Christmas Gift Ideas

There’s something truly special about giving gifts, no matter the time of year. But when it comes to holiday shopping and Christmas gift ideas, finding the perfect present can sometimes feel like a challenge. So I have curated this list of Christmas gift ideas, many of which have been given to me as gifts by family and friends or that I have bought for others. Designed to inspire joy both in the giving and the receiving, I hope these suggestions help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

Please note any affiliate links have “affiliate link” in brackets immediately following. Anything that does not say “affiliate link” is simply a recommendation from me for which I am not being compensated in any way.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Food and Wine Lovers

Gift Certificates

Whether you choose a gift certificate for a restaurant, an afternoon tea or a foodie experience like a cooking class, these always make a welcome gift. To avoid simply wrapping up an envelope, why not wrap them up with something that hints at the gift. For example, if I am giving a gift of an afternoon tea, I wrap it up with a small package of pretty biscuits and a few special tea bags.

Hampers

Hampers are always great Christmas gift ideas. There are so many ready-made hampers available these days at all price points, or you can make your own. If you are making you own and wicker baskets are expensive or difficult to source, a pretty canvas shopping bag is a great way to package your hamper gifts.

Hamper Ideas for Food Lovers

Afternoon Tea Hamper with different kinds of tea, biscuits, small cakes etc.

Wine and Cheese Hamper with a cheese board or plate, cheese knives, and perhaps a bottle of red wine or port. If the recipient lives near me, I often include a gift certificate for my local cheese shop, but if you are delivering the hamper yourself and refrigeration is not an issue, you could also include some cheese.

Hot Chocolate Hamper with luxury hot cocoa, marshmallows, chocolate syrup and/or sprinkles – and maybe a small bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream for grown ups!

Christmas Day Hamper containing a small Christmas cake, perhaps a Christmas pudding, something chocolate or some mincemeat pies, tea and/or coffee and perhaps a bottle of champagne, Prosecco, the recipients favourite tipple or non-alcoholic drink. It goes without saying that a hamper of homemade Christmas treats is especially welcome. (Be sure to include the recipes if you do this!)

This year I’m sending hampers from Fortnum and Mason and Nino’s Deli.

More Food and Wine Christmas Gift Ideas

1. A bottle of wine and some savoury crackers or Christmas nuts.
2. A bottle of Champagne or Prosecco and some chocolates.
3. A special tin of biscuits with a box of the recipient’s favourite tea.
4. Dried fruit and/or nuts in Christmas packaging.
5. A cookbook and some ingredients. For example, if you give the latest Ottolenghi cookbook, you could also include a treat from their online shop like one of these spice collections.
6. A cheese board and cheese knife set or a set of cheese plates (I have some like this) and small individual cheese knives. I love this fun Puzzle Cheese Board too. (All three links are affiliate links.)

Christmas Gift Ideas for The Home

Use these ideas and inspiration – edit, mix and match them to suit the budget and the recipient.

1. Battery Operated Candles with Timers (affiliate link) or some a box of beautiful real candlesticks and two pretty candle holders. Or buy a few individual candles and tie them with a ribbon.
2. Cloth napkins and napkin holders.
3. Beautiful hand soap, hand lotion and two pretty hand towels (affiliate link).
4. Houseplants or flowers.
5. Special mugs or plates or some beautiful coloured glasses.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Gardeners

1. Box of herb seeds (affiliate link). You could also include some little pots (affiliate link) to grow them in.
2. Click and Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit (affiliate link) or Hydroponic Growing System (affiliate link).
3. David Austen have some beautiful Christmas gifts for gardeners, including a Garden Lovers Gift Box which includes a voucher for a rose of the recipients choice.

Christmas Gifts for Anyone

1. A gift card from Fiole to help them find their new favourite scent (and depending on the value of your gift, perhaps purchase it as well). I met Samuel, one of the founders of Fiole, at Fortnum and Mason years ago and he helped me find a signature fragrance – Pure Extrême by Micallef – I am still wearing today. My family and I are customers of Fiole and have always been so pleased with their products and service. (Not sponsored, just sharing!)
2. A membership to the National Trust or English Heritage or other similar programme near where the recipient lives, or a membership to a museum or gallery. I was gifted a membership to the British Museum last year which has been wonderful. I am also a member of the V&A Museum in London and have gifted memberships to others.
3. Gift certificates for the cinema or a theatre visit.
4. Instead of buying one big present, why not fill a pretty reusable bag with small things the recipient will enjoy, kind of like a hamper in a bag!
5. A scarf and gloves or a nice warm hat.
6. Pretty stationery, pens and pencils.
7. Shower gel, body cream and a shower puff.
8. A gift certificate for a facial, massage, spa treatment, spa day or other self care experience.
9. A personalised puzzle. My husband bought a personalised PuzzleYou puzzle as an Advent calendar this year and it is an absolute delight. The puzzle is composed of multiple photos from our family’s year. Puzzle pieces are sorted into small dated boxes, so every day we put together another section.
10. Lego is not just for kids anymore! Lego flower sets are great fun to put together and look really pretty left on display. Other fun for adults Lego sets include this pretty Tranquil Zen Garden and paintings like The Wave. I have seen both of these fully assembled in the home shared by my son and his partner and they look wonderful. (All affiliate links)

Hamper Ideas for Anyone

Hampers can be presented in large or small wicker baskets, beautiful shopping bags or a cute box.

For book lovers – a book or gift certificate for Bookstore.org their favourite bookshop, a pretty bookmark, a sweet treat, and perhaps a reading journal (affiliate links).

Self care hampers including special toiletries and a shower puff, and maybe a small bottle of champagne, Prosecco or sparkling tea.

A silk pillow slip, sleep socks (affiliate link) and pillow mist sleep spray (affiliate link). My favourite brand of silk pillow slips is Blissy. Although based in the US, they ship to the UK and their customer service is excellent in my opinion. You can get a $20 gift certificate with Blissy (and so will I) if you purchase via this link.

Christmas Gift Ideas on My Gift List

Ember Mug (affiliate link) – I love hot drinks that stay hot, and mine always seem to go cold before I drink them!

Books or a gift voucher for Bookshop.org (affiliate link) so I can support one of my favourite local bookstores whilst having the convenience of buying online.

More ideas to come as I add to this post throughout the season….

Whatever gifts you give or receive this holiday season, I hope it is a restorative time full of blessings!