So it’s the week before Christmas and panic has hit, what to buy? And how to avoid the crippling mania of city centres at the weekend? Don’t panic and hit up the trusty WorldWideWeb, but act quickly to avoid missing the Christmas delivery cut offs.
Nightwear
Who doesn’t want sleepwear for Christmas? Yes I don’t mean the traditional Christmas style sort (but they work too). But think luxurious, comfy fabrics that won’t break the bank. Or go casual and on-trend with an oversized slogan bed tee.
L-R:Night Shirt Topshop £20, Paisley Print Pyjamas ASOS £28,Oversized watercolour pyjama shirt Monki (Via ASOS) £30
Sparkle
With New Years celebrations right around the corner, everyone is looking for that killer look to see in 2016. Whether it be sparkly lurex socks as a stocking filler or secret Santa gift, or all out sequins for that killer party look, the high-street is awash with options.
L-R: Fluffy Chevron Socks Topshop £3.50, ASOS Jumper in Lurex Stripe with Skinny Stripe £21, ASOS Effects Ankle Boots £31.50
L-R: ASOS Metallic Jaquard Skirt £38, Skinny Dip Mermaid Shell bag £30, ASOS Metallic Fold Over Clutch £18
Books
From Grace Coddington’s: a Memoir to How to be a Parisian, and with many mindfulness and life-guide books [often in handy portable form] inbetween. A feel-good read never goes amiss.
L-R:How to be Parisian Caroline De Maigret Urban Outfitters £16.99, Grace- A Memoir Amazon £20.40 , Do Improvise Robert Poynton Urban Outfitters £8.99
Contour
It’s been the talk of the town for as long as we can remember, and as long as our Instagram feed stretches. Contouring, strobing and highlighting have captured the nation, but lucky for us the kits we need to achieve that Kardashian-esque sculpted look are available at a range of budgets.
L-R: Sleek Face Contour Medium Superdrug £9.99, Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit Cult Beauty £39.99, Becca Shimmering Skin perfecter £30.
Eyes
With the range of eye products available in every colour possible the options for products and looks you can create are endless. Now the festive season’s hit, special collections and Mac Christmas palettes have hit the shelves once again. Pigments are great for the festive season, either together as a set or divided for stocking fillers, with a pack of four retailing for £26.00. Or reach for one of Urban Decay’s naked palette offerings, with the three Naked palettes, a basics and a smoky palette; as well as a newly launched vice palette [think every shade imaginable].
L-R: Naked 3 Palette Urban Decay £38 , Vice 4 Eyeshadow Palette Urban Decay £43, Irresistibly Charming Collection MAC £26
L-R: Naked Smokey Palette Urban Decay £38, Colour drenched Pigment MAC £18, Naked Basics Palette Urban Decay £23
Make-up Tools
Real Techniques are constantly upping their brush game and are consistently affordable, accessible and integral in the make-up tool-box. Go for the Bold Metals line for their chic luxurious appearance or reach for the core line collections for Real Techniques newbies. Boots are currently running a buy one get the second half price deal on selected brushes.
L-R:Real Techniques Core Brushes Collection £21.99, Real Techniques Bold Metals Collections £32, Real Techniques Starter Set £21.99
Faux Fur
You cannot escape the faux fur or shaggy Mongolian style jackets that are dominating the high street. The offering is massive and there’s one to suit all tastes; ideal for the cold season.
L-R:Light Brown Faux Fur Gilet £29.99 New Look, Story of Lola Faux Clutch in Black and White £25 ASOS, Faux Fur Scarf In Pastel Patchwork Design £32 ASOS
L-R: Jacket with Faux Fur hood £59.99 Zara, Faux fur contrast collar coat Topshop £89, Faux fur compact coat Topshop £89, Only Faux Fur Jacket £42 ASOS
Others
Portable phone chargers are a requirement in this day and age, so pick fashion or function accordingly [but whoever receives this gift is sure to put it to good use].
L-R:Cheap Monday Pearl Necklace £8 Urban Outfitters, Anker PowerCore Mini Portable Charger £10 Amazon, Holographic Suede Zip Pouch £16 Urban Outfitters
L-R:Portable Marble Phone Charger £25 Urban Outfitters, This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray £16 ASOS
Luxury
For a budget that stretches that little bit further.
Candles are universally adored and reached for the most in the dull, temperature-plummeting winter months. Diptyque and Jo Malone go one step further than delivering the alluring room-enveloping scents; the packaging is mantelpiece worthy (and they work as great brush holders when they are finished – two products in one). Or go for a home spray or diffuser for a variation on an old classic.
L-R:Diptyque Figuier Mini Scented Candle £20, Diptyque Baies Black Scented Candle £42 Liberty London, Mesmering and Romantic Gift Set £92 Jo Malone, Pine & Eucalyptus Candle £42 Jo Malone
Organisation is key, especially as the New Year approaches. Get your loved one on-track to keeping their lives organised and all their plans in one accessible [yet attractive] place.
A luxurious scent is always fall-safe, plus often something that people do not treat themselves to. Think Tom Ford, Chanel and Giorgio Armani’s Si perfume to cement that smile on the receivers face.
L-R: Tom Ford Black Orchid Debenhams £53-£75, Nixon Small Time Teller Rose Gold Watch £89 ASOS, Kate Spade New York 17-month organiser £30.00 John Lewis.
Emma McCormack
Images: Topshop, ASOS, Mac Cosmetics, Amazon, New Look, Debenhams, Cult Beauty, Jo Malone, Diptyque, Urban Outfitters, Boots, Superdrug