This year, I’m starting early (well, early for me) on a Christmas gift guide. It is short, sweet, and targeted specifically to people on my list. I think we are all more mindful consumers these days, and the idea of wasteful packaging and wasteful gifts sticks in our throats in a way it didn’t used to. Sure, it’s the thought that counts, but with just a few minutes extra thought, can you think of a present that is truly useful to someone? And by useful, I don’t mean unglamorous, like an oven mitt or something. For me, a beautiful houseplant (My Spekboom plant is so special he has a name) or a fabulous candle provides me with as much ‘use’ and daily joy as I can expect from any gift. So, here is to gifting in a more mindful fashion this year.
The gift of warmth
I don’t use hot water bottles, never have. However, I have friends and relatives who swear by them for everything from relieving cramps to a providing a good night’s sleep in winter. I saw the the YuYu bottle the other day at an event, and thought those of you who use hot water bottles need to know about it. This is the world’s longest (81 cm / 32 inches) water bottle. It is made of natural biodegradable rubber, and comes with removable covers made of anything from basic cotton to cashmere to Liberty prints. Just boil the kettle and pour the warmth in. This is a unique, useful, and well-made gift for someone who is always cold.
The gift of good hair
In the past year that I’ve been using Michael van Clarke’s haircare range exclusively, my hair has been transformed. I don’t need to wash it every day because it (miraculously) still looks good a day later. At the moment, I’m using the Cashmere Protein Moisturising range. It keeps my hair soft in the winter when the weather, indoor heating, and daily styling dry it out. My husband insists on the Exfoliating range for his dry scalp. (I use it myself when my hairline gets eczema). This season, Michael van Clarke has gift boxes of 3 of their hair care ranges (UV Protective, Volumising, and Moisturising). Each cleverly contains his award winning flagship product, Lifesaver, which is my favourite hair product ever (I wrote about it here). One or two nights per week, I let Lifesaver work its magic while I sleep (it isn’t greasy). The brand does not do animal testing, the products are silicon free, and I couldn’t recommend them higher. Also, you get a free Weekender (great for travel) with every gift set purchased by November 27.
The gift of luxury tea
As you know, I am a coffee addict drinker. I am also a daily tea drinker. I use coffee to power me up in the mornings and tea to give myself a quiet reflective moment at some point in my day. I’ve been served Jing teas in luxury hotels and Michelin starred restaurants, but have never been able to find it sold anywhere, despite frantic googling. Luckily, they’ve just opened a store and website and sell to the public rather than trade-only. I’ll cover them more in a future post, but if you have a tea drinker on your list, this will wow them. This two-cup ‘tea-iere‘ has been in daily use at my house since I got it. The Jasmine Silver Needle White Tea is my favourite tea right now (no jasmine oil is sprayed on the leaves like most jasmine tea; they lay night blooming jasmine flowers over the tea tips for 5 nights to infuse into the leaves). I also adore the Ali Shan Oolong. These are by far the best Jasmine and the best Oolong teas I’ve ever tasted. Each tea has single-garden provenance, no blending or mixing from estates. The Explorer Sets along with an individual teapot make a luxurious and moderately priced gift. The only problem is it will RUIN the recipient for all other teas.
The gift of green
I’ve preferred trees to flowers my whole life, so the experience of participating in planting a tree (or many trees!) is one I’ll do for my son this year. Google whatever is close to you, but this National Forest version of choosing a tree to have planted on his behalf, complete with certificate (what child doesn’t love a certificate?) for £15 is a winner. If we lived closer, I’d take him to plant it himself. I want him to feel a responsibility for and a connection to the earth, especially since we live in a big city and are far from nature.
The gift of Turtle Doves
I have a friend who expects me to get her fingerless cashmere gloves every year for Christmas. Yes, really. In winter, she wears them to work, she wears them to walk her dog, and sometimes she even does non-messy gardening work in them. She sent me a photo the other day of the holes she mended after she went mudlarking in them. I’ve generally bought her ones from a well known UK cashmere store, but I have an even better and cheaper source now. The brand Turtle Doves (Cockney rhyming slang for gloves) recycles post-consumer cashmere that would normally go to landfill. Read their remarkable story here. They create beautiful gloves in every colour of the rainbow, and some fabulous patchwork cashmere blankets.
The gift of housewarming
You can never ever go wrong with a candle. Whether it is a chic and classic Cire Trudon, a delicious Diptyque, or something more modern like this one from Labratory Perfumes, a candle is always welcome (certainly by me!). This Atlas candle is made of beeswax, and the scent is intoxicatingly warming, with notes of ginger, pepper, and cinnamon. The packaging is sustainable, their business practices are admirable, and the low-key vibe feels very 2020 already.
23 Comments
Susan B
November 23, 2019 at 10:18 PMThese are fabulous ideas!
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 1:24 PMThank you, Susan! xx
Debra
November 23, 2019 at 11:27 PMLast year you recommended whiskey glasses that I bought for my son – he loved them! So, when I saw you had published a new list, I knew that I would find something fabulous. The fingerless gloves are genius and I have bought some for gifts (and some for myself). Extra cachet because they are made in the UK, and are recycled cashmere. Thank you!
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 1:23 PMAren’t those glasses gorgeous, Debra? So special and tactile. Enjoy your gloves! Several people on my list are getting those 🙂 xx
RachelinOz
November 24, 2019 at 1:32 AMThese look lovely. I’m in a London in a couple of weeks, and will definitely be checking out the JING tea!
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 1:22 PMYou’ll love it! I’m doing this for my husband as a Christmas present, you might enjoy it too! https://jingtea.com/tea-flights-menu
Nancys Fashion Style (@nancybaten1)
November 24, 2019 at 9:21 AMI zak on my wishlist winter tea and a teapot! I don t have a tea pot! And that for someone who wants to live in the UK! I hot winter tea last year and it was so delicious! Have a great Sunday!
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 4:54 PMYou need a GOOD teapot Nancy, as an honorary Brit! xx
No Fear of Fashion
November 24, 2019 at 4:08 PMThe ideas are good but we don’t “do” Christmas presents in my family. We used to have presents at Saint Nicolaas (5th of December) but as that is for children, we have outgrown this.
Greetje
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 4:53 PMWe are doing them less and less gifting in our house, but with a young child, we have just a few more Santa years left! xx
No Fear of Fashion
November 24, 2019 at 4:56 PMYes you do. I am old and passed that haha
whatlizzyloves
November 24, 2019 at 4:51 PMGorgeous gift ideas Lisa. I have a pair of Turtle Doves wrist warmers that the brand sent me when I was a very new blogger. And I would never say no to a beautiful candle. Thank you for sharing xxx
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 4:52 PMI can never say no to a candle either!! Nor cashmere… xx
Laurie
November 24, 2019 at 10:03 PMThat hot water bottle is interesting. I love the Jing brand too. I have the tea set xx
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 11:00 PMThe Jing things are such great gifts; they’re so pretty and such incredible quality. I bet you love your tea set! xx
Tracy Patil
November 25, 2019 at 9:45 AMFantastic ideas. We have changed our Christmas gifting now we just do one gift per person. We have so many things already so I love these thoughtful gifts. Thanks x
Lisa
November 25, 2019 at 5:07 PMThank you, Tracy. We do all have way too much STUFF as it is, one gift per person is perfect. xx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
November 25, 2019 at 1:30 PMLisa we can always rely on you for really unique, thoughtful (and beautiful) gift suggestions! I’ve not heard of the YuYu water bottle before but WOW I love the concept and shape, and as you know I love tea so I’m desperate to know what the Jing tea tastes like. Thanks so much for such a great gift guide 😀
Catherine x
Lisa
November 25, 2019 at 5:08 PMYou and I are going to Jing Tea for the whole experience next time you’re here. You will LOVE it. Glad you liked the gift guide 🙂 xx
Sharon Sinclair-Williams
December 4, 2019 at 8:37 PMThat’s a really unusual gift choice you’ve put together there, Lisa. Obvs, I wouldn’t expect any less from you 🙂
I’m loving the sound of the Turtle Doves. I lost my one and only pair of cashmere wristlets last year. I usually wear them when I’m sat typing at my desk.
I probably need a YuYu, too for that! xo
Lisa
December 31, 2019 at 3:52 PMThank you, Sharon! I’ve ordered myself some Turtle Doves too 🙂 xx
Abby
December 19, 2019 at 3:37 PMThank you for the out of the ordinary Christmas gift ideas, Lisa! I absolutely love Jasmine tea so I’m with on this one. Sorry for not being much around lately but I needed to sort out some important health issues hence the absence. Missing you and your inspirational writing. Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas! xx Abby
Lisa
December 31, 2019 at 3:48 PMThank you Abby! Sending you love and warm wishes for a fabulous 2020. I sure hope to see you this year xx