Fashion Brief
Under £10
Cinnamon stars
Meera Sodha’s pick
“Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.” Cinnamon stars, £6.50, konditorandcook.com
Mondrian socks
Abstract art for an ankle flash with impact. Piet Mondrian called it neo-plasticism, we call it fashion. Mondrian socks, by Chatty Feet, £8, notjustashop.arts.ac.uk
Bastarda hot red pepper sauce
Bring the fuego with Salsa Bastarda’s cayenne-laced sauce, inspired by Cantabrian fishermen (and a bottle of rum, yo-ho-ho). Bastarda hot red pepper sauce, £6.25, brindisa.com
Kids’ toothbrush
Pearly whites with a pea-sized squirt of virtue: 100% biodegradable, kids’ toothbrush with a sustainably grown bamboo handle and eco-friendly packaging. Also vegan, obvs. Kids’ toothbrush, £4, boots.com
Foliage notebook
Charming botanical stationery that’s chic, cheap and a-seasonally cheering. Foliage notebook, £8, somethingnice.shop
KeepCup
Last one standing using disposable coffee cups? Get 2019 ready and do your bit for the planet with a personalised, barista-standard reusable cup. KeepCup, from £10, uk.keepcup.com
Cable bite
That hole in their life (or stocking)? Fill it with an animal accessory that also protects your cables from breaking. Life, complete. Cable bite, £8, urbanoutfitters.com
Monkey tea infuser
Tiger come to tea? Make them feel at home with Kikkerland’s cheeky-monkey tea infuser. Monkey tea infuser, £8, habitat.co.uk
Houseplant pruner
Alys Fowler’s pick
“Keep haworthia and maidenhair ferns in order with this lovely indoor plant pruner.” Houseplant pruner, £9.99, burgonandball.com
Pomeranian mini calendar
A tiny dog calendar for all those tiny day dates – as pomeranian as it is practical. Pomeranian mini calendar, 2019, £9.99, paulsmith.com
Nine mini jar gift pack
Don’t sweat the small stuff; eat it. Nine diminutive jars of mustards, chutneys, jams and joy from Wiltshire’s condiment elite. Nine mini jar gift pack, £5.75, tracklements.co.uk
Super future rebel makeup bag
Give them the superpower of lightning-speed, Clark Kent-style makeovers. Failing that, a nice, bright makeup bag. Super future rebel makeup bag, £8, paperchase.com
Silver nail clippers
Sali Hughes’ pick
“The best nail clippers of all time. They are life-changing – believe me.” Silver nail clippers, £7.95, muji.eu
Baron de Ley Reserva rioja
Fiona Beckett’s pick
“A pukka rioja in a 50cl bottle – perfect for someone who lives on their own.” Baron de Ley Reserva rioja, 2014, £6, morrisons.com
Le Labo lip balm
Sali Hughes’ pick
“A beautiful and affordable balm from a brand loved by everyone of any gender or age.” Le Labo lip balm, £10, johnlewis.com
Noah’s Ark pencil set
Miniature ark art set for miniature artists in a pleasing 1920s print – top marks. Noah’s Ark pencil set, £4.50, vam.ac.uk
Eaton’s Modern Ready Reckoner: Essential Everyday Trivia
Get cleverer with top trivia from the Guardian’s resident quizmaster, Thomas Eaton, Eaton’s Modern Ready Reckoner: Essential Everyday Trivia, £9.99, blinkpublishing.co.uk
Hubert planter
For people who like beards and plants – there’s a pot for that. Hubert planter, £9, redcandy.co.uk
Smash choc-covered corn snacks
Felicity Cloake’s pick
“All I want for Christmas? Swedish Smash snacks – I’m addicted.” Smash choc-covered corn snacks, £2.99, scandikitchen.co.uk
The Real McCoy And 149 Other Eponyms
A fitting stocking filler or secret Santa for the person of letters or pedant in your life – eponyms from Molotov cocktail to Cadillac. The Real McCoy And 149 Other Eponyms, £9.99, bodleianshop.co.uk
Mini karaoke microphone
A mini-mike for your smartphone that makes every song a sing-a-long and every moment a karaoke session. Gift with caution. Mini karaoke microphone, £10, urbanoutfitters.com
Slap-band watch
What time is it? Time you got a watch. It’s never too soon to become a smart arse – start them off with this wise owl watch from the RSPB. Slap-band watch, £9.99, shopping.rspb.org.uk
Bike bell
A pop art chip bell to complete the fish-bike trinity. Bike bell, £8.99, trekbikes.com
Love Cocoa avocado/70% dark chocolate bar
The perfect sweet treat for a good ol’ millennial-mocking session (also delish). Love Cocoa avocado/70% dark chocolate bar, £4.50, johnlewis.com
Guardian Weekly subscription
Subscribe to the new-look Guardian Weekly to send a carefully curated collection of our best reporting and writing from around the world – and support independent journalism. From £6 for six issues, subscribe.theguardian.com
Under £25
Getaway travel pillow
For adventurers, high-fliers and people that get a bit irascible and unpleasant to be around on long-haul flights. You’re welcome. Getaway travel pillow, £22, uk.bando.com
Jen Atkin x Chloe + Isabel rose gold-plated hair clip
Sali Hughes’ pick
“Chic not girlie, and suits all hair types.” Jen Atkin x Chloe + Isabel rose gold-plated hair clip, £12, cultbeauty.co.uk
Patternity bra top
If sacred geometry took on crop tops. Also good for yoga, spin class, Instagram etc. Patternity bra top, £25, johnlewis.com
Magnum Photos set of four Martin Parr coasters
Celebrate a better time of warm pints, Formica tables and glace cherries with Martin Parr’s wry snaps on a jaunty quartet of coasters. Magnum Photos set of four Martin Parr coasters, £17, plinth.uk.com
Brass pizza cutter
Class up pizza night – this elegant utensil is 100% more civilised than ripping pizza apart with your hands. Apparently. Brass pizza cutter, £11, hausofhyde.com
Liewood Elton maple wood rattle
Get in there before the plastic tat descends with this parent-pleasing wooden rattle. Liewood Elton maple wood rattle, £16, the-mini-edit.com
Seedball gift box
Seedball’s super-easy wildflower planting kits bring life to all gardens – now in stocking-ready festive tins. Seedball gift box, £19.99 for three, seedball.co.uk
Gingerbread man catnip toy
Make up for a year of cat v cucumber videos with a little something just for Mog. Gingerbread man catnip toy, £18, conranshop.co.uk
Faux fur bobble hat
A happy hat to brighten up the most miserable months. Faux fur bobble hat, £14, topshop.com
Claus Porto spiced citrus soap
A soap on a rope for super-secure suds enriched with walnut extract, bergamot, lemon, neroli and ginger. Zingy. Claus Porto spiced citrus soap, £20, mrporter.com
How Football (Nearly) Came Home, by Barney Ronay
It’s time to come out of mourning. Start the healing process with Guardian sports writer Barney Ronay’s recollections of bad food and great football at Russia 2018, where he trailed the England team in the most hopeful sporting summer in decades. How Football (Nearly) Came Home, by Barney Ronay, £12.99, guardianbookshop.com
Flamingo egg cup
Since you ask, flamingo eggs are roughly the same shape as hens’, but bigger. And we hear flamingo eggs are making a comeback. Celebrate with pretty-in-pink porcelain. Flamingo egg cup, £20.99, hannahturner.co.uk
Star Wars R2-D2 junior swim cap
A quiet word of advice: cool as it is, this cap can do damage to adult-sized heads, so do yourself a favour and leave the super-fan swim kit to the kids. Star Wars R2-D2 junior swim cap, £11, speedo.com
Fairtrade elephant jigsaw
An Elmer-esque elephant puzzle that’s fairtrade and handmade in Sri Lanka from sustainable wood. Fairtrade elephant jigsaw, £12.50, lankakade.com
Match A Leaf memory game
If a tree falls in the wood … your clever-clogs kids will be able to name and shame it thanks to this beautifully illustrated arboreal memory game. +5 playground points. Match A Leaf memory game, £14.99, laurenceking.com
Ottolenghi Simple
Easy-peasy lemon squeezy, Yotam Ottolenghi’s latest offers 130 accessible recipes for hassle-free feasting. Ottolenghi Simple, £17.99, guardianbookshop.com
Abstract face cushion
An arty, abstract 1970s-hued cushion to turn a crummy old sofa into a veritable art gallery. Abstract face cushion, £25, made.com
Face earrings
Pretty portrait earrings in 18k gold – intriguing without being ostentatious. Face earrings, £20, aweatheredpenny.co.uk
Book subscriptions
The Drum, by Ken Wilson-Max and Catell Ronca, from A Little Box of Books, a subscription book club specialising in diverse inclusive books for kids. Subscriptions from £18 a month, littleboxofbooks.co.uk
Chocolate salami
Looks like a salami, tastes like a fabulously festive medley of Madagascan chocolate, dates, cranberries, raisins, orange zest, pistachios and almonds. Confusing. Delicious. Chocolate salami, £20, chococo.co.uk
Sleep Tight bauble
It’ll be a fight to the top of the tree with This Works’ iconic sleep oils adorning it in this very welcome bedtime blends bauble. Sleep Tight bauble containing three oils, £13, thisworks.com
Pint elephant jug
Make sure they never forget your generosity (geddit?), with this hand-drawn elephant on fine bone china jug from Arthouse Unlimited, a social enterprise celebrating the artistic talents of adults with epilepsy and learning difficulties. Pint elephant jug, £22, yourssustainably.com
Stormtrooper decanter
What to get the stormtrooper that has everything? A glass decanter based on the original 1976 movie helmet, of course. Stormtrooper decanter, £21.99, thefowndry.com
£50 and under
Hot water bottle
The inanimate answer to a big ol’ hug, Boden’s cheery, lambswool hot water bottle does sofa cuddles, cold toes and January blues. Hot water bottle, £35, boden.co.uk
Japanese netsuke fish metalwork embroidery kit
Oh, you don’t already embroider Japanese netsuke fish? Up their craft game with this delicate (but not too difficult) metalwork embroidery kit. Japanese netsuke fish metalwork embroidery kit, £50, by Becky Hogg, vam.ac.uk
Mittens
Cute-as-a-button panda mittens that won’t get lost. Mittens, £28, etsy.com
Paul Smith + New Balance mini football
Where fashion meets football: New Balance’s innovative 18-panel football with Paul Smith’s signature stripes. Sexy and sporty. Paul Smith + New Balance mini football, £30, paulsmith.com
Man on a Mission gift set
Make this Christmas the Christmas he realises he has skin too, with the skincare must-haves from Kiehl’s best-selling men’s range. Man on a Mission gift set, £31, kiehls.co.uk
Calle 23 resposado tequila
Thomasina Miers’ pick
“No Christmas is complete without a good bottle of tequila.” 100% agave from Mexico’s Zapotlanejo region: the good stuff. Calle 23 resposado, £37.90, amathusdrinks.com
Chemex coffee pot
Meera Sodha’s pick
“Coffee for all your guests at once.” Chemex’s wooden-collared coffee pots make up to 10 cups. Coffee pot, from £37, hasbean.co.uk
Birdball Belle bird feeder
Alys Fowler’s pick
“Feeds small birds in style.” Birdball Belle bird feeder, £26, greenandblue.co.uk
Jewel slingback court shoes
Fashion desk pick
“Sparkle without sore tootsies – party perfection.” Jewel slingback court shoes, £35, marksandspencer.com
Lunar necklace charm
Don’t be fooled by its Mona Lisa mystique and delicate gold hue, this charming pendant packs serious celestial punch. Lunar necklace charm, £30, anna-nina.nl
Market basket
A handy hideaway, shopper or picnic basket handwoven by a women’s co-op in Ghana – bright, beautiful, and brilliant at keeping miscellany out of eye-line. Market basket, £50, lolaandmawu.com
Soundwave print
Turn their favourite song or first dance into a design statement by way of a foil soundwave print. A unique musical memento, whether romantic gesture or great gift for a super-fan. Personalised favourite song soundwave print, £30, notonthehighstreet.com
Edie Parker iPhone case
Fashion desk pick
“Commit to festive sparkle.” Happier-than-thou acrylic clutch designer Edie Parker turns her wand on phone cases for festive cheer that lasts all year. Edie Parker iPhone case, £40, net-a-porter.com
Tom Ford beard comb
An opulent grooming gift for the bearded other half who keeps using your comb. Tom Ford beard comb, £30, harrods.com
Boogie Daze gym bag
Jazz up their gym kit with more metal than the weights room. Boogie Daze gym bag, £32, uk.bando.com
Pat McGrath Labs lipstick
Sali Hughes’ pick
“Colour saturated and beautifully packaged. A little piece of luxury from the world’s greatest makeup artist.” Pat McGrath Labs lipstick, £35, net-a-porter.com
A Wilder bath oil
Organic bath oil spray of juniper, petitgrain and vetiver essential oils, chemical- and preservative-free. A Wilder bath oil, £28, wilderbotanics.com
JDP ceramics plant pots
Arty, earthy and impactful in any space, uplift their succulent collection with James Pegg’s dynamic ceramics. JDP ceramics plant pots, £45 each, jdpceramics.com
Made x Bobbin helmet in brass
“Look hot without getting bothered,” say Bobbin and MADE of their breathable, comfortable and spectacularly shiny bike helmet. Made x Bobbin helmet in brass, £45, made.com
Catherine Tough lambswool knee-high socks
Because, penguins. Catherine Tough lambswool knee-high socks, £25, thewisehouse.co.uk
Bonzo waterproof shower radio and Bluetooth speaker
If the shower’s their stage, up the ante with MADE’s neat waterproof speaker and radio, complete with snazzy snap-band that attaches to anything. Bonzo waterproof shower radio and Bluetooth speaker, £49, made.com
Small flap backpack
Lefrik’s super-stylish, nice-and-light backpacks are 100% made from recycled plastic PET bottles, and vegan. Fashionable, functional and feel-good. Small flap backpack, night blue, €49.90, lefrik.com
Babouche slippers
Luxe suede slippers let them loaf like a sloven but look like a sultan. Babouche slippers, £32, yonderliving.com
£100 and under
Handcrafted felt children’s slippers
Cute with a conscience, keep little feet happy with eco-friendly slippers handcrafted by female artisans in Nepal. Handcrafted felt children’s slippers, £39, nauseni.org
Basquiat porcelain plate
A playful plate that’s also a talking point: Basquiat’s crowned T-Rex was inspired by the Pez Dispenser. Great chat. Basquiat porcelain plate, £72, ariashop.co.uk
Creative Coder Kit
Children are, literally, our future. Accept that they’re already smarter than you and aid their path to world domination with this incredibly cool, wearable kit that introduces them to coding. They may spare you. Creative Coder Kit, £54.99, techwillsaveus.com
CAT men’s trainers
If you missed the memo that ungainly trainers are cool now, there’s still time show you’re in the know – CAT’s 90s Intruders are as on-point now as they were then. CAT men’s trainers, £85, urbanoutfitters.com
Moroccan neroli shaving duet
A sophisticated shave courtesy of industry favourite Aesop. Moroccan neroli shaving duet, £53, aesop.com
Half-zip wallet
An understated leather wallet with the Carhartt stamp of cool. Half-zip wallet, £60, carhartt-wip.com
Men’s jumper
Helen Seamons’ pick
“This green knit is perfect for Netflix marathons as well as going out-out.” Men’s jumper, £69, arket.com
Waterfall earrings
Graphic statement earrings, handmade and painted in pretty blue hues on lightweight wood. Waterfall earrings, £75, wolfandmoon.com
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera
Document the big day with Fujifilm’s sunshine-yellow instant camera – retro good looks with bang up-to-date functionality and a selfie mirror. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera, £79, urbanoutfitters.com
Table runner
A monochrome, modernist table runner with a conscience – Tribal Textiles provides living-wage jobs for makers in Zambia, and supports education and the local community. Table runner, $79, shop.tribaltextiles.co.zm
Vívofit Jr Spider-Man fitness tracker
You don’t need your Spidey-senses to know what your kids are up to. Trick them into staying active and cleaning the house by gamifying everything from swimming and step counts to homework and chores, all jazzed up in an interactive Spider-Man adventure app and watch. Vívofit Jr Spider-Man fitness tracker, £79.99, garmin.com
Classic cork yoga mat
Up their post-yoga glow with CorkYogi’s sustainable, non-slip mats with a mission; every mat sold ensures a contribution towards a training course for a survivor of human trafficking. Classic cork yoga mat, £65, corkyogis.com
Pure cotton dressing gown
Helen Seamons’ pick
“Is it even Christmas if you don’t get a new bath robe? British model David Gandy brings five-star hotel luxury to grey mornings.” Pure cotton dressing gown, £65, marksandspencer.com
Organic cotton hoodie
Brothers We Stand is the home of e-commerce with a heart. Every stylish, sustainable item has a clear social or environmental purpose – whether upcycling, using renewable energy or supporting community artisans. Organic cotton hoodie, £59, brotherswestand.com
Off-White iPhone 8 case
Is it a phone case? Is it a status symbol? It’s both, duh, courtesy of man of the moment Virgil Abloh. Off-White iPhone 8 case, £70, harrods.com
Espresso maker
This sleek stove-top coffee pot with Scandi leanings makes an Insta-worthy morning routine out of domestic chaos. Espresso maker, £70, habitat.co.uk
Drunk Elephant rescue party kit
Sali Hughes’ pick
“A great way to try this year’s most talked about (and best) skincare launch.” Five pint-sized products to see them through the party season, expect the very best creams, cleansers, serums and balms. Drunk Elephant rescue party kit, £63, cultbeauty.co.uk
Workout leggings
Explosive workout clothes to put some fire in their belly during spin class slumps and dark morning runs. Workout leggings, £60, sweatybetty.com
Bluetooth vinyl record player
Get them twistin’ the night away with this vintage-look LP player – primed for much-loved old records, but Bluetooth-enabled should you need to intervene. Crosley Cruiser vinyl record player, £89, urbanoutfitters.com
Dog collar
Love Fido more than your family? Let them know with this leather and brass collar, complete with charm. Dog collar, from £82, mungoandmaud.com
Clutch
A punchy red clutch with glee club-worthy pompom and a (discrete) inspirational message from Technicolor accessories brand Bando? Stop it. Comrade clutch, £49, uk.bando.com
PlayStation Classic
For the person who peaked in 1994 (we hear ya): a small-but-perfectly-formed nostalgia trip modelled on Playstation’s original console, pre-loaded with 20 classic games. PlayStation Classic, £89.99, playstation.com
J Crew girls’ reversible padded vest
First pro parenting tip: if you buy them lovely shiny things, they’ll be slower to notice the lovely shiny things you’ve bought yourself. Second: metallics make children easier to spot. Nailing it. J Crew girls’ reversible padded vest, £66.50, johnlewis.com
Cosmic dust earrings
Layer along the lobe with Anna + Nina’s delicate earrings, setting a subtle pearl among gold beads. Cosmic dust earrings, €59,95, anna-nina.nl
2019 diary
Scarlett Conlon’s pick
“A little touch of everyday luxury – Smythson’s leather diary will make scheduling that bit chicer.” 2019 Panama diary with gilt pencil, £75, smythson.com
Blow the budget
Hermitage 30-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac
Fiona Beckett’s pick
“One to selfishly sip.” Hermitage 30-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac (43%), £142.97 for 70cl, brandyclassics.com
Santoku knife
Yotam Ottolenghi’s pick
“A versatile knife hand-forged in south London.” Santoku knife, £240, blenheimforge.co.uk
Typewriter
The only barrier between them and their literary tour-de-force? Digital, obviously. Send the frustrated novelist an analogue muse via this pin-up blue Torpedo typewriter. Typewriter, £263.66, etsy.com
Internoitaliano Orte gardening tools set
Alys Fowler’s pick
“Perfect for borders.” Without doubt, the sharpest tools in the shed. Internoitaliano Orte gardening tools set, £121, nest.co.uk
Santal 33 eau de parfum
Say it with a gender-neutral, custom-blended scent in a personalised bottle from cult perfume house Le Labo – this year’s beauty eds’ pick from French perfume capital Grasse. Santal 33 eau de parfum, £180, lelabofragrances.com
Sea creature matryoshka
A traditional Russian matyoshka doll, handmade in Semenov – 99.9% guaranteed they don’t already own it. Sea creature matryoshka, £200, conranshop.co.uk
Stone Age Zine triangle wool scarf
The coolest pair in knitwear – designers Brenda Aherne and Helen Delany of Electronic Sheep – collaborate with fanzine founder Willy Carroll for an uplifting merino scarf as cool as it is cosy. Stone Age Zine triangle wool scarf, €152, electronicsheep.com
Garmin Vívomove watch
The smartest smartwatch in town, Garmin’s tasteful tan and onyx Vívomove looks like a “nice watch”, acts like a PT, PA and life coach combined. Terrifying, when you think about it. Vívomove watch, £259.99, garmin.com
Velvet throw
Give the gift of legitimised loafing with Toast’s opulent quilted velvet and linen throw – hides a multitude of spills, crumbs and dodgy PJs. Velvet throw, £225, toa.st
Balance bike
Smarter than stabilisers, the lightweight balance bike goes from tricycle to two-wheeler, helping kids hone balance, steering and Wiggins-worthy swagger. Balance bike, £109.95, micro-scooters.co.uk
Barisieur coffee and tea alarm
Night owls and aesthetes rejoice: ease into existence each morning with a freshly brewed caffeine hit from the super-chic Barisieur alarm. Barisieur coffee and tea alarm, £345, opumo.com
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
The links are powered by Skimlinks. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that Skimlinks cookies will be set. More information.
