With less than 50 sleeps ‘til Christmas, the pressure is on to put a tick against some of those names on the nice list. From those luxury lovers who already have everything, to that awkward secret Santa gift for the colleague you've only exchanged small talk with, this week’s Style Note solves all your trickiest present buying dilemmas.
A little something for the host
Whether you are staying with friends or family for the whole festive period, or just enjoying a good catch up over lunch or dinner, it’s always nice to take along a little something to thank your hosts. If you do end up falling back on a nice bottle – why not give it a festive edge by presenting it in our cute Teddy Bottle Bag?
If you opt for the classic gift of flowers, cut your harried host some slack and choose some authentic looking faux stems that don’t involve a frantic search for a vase just as everyone is arriving. Amaryllis in a bold crimson or pretty cream hellebores are both seasonally appropriate.
Christmas kitchen gift ideas
We all have that one friend who loves to entertain in a way that always involves incredible food, and what better way to show your appreciation than with a gift designed to complement a stylish kitchen? This hand-painted tapas dish is just the thing, with its classic blue and white stripes, the earthenware piece is perfect for presenting olives, nuts or even sweet treats. Alternatively, transform their cheese course with our beautiful marble serving board. The unusual green veining will elevate any occasion. And for a final flourish that will help ready their kitchen for Christmas, why not wrap your gift furoshiki-style in a candy striped tea towel?
Secret Santa gift ideas
While there’s always a place for novelty gifts at this time of year, we would all secretly prefer to receive a considered present that doesn’t just end up at the back of the junk drawer. Our Secret Santa ideas come with a hint of originality that will leave people praying you pick their name out again next year. Full of Dickensian Christmas charm, who wouldn’t want to find this lovely candle holder under the tree? Hand-painted with cinnamon stripes on a rich cream background, it’s perfect for adding some nostalgic atmosphere to a bedside table or side table. Alternatively, for more modest budgets, choose something endlessly useful with a real luxe finish, such as our marble coaster set.
Stocking fillers for grown-ups
A few carefully chosen pieces make for a wonderful Christmas stocking for adults. Wrap up one of our festive mugs with some luxury hot chocolate or good coffee beans to get Christmas morning off to a flying start or why not choose an elegant candle holder and a set of LED candles, or some delightfully jingly napkin rings and a set of napkins?
Luxury Christmas gifts for couples
Shared gifts are a great way to extend the budget and ensure couples receive one thoughtful present they’ll really appreciate. Something for the home is always a foolproof option. Already on our wish-list is this Sheepskin Doorstop. The cutest way to stop doors banging and handmade here in Somerset, while full of character, its neutral tones ensure it will blend effortlessly into any interior style. Another option is a set of beautiful glassware – our Petal Champagne Coupes are the perfect choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Discover how to wrap your gifts stylishly
With your gifts all chosen, make sure the present sharing moment is packed with style too. Our wrap and ribbon collection makes it easy to turn every present into something truly special. Our gift wrap papers are beautifully designed, from elegant neutral krafts to deep festive tones with subtle biodegradable glitter details. Most of our papers are recyclable and crafted with sustainability in mind. Choose a paper with texture or gentle pattern to create a refined base, folding crisp edges and keeping tape to a minimum for a polished, boutique-style finish.
The finishing touches bring it all together. Our ribbons, crafted from sumptuous velvets, soft linens and light-catching organza, lend an effortless sense of luxury. Try layering differing textures for contrast - a frayed velvet ribbon on matte paper, or sheer gold organza against deep green - and complete the look with a simple bow, a sprig of greenery or a thoughtfully chosen tag. The result is a gift that’s beautifully wrapped, quietly luxurious, and a joy to both give and receive.
For more gift wrapping ideas, look back at our Style Note with gift wrapping expert Jane Means.