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The Thread

Find stories to inspire you, ideas from people we admire and our expertise for a home well curated, a wardrobe well put together, a life well lived.

Christmas gift ideas from the experts

Christmas shopping is always a tough task and if you’re feeling stuck with knowing which presents to choose for friends and family then you’re in the right place. Whether your loved one is an interiors enthusiast, a new parent or committed home chef, we asked experts in a variety of fields for their top fail-safe options. And they were full of bright ideas to delight this Christmas.

unisex hooded ribbed hydrocotton robe

Natasha Hargan, five-star hotelier

“It’s the little luxuries which make all the difference when creating that home-from-home high-end experience, and no five-star stay would be quite the same without the soft embrace of a cocooning robe. Bring home that top-hotel feeling for Christmas.” For the ultimate in boudoir finery, gift a gorgeous silk robe. And something to really equal that hotel experience is luxury bedding. From Egyptian cotton to sateen and silk, follow our Bed Linen Guide to find the perfect gift.  
   
Natasha Hargan is the General Manager of Nobu Hotel in London’s Shoreditch.

Nicola Bonn, beauty and fragrance podcast host

“When shopping for perfume, it can be hard to know someone’s personal taste. When you don’t know their signature scent, opt for something clean and uplifting, such as a citrus fragrance. If you do know one of their favorite fragrances, find out the scent’s notes and be led by that when looking at alternatives. For example, if rose is one of the key notes, look for rose fragrances. Candles are often a safer bet as people tend to be more open to a variety of scents when it comes to home fragrances. Citrus scents are a no-brainer with candles, too, but at Christmas it’s always lovely to give a festive candle. A fragrance or candle-making workshop can make a unique gift and give them something to look forward to after Christmas.”
   
Nicola Bonn is host of The Outspoken Beauty Podcast and On The Scent Podcast.

cashmere bed socks
slim fit mini jingles reindeer pyjamas

Frankie Graddon, style specialist

“Cashmere is a great gifting go-to because it always feels really indulgent. Whether it’s a sweater, a scarf or even a pair of bed socks, a cashmere piece exudes luxury, making it the perfect, extra-special treat. From a style point of view, cashmere elevates whatever you’re wearing. Stick to classic colors and timeless silhouettes. It also ticks the practical box, being supremely warm. I love the idea of giving loved ones a touch of cashmere to feel fabulous in as they wrap up over the winter months.”
   
Frankie Graddon is a writer, editor, podcaster and consultant working across fashion and beauty.

Kirsty Ketley, parenting expert

“Whether you are a grandparent, godparent or a family friend, it can be hard to know what to buy children at Christmas. I always think it’s lovely to buy them cozy clothes in the winter, especially pajamas, robes and slippers. You can get such a fun selection of festive prints that they will love dressing up in over the holiday period (and in turn, get them excited for bedtime). Books are also always a fail-safe gift and when children get older, vouchers for their favorite store, so they can buy themselves something they like, are a good idea.”
   
Kirsty Ketley is a qualified early years and parenting specialist with more than 25 years of experience.

barton serving stand
compton wine glasses

Mark Budd, head chef

“Buying a gift for a friend or relative who loves cooking can be tricky as often they have everything they need in the kitchen. A meat thermometer is increasingly becoming more popular in the household kitchen, especially when cooking the turkey for Christmas dinner. The thermometer gives excellent control over the temperature and takes the guesswork out of reaching that perfect level of cooking.” And don’t forget it’s not all about the kitchen for your foodie loved ones. The serving and wow moment of guests is part of the experience, so gift an impressive serving platter or tableware with which they can really showcase all their hard work at Christmas and beyond, giving all-year-round use.
   
Having earned his stripes at five-star establishments such as The Stafford, The Ritz and The Dorchester in London, Mark Budd is now Executive Head Chef at Bovey Castle, a luxury hotel in Dartmoor National Park in Devon.

Charlie Stein, wine guru

“If you like to imbibe outside in the warmer summer months or keep your wine cool in the winter, a wine cooler sleeve is an essential bit of kit. Whether it’s beach, park, poolside, or in my case the upper Edrich stand at Lord's Cricket Ground during a Test match, this cooler will keep champagne at the right temperature right up until the lunch break. Purchase at Christmas for wine lovers for a gift which can be used all year round.” And of course, your Christmas drinks will look wonderful in the right glassware. Skye Optic wine glasses, for example, are beautifully designed and made in the Czech Republic from high-quality crystalline glass by skilled artisans.
   
Charlie Stein is Head of Wine at Rick Stein Restaurants, looking after the wine lists across the 10 restaurants, pub, cookery school and 40 guest rooms, as well as their online wine shop.

fireside large candle
nordic woods large candle

Sarah Vanrenen, expert interior designer

“I think a tray can always be a useful present as well as a decorative one. Pick an eye-catching design and it works as a stand-alone object. Or, it can be used to organize bottles or glasses on a drinks table, sit pride of place on an ottoman or coffee table with a scented candle or be placed in a bedroom with one’s favorite trinkets. You know it will be treasured and even be a happy reminder of you.”
   
Sarah Vanrenen has been one of the UK’s leading interior designers for more than 20 years, undertaking a broad range of residential and commercial projects in the UK and abroad.

Rosebie Morton, luxury florist

“I am obsessed with scent and like to give people scented bulbs which loved ones can watch flower and which lift their spirits in the depth of winter. You can give a bag of mixed bulbs available from any reputable bulb supplier. I’d recommend a mix of scented tulips, such as Ballerina or Apricot Emperor, Narcissus Bridal Crown or Avalanche, hyacinths in white, pink or lilac, Crocus Tommasinianus and snowdrops. But if time and budget permit then pot them up, layering like a lasagne, and gift the pot ready to flower in the spring. That’s a really thoughtful present which will give huge pleasure for many weeks.”
   
Rosebie Morton is a florist and founder of The Real Flower Company, a business that creates luxury bouquets from scented roses, English flowers, herbs and foliage grown on their own English and Fairtrade sustainable farms.