I'm better than everyone else? The Gorgeous Gift Guide xox
The gift guide to consumerism that's somehow better and more tasteful than yours.
It is with a hint of self-disgust that I approach the task of every writer who does any commercial work at all around Christmas - the gift guide. Lots of my content is centred around sensible consumption, being mindful of waste, and why stuff on its own is usually not a great predictor of good style or a happy mind. That being said, I love gifting (and receiving), and genuinely find the process of curating presents for my loved ones joyful and fulfilling.
Beyond gifting others, I enjoy being surrounded by beauty. It’s often acceptable in more anti-consumerism circles to enjoy beauty if it’s natural, like rippling water or sunsets or teeny little insects. I lose my claim to asceticism because I also enjoy the kind of beauty that is hand stitched in a French leather atelier, or squeezed into a pretty pink lipgloss tube, or poured out of a bottle with a sonorous cork.
I asked an academic in the theology of Hinduism who had been a monk for ten years (hard launch of the fact my current day job is being an anthropologist of religion) what I was to do with the fact that I love man made beauty so much. After laughing at me for some time, he explained that, in his view, humans are inclined towards beauty. It’s a gift that we can appreciate it, and those that craft lovely things are using their talents to make daily life that bit more beautiful.
Nonetheless, no one really needs anything brand new for Christmas, and the alternative ‘tasteful’ TikTok girlies are often shilling just as much plastic crap as anyone else.
In that spirit, enjoy The Gorgeous Gift Guide, and know that none of these products are sponsored or affiliate links (though I will indicate where brands have let me try bits out for free). The breakdown is by price, and we’ll go all the way from under £25 to luxury items.
Under £25
Whether the budget’s tight, it’s a Secret Santa, or you ‘just do silly little bits’ for Christmas, there’s plenty of options that won’t break the bank.
Marvis Toothpaste, £7.50
If you’re not on the internet, I can see how this gift might seem insulting. However, the coquetteification of the bathroom is fully complete, and ye olde European pharmacy products are all the rage. These are chic stocking stuffers, and can work for men or women. Add a personalised toothbrush if there’s extra in the budget.
Signed Book Editions, From £7.99
Whatever your loved one likes to read, any reputable bookseller should stock signed copies of popular items. Cookbooks and academic books are surprisingly affordable for personalised bookplates and signatures, so shop around.
Apéritif Bundle, From £10
Crémant de loire is a secret English people are just coming round on - good crémants (look for Alsace, Loire, and Bourgogne) run from around £10 in major supermarkets. Plonk these in a charity shop basket with some fashionable crisps and you have yourself an apéritif bundle.
Pillow Spray or Facial Mist , From £22
This is perfect for gifts with are thoughtful, but maybe a bit more impersonal, like relatives you don’t know very well or coworkers. These also work as part of a larger gift for someone close, or paired with a sleeping mask/cashmere socks. I personally love the Omorovicza facial mist for tired eyes, and because it makes my room smell like a spa, but note it isn’t a setting spray/eau thermale.
Subscription to my Substack 😇
Ok, this one was cheeky, but it’s literally less than £4 and your teenage daughter/aunt/mum/boyfriend/cat might enjoy it. Alternatively, consider a gift to yourself and take my word that I’ll produce consistent articles in the New Year…
Under £50
This category is a little easier to work with, so I’ve tracked down a range of gifts that work to cover most of the types of people in your life.
Besamé Cosmetics, Lipsticks From £29
Perfect for any vintage lover or whimsical person in your life, Besamé creates beautiful retro cosmetics in reproductions of shades from the past. The shipping can sometimes be tricky outside of the US, but as far as I’m aware they ship quickly to the UK.
Riedel Nick & Nora Glasses, From £25
These are the only correct glasses for true, hardcore martini drinkers. Named after husband-and-wife duo Nick and Nora Charles, played by William Powell and Myrna Loy in The Thin Man, these are a fashionable alternative to the large conical (and decidedly unchic) martini glass favoured currently. Pair it with some overpriced olives if your recipient is a dirty martini lover, or even a nice bottle of gin or vermouth.
Cabana Magazine, £40
I shill these like I’m paid to, but unfortunately I’m not. This makes a wonderful unisex gift for anyone in your life who considers themselves to have taste, or anyone who’s into interior design, fashion, or photography. The £40 price tag makes this difficult to justify as a regular magazine purchase, but as a Christmas present, fairly reasonable! There’s various editions (we’ll come back to Cabana at a higher price point), but they’re thick, luscious, and great for a coffee table.
I can’t justify buying Cabana, so I go to a (previously esoteric but recently reviewed for the Financial Times so now overrun with influencers) local café and read their copies. The covers of the latest edition were designed by Lesage in collaboration with (extremely obvious) Chanel, and are delightful.
Perfumed Oil, Officine Universelle Buly, From £45
No TikTok girl gift guide would be complete without an addition from Officine Universelle Buly, the French store famous for their personalisation. Whether you shop online, in Selfridges, in Paris, or wherever else they now have stores, the packaging is always that immaculate old world pharmacie feel, and the products smell deep and rich. The body oils come in a variety of scents, so would be suitable for male and female recipients depending on your preference.
Under £100
This is quite a tricky price bracket because it’s more than affordable but less than luxury - nonetheless, we’re going to give it a go.
Cashmere Balaclava, Lilysilk, £62
These are either hit or miss, but I love the rogue decision in British popular culture to bring back bonnets. Whether these are a microtrend or not, if you know a fashion girl that can pull of everything (and already has everything), these are silky-soft and pretty affordable for a cashmere product.
Waffle Bedding, Next, £35-65
Waffle bedding goes all the way up the scale in terms of price bracket, but for breathable cotton at a reasonable price, you can’t go wrong with next. Couple it with some pillow spray and it makes a lovely gift, especially for someone who doesn’t tend to buy nice things for themselves.
Caviar, King’s Fine Food, from £33
I know this seems ridiculous, but in the grand scheme of things, it make an impressive and relatively inexpensive gift, depending on the type and quantity. A small tin of caviar can always be combined with a bottle of champagne or a really smooth vodka to make a larger gift, and I can’t see many people being unhappy to receive this. Also check out Kings Fine Food on TikTok for chats and histories of caviar (genuinely not sponsored, I just enjoy their videos!).
£100 +
I understand this is a pretty big range, but there are only so many increments a gal can do. I’ve picked out a variety of gifts that work for women and men, from the low hundreds all the way up to the really-quite-a-lot-of-cash range.
Jasmine des Anges Parfum, Dior, from £130
Now real TNTG fans will know I’ve written about this perfume before, but it really is extraordinary. I’m no Jeremy Fragrance and I’m sure someone out there can recommend a cheaper alternative, but the richness of this fragrance makes the air around you smell like the lobby of a posh hotel (complimentary) all day long.
Siren Top, Idah, £285
Now you have to know this person well and be pretty confident in their sizing, but the adjustable corset back makes this a stunning gift for a girl that loves to sparkle. As a disclaimer, I do know the designer and she’s lovely, but doesn’t know I have this blog, so no affiliate links here! Their entire range is princessy and dreamy, but quite pricey to buy for yourself, hence its inclusion in the gift guide.
Lingerie, Kiki de Montparnasse, from £145
Quite obviously this gift requires knowing a person rather well, but real good quality lingerie is never going to go amiss. My pick here is Kiki de Montparnasse for almost purely romanticised historical reasons, but there are dozens of brands out there that craft lingerie and loungewear for all occasions, materials, and sizes.
Venere Cube Burgundy Bag, Dienee, €331.50
These gorgeous bags are 100% calf leather and buttery soft, designed and produced in Italy by a lovely lady called Violetta. They’re luxurious and quirky, but not overdone, and make a perfect gift for fashion snobs who wouldn’t be caught dead with a Dionysus or a Neverfull.
Omorovicza Facial, from £95
Anyone who follows my TikTok (hate saying that xox) will know how obsessed I am with these people and their gorgeous, calming spa in Mayfair. I recently got the Andrassy facial, and my face is still getting smoother every day, which is very spooky. They have tons of lovely products for all different skin types, but a gift card for a facial makes sure the recipient can choose exactly what they want, and not have any unnecessary bathroom clutter.
Bonus Gift!
I was foolish and took way too long to write this, but in the mean time,
, the go-to destination for high quality garment recommendations, has released a new line of cashmere sweaters. These won’t now ship until January, but are nonetheless a fabulous gift for birthdays or just because!I was privy to how much thought and care went into perfecting the production of these, and how much time it took to get the fit exactly right.
All Day Sweater, Acitura, €499.0
As someone who lives almost exclusively in oversized wool jumpers, this is a wardrobe win. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
The all-day sweater is designed so that you can pass it on to the next generation. The 8plied garment is knitted in Italy from 4x 2/28 ends of cashmere yarn provided by the renowned Scottish mill Todd & Duncan, which has been supplying luxury brands around the world since 1867.
The Grade A cashmere measures 15.5 microns in diameter, making it exceptionally soft and durable.
If you care about quality and often think price and luxury seem unconnected these days, this is the sweater for you.
I hope you enjoyed this extensive and excessively late gift guide. Gifting should be pleasurable, and remember - you can’t buy taste. XOXO TNTG