I have been told I'm "impossible" to buy gifts for. Multiple times. By multiple different people. Often, they'll resort to gifting me vouchers, which I, of course, appreciate, but there's nothing quite like receiving a gift that shows someone has really thought about you and what you'd like.
With this gift guide, I'm attempting to put an end to any assumption that I, and anyone else particularly design-inclined, are hard to buy gifts for. In fact, the truth is that it's the complete opposite. There are so many things we'd like to receive: tableware that's a talking point, scented candles that smell expensive, coffee paraphernalia that doubles as decorative, and loungewear stylish enough to be seen in the streets. It's the home decor and accessories we might not typically be able to justify the higher price for, but would certainly appreciate having in our spaces.
The act of gift-giving isn't just about the exchange of goods; it's about being able to demonstrate you've spent the time to really think about that person, and giving them something that will remind them daily of the fact. That's not going to happen if they never use what you get them (or worse, end up re-gifting it). So, to ensure you give and get the best gifts this festive season, feel free to steal an idea from the list below, or share this article with your friends and family as a subtle *hint hint*. I know I will be...
Sign me up for a full set of these pretty ceramic cups by HAY. I love the color palette, the hand-drawn quality (a big trend this season), and how they'd look just as good on your shelf as they would on your breakfast table.
When it comes to Christmas gifting, I'm going to let you in on a secret: discovery sets. Yes, it's smaller versions of the product, but it means you get to try out four different scents for the same price, which feels more exciting than just one candle.
I'm predicting the evolution of chrome decor in 2026 is going to be 'sanded stainless' — a more brushed, softened finish that feels characterful yet contemporary. And this Sabre flatware set ticks all the boxes.
Fancy soap is always high on my Christmas wish list. It's the sort of thing you can't really justify buying yourself, but can really elevate your bathroom. This year, I'm turning away from the pump and back to old-fashioned bar soap, and these from Orris look so good.
Basketweave bowls were back in a big way this year. In fact, basketweave everything was a big trend — woven leather, ceramics, rugs. This ceramic hurricane candleholder feels so hand-made, and I can already imagine the magical shadows it would cast all around it.
Cozy season calls for one thing: cozy slippers. And just because they're designed to stay indoors doesn't mean they can't ooze style, too. These Bernadette Antwerp Terry Slippers have been on my list for the longest time. The pattern is so pretty, and the padded terry material makes them perfect for stepping straight out of the shower.
A lamp might seem like a weird Christmas present, but stick with me. Come wintertime, we're all craving more ways to introduce warmth and light into our homes, and something like this one doubles as sculpture. Plus, they'll think of you every time they switch it on, and isn't that nice?
If the go-to gift for guys is socks, let it be candleholders for girls. I don't think you can ever have enough — you can put them everywhere: consoles, coffee tables, shelves, side tables... These remind me of a traditional style I saw in Marrakech, but the glossy white glaze feels so modern. I'll take both, thanks.
Marnie 'Magenta Blush' Bergonia, Patch Plants
Ever considered gifting someone a plant for Christmas? It's worth knowing their home before you do, as you want to make sure they've got enough space, natural light, or what would look good in their room. But they're truly the gift that keeps on giving (or growing!)
Coffee stuff is just so cool. Especially Bodum's range of colorful coffee accessories, including this stovetop espresso maker. It's the sort of piece that looks so good they won't mind leaving it out on their stovetop 24/7. Plus, I checked this one with the resident 'Italian' in our team, and it got her tick of approval.
Did you know COS did candles? I didn't, but turns out they've just launched two new scents in time for the festive season: Foret, inspired by crisp, botanical winter landscapes and forests, and Rouge Feu, a spicy-sweet scent with vanilla-like warmth.
Today, coffee bar ideas are just as considered as a home bar would be, so some beautifully-colored ceramic mugs that will look design-forward while displayed on a shelf will always go down a treat. This set feels cohesive without being matchy-matchy.
As we continue to look for ways to 'switch off' in our homes, having your own record bar set-up has become the height of luxury again, and it all starts with a stylish record player, like this classic design from trusted brand, Crosley.
Available in two colors, Pomelo (seen above) and Corallite, this soft, quilted velvet hot water bottle cover is bound to get plenty of use over winter. Plus, they'll think of (and thank) you every time they snuggle up with it on the sofa.
Picture frames are something I never seem to buy for myself, but who doesn't love having photos of friends and family (or beautiful art) hung around their home? Bonus points if you gift the frame with a picture already printed inside.
The best Christmas presents will bring a smile to the recipient's face, and are you telling me you wouldn't find the fun in these asparagus-shaped pillar candles by Maison Balzac? They're almost too good to burn.
Cool? Undeniably. Retro? Inherently. High tech? Very. This cassette-shaped speaker by YSL is actually a portable Bluetooth speaker and embodies all the best parts of the effortlessly cool luxury brand.
Rather than a voucher to a spa, get the spa experience at home every day with this set from Baina, which includes a natural sea sponge, a hand towel in the brand's Tabac & Noir checkered print, and a bath towel in the Tabac colorway.
Almost anything from Soho Home is high on my Christmas wish list, but this stylish set of bamboo and shell-shaped servers is so cool (and honestly, would go straight on my Christmas table setting if I were gifted it).
This set of two borosilicate glass tumblers are just so beautiful. The textured dot-and-stripe design is applied by hand, and comes in either an Amber (shown above) or Green. If your budget stretches, why not get a set in both to mix and match?
The best gifts are the ones people reach for over and over again. I once gifted my partner a roll-up Backgammon board, and it now comes on holidays with us everywhere. This design comes in a range of different colors and can be personalized, too.
Vases are another piece of decor you can, arguably, never have enough of. Particularly ones as beautiful as this that don't even require flowers to be put on show. Affordable, architectural, and in a trending shade of blue, what's not to love?
Most of Anthropologie's home section is highly giftable, but this cotton embroidered table runner feels especially fun. An easy way to elevate any table setting, it also comes in three other colorways, so you can find one they'll love.
Would a pretty notepad make a to-do list less intimidating? It certainly wouldn't hurt. This pretty marbled-effect cover comes in a few different colors, and leaves space for the recipient to use it however they want. The perfect stocking filler.
Is it just me who hates the feeling of earbuds? I have these headphones, which show the device's inner workings (cool), on my wish list this year. They've got noise cancellation, are wireless for up to 80 hours (a five-minute charge gives you 5 hours of listening), and are currently discounted by £100.
The playful striped frame, the green and burgundy print, the hand-painted finish — there is so much to love about this art set, including the fact that it's a complete gallery wall set, done for you.
Monochromatic Picture Frames, Etsy
Polaroids are always fun to take, but harder to style in your home due to their size. These frames make it easy and stylish. In fact, the color-matched matting in the frame was a big trend this year; the coolest way to style pictures.
At first I thought these were pretty egg cups, but then I realized they're slightly bigger, and designed to be 'nibble bowls', perfect for presenting dips and nuts on a cheeseboard, and ideal for the hosting season. So cute.
Is there anything more giftable than pretty glassware? This set of two glasses from Oliver Bonas feel enchanting and playful, and would elevate any home bar display. I think even water would taste fun, sipped from one of these.
Okay, perhaps the only thing more giftable than stemware is a stylish olive oil. I wouldn't mind leaving this bottle out on my counter all the time. Plus, you can also get it infused with chilli, lemon, truffle, or rosemary. And for this price, why not get a few?
Pottery Barn has landed in the UK, and that means so has its beautiful range of ceramic vases. This handled design is my favorite, and the rich green, glossy finish is utter perfection — no blooms required, but it would be beautiful with a big burst of white petals, too.
Girl/Boy Dinner Tablemats, La Jambu
Embroidered tablecloths and napkins were a hot design trend this year and show no signs of slowing. It's the easiest way to introduce a bit of personality into your setting, and how cool is this 'boy dinner/girl dinner' design? Yum.
H&M is my go-to place for affordable marble decor. This stunning curved tray is just £35. It would be perfect for styling on your coffee table, with a candle, on your dinner table, with your perfume collection, jewelry, trinkets, even for easy-to-reach condiments in your kitchen.
Don't underestimate the power of a good-looking weekend-away bag. This classic style from Rains comes in a range of different colors, is waterproof, lightweight, and has compression straps on the side that hold everything in place.
I have actually gifted this terracotta pomegranate to my partner before, and honestly, it was really a gift for myself. It subtly perfumes your space without looking like an obvious diffuser or candle, but looks like a piece of decor while it's at it.
You can never have too many taper candles in my opinion, and these striped styles from ZARA Home are just so pretty. Hot tip: if you're going to use them for styling (instead of actually burning them), make sure you still burn the top of the wick so they don't look so obviously 'styled'.
What's better than giving the gift of sleep? This 100% Mulberry silk mask is designed to not only completely block out light, but the natural thermoregulating properties of the silk will help reduce puffiness and locks in your skincare while you sleep.
Fancy mouthwash? Sign me up. I love adding a bit of luxury to even the most mundane of tasks, and this bottle would look so good sitting beside your sink. Would I decant future mouthwashes into this bottle once it's finished? Probably.
Cousin, sister's boyfriend, sister, uncle — honestly, I'm not sure who wouldn't appreciate this stylish cotton toiletries/make-up/wash bag. It would work for anyone on your list, and also comes in a few other colorways to choose from.
These pyjamas look so good you could almost walk out the door and to your local coffee shop wearing them. Brown and light blue has been a trending color combination this year, and the harlequin print and pretty bow ties just finish it off perfectly.
Looking for a conversation starter for your next dinner party? You can't go past this playful, woven lobster-shaped napkin decor. Each design is woven by hand from iraca, a natural fiber sourced from palm trees in South America, and doubles as a work of art.
Got to find a gift for a coffee lover? Fellow is a brand worth knowing, and this pour-over coffee maker will give them the cafe experience at home. The clever vacuum insulation creates the ideal brewing conditions, and it looks good, too.
I'm finding myself particularly drawn to the 'sanded' stainless finish right now, and Six Dots Design has a complete decor collection full of it. My pick is this pretty, organic candelabra, which is made from raw aluminium in the team's London workshop.
I'll admit, I can find some slogan plates a bit ehh, but not this sweet, scribbled 'Delicious' ceramic platter. It comes in a few different colors — lilac, red, and green — and would look just as good on the table as it would hanging on your wall.
Stala Candle Ring in Sand, Ferm Living
I saw this 'candle ring' in a store the other day and instantly added it to my Christmas wish list. It's such a unique shape for a candle, and would make for the best table centerpiece idea or styled on top of a book on your coffee table.
Ahh, a luxurious body product is always going to be a good call when it comes to gifting, and I've had my eye on this Fig Milk oil body cleanser from 39BC. It goes on smoothly and promises to leave your skin feeling silky and smelling of figs and violet leaf.
I love a puzzle. Period. It's the easiest way to make me put down my phone and really lock into something that let's my brain rest, and this tomato-themed design will have you dreaming of sunshine and summer holidays, no matter what the weather is like outside.
Purple was an unexpected color trend in 2025, but this wool blanket from MANGO Home captures it best. Made in Spain from quality wool fabric and finished with a frayed end, it's all about coziness and doing it in style.
The festive season can involve a lot of drinking, which is why I like to keep a bottle of Non on hand. It's non-alcoholic but still exciting enough that you feel like you're still drinking something special. There are so many different flavors to pick from, by number 3 (Cinnamon & Yuzu) is my favorite.
Curva Magazine Rack, Royal Design
Working in magazines, it should come as no surprise that I have quite a few of them lying around my home. That's why a stylish way to store them is something I've had my eye on for a while, and this curvy metal rack looks so cool, even empty.
Now you've got the gift sorted, make sure you stock up on an equally as design-forward Christmas card while you're at it, because that's an important detail I always forget.
