Okay , we all know how this works by now. Over the course of the year, I keep a list of what I think are thirty (plus a charity-type suggestion) of the best gifts you could buy for Christmas. Then, at the beginning of December, I write it up and share it with you here on the agreement that you’ll hit me up on Twitter or in the comments with any other excellent gift ideas you have, especially if they’re from independent sellers. Enjoy!
1. Jar of Christmas Eve biscuits, £28
I am a sucker for a beautifully-iced biscuit. Combine the beautiful icing with lovely packaging, and you’ve got me 100%.
2. Turquoise sugar bowl with American walnut wooden spoon, £48
I know, ceramics and other handmade stuff can seem expensive. But I think it’s worth it: you get a thoughtful, one of a kind gift, and you’re supporting an independent maker. Double win.
3. Calvin Klein logo slim-fit stretch-microfibre trunks, £26
Make new underwear less boring by buying it in festive colours.
This isn’t new out this year, but still nothing has beaten it in terms of excellent cover design, and who doesn’t love a carb in winter, right?
5. Retro neon pink cassette tape iPhone case, £25
Casetify make great (effective!) phone cases in hundreds of fab designs. I’ve had my eye on this one for months…
6. Monstera leaf earrings, £20
Cute earrings at the perfect price for a friend.
This is probably the best value notebook I’ve ever put on the list. And who doesn’t need a new notebook to add to the pile of other notebooks they haven’t wanted to spoil by writing in them?
Super cute glass Santa to hang in the window, or on the tree, or y’know, anywhere they fancy.
9. Demi Moore, Inside Out, £10.80
Look, I know very little about Demi Moore or celeb culture in general, but this was co-written with Ariel Levy, the New Yorker staffer who wrote The Rules Do Not Apply, which is one of my favourite books ever, so I figure this has got to be good.
Is £77 a lot for pyjamas? God, yes. Are these the softest, loveliest ones I’ve ever owned? Also yes. If you buy them from Figleaves on the day this post goes live, you’ll get 25% off, too.
11. Fleabag coasters, £8.47 each
Beautiful coasters from an independent maker to remind them of the best thing on TV in 2019.
12. Velvet alphabet cushion, £57
Ostensibly a gift for a child’s room. Is a child going to appreciate a £59 cushion? Didn’t think so. Your BFF will though.
13. Muji jersey bedding, £6.95-£54.95
I feel like I must have said before that I think snuggly bedding is an underrated gift. The Muji stuff is some of the best, and the duvet has a zip closure, so you’ll never lose the buttons in the washing machine.
Machine washable, iron on patch that I *wish* I’d bought when I saw it in the US over the summer.
One of the most compelling things I’ve read in 2019. Buy it for your friend who’s fascinated by female desire.
16. Coucou Suzette Ski Teacher socks, €15.00
*So damn cute*
17. Lobster emoji power bank, £30
Ever seen something you want for yourself, but can’t justify? Please welcome the lobster emoji power bank.
18. Cocktails in the One Aldwych Lobby Bar, £80
Four cocktails (service charge included) in one of the best hotel bars in London. Go with a friend, or go alone and people watch the hell out of the situation.
Great for office Secret Santa, I reckon.
20. Riedel ‘O’ Stemless Pinot Noir / Nebbiolo Red Wine Glasses, Set of 2, £17.50
Best thing about these, other than the amazing quality of the glass itself? Less risk of accidentally knocking them over when you’re in the bath.
I’m pretty sure that in-store you can get these for smaller denominations, but if you’re buying a big present for someone who lives in London, I can’t imagine anything cooler than a hundred quid to spend in Liberty in the form of *one big coin*.
Face it, you’ve already fallen in love with him.
23. Ren Moroccan Rose Bath Oil, £10
I’ve put the full size Ren bath oil on the list before, but to be honest, I haven’t found any bath products this year that have impressed me more than the ones I’ve put on the list in previous years, so instead I thought I’d include the miniature, which is another good Secret Santa choice.
Raclette is such a fun meal to share with someone, but a mains-powered raclette set takes up a shitload of room in your kitchen and there’s always the risk of someone tripping over the cable when you’re cooking on it. Eliminate that risk by buying this tealight-powered version instead.
25. Tickets to Hotter, from £16
I saw Hotter, a show about ‘what gets women hot’ at the Soho Theatre earlier this year, and I loved it. It’s doing another very short run straight after Christmas, and in my opinion would be a lovely activity to give to someone so they have something to do in those quiet days before New Year.
26. Edinburgh Gin Plum & Vanilla Liqueur, 50cl, £16
This makes the best, and easiest, prosecco-based cocktails, and everyone, from your neighbour to your nan, is bound to love it.
27. Orly nail polish, Passionfruit, £11.99
I don’t think Orly is necessarily the best quality polish, but it is the only brand that I’ve found that does a true neon pink that you can pick up on the high street. Passionfruits aren’t this colour, obv, but we’ll let that go…
28. Blue Gin Sequin Hanging Ornament, £25
I’m not going to apologise for the fact that everything handmade on this list is pretty pricey – that’s inevitable if you buy from small traders who make things with love and care. So yes, £25 is a lot to spend on a tree decoration, but I’d be delighted to receive this as a gift.
29. Fresh Mini Mask Marvels Gift Set, £25
I’m still not that familiar with Fresh as a beauty brand, but all my friends who’ve used it really like it, and I’ve not seen any other beauty gift sets this Christmas with packaging quite so lovely.
A slightly weird gift by itself, perhaps, but how cool would this be gifted alongside a cashmere jumper?
This year, as well as a charity suggestion, if you’re in the UK, I’m going to use this opportunity to remind you that the most important thing you can do this Christmas is vote. If you’d like to make a donation to a charity doing great work as well, why not try Crisis at Christmas who provide a meal and lots of other useful stuff for homeless people on Christmas day.
All pictures are taken from sellers’ websites. No copyright infringement is intended. If you’d like a picture removing or crediting, please do get in touch.
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