25 Very Cool Gifts For The Very Hard To Buy For 2021 [Christmas Gift Guide]
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Not even sure how it’s gift guide time again, but everything tells me it is, so I guess it’s true!
Last year I was pondering my general lack of Christmas enthusiasm compared to many, and the fact that I’m not really a grinch, it’s just not THAT big a deal in Australia and New Zealand where I grew up. Plus I’m really quite stubborn and contrary, so if everyone is telling me I should do one thing, I will usually want do the opposite. Not a personality trait I’m particularly proud of, nor is it very useful, but it is what it is and at least I’m aware of it.
ANYWAY… to get through the glum weather of the next few months, I might even start embracing it a little earlier this year (I always give in at some point!). Hell, I might even allow my husband to start playing the Christmas tunes earlier than the 11th of December. Not actually sure why that’s the watershed date, but believe me, when there are Christmas tunes blaring from morning til night, all day every day, by Christmas Day I’m about ready to throw all the speakers through windows, so perhaps a 50% non-Christmas music rule is in order, at least until the 20th? A happy marriage is all about compromise after all…
This year I had several categories in mind when curating my gift guide, though I’ve not broken them down as such as there is loads of crossover between each one. But I do believe you’ll find something here for The Design Queens, The Coffee Lovers, The Cool Kids, The Hippies At Heart, The Foodies, The Cocktail Lovers, The Impossible Princesses, and The Rebels. Collectively also known as REALLY BLOODY DIFFICULT to buy for.
As always, I would be totally thrilled to receive any and all of these gifts myself. Did you read that Ed?
I hope this helps you find something for those difficult people in your life.
Oh, and can I also have a medal for actually managing to get this published before December even kicks in?
1 Bowie Flash Signet Ring - Louise Wade
Full disclaimer: I am utterly obsessed with local jewellery designer Louise Wade’s Bowie rings, and I WILL be the proud owner of one soon. Perhaps not this Christmas, but I will be celebrating quite a significant birthday next year…
2 Don’t Ring the Bell Bike Bell by David Shrigley - Third Drawer Down
Ed just bought this for me, and that’s why I love him. Exactly the kind of absurd gift that is perfect for really tricky customers! I’m keeping mine next to the bed to ring for tea. Not even kidding.
Said to purify and clear negative energy when burned, this is a lovely gift that would be especially great for someone who has recently moved. Sustainably sourced before anyone starts.
Gifts that keep on giving are always a winner, but when you get to choose what you want yourself it's even better. I'm a new Beauty Pie fan, and think this would be a great gift.
5 Column Bottle Opener - Aries Arise
For the hip dad that has everything.
6 Sentei Topiary Clippers - Niwaki
Regulars year after year on my Christmas Gift Guides because I’m obsessed with topiary and they are just beautiful products. A brilliant gift for pro or novice gardeners alike.
Skaters in the know, shop at Palomino.
8 Coffee Subscription - Dark Arts Coffee
Another gift that keeps on giving, this time for the serious coffee lover. Trust me, my husband is one.
9 Rose Quartz Crystal - She’s Lost Control
I’ve always been fascinated by crystals and their purported powers, and regardless of your thoughts, they’re undeniably beautiful objects. Ethically sourced FYI.
10 Rose Oil Isparta Perfume - Ostens
I was lucky enough to be invited in to Ostens Mayfair HQ back in the summer, and spent an amazing hour hanging out with one of the founders Chris, who I could listen to talking about fragrance forever. It was utterly fascinating to hear about the ethos behind the six Ostens fragrances and they are all absolutely divine. This would be a very special gift indeed.
11 OUAI Chill Pills - Net-a-Porter
A whole new world of bath products has opened up to me since I'm now the proud owner of a very beautiful one. Who wouldn't want a chill pill in bath bomb form!
12 Wavy Edge Terracotta Pot - Straw London
JUST. SO. PRETTY.
13 Cocktail Subscription box - Kocktail
No caption required. But just so you know, they also do large bottles now too.
14 Lovenskate Lust4Curbs Hoodie - Palomino
Another foolproof option for the tricky to buy for cool peeps in your life.
15 The Wave Matches - Sous Chef
Show me a design-conscious person who doesn’t love a cool box of matches. I’ll wait.
16 Pearl Round Marbled Resin Vase by Dinosaur Designs - Matches
There's something so beautiful and tactile about resin objects. And perhaps it's also because I remember walking past the Dinosaur Designs shop in Sydney on my way Paddingon Market every Saturday as a teenager, that I always seem to include one of their beautiful pieces in my gift edits. Love this stunning little vase, which is firmly on my personal wish-list.
17 Il Favorito Black Stone Scented Candle by Ginori 1732 - Liberty
Well it wouldn't be my gift guide if I didn't include at least one beautiful scented cande would it? I've been very restrained to only include one. This one won because I became instantly obsessed as soon as I clapped my eyes on the amazing vessels. I'm yet to actually smell them, but I am positive no one would be dissappointed. Go check the others out too - just incredible!
18 Bonjour Monsieur Crabe! Plate - Harlie Brown
Pure joy in ceramic form. A set of four would be an amazing gift, or perhaps just one for the wall.
19 Wiggle Candlestick - Maude Vaughn
I wouldn’t normally include something in this guide that I know is out of stock, but I have made an exception for these most stunning hand-forged pieces designed by the lovely Ness of Maude Vaughn. It was love at first sight for me (yes, again, and yes, it does happen a lot, especially with candles and things that hold candles) and the only reason I haven’t succumbed thus far is that I already have way too many other candlesticks that I also love. I’m sure I’ll find space for ‘just one more’ eventually though. You might have spotted one of these in the sublime home of Athena Calderone aka Eyeswoon. Rumour has it that these should be back in stock by the end of the month. You’re welcome.
20 Fabbri Amarena Cherries in Syrup - Sous Chef
You know when you’re going to someones house for dinner or drinks and you want to take a little something extra because, Christmas? Or just a little token gift for someone you like? Well look no further. And could the packaging be any more beautiful? I think not!
21 Herbivore Crushed Amethyst Body Polish - Cult Beauty
Well hello there beautiful. I think anyone with a bath would appreciate this little tub of prettiness. Me included!
22 Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Body Butter - Space NK
Quite frankly, this stuff smells good enough to eat, moisturises beautifully and I wouldn't be without it. Anyone with skin will love it!
23 Pia Wallén Cross Blanket - Arket
I've been coveting Pia Wallén's Cross Blankets possibly since she started making them in 1991, so imagine my delight when I spotted them at Arket (who alwasys do amazing blanket collaborations). These come in three other colours too. A design classic for sure.
24 Pia Wallén Wool Coasters - Arket
I have a confession to make: I hate coasters almost as much as I hate placemats. I'll go into that another time, but I realised recently, that I should stop hating them because they are sometimes neccessary. And then I saw these and realised that I don't hate all of them after all! A fab little present, also by Pia Wallén. They come in green and grey too.
25 Serax X Ottolenghi Feast Coffee Cups - Matches
Crowd-pleasing coffee cups for hot chocolates, mulled wines and Irish Coffees. Oh yes, there are definitely some things that I love about this time of year after all.
HO HO HO, HAPPY SHOPPING!