One of my favourite literary quotations regarding Christmas is from Roy L. Smith, who writes that “he who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree”. If you’re like me, the month of December enlightens a distinctive fire in your heart which warms your body and comforts your mind throughout those formative twenty-five days. There’s something so alluring and safe about a glistening tree being there to welcome you home every evening, and you’ll find that cosiness under the tree on Christmas day so long as you practice goodness.
I try really hard to be creative and thoughtful with gifts. I make mental notes, and sometimes phone notes, of what my friends are interested in, be that their favourite TV shows or a book they told me they enjoyed. My friend Belle goes through the most questionable and absurd phases; she owns a Percy Pig in every size Marks & Spencers have distributed the mascot as well as all of the character's merchandise. Meanwhile, my friend Niamh is a teacher. I got her for Secret Santa last year whilst she was doing her PGCE and it’s safe to say Etsy was my saviour:
The older you get, the harder it is to answer the question, “what do you want for Christmas?” I wish I could whip out an Argos catalogue and be innocent enough to fantasise about possessing all the art sets and dolls that were being advertised, once upon a time, it was easy to do. What I find even harder however is constantly thinking up new gifts, particularly for my dad, brother and male friends. Since I know I'm not the only person with this struggle, and in light of it being December, I thought it would be a good idea to kick off the holiday season with a gift guide. Pre-warning: Etsy will be your best friend, and if you want a gift to arrive before Christmas day, I’d order them in the next week. You can also use this guide for birthdays, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day, too!
Gifts centred around home:
1. Calendars aren't the most creative present, though there’s a variety of options: aside from the conventional, slim Card Factory calendars that the likes of my grandparents always opt for, day-by-day calendars are another choice. I’ve had a Disney one on my desk for the last few years. If you’re a traditionalist, get a slim calendar personalised with family photos each month to make it more personal.
2. We all have a plant-lover friend. If the recipient works in an office, there is always the option to get them a tiny plant for their desk. Fake plants for your forgetful friends are also an option!
3. Since (I’m assuming) everyone who is reading this is a little old for posters, homemade Etsy prints and artwork are a great alternative. I have this gorgeous print on my desk gifted by my two best friends, Aimee and Isabel (who by the way, are twins).
You can get a similar and more contemporary print of your family for it to be hung somewhere in the house. The prints don’t always have to be artwork either, you can get the recipient's favourite book or song lyrics printed. I gifted my parents this piece for their 25th anniversary a few years ago.
4. Mugs are always a shout. I can’t think of the last time I didn’t receive at least five mugs for my birthday and Christmas. Maybe my friends and family are trying to hint to me that I am a mug? Who knows.
If you’ve gifted them too many mugs over the years, travel mugs and flasks are good too! And matching coasters - Card Factory sell sets at this time of year. It makes your Secret Santa gift a little more thoughtful.
5. A bedside stand and or travel case for reading glasses/sunglasses. I’ve seen some sweet pieces that are engraved with ‘they’re here, Grandad’, a touching tribute to the loved one who can’t find their glasses for the life of them.
6. An air fryer - The Apprentice gave me this idea!
7. I’ve seen so many outdoor pizza ovens on Notonthehighstreet recently and I think they're a great idea for family BBQ's.
8. Sandwich maker.
9. A microwavable lunch box with microwavable cutlery, perfect for anyone who regularly goes into the office. If hot food isn’t allowed in their office, which was the case in my previous job, regular sandwich boxes are an option too.
10. You can get smore kits on most gift websites but financially, you’re probably better off making them yourself.
11. A new rug is a nice idea if the recipient is in the process of redecorating.
12. Cushions, see above.
13. Doormats are always a thoughtful gift, especially for those who have just moved into a new home.
14. Candles are one of my favourite gifts to give away and to receive. Yankees are somewhat of a luxury with their extreme prices so instead, I opt for the Wilcock & Sons candles that Home Bargains sell. As a candle fanatic I can assure you they’re just as good; the candle below is probably my favourite scent of all time!
If you do have the money to splash on a Yankee Candle, you can get them personalised with family photos on their website. These make for better showpieces, which is fine too. There are several Vinted sellers who sell Bath & Body works candles from America, a great way to wow the person you love.
15. You can grab wax melts and wax burners from Home Bargains, but to make it more personal, you can gift an assortment of your loved one’s favourite scents for the former and pair the collection with a hand-painted burner.
16. A lighter, for the said above gifts.
17. Like candles and mugs, framed photos are a ‘can’t go wrong’ gift. There are so many things that can be done with photos, including having them printed on a candle, some of which I’ve listed below.
18. Before my brother and sister left for university this year, I gifted them and my parents with a double-sided keychain.
19. This is what my fridge looks like. I got these magnets made for my mum a few years ago using LaLaLab.
20. Electronic picture frames if you’re one of those people who remember to take photos and have several memories to share.
21. A few years ago I saw a fellow Swiftie get the Spotify code for ‘King of my Heart’ printed on a bracelet on Twitter. I thought the idea was great, aside from the fact that it doesn’t make the most attractive-looking piece of jewellery. Instead, I sent a keychain to all of my friends with the code for a song that carried a sentimental meaning between us - for instance, my friend Abbey and I shared more than a dozen car trips during the summer of 2019 in which we listened to 3 Nights. She now has a keychain with the Spotify code to the song on her car keys.
22. A coffee machine. With pods!
23. A room diffuser. Holland & Barrett are great for buying essential oils, especially at this time of year. (I’m selling my diffuser on Vinted currently if anyone is interested. Just saying.)
24. Figurines are personal and can fit into any nook or cranny a home may hold. Companies like Willow Tree do angel figurines that pair with any family combination - a mother and son, a father and twins, etc. They make great gifts for families who have had a new baby in the year or might be grieving the loss of a loved one.
You can grab Disney figurines from the likes of H. Samuels and Smart Ideas, there’s something so thoughtful about a gift that reminds someone of their favourite childhood film.
25. Electric blankets.
26. Weighted blankets are great too; the pressure of the blanket sends your autonomic nervous system into its resting state, reducing a quickened heartbeat and rapid breathing. For those with anxiety and insomnia, this is great to sleep with.
27. A miniature Christmas tree is a particularly thoughtful gift for those who don’t have a tree in their house or work in a bleak, tinsel-free office.
28. I love the sentiment behind ornaments and how they can be used to mark a new chapter in someone's life; they’re a great gift for families who have just moved home, have had a baby, have just gotten married, etc. They’re a nice gift for parents to gift their children too, every year whilst they're growing up. This is another instance in which photos can be utilised.
29. I gave my class Secret Santa a snow globe in Year 9 and since 2014, he has sent me a photo of it placed proudly on his mantelpiece every December 1st.
30. For those of you that do have posters, companies like Yanmucy create ‘100 __ for you to ___’ posters in which you scratch off each accomplishment with a coin. I gave my friend Mike one of these for his 18th birthday; he’s a massive film buff, and they happened to be selling a poster with the 100 best films of all time on there. There’s an extensive range of these, variations include books to read, cocktails to try and yoga positions. I’ve seen a few couples buy each other maps with a similar focus, you scratch off every country and landmark you have visited together.
31. Storage - this can vary from baskets to boxes to pencil pots to makeup cases. Presenting your gifts in a Poundland box instead of a gift bag isn’t a bad idea either, the fact that they can be reused makes them an additional gift on their own. I turned 23 in September and my friends Abbey and Belle handed me my gifts in this basket, which I now use to store my perfumes.
Mini fridges are currently a popular purchase on Amazon and they’re perfect for carrying skincare; face masks, eye patches and jade rollers work best when kept cool. If you want to go the extra mile and stock up the fridge with skincare, Simple sell fragrance-free masks that are laden with moisturiser, ideal for a once-a-week top-up in the winter months.
32. Another obvious one - makeup.
33. Makeup brushes and beauty blenders.
34. Many of my friends have begun doing their own nails from home to save money and time. If your friends are the same, miniature nail brushes and stickers are great to gift alongside standard nail polishes, which alone make great stocking fillers. If you want to go the extra mile, get them a UV LED lamp.
35. I’ve never watched Glee from beginning to end, however, I’ve seen a scene between Cory and Lea constantly circulating Twitter over the last few years. I believe Cory’s character gets a star named after Lea’s - I know it's not official but it's so endearing.
36. Light up signs which you can either write on or put letters on - these are ideal gifts for friends who always end up doing pre-drinks at their house.
37. Perfume or aftershave - essential.
38. A sturdy umbrella. I invested in a £16 Amazon umbrella this past June and it’s probably one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. I say this after almost routinely spending £4.50 on a Primark umbrella every other week. We live in the UK, stop paying subscriptions worth on brollies when it’s almost as vital as a coat.
39. Jewellery is always lovely to receive and to gift, though I’d advise being mindful of people's tastes. Everyone I know has a preference between silver and gold (I'm in the rarity that loves mixing my metals), and someone who already has a watch probably won't want or need another one. Lots of companies engrave jewellery with people’s handwriting; I’ve been meaning to get a piece engraved with a message my dad wrote for me in a card a few years ago. Sentimental quotes are always nice, too - I had a really, really hard summer this year, and to celebrate making it to the end in one piece, I bought a bangle engraved with the Serenity prayer.
Pandora gifts very considerate presents all year round, and at Christmas time, they sell limited edition charms.
40. If you’re like me and have enough jewellery in every colour and variation to last you a lifetime, a jewellery box, necklace stand or earring stand is an option.
41. If the recipient already has skincare and makeup storage that is filled to the brim with skincare and makeup, try a bath tray and pair some salts and soaps alongside it.
42. Stickers make a great stocking filler, though I’d advise you to get waterproof ones. Especially if you’re buying for someone with a tendency to spill coffee on their laptops.
43. If your loved ones have adopted a new diet in the last year or want to make a change in the New Year, a recipe book could provide them with great assistance.
44. An apron for the baker in your life.
45. A hair dryer, curlers or straighteners. Foam curlers from Primark are a great alternative for those who want to stop using heat on their hair.
46. Board games and jigsaw puzzles, especially if the recipient has a large family. Shops like Notonthehighstreet sell escape room activities in envelopes, a great choice for Christmas Day.
47. A water bottle. If they have one at home, they might need one for work!
48. My office is so cold that all of us girls walk around with hot water bottles. I wish I was joking.
Gifts for book lovers:
1. If you’re struggling to decide what book to get for someone, have a stalk of their Goodreads wish list for inspiration; I used to do this with my friends' Depop pages for gift ideas. For those of you who are shopping for poetry lovers, my sister gave this to me for Christmas last year and it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.
2. A few years ago I made the mistake of asking for bookmarks for Christmas. Below is half of my collection.
3. A personalised stamp for your friends who have a tendency to loan their books out - you might be the only reason their books find their way safely home.
4. A reading journal.
5. Q&A-a-day journals are great for those who want to get into journaling but need prompts to get started. I began using mine on my birthday this year and I can’t wait to read back on it years from now.
Gifts for the creative:
1. An adult colouring book, I received a Shakespeare one from my friend Niamh for my birthday last year and I've had many therapeutic evenings colouring whilst watching my favourite films. Pairing this gift with colouring pencils is another idea - you can get them personalised, too!
2. My friends are really into scrapbooking; you can buy scrapbooking kits on Amazon.
3. Paints, paintbrushes and canvases.
4. A sequin art set.
5. When Derek chose Addison over Meredith, Izzie advised her to knit. My sister has taken on this hobby and whenever she comes home for the weekend, she spends the entirety of the 48 hours with her yarn and needles in her lap.
6. If you have a friend who writes stories, character journals are a great way for them to mindmap what their characters look like and what their jobs are.
7. Jewellery-making and candle-making kits are great - if you know someone who has time.
Apparel:
1. If you're buying someone a scarf, buy one in a colour that coordinates with the coat or jacket you always find them wearing.
2. Touchscreen gloves allow you to go on your phone whilst keeping your hands warm.
3. A new wallet/purse, or a personalised card to go in there.
4. The transition from childhood to adulthood is marked when socks go from being one of the worst gifts to receive to one of the best. Unlike mugs, you can never have too many.
5. I own about a dozen denim jackets (I wish I was joking). They're in fashion all year round.
6. I've seen cufflinks and tie clips personalised with birthdays and coordinates.
7. Beanies.
8. Tote bags.
9. Buying merchandise from the recipient's favourite artists' store is always thoughtful, though the prices tend to be extortionate. With the exception of the folklore cardigan, Taylor's merch is just...not it. Her design team really need to sort themselves out.
A cheaper, and probably cuter, option is to buy homemade merchandise from Etsy. I've seen some adorable homemade sweatshirts embroidered with Taylor's lyrics.
10. Pyjamas and lounge sets.
11. I was gifted a pair of slippers last year and I can't handle walking in the kitchen without them now. Slipper boots are an ideal gift also, especially with the cost of heating.
12. A sleeping mask made from silk.
Technology-related gifts:
1. Having spent half of my university experience at home thanks to Covid and going straight into an office job days after my graduation, it's safe to say I've spent the better part of the last few years hunched over a desk. I've only just started using a laptop stand, which truthfully, has remedied the major back pain I was experiencing.
2. Desk mat/mouse pad.
3. A USB. And I mean one that looks like this.
4. A desk lamp. If the person you're buying for doesn't work from home or at a desk in general, a lava lamp or moon rock might be a better choice.
5. I feel so fortunate that I can take photos with my friends at any point on my phone, however, that's where 90% of them end up staying. Getting someone a polaroid or disposable camera ensures they'll have the memories in front of them.
HP Sprockets are a nice alternative for those who fear losing or damaging their cameras.
6. If you're lucky enough to have an indoor cinema, a projector.
7. A radio, Amazon Alexa or speaker.
8. At the start of the first lockdown and I purchased an old Nintendo DS from Depop. My brother never took care of his consoles properly but thankfully, he took great care of his games, and I spent a great deal of time replaying all the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games in the first few weeks.
I think giving someone an old console with games they grew up playing would be a very nostalgic and thoughtful present.
9. A Vinyl player, and to go the extra mile, get a record made of their favourite songs. Just don't recycle an old tape like Chandler did.
10. We have a massage attachment on one of the dining room chairs. It's very popular amongst my friends when they come over.
Travel-related gifts:
1. If you're planning on a toiletries bag or makeup case, I'd recommend a large drawstring makeup bag from Asos. To go the extra mile, fill it with miniature toiletries from Boots or Bodycare.
2. Sleeping bag/tent.
3. If the recipient is a commuter, a laptop bag. If they're a frequent hiker or have a lot of concerts planned for the New Year, a transparent cross-body bag will prove of great assistance to them.
4. Passport covers will save you a lot of time at the airport; whenever I go on holiday with my family, we spend a good few minutes opening each one at security trying to figure out which one belongs to who.
5. I'm very much a carry-a-book-for-every-mood person but as someone who previously owned a Kindle, I can't deny its convenience. They're lightweight and in the long run, cheaper to purchase books with. They're much better for flights, too!
Experiences:
1. Virgin Experience Days offer an assortment of treats, including the experience of driving a really fast car of your choice. I can't think of anyone in my life who would be interested in this but I'm sure some of you guys can.
2. My sister and I went for afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols a few years ago and it was a delightful afternoon. Albeit overpriced but when is coffee and tea not?
3. A spa day, with massages.
4. Give someone you love a confidence boost by booking in a professional photoshoot.
5. I've recently seen groups in Walsall give technology classes for the elderly and I think it's a terrific idea. If you don't get to spend as much time with your grandparents as you'd like to, this is a perfect gift.
6. A hot air balloon or helicopter ride. As someone who is terrified of the former, please don't get this for me.
7. A day out to the theatre - if someone wants to take me to see Cursed Child, I'd appreciate it.
8. A sporty day out playing golf or going go-cariting or paintballing.
9. Theatres like the Birmingham Rep not only do jewellery making and pottery courses but they cater specifically towards either children or adults. The latter can enjoy a bottle of Prossecco whilst they make their crafts.
10. My ex-colleague took his fiance to several comedy nights in the time I knew him and it was always the lesser-known comedians, he said, that elicited the biggest laughs. Probably because they didn't have to worry as much about being inappropriate.
I'm finally starting to feel festive! I hope this guide helps you out or gives you some ideas. I've been writing none stop about books for the last few weeks but I figured it would be nice to write a post like this for people to read back on at various points in the year.
Sending warm winter wishes to you and everyone you love,
Karisma
xxx