My mantra when buying presents for friends and family often veers towards getting something you yourself would like to receive. It might not work in every case (brother-in-laws in need of gardening tools for example), but the chances are you'll have pretty common ground with siblings and friends in terms of taste. So I thought I'd do a gift guide based around things I like in the hope of providing a bit of extra inspiration for gifts this month, both for others and yourself. It's normal to have at least one present under the tree from you to you right?
I don't know about you, but I like things that I might not normally buy for myself come Christmas. Things you want, rather than need. From bits and pieces for my flat, to nice nightwear (seriously, does anyone ever buy themselves stuff to sleep in? Maybe I should start), coffee table books and cashmere beanies, this is about treats that are timeless and a bit special. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune. I for one find lots of gift guides slightly unrealistic - a gold-plated lemon squeezer for £500 anyone? - so I've kept the majority of these in more doable price brackets; Under £20, Under £50, Under £100 and Blow the Budget for slightly more over-the-rainbow gifting, although some of the pieces in there are still under £200.
Good luck with the annual minefield that is Christmas shopping - mine's only just getting underway. Let me know if any of the below are also on your radar this year....
Under £20
Clockwise from top left:
Cook book // Ottolenghi
Stacking rings // ASOS
Stacking rings // ASOS
Bangle // ASOS
Gypset Travel Book // Assouline
Hand Cream // Aesop
Hot Drink Bottle // Bobble
Toning Mist // Caudalie
Notebook // ASOS
Bowls // Anthropologie
Silk eye masks // Yolke
Truffles // Charbonnel and Walker
Lip Balm // Nuxe
Copper mug // Anthropologie
Pure coconut cream // RMS Beauty
Under £50
Clockwise from top left:
Sleep shorts // Eberjey
Body butter // Earth Tu Face
Blusher // Nars
Leather diary // Smythson
Cashmere socks // Brora
Wool throw // John Lewis
Cushion // West Elm
Wooden Salad Servers // Anthropologie
Candle // Diptyque
Knickers // L'Agent by L'Agent Provacateur
Earrings // Catbird
Copper saucepan // West Elm
Serving Plate // Zara Home
Makeup bag // Space Nk
Under £100
Clockwise from top left:
Cashmere beanie // Acne
Cashmere scarf // Acne
Gold necklace // Jennifer Zeuner
Cashmere scarf // Acne
Gold necklace // Jennifer Zeuner
Pyjama bottoms // Eberjey
Trainers // New Balance
Leather Purse // Commes des Garcons
Scent // Diptyque
Trainers // New Balance
Leather Purse // Commes des Garcons
Scent // Diptyque
Cleanser // Eve Lom
Ring // Zoe and Morgan
Yoga Mat // Adidas X Stella McCartney
Candle // Tom Dixon
Ring // Zoe and Morgan
Yoga Mat // Adidas X Stella McCartney
Candle // Tom Dixon
Headphones // Frends
Belt // Isabel Marant
Blow the Budget
Clockwise from top left:
Silk PJs // Olivia Von Halle
Cashmere Jumper // Equipment
Cashmere Jumper // Equipment
Charm Bracelet // Astley Clarke
Rose Gold bracelet // Astley Clarke
Mirror // Graham & Greene
Sunglasses // Karen Walker
Rose Gold bracelet // Astley Clarke
Mirror // Graham & Greene
Sunglasses // Karen Walker
Bucket bag // Mansur Gavriel
Clutch bag // Jerome Dreyfuss
Clutch bag // Jerome Dreyfuss
Suede boots // Chloe
Watch // Larsson and Jennings
Blender // Vitamix
Camera // Goldbug
Blender // Vitamix
Camera // Goldbug