It’s the most wonderful time of the year — or at least it would be if we didn’t have the looming pressure of having to buy the perfect gift. The festive season is just around the corner, and with two months to go there’s no better time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping.
With lots of exciting new launches hitting shelves this year, there’s loads to choose from – whether it’s cosy candles, festive fragrances or must-have makeup. The only problem? These gifts are so good, you might just want to keep them for yourself. Race you to the checkout!
Baylis & Harding Luxury Candlelit Bath Time Gift Set
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Know someone who loves a pamper evening? They’ll love this DIY ‘spa at home’ bathing experience which comes in a gorgeous keepsake gift box. The four-in-one set includes wild fig and pomegranate bath bubbles, bath and shower crème for a touch of everyday luxury, plus a rose-scented candle, and 50ml hand cream. Aaaand relax!
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Narciso Rodriguez’s latest offering is inspired by the natural beauty of light-reflecting crystals and their ‘radiant femininity’. With a chic pink bottle and top notes of bergamot, it’s hard not to be lured in by this super feminine scent. It features rose, heart of musc, cedarwood and cashmeran – giving off a seductive trail that’s perfect for party season.
& Other Stories Midnight Encore Candle
They might be best known for their Scandi-chic clothing but & Other Stories also has a formidable beauty department and we’re currently crushing over this scented candle. Inspired by the theatre, it boasts notes of fig, black pepper and cashmere, has a burn time of 38 hours and practically screams ‘winter’.
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Neom Organics Perfect Peace candle
Is there anything more festive than bedding down for a cosy night in with a seasonal scented candle? This fresh Nordic scent could have been created by Santa himself, with its notes of pine, myrrh and lime peel. Not only does it scream Christmas, it’s also designed to help with head-clearing, relieve mental fatigue and spread calm vibes throughout the home – just what we need after a long day of Christmas shopping.
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When it comes to gifts, you can’t go wrong with some classic homeware that’s practical for everyday use and will also look great on a festive tablescape. French brand Duralex has been making highly-resistant tempered glassware products – stylish but strong enough to withstand everyday use by clumsy little hands – for more than 80 years. We love these cute, stackable everyday tumblers, and at less than £20 for the set they won’t break the bank either.
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You know the type of gifts that are so good you want to keep them to yourself? Well, this is one of them. Ghd’s 2022 limited-edition festive collection for 2022 is inspired by the 1920s Art Deco movements, with luxurious red leather and gold accents – drool! We’ve got our eye on this Glide Hot Brush, the time-saving beauty staple with ceramic plates that smoothes frizz at 185ºC with minimal damage. With longer bristles allowing larger sections of hair to be styled at once, it’s perfect for unruly day-two tresses.
You can’t beat a calming candle to set the mood for the perfect nighttime wind-down – and the experts at DROWSY Sleep Co certainly know a thing or two about nodding off. This supersize soy wax candle, with its earthy, herbal tones, will be your new bedtime BFF; designed to combat stress and anxiety and promote zen, it’s created by a team of aromatherapy experts and made with a blend of ancient oils to help instil instant calm.
Aesop Industrious Hand Care Trio
As the weather gets chillier, this gift set is the perfect fix for dry, cracked hands. Made up of three incredible-smelling Aesop bestsellers, anyone would be lucky to find this under their tree. It includes the Resurrection Aromatique handwash in a generous 500ml bottle, packed with mandarin, rosemary and cedar – which also makes a stylish addition to any bathroom. It also contains a rinse-free handwash for on-the-go hygiene; and a Resurrection hand balm to keep skin soft and supple.
Some of the best headphones in the biz now come in a range of nude hues courtesy of Kim Kardashian. The Beats Fit Pro True Wireless - which first launched earlier this year - have newly launched in must-have Moon, Dune and Earth colourways. Designed with super-comfy wingtips that adapt to fit your ear, they're perfect for both everyday use and exercise.
Cartwright & Butler Christmas Indulgence Box
The ultimate treat for the foodie in your life, this box of treats is full of delicious festive fare and booze. They’ll tuck into luxury cranberry and orange mini mince pies, an iced Christmas loaf, chutney, crackers and a delicious bottle of merlot.
Nothing says ‘holidays’ quite like the smell of Christmas trees – and this delicious, pine-scented candle will transport you straight to Lapland. Inspired by ‘notes of mountain pines on a cold winter night’, the woody scent also gives off subtle notes of mimosa for a magical fragrance that will light up your living room as the long nights begin to draw in. With its pine-green wax, sparkly stars and golden protective lid, it makes the perfect present for homebodies.
Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF50
Don’t be fooled by the bright green hue; although designed for redness-prone skin, this calming concealer/ primer hybrid is an everyday wonder for all skin types, making it the perfect gift for beauty lovers. With redness-reducing technology and instant concealing properties it’s infused with nourishing shea butter and also contains SPF50 to protect your complexion from harmful rays.
The fiery new version of YSL’s Libre range certainly packs a punch, making it the perfect fragrance for the festive season. Described as an ‘intense grand floral fragrance’ it has top notes of spicy saffron with orange blossom and lavender infused with vanilla and honey – perfect for party girls who like nothing more than to make an entrance. And did we mention that Dua Lipa’s a fan?
Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Skillet
There’s a reason Le Creuset’s iconic cookware has been a kitchen staple for almost 100 years, and it’s not just the fact it looks positively droolworthy on your kitchen shelfie (although we’re currently obsessing over this cherry red colourway which is perfect for the festive season). The French brand’s signature frying pan is a firm favourite thanks to its versatility – it can be used on the hob, in the oven or even under the grill for whatever recipe you’ve got your eye on (just watch that handle as it gets very hot!) The hardworking hero’s clever features are endless; the black enamel base is non-stick and easy to clean, while spouts on either side make it easy to pour whatever delicious creation you’ve been cooking up directly onto your plate, mess-free. Bon appétit!
L'Occitane Luxury Advent calendar
Why wait until 25th December when you can give your BFF the ultimate beauty gift that keeps on giving? L’Occitane’s advent calendars have become something of a cult classic, and this year’s offering is its best yet. Containing 24 deluxe minis – and a couple of full-sized bestsellers to boot – it’s a mix of must-have skincare, bodycare and fragrance including the good-enough-to-eat crunchy muesli scrub. Worth £132, you’re making a saving of more than £40 too.
Animal Wilding Women’s Padded Jacket
When it comes to winter style you simply can’t beat a puffer jacket for style and versatility – and this padded number is one of the cosiest on the market. The long-length coat is not only water resistant, it’s tested for temperatures of up to -35°C – how’s that for snug? Dress it down with trackies and trainers for a cool daytime look, or throw it on over a mini dress and tights for evening glam. It’s lightweight enough for a brisk walk around the park, and made from recycled fibre so it’s eco-friendly too.
New year new trim? A hair refresh is the ultimate way to see in the new calendar year, so why not give your BFF a gift card to book in for some pampering time with a salon appointment. Live True specialise in colour treatments (did someone say balayage?) with their branches offering a luxurious but fun atmosphere.
Neal's Yard Reviving Shower Scents Collection
Neal’s Yard is the go-to brand when it comes to pampering, so why not gift someone this trio of three of their most popular shower gels? Each scent has a unique property – and whether they want to be uplifted, relaxed or self-soothed they’ll find the perfect blend of essential oils. The geranium and orange will instantly lift someone’s morning; the English lavender is designed for relaxation; and the aromatic is made with aloe vera extract for a refreshing herbal cleanse.
Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige
Beauty buffs will love this smart toothbrush, designed to deliver the perfect Hollywood smile with minimal effort. It connects to an app which identifies your brushing style and gives bespoke tips on how to brush better, and charges on a stylish frosted charging dock. The clever angled bristles helps remove plaque in hard-to-reach areas while triangular tips can help remove stains in a matter of days. And did we mention it comes in rose gold?
Fujifilm Instax Square Link Smartphone Printer
Selfie queens will love this portable printer which connects straight to your phone. Perfect for parties (hello New Year’s Eve!), it not only produces physical copies of your snaps – it also brings them to life with special effects and lets you send personalised messages to your friends with stickers and text.
Cosy season is officially here, and what better way to celebrate than with the ultimate night in - Netflix, hot chocolate and of course a pair of fluffy socks to top it all off. These ribbed cashmere numbers are the ultimate in hygge - warm but luxuriously soft, they look just as good with a pair of winter boots as they do with your favourite PJs.
Charlotte Tilbury The Secret to Supermodel Eyes
This brand new gift set from beauty guru to the stars, Charlotte Tilbury, is everything you need to see you through party season and beyond. Including the brand’s bestselling Brow Fix sculpting gel and a cute mini Pillow Talk mascara, it promises to deliver the lashes of your dreams (glossy, well defined and properly separated) alongside lifted, fluffy brows that will stay in place all night long.
Nikita Menzies