The Tab’s Christmas Gift Guide

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me….a perfume that smelled oh-so-lovely

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Everyone knows that the Christmas shopping season is secretly a stressful time of agonised searches and last minute purchases. Buying Christmas presents for people can be an arduous, indecisive process as you aimlessly roam the streets of central London for the perfect gift without the slightest idea of what to really get for your loved ones.  From your secret santa to your best friend, your boyfriend to your mother, this little list contains fashionable gifts for everyone. Let’s celebrate Christmas with the gift of giving without a single drop of dread!

Secret Santa

For Her

Play it safe with this collection of yummy products any girl is sure to love!

Soap and Glory Mini Hat Box, Boots, £10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirate-inspired beaded necklace, Freedom at Topshop, £10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you tell your ‘Le Smoking’ from your ‘New Look’? Turn fashion into a fun yet educational game with these Trump cards!

Fashion Face-Off Playing Cards, Victoria & Albert Museum, £8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elf Smokey Eye Beauty Book, Urban Outfitters, £10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since launching its make-up range we have seen Topshop cosmetics go from strength to strength with everyone flocking to its array of affordable, on-trend products. These glitter polishes will get you into the joyous Christmas spirit.

Nail Varnish Trio, Topshop, £14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Him

These classic Fair Isle socks are perfect for feeling festive and they are sure to keep any toes warm from the frosty weather!

Knitted snowflake socks, Urban Outfitters, £15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lighting bolt headphones, Topman,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Urban Outfitters stocks a range of fun iPhone cases for the gadget-conscious male.  

Lego iPhone cover and Christmas iPhone cover, Urban Outfitters, £12 each

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leather and string bracelet pack, Asos, £8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Sister

Launched especially for Christmas is Stila’s limited edition snowflake theme palette of various eye shadow and cheek hues. It also comes with a mascara and look book.

Stila snowflake palette, £29.50 (Space NK or Boots)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tasseled snood, Asos, £22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Walker’s much admired retrospective at Somerset House this season is accompanied by this beautiful book documenting his most famous and iconic photographic works.

Tim Walker: Story Teller coffee table book, Waterstones, £45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy 30ml perfume gift set, £35 (Selfridges, Boots)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iconic British designer Lulu Guinness creates covetable little luxuries such as this pop art lip print cosmetic bag.

Lulu Guinness pouch, small £22, large £33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Brother

The snowflake print and red colour could not get more festive!

Penfield bobble hat, Urban Outfitters, £20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stylishly understated tan leather, envelope-style Macbook Air case, 19twenty8 from John Lewis, £69.95

Just a fun, light-hearted tee to get into the Christmas spirit!

Moose-tache t-shirt, Tee and Toast, £20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep red velvet bow tie, Thomas Pink, £30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Girlfriend

The girl in your life will adore this cosy on-trend collar!

Faux shearling lapel collar, Asos, £22 (free delivery for Christmas season)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relaunched in Christmas red is the heart-shaped bracelet, Mulberry, £75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Agent Provocateur is way out of your budget, you can still treat your special someone to some girly lingerie without breaking the bank. Cos have a range of pretty, sexy, and minimalist underwear sets that your girlfriend would be sure to appreciate.

Lace bra £19 and Lace knickers £15, Cos

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect dark moss green hair-on leather purse, All Saints, £55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lush always comes to the rescue when you are in need of an emergency last-minute special gift. This gift box is full of some deliciously scented bath and shower toiletries to pamper any girl.

‘From the North Pole’ gift box, Lush, £26.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Boyfriend

The painted edge belt creates a subtle modern twist to a classic leather belt. Perfect for the stylish man who likes clean lines.

Leather belt, Cos, £25

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme Cologne, £46 (Selfridges, Boots)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These striped mini car cufflinks are signature Paul Smith designs and will brighten up any smart shirt.

Cufflinks, Paul Smith, £60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fringed scarf, Zara Man, £19.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Mother 

Your mum is sure to relish receiving this indulgent gift set complete with moisturiser, cleanser and booster in a gorgeous white vanity case!

Radiance booster Daily Energiser Collection, Clarins, £20 (Selfridges)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miniature fragrance set, Penhaligon’s, £45 (Selfridges)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An elegant mother would appreciate something delicate and timeless like an iconic Liberty print scarf.

Silk neckerchief, Liberty London, £55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Petite Patisserie Hand Cream Quartet, Laura Mercier, £20 (Space NK)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leather gloves are in this season and this pair has been updated in a fashionable forest green colour. The zip closure adds a sleek modern touch and the cashmere lining ensures that the hands are kept warm and protected from the harsh winds.

Goat leather zip gloves, Cos, £45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Father

The dark brown leather wallet is simple yet practical.

Leather wallet, Fossil from John Lewis, £25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bleu de Chanel 50ml Cologne, £45 (Selfridges, Boots)

Pull together with your siblings and treat your dad to a luxurious silk tie!

Printed silk tie, Paul Smith, £69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wonders of Nature Men’s toiletries collection, Decleor, £32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Gifts

A student budget doesn’t stretch very far during the Christmas season and so I sometimes like to make my gifts instead.

For a few years now I’ve produced my own homemade fudge and packaged it up nicely for friends and family. I also suggest other sweet treats such as brownies or the more festive gingerbread men!

‘Pinterest’ is a great source of personal inspiration for home or handmade Christmas presents. A few of my favourites involve glass jars and filling them with edible goodies or indulgent bath salts and scrubs; these humble little vessels will be good for just about anything!

Remember that Google is your best friend, producing thousands of suggestions for brilliant wallet friendly DIY Christmas gifts that can carry deeper meaning and thought than just your average shop purchases. You could embroider a map, make a leather phone case, bead your own jewellery or create some chocolate liqueur. The possibilities are endless and often these DIY presents are much appreciated by their recipients.

Follow the example of Emily Schuman of cupcakesandcashmere.com who is noted for her excellent presentation and cooking skills – treats like hers would make just as good a Christmas gift as a shop-bought item

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy gift buying/making!