25 UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 2020
Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about what to buy for the special people in your life. It can be difficult to come up with gifts that are unique and original, and that will be appreciated rather than just put to one side after a few moments.
I have conjured up a list of gifts that are beautiful, special, and thoughtful - gifts that will be treasured for months and years to come, from elegant homewares to delectable treats and cool gadgets - there is something for all.
BEAUTY & WELLBEING
The Light Salon Boost Hydrogel Face Mask (Set of 3) £43
There is nothing your skin needs more in the dead of Winter than a hydrating face mask. Pamper the one you love with these set of 3 from The Light Salon - founded by two friends who noticed the market lacked quick, lightweight and portable skin-transforming treatments. Formulated with niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate, this mask works to nourish skin and brighten dark spots for a naturally dewy complexion that appears visibly smoother.
Truefitt & Hill's Ultimate Comfort Aftershave Balm - £27
Truefitt & Hill presents this gentle Ultimate Comfort Aftershave Balm. Rich and soothing, the balm contains lanolin and aloe vera to reduce irritation and leave your skin feeling calm and fresh.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Secrets Gift Set - £40
This set is made up of four of the beauty expert’s most coveted lip products all in the iconic, award-winning Pillow Talk shade – adored by supermodels, make-up artists and starlets alike. Complete with the reshaping, velvety Lip Cheat, the highly pigmented Matte Revolution lipstick, the lip-plumping Collagen Lip Bath and the ultra-moisturising Jewel Lips gloss, this set boasts everything you could need and more to complete your repertoire of envy-inducing lip products.
Aromatherapy Associates - Deep Relax Sleep Mist (50ml) £28
Getting a good night of sleep is essential for healthy living. This mist with vetivert, soothing camomile and relaxing sandalwood helps to calm and comfort the mind for an undisturbed, restorative sleep.
Floris - No.89 Eau de Toilette (100ml) - £80
Floris is the oldest English perfumer loved and worn by Royalty. No.89 is the most elegant scent for the man in your life - Orange and bergamot blended with lavender and neroli give Floris’ No. 89 its classical cologne aspect. Warmed with a touch of spicy nutmeg, the floral heart is underscored by the dominant woody accord of sandalwood, cedarwood and vetiver in this quintessentially English gentleman’s fragrance.
Guerlain - Cuir Beluga Parfum (75ml) - £185
Although is marketed as a fragrance for women, I fell in love with this back in 2016 and occasionally treat myself to a bottle from time-to-time - it is so heavenly! With Cuir Beluga, the Guerlain perfumer chose to interpret the softness of white suede in an absolutely luxurious and addictive version. Like an intense, warm light on the skin, the fragrance opens with an aldehyde mandarin accord drawn out into an everlasting flower note and then wrapped in a voluptuous cloud of amber, heliotrope and vanilla. An intense and totally unexpected sensorial experience.
FOR THE HOME
Cire Trudon - Solis Rex - Versailles Wooden Floors scented candle - from £75
For me, fragrance is the ultimate finish to a beautiful home. This incredible scent by Trudon evokes the majesty of the elaborate parquetry of Château de Versailles’s famous Hall of Mirrors, this regal perfume radiates vapours of wax, candelabra and palace. A sumptuous trail of incense weaves through a tapestry of coniferous trees, cut with solar rays of citrus fruits.
Trudon - Abd El Kader Scented Matches - £15
These scented matches are presented in the most beautiful box and will be the perfect accompaniment to the candle. It is the small details that make our homes unique - these matches will add a touch of elegance to any environment.
Royal Crown Derby - Royal Peony China - from £68
This elegant and pretty china from Royal Crown Derby is perfect for having afternoon tea at home. I am a huge advocate for setting the table and throwing a lovely tea party with friends at home and this set will delight and impress.
Royal Collection Shop - Chelsea Porcelain - from £20
This exquisite collection from the Royal Collection Shop is based on a set of China collected by the late Queen Mother. Not only is it incredibly pretty, it is also budget-friendly and won’t break the bank.
Zara Home - Recipe Book - £17.99
This chic recipe book is the perfect gift for someone who loves to cook. Handsomely bound in red leather, it provides a stylish solution for note-taking, recipe filing, and organising dinner parties.
OKA - Wastepaper Bin, Pot and Tray Set - £50
This delightful set is a gift that will bring harmony and order to your home. Practical items such as wastepaper bins are often overlooked so this set with a matching pot for pencils and a tray for letters will add a dash of chic.
Cutter Brooks - Cartonnage Letter Holder - £330
This incredibly exquisite letter holder with roses and ribbons has been created by hand by the genius Beth Scanlon of Scanlon Apparati. Cartonnage is a classical box-making technique originating in France. For me, this would be a dream gift and I think, an antique of the future.
The White Company - Cashmere Bed Socks - £36
Embrace the long, Winter evenings in stylish comfort with these cashmere bed socks from The White Company. Exquisitely soft, these socks are a real treat for your feet. They can also be gift-boxed with a personal message from you included.
FOOD & KITCHEN
Claridges - The Cookbook - £30
For the first time in its long and esteemed history, the famous hotel have created their own cookbook. Co-authored by executive chef Martyn Nail and food writer Meredith Erickson, this is a carefully-chosen collection of some of the best-loved dishes and drinks from the Foyer & Reading Room, Claridge’s Bar and The Fumoir.
Vitamix A2300i Ascent Blender - £440
Receiving a blender for Christmas may not be everyones idea of delight, but this Vitamix magic machine is in a league of its own! From smoothies and shakes to delicious sauces and soups, the Vitamix is one of the most powerful blenders on the market and will make your kitchen escapades a true delight.
Fortnum & Mason - Christmas Black Tea. - £15
A warming combination of cocoa nibs, zesty Clementine and soothing Christmas spices - this festive blend is a delicious brew that is best enjoyed alongside some all-butter shortbread in front of a comforting fire.
Harrods - Afternoon Tea Hamper - £200
The Afternoon Tea hamper is abundant in culinary favourites from the world-famous Harrods Food Halls. From thin-cut marmalade and fruity jams to rich hot chocolate, buttery fudge and an assortment of tempting biscuits, it makes a special gift for loved ones with a taste for the finer things in life. Also included is a bottle of Claret and Sauvignon Blanc from the Harrods cellars.
Staub - Pumpkin Cocotte - £259
This Speciality Cocotte not only cooks delicious food, it looks fabulous. So it’s perfect for when you want to make a good impression. Shaped like a favourite vegetable, this cocotte is very robust and because it’s made from cast iron, it stores heat particularly well and releases it slowly. Easy to handle and create show-stopping meals, rookies and pros alike are sure to enjoy using it.
GIFTS TO BRING A SMILE
Museum or Trust Membership
A few years ago my parents gifted me an annual membership to the National Trust and it is still one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. To be able to enjoy such a treat for the whole year was really very special and so thoughtful. Whether your loved one is passionate about modern art, gardens, or historical monuments, a membership will be a gift they will never forget.
Magazine Subscription
Similarly, a subscription to their favourite magazine is a thoughtful and generous gift that will be appreciated and enjoyed.
Flower Subscription
Freddie’s Flowers is a subscription service delivering fresh flowers to your door. Whether you want flowers every week or just a few times per month, you can set up a calendar online and Freddie’s will sort everything out for you. Each box comes with the freshest blooms and a guide to help you arrange a beautiful bouquet.
Pet Portrait
Our pets are our faithful friends and we love them as part of the family. Why not have your darling pet immortalised in a beautiful portrait? I recently commissioned a portrait of my Shih Tzu, Sophie by Instagram artist Emily Duffin who perfectly captured her personality and character.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF EMILY’S WORK
Afternoon Tea
There is little more satisfying than a delectable Afternoon Tea. Treat your loved one to a charming day out enjoying the pleasures of freshly prepared finger sandwiches and exquisitely made cakes and pastries.
‘FRIENDS OF NICOLAS FAIRFORD’ EXCLUSIVE ENGLISH-GARDEN-COLLECTION NAPKINS
This whimsical and charming set of four napkins are inspired by Nicolas’s love of English Gardens. Each design has been carefully considered and reflect the pleasures of Summer in England. Exquisitely embroidered on 100% linen and hand finished in Scotland, the napkins are not only delightful, but also of the highest quality.