Christmas time. It’s hard enough figuring out what to buy your own mother, let alone a gift for a woman who isn’t related to you. Harder, even, to buy something for a woman who seems to have everything. As a Taurus, and also a raging shopaholic, men (and woman) struggle to buy me presents. Even worse, most of my friends love a good sesh of shopping too, and I also have to figure out what to buy them for presents. It’s just hard all round.
But no stress, thanks to me, I’ve written up some presents that I would be ever so thankful (in the Christmas spirit) to receive – and wouldn’t even think about re-gifting. Feel free to click on the images to shop, so you can get that Xmas shopping over as quickly as possible. Rip it off like a bandaid. Everyone, this is to put you out of your misery. You’re welcome.
Under £100
Ugh, Christmas is a ‘spenny time. You’ve been saving up all year to buy yourself something nice, and then Christmas comes around, and you remember all too late like Groundhog Day that you have to buy all your loved ones a Christmas present. I guess you’ll finally save enough money next year. Until then, here’s a cute present for the person in your life that isn’t too expensive, but is also nice enough for the assumption that you splurged. Enter Les Mains, a range by Hermès dedicated to our delicate and elegant appendages, which consists of: nail polish in a variety of colours, base coat, top coat, a nourishing nail oil, branded nail files, and a decadent hand cream. My pick is the nail polish in Boîte Orange, the iconic Hermès orange, but considering a nail polish is only £42 (“only” – I mean £42 for a nail polish is a bit ridiculous, but then again, it’s Christmas) you can buy two and still be under budget!
Under £200
Fornasetti is my go-to for candles that will last a lifetime. One, you never light it due to the ceramic cup being so beautiful, you can’t bear to tarnish its virtue, and it sits on the mantle for ever and ever. Or two, you do light it, and then like the amazing up-cycler you are, you clean out the cup and use it as a pen pot or make-up brush holder, so you can have it in your house for ever and ever. I even use mine to hold my cotton buds, and boy, do I feel fancy when I have to lift a £170 lid to fix my eyeshadow. A nice scent in beautiful packaging that you can keep forevermore, I would be happy with one of these. In fact, I already have three.
Under £500
Hermès scarves are divisive. Some people think they’re only for old ladies – how many times have you worn a silk scarf around your neck? However, I think people who think like that don’t know what’s what, and I’m here to tell you that Hermès scarves are some of the coolest and most versatile pieces you can have in your wardrobe. A collector’s item, you can use them around your neck, yes, but you can also wear them around your head like a 1970’s Keith Richards; fold them in half and wear them as a strapless top; tie them up and fashion it into a handbag when you’re in a pinch (trust me, it works and looks fab); tie them around the strap of your handbag to protect the strap as well as adding a pop of colour; or you can wear them my favourite way, by wearing it as a bandana to add cool points to your summer outfit. Tank and denim shorts? Add a pink Hermès bandana and all of a sudden, you’ve gone from looking like everybody else to the chicest belle at the beach. Hermès even sell installation kits to spread them on the wall like a piece of art! I’ve also got several made into pillows, which creates a cool mix-and-match print along the bench at my kitchen table.
Under £1000
Sadly these days, £1000 is not quite enough for a luxury handbag, but it is enough for a great pair of shoes. My pick this year are these Valentino sky-scraper platforms that come in cream, black, orange, and pink which in my humble opinion would look absolutely fantastic paired with a great dress on Christmas day! Full disclosure, I have already bought the cream ones, which I will also be wearing on Christmas day to eat my weight in ham and roast potatoes, and honestly, I’m recommending the experience to everyone.
Under £5000
We get it. You go to La Petite Maison for dinner every night and have a mansion in Regent’s park. But you’re also totally clueless as to what to get your girlfriend who has a walk-in wardrobe and at least five Cartier Love bracelets, which is why you’re here. Lucky for you, I’ve had my eye on the novelty handbags from Judith Lieber for a very long time. And now you know about it too. There is such a selection that you can get almost any shape you want. Love Chinese food? You can even get a takeaway noodle box if you want to! My pick is the conch shell because I’m an island girl and am also slightly obsessed with shells, but I could also go for the wrapped boiled candy for a bit of festive fun. Which would look great with my new Valentino platforms… Which one are you going to pick? Lucky girl, whoever she is! I also don’t have one of these, so if you’re feeling particularly generous, feel free to chuck one my way for giving you the idea…