Today is the last day for guaranteed Christmas delivery — here are my proven crowd-pleasers for everyone on your list
Victoria Beckham, Uniqlo, Dyson, Missoma, and more — where to get the best gifts (at the best price) for everyone on your list
I’ll be honest, when it comes to gift-giving, I procrastinate. Like most forms of procrastination, I think this stems from perfectionism. Bear with me because I know that sounds like a cop-out, but I pride myself on being a brilliant gift-giver.
I remember throwaway comments, compliments in shops and obscure items friends see in shop windows. Remember that scene in Friends when Ross recalls a brooch Rachel said reminded her of one her grandmother had as a child and he then buys said brooch months later? That’s the level of present-purchasing I'm talking about. All of which is to say, I’ve made a rod from my own back and set the bar too high. So each year in a bid to outdo myself, I hold out for the best deals and scan the recesses of my mind for the unexpected but sure-to-be-adored gifts.
Occasionally, I fall short, and so I’ve also devised a backup plan of gifts for every budget (and everyone on my list) that have a proven track record.
It turns out, there is a science to Christmas gifting and I’ve found the perfect formula…
Christmas gifting essentials
- Personalised Christmas Stockings - starts at £6.50 at Etsy (was £10)
- Printed Satin Wrapping Paper - £16.70 at Etsy (was £20)
- Christmas Wrapping Set - now £6 at Amazon (was £7.99)
- Pack of 100 Gift Tags- now £5.50 at Amazon (was £6.90)
Big Ticket Items
I’m just gonna leave this here—in the prime spot—in the hope my boyfriend sees this. An LED mask has been on my Christmas wishlist for years (begging the question, why am I still deprived of one?) and after pouring over the Marie Claire UK guide to LED Masks, Dr Dennis Gross’ model is at the top of my list. The celebs swear by it, too.
A decent pair of headphones is a festive failsafe and this Dyson pair comes with the Stormzy seal of approval. They’re packed with technical features—like Active Noise Cancellation, Enhanced Sound Range, and 55-hour battery life. The real clincher is the customisable design which allows you to change the cushions and outer cap.
As someone who has had the same hairstyle pretty much since birth, the best thing about a trip to the salon is the blow-dry at the end. So, when the much-hyped Dyson Airwrap™ came out, like seemingly everyone else, I was intrigued. Can a single product really give me that signature bouncy blow-dry? We put it to the test, and the answer is yes.
Nikon’s new Z50II is a must-have camera for content creators and vloggers. Perfect for first-time camera users, it’s super easy to step up and sync with a phone. It’s also compact and lightweight and lets users easily jump between features so the budding photographer in your life can mix between candid shots, posed portraits, and 4K videos.
Every year, Apple’s iPad tops Christmas wishlists worldwide and this year looks set to be the same. The failsafe investment is currently the second most highly searched Black Friday deal according to Google.
Shop the Marie Claire UK Christmas Gift Guide
Failsafe Gifts For Her
Gold hoops are a classic and this Missoma pair in collaboration with Lucy Williams is one of the brand’s bestsellers. The entwined design separates them from traditional styles while still being practical enough for daily wear.
Saturated with light-catching Swarovski crystals, Converse’s Run Star trainers are a playful take on party feet for girls who don’t care for heels.
Dubbed “ This Decade's It Scent ”, Merit Beauty’s elegant ‘Retrospect’ scent is a surefire win this Christmas (plus, you’ll get bonus points for being ahead of the curve). Infused with notes of rich bergamot, juicy pear, jasmine, rose, rosemary, vanilla, musk, moss (And more!) it’s a gift for not only the wearer but anyone who comes into their orbit.
Few things say ‘Christmas’ like cashmere. A wearable luxury that’ll never go out of style, Saint + Sofia’s version is fitted with a detachable snood so you can wear it with or without the cosy roll-neck. Ribbed trims temper the relaxed shape.
Monica Vinader’s heart necklace is a modern update on a classic style. The handcrafted pendant is cast from gleaming 18kt gold-plated vermeil sterling silver and hangs on a delicate adjustable chain.
Cosy and cool, these glossy loafer mules are a brand bestseller. They’re crafted from chocolate brown patent leather with classic penny loafer strap detailing and a fuzzy shearling front panel.
Revlon’s 3-in-1 blow-dry tool has an irresistible price tag right now. I’m ordering one ahead of party season.
Looking to indulge them this Christmas? Look no further than Victoria Beckham’s sumptuous cashmere knit. Not only is it a brand classic, it’s one of the designer’s personal favourites. It has an extra-long ribbed roll-neck and cuffs.
No one loves festive fashion as much as me, but by the 27th, I’m looking to get cosy. That doesn’t mean I don’t still want to look good, contrary to popular opinion, you can be stylish and slovenly and the best way to do that is to invest in a quality co-ord. This relaxed hoodie strikes the perfect balance, especially when paired with the coordinating trousers...
Whether worn as part of a matching sweat or dressed up with pointy stilettos and an oversized bomber jacket à la Rihanna, a pair of wide-leg sweatpants is something they’ll turn to again and again. This set is ideal for Christmas downtime or when travelling to see family.
Shop Gifts For Her
Failsafe Finds For Him
Is it a cliche to put whiskey in the ‘Gifts For Him’ section? Of course, but all the men in my life love drinking whiskey over the holidays, I think it makes them feel like Don Draper. As the bottle suggests, Glenmorangie’s Highland Single Malt Scotch has pleasing scents of citrus, juicy peach and notes of syrupy crème brûlée with a palate of vanilla tart, so it’s perfect for drinkers just getting into the spirit.
For the seasoned aficionado, there’s Redbreast’s 12-Year-Old Irish Whisky, which is currently £60 (down from £85).
There’s something irresistibly festive about James Bond. Maybe it was growing up with all those re-runs during Betwixmas, but Bond will always be tied to Christmas, for me. This sumptuous coffee table read from the experts at Assouline is elegantly stacked with glossy stills from some of the franchise’s most legendary destinations. Plus, it doubles as some stylish inspiration if you’re looking for them to smarten up in 2025.
Traced with white topstitching and signature Kickers branding, this pair is perfect for winter walks, whether thats trampling around the local forest or traversing the city. A stylish classic, they have padded cuffs and cleated soles.
Another winter wardrobe staple, Uniqlo’s wool sweater is topped with a chunky rollneck that feels just the right amount of Harry of When Harry Met Sally.
If they’re even the tiniest bit outdoorsy, you can’t go wrong with anything from the experts at The North Face. The best part about this hard-wearing Base Camp Voyager bag is that it works as well for city commutes as it does long-haul adventures. It’s packed with a host of handy features and has a padded 15-inch laptop compartment, padded shoulder straps unclip and conceal behind the back panel, secure-zip pocket, removable divider in the main compartment, and an external water bottle pocket.
Shop Gifts For Him
Stocking Fillers
Infused with citrus extracts and finely-milled pumice, Aesop’s luxurious hand wash cleanses and exfoliates.
What did I say about cashmere? Nina Peter’s timeless Nappa leather gloves are lined in buttery cashmere for a warm and luxurious fit. This the perfect kind of small present as it’s unlikely they’ll fork out that much themselves.
LANEIGE’s Lip Sleeping Mask feels like a true indulgence. Perfect for ‘Betwixmas’ pampering, it’ll soothe and protect weather-beaten lips.
Christmas is nothing if not an excuse to indulge and be lazy, and Moth makes sure they can do just that with this Glass Gift Pack. Simply crack open one of the perfectly blended cocktail cans and pour into a glass. This lazy bartender’s set even comes with a branded ice tray.
Ok, I admit it, I mentioned ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and I fell down a Nora Ephron rabbit hole. I could pore over this gorgeous coffee table book for hours—and they will too. Come for the romantic photos, stay for the actor’s insights into filming.
Shop Wellness Gifts
Christmas Eve Gifts
This aptly-named Dreamy Sleep Set is crafted from the highest quality Mulberry Silk. A true indulgence that protects your hair and skin while you sleep.
Some will call me a buzz kill, but who wants to wake up hungover on Christmas morning? For all the bubbles without the booze, look no further…
If you’re still not convinced, Moët & Chandon is a classic (I’ll be saving mine for December 25th).
All my favourite scents—Fig Leaves, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Clove—come together in this chic candle. It’s small enough to carry around with you if you’ll be bouncing between relatives for the holidays.
Made from breathable stretch jersey, this relaxed set will have them feeling like the cat’s pyjamas on Christmas morning.
And lastly, for the recipient who struggles to nod off on Christmas Eve, there’s this adorable knitting kit to keep them busy. With any luck, they’ll gift you the finished bonnet next year.
Fans of Emily in Paris, rejoice! Ottoman Hands has been spotted on TV's latest It Girl,. This timeless style exudes festive elegance while being chic enough to wear on daily rotation.
Shop All Christmas Gifts
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Mischa Anouk Smith is the News and Features Editor of Marie Claire UK.
From personal essays to purpose-driven stories, reported studies, and interviews with celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and designers including Dries Van Noten, Mischa has been featured in publications such as Refinery29, Stylist and Dazed. Her work explores what it means to be a woman today and sits at the intersection of culture and style. In the spirit of eclecticism, she has also written about NFTs, mental health and the rise of AI bands.
-
Blake Lively is “ready to tackle” Justin Baldoni's counter lawsuit, according to reports
By Jenny Proudfoot
-
When it comes to nourishing skincare in winter - this luxury brand's products are the ones I invest in
Unrivalled formulas and textures
By Katie Thomas
-
Sources have given a major update on Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner
By Jenny Proudfoot
-
I'm a Gen Z shopping expert—these are the gifts guaranteed to satisfy even the fussiest of Gen Z's
A fail-safe guide
By Sofia Piza
-
Gifting season is upon us—here are 67 stylish Christmas gifts for her, as chosen by our editors
We've picked the best gifts for every budget
By Natalie Hughes