I always think Christmas gifting should feel a bit magical — like you’ve found something that fits that person perfectly, without having to spend weeks stressing about it. So I’ve rounded up my absolute favourite finds this year: those little luxuries, practical pretties and purse-friendly treats that make people genuinely smile when they unwrap them.
Pop the fairy lights on, make a cuppa, and let’s get into the good stuff.
For the “cosy nights in” person
You know the type — happiest at home, permanently in fluffy socks, always two candles burning at once.
Bath & Body Works Candles
An elite candle-lover’s dream. Their winter scents basically are the smell of Christmas. If you want a gift that makes someone’s whole house feel like a festive hug, this is the one. I can't pick a specific scent but I have two burning somewhere in this house as we speak. Glorious. Find them on the Next Website.
Neom Sets
Another candle brand with a little extra. For around £25, Neom is offering some gorgeous gift sets this year. I'm new to Neom but have loved their Energy Boosting Trio, as getting to try out their cleansers and body milks has been great. I've bought a few more for friends too.
The Luxury Bathing Company – Bergamot, Lemongrass & Ginger Set
Fresh, spa-like, and beautifully giftable. A great option if you want something indulgent that still feels affordable. Click here for TLBC gift sets.
Crabtree & Evelyn Gift Sets
A classic. Soft, comforting scents and packaging that looks like you’ve put far more effort in than you actually did. Crabtree & Evelyn are known for their hand creams, and for good reason. Click here to shop their gifting ranges.
L’Occitane Gift Sets (including their baubles!)
Their bauble gifts are perfect for stockings or Secret Santa, and their gift sets are perfect if you want something that looks premium and hits the mark regardless of preferences. I recently raided their Black Friday sale and a few of my favourite buys were the Verbena Body Care set, and the almond oil collection.
Click here for one of my favourite sets.
For the beauty & skincare lover
The person who knows the difference between serums and essences, and has a favourite hand cream in every handbag.
The Inkey List Selfless By Hyram serum
A brilliant “clean but effective” skincare treat. Perfect for clear skin and aiding any break out marks.
Caudalie Vinotherapist Set
French pharmacy chic. Hydrating, nourishing, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser during cold-weather months.
Ted Baker Sprays
Perfect stocking fillers. I always have a Ted Baker spray in any bag ready for a quick spritz when needed. Boots have a great range every year and some are now 4 for 2. Amazing.
Cath Kidston Set of Three Hand Creams
The prettiest stocking filler. Fits perfectly in handbags, desk drawers and winter coat pockets — and the prints are so charming. TKMaxx have some gorgeous Cath Kidson sets at the minute!
Cath Kidston Red Berry and Cedar Tin
No7 The Perfect Travel Set
If they’re always on the go (or forever planning their next city break), this is the perfect “useful but pretty” gift. No7 have really gone up on my skincare loves list recently, highly recommend. It comes pack with serums, eye creams and even a day cream with a 5 ★ UVA rating.
Click here before it sells out!
William Morris At Home – Mini Gift Set
Gifting artwork disguised as self-care. The packaging alone makes this feel luxury, and the products inside are gorgeous. I'm a little William Morris obsessed, so bought one for myself too of course.
For the “I want something special” friend
Jewellery is always a statement gift — not loud, but thoughtful. Something they’ll remember who it came from.
Abbot Lyon Jewellery
Delicate, modern, and so wearable. This is the brand you choose when you want a piece that feels personal without the designer price tag. Their gold pieces look so polished — perfect for mums, sisters, best friends… or you.
Shop one of my favourite jewellery brands here.
For the creative one who loves a project
We all know someone who lives for stationery, personalisation, scrapbooking or making everything in their home aesthetically pleasing.
Cricut Joy
My number one gift this year, The Wishlist Judges’ Pick at The Big Christmas Press Show too, so everyone loves it. The ultimate “oh my gosh, I can’t believe you got me this” gift. Small, portable, and perfect for labels, cards, crafts — honestly, once you start, everything in your house will end up personalised.
A brilliant “big gift” for a partner, crafty teen, or that friend who watches organisation TikToks on loop. As a 2026 bride, I've seen so many projects that I can't wait to show you in the new year. Our invite envelopes were penned by the machine, and I spent an evening calligraphy-ing (its a word now) everything. Obsessed.
Features include the Easy Printables™ Sensor - Detects and cuts around printed images for full-colour stickers, cupcake toppers, and iron-on transfers. The All-in-One Basics Bundle has everything you need in one box to start making right away, and its incredibly compact.
For the perfume lover (the person you want to spoil)
Perfume at Christmas never misses. It’s luxurious, personal, and feels like a confidence boost in a bottle. Here is a list of my favourites this year:
YSL Libre
If they love warm, sexy, grown-up scents — this is the one. Elegant but cool.
Ghost Orb Of Night
Light, soft, feminine — a dreamy everyday perfume that works for almost anyone. One of my favourite perfumes ever. This is bold statement but one I feel semi-qualified to make.
Rabanne Fame
Modern and a little quirky. Great for someone who loves trying the newest “Instagram favourite.”
Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild.
Pretty, playful and perfect for someone who likes fresh floral scents. My mum has worn the original since forever, so maybe that's why this will always be on my Christmas list. The Wild variation of the original however has top notes of Banana Blossom Accord, and Jasmine and Sandalwood further down too. Love love love.
Quick Gift Pairing Ideas
A little trick if you want your gift to feel more “curated”:
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Candle + Hand Cream = ultimate cosy-night-in duo
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Skincare Set + Perfume Mini = beauty-lover’s dream bundle
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Cricut Joy + Label Tape = organiser starter kit
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Jewellery + L’Occitane Bauble = luxury-with-a-bow combination
It’s the little additions that make the gift feel that bit more intentional.
Lets chat men
In previous years we've covered pretty much everything I can think of, so this year I wanted to show off a few star gifts specifically.
Final thoughts
Gifting doesn’t have to be stressful — it should feel like finding something lovely that matches a moment, not a budget. Every item here is something I’d happily give (or gratefully receive!) and I hope it sparks a little inspiration for your own shopping list this year.
If you’ve just got engaged, you’re probably staring at that ring and thinking: where on earth do I even start? Venue first? Dress shopping? Pinterest boards?
To me, the very best first step in your wedding journey is to step inside a wedding show. If you’re in the UK, I'm sure you've heard of one in particular; The National Wedding Show, which opens its doors again this October.
Let me tell you why this should be right at the top of your list.
Face-to-Face interactions that you just can't get online:
We live in a digital world, and yes, scrolling through Instagram feeds can be inspiring. But when it comes to choosing the people who are going to play such a big role in your wedding day, nothing replaces face-to-face.
At a wedding show, you can chat with florists and actually see their brains tick when they describe your dream bouquet. You can stand in front of photographers’ displays and feel their personalities come through. You can hear a band live and imagining them playing your first dance.
These little moments—eye contact, laughter, a genuine connection—are what make the difference between suppliers who “could” do your wedding, and suppliers who should be.
The atmosphere:
The moment you walk in, you feel it: the excitement that comes from being in a room full of people all dreaming about their perfect day.
There are dresses on the runway, cake tastings happening around the corner, girls trying on bridesmaid dresses together.
It’s an experience you can’t replicate by sitting behind a laptop. And planning a wedding can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Everything You Need, All in One Place.
A wedding show is the only place where you can see (and compare) so many options side by side. Dresses, venues, décor, music, stationery, cakes—you name it, it’s there.
No back-and-forth emails. No booking something just because it’s the only option you’ve seen. Instead, you can ask questions, take business cards, compare prices, and leave knowing you’ve actually started ticking things off your to-do list.
Think of it as speed-dating for wedding suppliers—except it’s way less awkward, and you come away with cake samples.
My First Wedding Show Experience
I’ll be honest: the first time I went to a wedding show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Part of me thought it might be a bit overwhelming or salesy. But within ten minutes of walking through the doors, I was completely swept up in the buzz.
I still remember chatting with a florist who was so passionate, she pulled out her phone to show me photos of a bouquet she’d created that morning. I hadn’t even thought seriously about flowers before that moment, but I left her stand feeling like she understood me. And that’s the beauty of these shows—you stumble across people and ideas you never knew you needed, and suddenly they’re part of your vision.
Why the National Wedding Show, Specifically?
Because it’s the big one. The UK’s flagship wedding show. This October, it’s set to bring together hundreds of suppliers, the latest trends, and some of the most talented people in the industry, all under one roof.
At the National Wedding Show, you’ll see everything—from catwalks featuring the newest bridal collections, to gorgeous décor setups you can actually walk through. It’s inspiring, but also grounding: you leave not just with ideas, but with names, numbers, and plans you can put straight into action.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
A wedding show is full-on in the best way, so here are a few tips to get the best out of it:
1. Go in with a plan. What suppliers do you want to see?
2. But stay open. Looking back, I'd never have chosen the florist that I did without going to a show.
3. Ask all the questions. Suppliers are there because they want to meet you. Ask about pricing, availability, custom options—it’s the perfect chance to get the answers straight away.
4. Take breaks. Grab a drink, share a slice of cake, sit and people-watch.
Whilst wedding planning might be overwhelming, the very best place to start is in a room full of people going through the exact same thoughts. Because when you’re standing in that room, surrounded by flowers, dresses, cake samples, and happy couples, you realise: this is what wedding planning is meant to feel like.
If you have ever wanted to escape city life, limit your phone usage and emerce yourself in the countryside, but are a little scared to go the whole hog, then this shepherds hut might be the place to start.
The Mallards Hut at Furnace Lakes Fishery is a gorgeous little home away from home. The 'Rolls-Royce' of huts, is beautifully made, with modern amenities surrounded by the countryside on all sides. Situated on the fishing lake, the hut comes with a wood fired Jacuzzi, pre-fired so ready for your arrival, and a fire pit area with comfy seating for a cosy evening watching the lake.
We stayed for two nights, opting for dinner and a dip in the tub on the first, and an early morning walk during the main stay day. There are a few walking trails to do, one starting directly behind the hut, with different paths to take yourself down, with pubs at the end if that is your thing. The local shops are a 5 minute drive, but we opted to pick up last minute items during our walk back as we wanted to avoid the car where possible during our stay.
There are two huts on the lake, The Mallard Hut, the one that we stayed in, and another just slightly further down the lake. The huts are separated by a wooden fence, and we barely noticed our neighbours at all. The huts are surrounded by woodlands, so other than the owners in the main house and one fisherman driving past on the other side of the lake, we were completely alone with nature. Being able to wake up and hear the ducks paddling, or a fire cracking is truly good for the soul.
Whilst the hut catered for pretty much everything, you would do well to take your own oil, oven mitts and shower gels. Other than that- you'll have everything you need inside including wood for the fires and robes for the chilly run from the pre-shower to the hot tub outside.
If we could spend every weekend here we would. The hosts were amazing with our requests for more wood (J loves a fire), and I'm excited to see where this little business goes in the future.
