25 Very Cool Gifts For The Very Hard To Buy For [The 2018 Edition]
I don't know if I'll ever be anything other than a last minute gift buyer. I'm pretty sure there's a reason I don't get very excited about Christmas shopping though - my kids are 14 and 7 and they want clothes and electronics. Not beautiful homewares, scented candles or stationery - these things I could get excited about. Although I do get excited about the fact my daughter is now VERY into skincare and makeup, but still.
Anyway, with my family in New Zealand and Australia, we don't do presents, so I'm buying for the kids only, and for whatever family member (usually just one or two) may be joining us on Christmas Day. Ed and I being both stupidly fussy, don't dare buy anything for each other, we buy our own gifts and say 'this is what you got me', and to this day perform a ridiculous charade on Christmas day where we 'wonder' what's in our presents.
So putting this gift guide together each year is like doing the fun present shopping I don't get to do. Therapy of sorts. I include things I would LOVE to be given, things I already have and love, or would definitely buy if I had a bigger family in the country to buy for. Despite doing yearly gift lists mostly based on things I want myself, my husband has still not got my very unsubtle hints and actually bought me anything from them. Maybe this will be my lucky year...
1. Large Pink Strom Bowl - WA Green
I have a thing for footed bowls, and Zoe at WA Green has a thing for curating the BEST products.
2. Tom Dixon Cone Bump Vase - Amara
A practical sculptural piece is always a winner in my book. I have the short version in pink of this and completely adore it. I'd love this black one too.
3. HAY Sonos One Speaker
It's been a total game-changer for us having Sonos in our lives (next week I'll be telling you how we can magically stream vinyl through the house now!). The pink HAY Sonos One speaker lives in our kitchen and it's used constantly by the whole family. I love that the kids can listen to whatever they want to too. And JUST LOOK AT IT! Other colours include pale grey, green, yellow and red, alongside the standard black and white.
4. Nights by Wilder 'Jimi' Pyjamas
Could these be the most beautiful pyjamas in the universe? I'd be willing to wager a bet that they are. Please please please do them for older kids and adults too!
5. Bella Freud Eau de Parfum - The Conran Shop
I'm trying to branch out in the scent department and explore some new to me ones. I like this one a LOT, and how good would it look on the dressing table?
6. Ortiga Ambra Nera Candle - Selfridges
This one is on my list to try - quite reasonably priced compared to many too, and smells incredible in the (very pretty!) container.
7. Laura Gravestock Femme Amour Necklace
Laura Gravestock necklaces are staple on my gift lists because, well, they're beautiful pieces direct from an independent designer and I love them. I've worn my Dainty Lightning one every single day for years.
8. Oyoy Rose Glass Paper Press - Couverture And The Garbstore - Couverture and The Garbstore
It pink, it's round, it's glass, what's not to like?
9. Williams Sonoma Bourbon Almond Brittle - Harrods
The perfect gift to buy someone when you're stuck for ideas but want to give them a lovely treat that's more thoughtful than a bottle of wine. And if the Peppermint Bark cookies that I recived a few days ago as a gift are anything to go by, this will be outstanding!
10. Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone - Wordery
I've already gifted myself this beautiful book and sent a copy to my friend too. Full of inspiring recipes, and lets face it, who wouldn't want a piece of Athena's life!
11. Cove Printed Linen Cushion - Couverture And The Garbstore
Obsessed with this abstract print and the colour palette is to die for. I'll have two thanks!
12. Quail Cat Patience Money Box - Liberty
I love a good old fashioned money box, and it's a great way to teach kids about saving. I wonder why this particular one caught my eye....
13. Overose Shahaman Candle - The Conran Shop
Yes, yes, I know I keep going on about this candle, but LOOK AT IT! This is out of stock at most UK stockists, so be quick!
14. Stella Vine Portrait
Perhaps a little late to put under the tree, but this would be a once in a lifetime gift - a treasured family heirloom.
15. Okatsune Pro Snips - Niwaki
For the gardener, plant or flower lover. I can't tell you how often I wish I had something sharper than my rubbish secateurs to cut the stems of flowers and foliage or when pruning plants.
16. Gail Bryson Jodhpur Tea Towel
You can't beat a linen tea towel for being ultra absorbent. These are hand printed in London by a local designer. Yes, yes and yes.
17. Lovenskate Real Girls Skate Curbs Long Sleeved T-Shirt - Palomino
For the cool girl in your life.
18. Drunk Elephant Inspector Drunk Kit - Space NK
I'm desperate to try Drunk Elephant, particularly the T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (there's a full size bottle in this set, and lots of smaller sizes of four other products to try too). Currently out of stock online - I'll be trying in store!
19. Instax Mini 9 Camera - Argos
I was completely obsessed with my polaroid camera in my 20's and now my daughter has this on her Christmas wish list, so you bet I'll be indulging her. I'll probably also be stealing it off her...
20. Klippan Plus Throw - Goodhood
I'll never not love a cross symbol, and you can never have too many throws. This is such a good'un!
21. Jing Earl Grey Tea
I love love love Jing Tea (if it's good enough to be served at Sketch, then its good enough for me!)
22. Lovenskate Skateboard Deck For The Lost, The Lonely And The Broken Hearted - Palomino
A teen kids dream. Well actually a lot of grown-ups too. Don't forget the hardware (Nick who owns this über cool store, would be more than happy to help you put the whole kit together)
23. The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair - Wordery
The story behind 75 shades, dyes and hues - so interesting and SO pretty!
24. Rachel Entwistle Pyramid Row Studs
I'm inching my way towards wearing earring again. Maybe these are 'the ones'.
25. Living Etc or Architectural Digest Subscription (or both!)
Without a doubt my favourite titles. A magazine subscription is the gift that keeps on giving!
Anyway, with my family in New Zealand and Australia, we don't do presents, so I'm buying for the kids only, and for whatever family member (usually just one or two) may be joining us on Christmas Day. Ed and I being both stupidly fussy, don't dare buy anything for each other, we buy our own gifts and say 'this is what you got me', and to this day perform a ridiculous charade on Christmas day where we 'wonder' what's in our presents.
So putting this gift guide together each year is like doing the fun present shopping I don't get to do. Therapy of sorts. I include things I would LOVE to be given, things I already have and love, or would definitely buy if I had a bigger family in the country to buy for. Despite doing yearly gift lists mostly based on things I want myself, my husband has still not got my very unsubtle hints and actually bought me anything from them. Maybe this will be my lucky year...
1. Large Pink Strom Bowl - WA Green
I have a thing for footed bowls, and Zoe at WA Green has a thing for curating the BEST products.
2. Tom Dixon Cone Bump Vase - Amara
A practical sculptural piece is always a winner in my book. I have the short version in pink of this and completely adore it. I'd love this black one too.
3. HAY Sonos One Speaker
It's been a total game-changer for us having Sonos in our lives (next week I'll be telling you how we can magically stream vinyl through the house now!). The pink HAY Sonos One speaker lives in our kitchen and it's used constantly by the whole family. I love that the kids can listen to whatever they want to too. And JUST LOOK AT IT! Other colours include pale grey, green, yellow and red, alongside the standard black and white.
4. Nights by Wilder 'Jimi' Pyjamas
Could these be the most beautiful pyjamas in the universe? I'd be willing to wager a bet that they are. Please please please do them for older kids and adults too!
5. Bella Freud Eau de Parfum - The Conran Shop
I'm trying to branch out in the scent department and explore some new to me ones. I like this one a LOT, and how good would it look on the dressing table?
6. Ortiga Ambra Nera Candle - Selfridges
This one is on my list to try - quite reasonably priced compared to many too, and smells incredible in the (very pretty!) container.
7. Laura Gravestock Femme Amour Necklace
Laura Gravestock necklaces are staple on my gift lists because, well, they're beautiful pieces direct from an independent designer and I love them. I've worn my Dainty Lightning one every single day for years.
8. Oyoy Rose Glass Paper Press - Couverture And The Garbstore - Couverture and The Garbstore
It pink, it's round, it's glass, what's not to like?
9. Williams Sonoma Bourbon Almond Brittle - Harrods
The perfect gift to buy someone when you're stuck for ideas but want to give them a lovely treat that's more thoughtful than a bottle of wine. And if the Peppermint Bark cookies that I recived a few days ago as a gift are anything to go by, this will be outstanding!
10. Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone - Wordery
I've already gifted myself this beautiful book and sent a copy to my friend too. Full of inspiring recipes, and lets face it, who wouldn't want a piece of Athena's life!
11. Cove Printed Linen Cushion - Couverture And The Garbstore
Obsessed with this abstract print and the colour palette is to die for. I'll have two thanks!
12. Quail Cat Patience Money Box - Liberty
I love a good old fashioned money box, and it's a great way to teach kids about saving. I wonder why this particular one caught my eye....
13. Overose Shahaman Candle - The Conran Shop
Yes, yes, I know I keep going on about this candle, but LOOK AT IT! This is out of stock at most UK stockists, so be quick!
14. Stella Vine Portrait
Perhaps a little late to put under the tree, but this would be a once in a lifetime gift - a treasured family heirloom.
15. Okatsune Pro Snips - Niwaki
For the gardener, plant or flower lover. I can't tell you how often I wish I had something sharper than my rubbish secateurs to cut the stems of flowers and foliage or when pruning plants.
16. Gail Bryson Jodhpur Tea Towel
You can't beat a linen tea towel for being ultra absorbent. These are hand printed in London by a local designer. Yes, yes and yes.
17. Lovenskate Real Girls Skate Curbs Long Sleeved T-Shirt - Palomino
For the cool girl in your life.
18. Drunk Elephant Inspector Drunk Kit - Space NK
I'm desperate to try Drunk Elephant, particularly the T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (there's a full size bottle in this set, and lots of smaller sizes of four other products to try too). Currently out of stock online - I'll be trying in store!
19. Instax Mini 9 Camera - Argos
I was completely obsessed with my polaroid camera in my 20's and now my daughter has this on her Christmas wish list, so you bet I'll be indulging her. I'll probably also be stealing it off her...
20. Klippan Plus Throw - Goodhood
I'll never not love a cross symbol, and you can never have too many throws. This is such a good'un!
21. Jing Earl Grey Tea
I love love love Jing Tea (if it's good enough to be served at Sketch, then its good enough for me!)
22. Lovenskate Skateboard Deck For The Lost, The Lonely And The Broken Hearted - Palomino
A teen kids dream. Well actually a lot of grown-ups too. Don't forget the hardware (Nick who owns this über cool store, would be more than happy to help you put the whole kit together)
The story behind 75 shades, dyes and hues - so interesting and SO pretty!
24. Rachel Entwistle Pyramid Row Studs
I'm inching my way towards wearing earring again. Maybe these are 'the ones'.
25. Living Etc or Architectural Digest Subscription (or both!)
Without a doubt my favourite titles. A magazine subscription is the gift that keeps on giving!