Holiday Gift Guide: What I’m Gifting My Family and Friends This Christmas

Nov 29

It’s officially the holiday season! This year, I’m determined to get all my Christmas presents sorted early to avoid the last-minute shopping rush (and let’s be honest, the stress that comes with it!). I thought it would be fun to share some of the gifts I’ve picked out for my family, my kids, and even my daughter’s teachers—because, let’s face it, they deserve a little extra love this time of year.

When it comes to gift-giving, I focus on practical items with a sprinkle of treats to make them feel extra special. I always ask myself: What would I like to receive? What do I know about this person? And what would they truly love? For me, the holidays are also about indulging in thoughtful, unique treats. For example, my mom has a sweet tooth, so every year, she gets something delicious—think buttery shortbread or rich brownies. This year, I’ve chosen a fancy brownie box that I know she’ll adore.

Oh, and don’t miss the end of this post—I’m sharing what’s on my wishlist this Christmas. Curious? Let’s dive in!

Gifts for My Husband

Joel’s gifts this year are a mix of fun and practical. His one specific request? A new tie. Of course, I decided to take it up a notch by sewing it myself. Wish me luck! Here’s what else I’ve picked out for him:

A handmade tie (hopefully nice-looking, haha!)
A bright running jacket to keep him visible during his evening runs
Casual grey slacks for dressing up or down
Lao Gan Ma Crispy Chilli Oil—a perfect stocking filler

Gifts for My Daughter

Cora’s gifts are all about supporting her growing independence and love of learning. She’s in such an exciting stage of curiosity and exploration, so I’ve chosen gifts that will fuel her interests:

A new big-kid backpack—practical and much needed
A beautifully illustrated children’s atlas to inspire her love for the world
Tickets to “A Very Curious Christmas” by Maddie Moate—a surprise gift I know she’ll absolutely love

Gifts for My Son

Lucca is at that fun (but tricky) stage where gifts require a bit more thought—after all, being the second baby means we already have plenty of hand-me-downs. This year, we’re focusing on practical yet special items that celebrate his next big milestone: starting solids!

A coverall weaning bib—super handy for messy mealtimes
A personalised cutlery set—a tradition in our family, as both Joel and Cora received theirs at this age
A monkey teething toy—perfect for his teething phase

Gifts for My Mom

Shopping for my mom always involves sweet treats and thoughtful, personal items I know she’ll cherish.

A brownie box from Good Cake Day
The Orange tea towel from my Kitschen collection (her favorite!)
A beautiful shirt dress—she loves receiving dresses, and I love picking them out for her
A personalised wall calendar filled with pictures of her grandkids

Gifts for My Dad

My dad’s gift is a mix of tradition and practicality. Every year, he asks for a new pair of slippers—it’s simple but always appreciated. This year, I’m adding a twist:

Fleece slippers from Marks & Spencer
Wireless headphones —perfect for music or calls
A milk frother — a compact solution for heating milk to finally solve the great “why don’t you have a microwave?” debate I have to listen to every time he comes to visit and has to use the hob to heat up milk.

Gifts for the Teachers

Cora’s teachers are absolute stars, and I love putting together gift bags to show our gratitude. This year, their gift bags include:

The Ice Cream tea towel from my Kitschen collection
A candle gift box from The Botanical Candle Company
A bar of Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate—because who doesn’t love chocolate?

Gifts for my friends

For my girlfriends, I’ve created small goodie bags with thoughtful items they’ll love:

A Layered Jelly tea towel from my Kitschen collection
A pearl-shaped pillar candle byLolaUK
My Skin Feels moisturizer—a personal favorite of mine
A bar of Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate (of course!)

Gifts for Me

Last but not least—my wishlist! Here’s what I’m hoping to find under the tree this year:

A new pair of Continental 80s trainers—my old pair has served me well but needs replacing
Oxelo Adult Freeride Inline Skates—a nod to my childhood love for skating (midlife crisis, perhaps?)
A butter dish—because they’re wonderfully old-school and charming
Tombow Brush Pens—my current favorite for adding color to my art
More Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate—because you can never have too much chocolate

What Are You Gifting This Year?

I’d love to hear about the gifts you’re excited to give this holiday season! Are you a planner who shops early, or do you love the thrill of last-minute shopping? Share your favorite ideas or holiday traditions in the comments below or over on Instagram—I’d love to chat!