The thought of finding the best Christmas gifts for the women in your life can often be accompanied by panic rising in your chest, sweaty palms and an inclination to procrastinate, no matter whether it's for a mum, grandmother, sister or friend. Thanks to an oversaturated market and an enormous variety of tastes to navigate, it can feel nigh on impossible to find a unique, original, great gift. But fret no more, as Christmas 2023 can be different! It will be different! As House & Garden’s editors are on hand to provide a roadmap to discovering new and exciting gift ideas.
Sure, Christmas might feel more and more consumerist with every passing year, but there are still original and meaningful ways to celebrate. Forget generic gift cards, bland gifts sets and pointless presents, because House & Garden’s editors have searched far and wide for the most unique gift ideas across a vast range of styles, categories and budgets that they will surely fall in love with.
Don’t forgo celebrating on account of not finding the best gift possible. If you surrender to the concept, there’s much to be enjoyed, from beautiful letterbox flower deliveries to delicious chocolates, scented candles, colourful home accessories, soul-enriching wellness gifts and luxurious gadgets like Apple Airpods, Dyson hair dryers and apple watches. Remember if all else fails, you cannot go wrong with a flower delivery.
What's the best Christmas gift for her at a glance:
- Best Christmas gift for her: Limited Edition Always Pan 2.0, £130 from Our Place
- Best luxury gift for her: Ruffle Pillow Slip, £160 from The Trove
- Best gifts for hard to buy for people: Cashmere Bed Socks, £36 from The White Company
- Best gift hamper for her: Soho House Cocktail Hamper, £225 from Soho Home
Our Christmas gift guide for her is full of luxury gift ideas (at all price points) that your loved ones will actually want. Read on to see them all.
Best Christmas gifts for sleep fanatics
You can't go wrong with a present designed to encourage a better night's sleep. Whilst a full blown mattress might be a little unusual to give, a set of pillows and pretty pillowcases is firmly in the ‘good gift’ category. Bonus points if the latter are silk. You can also take things one step further, or in fact, one step back, and give something designed to ease the process of getting ready for bed. Think scented candles, snuggly dressing gowns and cosy slippers.
Best Christmas gifts for foodies
If you're buying for someone who appreciates good food, loves to cook and hosts the very best dinner parties, then look no further than this section. Consider whether to go down the cookware route - beautiful chef knives, cookbooks and pans will all be eminently useful and much used - or whether they'd appreciate something for the table more.
If your foodie recipient might prefer something for the table then we suggest purchasing something they can use straight away. A stylish set of plates will go a long way towards a more merry meal, where a new teapot will provide the perfect tool for winding down after a long day of festivities.
Best beauty gifts for her
If you’re buying for someone who is a big fan of long baths, scented candles in charming keepsake pots and pampering skincare, splurge on one of these thoughtful beauty gifts. These self-care gifts range from £40, for Matilda Goad's charming hand towels, to £580 for Salvesen Graham's faux cane mirror. For the perfect bath, we think this Discovery Bathing Collection from Molton Brown is a great gift.
Best gifts for the homebody
Even the most extroverted people need time to recharge in the comfort of their home, which is exactly why we've put together several excellent Christmas gift ideas for the homebody in your life. After all, you can't go wrong with a chunky sofa throw or pretty bedding.
Flowers, chocolates and other classic gifts
For those giving a Christmas present to a loved one for the first time, figuring out what to buy can be an intense and nerve wracking thing. Scrambling around for something really personal can often result in missing the last delivery window. So, if you’re struggling in your search, remember that a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates or champagne in a luxury gift box will be a sweet gesture without the panic (and can be bought right up to the last minute). If you fancy going all out, Cartwright & Butler's hamper, delivered to their doorstep would be a great way to go.
Best Christmas gifts for arts and crafts lovers
For those who love to create pieces of art, have a great passion for photography, or have a burgeoning print collection, we've compiled a list of lovely gifts and stocking fillers.
What's the best Christmas gift?
Heart shaped bath bombs, Yankee candles, novelty keyrings, generic vouchers, hoodies (there's no room for Oodies here) and oversized teddy bears begone! This year we suggest that instead of buying your wife, girlfriend, friend or partner tat, you aim for a thoughtful and unique gift that says ‘I love you’ and will be cherished for years to come. While elevated takes on classic gifts, like chocolate, a bottle of fizz or flower deliveries of their favourite blooms show you care in a traditionally endearing way, we think there are so many thoughtful ways to make your Christmas 2023 extra memorable.
