machete tortoiseshell bands and they are very light. They are long though so be prepared to remove links with the tool they include.

I’ve got some nice striped silicone bands and cannot remember where I got them, also several leather ones from Quince and different ones from various sites. I store mine in the long thin plastic ziplocks they typically come in, arranged horizontally in a small box that I can flip through like a card catalog. I have about twenty and change them most days as I almost never wear anything other than my apple watch. If you google Apple watch bands you’ll see there is a veritable industry of suppliers.

I have two Machete watch bands and like them very much. I switch from Alabaster colorway to a darker tortoise shade. I also have the SS mesh band from BestBuy along with a few of the sporty rubber type bands.

DD and I both have Machete bands. They are hard to change out though, which I like to do. When i bought a new Apple watch, I decided to go with a leather band from Portland leather. In fact I bought 2 different colors, a matte black and tan. Once they softened a bit, I really love them.

I change to a cheap silicone band if I wear my watch to work in the garden.

I like the stretchy ones from this company. They have some patterned ones but I prefer plain. They also have other versions...but I like the light and stretchy. solacebands.com

I have a dark tortoise band, a white silicone band that resembles the one on my Michelle watch, and a black lizard band. But the most comfortable band I have is the beige silicone that came with the watch.

I like the sport loop that came with my watch. It's lightweight and fits perfectly every time I put it on my small wrist.