Christmas
12 Gift Ideas For Your Hosts This Christmas
Laying on the Christmas feast is quite the commitment. Show your host some undying gratitude for their toil with a really thoughtful present.
Tis the season for festive gatherings and spreading joy. But for some folk, a good handful of the merry-making hours will be spent in the kitchen. Sure, cooking delicious treats while turning the radio up or singing along to carols can be a joy in itself, but it’s also undeniably hard work. So, as you consider your plans and the logistics of your Christmas getaway, don't forget to show your gratitude to the hosts who will open their homes with warmth and good cheer – and most particularly to those who will be hosting not one but several meals over a few hedonistic days. Here, we've rounded up a sleigh-full of thoughtful gift ideas that go beyond the standard bottle of wine. From stylish home decor to gourmet treats, our selection ensures your hosts feel the love and appreciation wrapped in every carefully chosen present.
Brindisa Charcuterie Box, £85
If you’re going to stay with your host for a few days, do consider bringing a hamper of mezze, antipasti or the like. And, while generally speaking we love our presents to be a surprise, this one is well worth announcing ahead of time so that, for one snacky meal, your host can factor in your generosity and, perhaps, take a break. We’d supplement this by bringing some really good fresh crusty bread and a couple of bottles of red. Buy it.
Roebling Decanter, £135
It is the time of year for rounding off pleasurable evenings with a snifter of something cockle-warming by the fire. If said tipple is served in a sparkling crystal decanter, then so much the better. There are other lovely decanters available for less than this one, but we do so love that this one has been named after John Augustus Roebling, the civil engineer who designed and built Brooklyn Bridge. If the budget will stretch to it, do bring a bottle of whisky to go with, or arrange for another guest to do so. Buy it.
The Sensational Stripy Candlestick, £35
The soft flicker of candlelight is the only lighting we’ll consider at Christmas. And a really good candlestick ups the sheer loveliness all the more. We cannot think of a host who would not be enchanted with a stripy bobbin candlestick courtesy of Birdie Fortescue’s collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder. We like the red, but the green is equally delightful too, or indeed you could mix and match. Buy it.
Bloomsbury Bath Soak, £30
While everybody else relaxes and unwinds, hosts tend to spend a lot of time on their feet over Christmas. Why not, then, give a really beautiful bath soak? Even if they only get to use it after everyone has gone home, they will thank you for it nonetheless. We love this one from Soapsmith. As they say, ‘Our Bath Soaks are handmade in our home in Walthamstow using natural and nourishing ingredients including dead sea salt, coconut milk powder and essential oils to soothe, smooth and revitalise the skin, body and mind. An indulgent scent blend with Rose Water leaves the skin super soft and nourished, and fills the whole bathroom with our unique summer scent.’ Buy it.
Murder At The Holly House By Denzil Meyrick, £16.99
Who doesn’t love a spot of murder at Christmas time? Set in December 1952, festive plans go awry when a dead stranger is found in the chimney of Holly House. Naturally, blizzards cut off the remote village and – as in the finest of cosy crime traditions – there is another death and everyone is found to be hiding something. A total treat of a festive whodunnit – and this exclusive Waterstones edition is all the prettier for gifting. Buy it.
Patchwork Hot Water Bottle Cover, £45
Give the gift of comfort and joy with Toast’s water bottle cover, which is quite the prettiest we’ve seen in some time. Perfect for cuddling up with at Christmas and well beyond. Buy it.
Rum & Raisin Torrone Chocolate, £13.50
A sweet treat amidst the onslaught of carnivorous delights will never go amiss – especially if you ensure it is as thoroughly lovely as this dark chocolate torrone, which features nougat wrapped in a rum truffle and rum soaked macerated sultanas. Buy it.
Champagne Trug, £105
Without wanting to be presumptuous, if your stay is likely to be sound-tracked by the hiss of corks being prised off bottles, then do consider giving your host a lovely champagne trug so that said fizz may loll in icy splendour. We like this simple but elegant stainless-steel example from The White Company. Buy it.
Cutting Garden Bouquet, £60 – £80
If all else fails, flowers will never not be welcome – and most especially this gorgeous bouquet, which is made to order by the reliably lovely Daylesford Organic. Buy it.
Ember Leaf Candelabra, £49
For the most enchanting of centrepieces, Rowen & Wren’s Ember Leaf Candelabra is a showstopper, and would make a welcome addition to any host’s table. Buy it.
Wavy Edge Terracotta Bulb Pot, £38
Picture this prettiest of wavy-edged terracotta pots filled with narcissi for the sweetest-smelling and most darling of gifts. Buy it.
Christmas Present Iced Biscuits, £29.95
Edible, sweet and endlessly charming, these present-shaped biscuits will be a hit with the whole family. Buy it.
By Nancy Alsop
December 2023
Brindisa
Brindisa Charcuterie Box, £85
If you’re going to stay with your host for a few days, do consider bringing a hamper of mezze, antipasti or the like. And, while generally speaking we love our presents to be a surprise, this one is well worth announcing ahead of time so that, for one snacky meal, your host can factor in your generosity and, perhaps, take a break. We’d supplement this by bringing some really good fresh crusty bread and a couple of bottles of red. Buy it.
Soho Home
Roebling Decanter, £135
It is the time of year for rounding off pleasurable evenings with a snifter of something cockle-warming by the fire. If said tipple is served in a sparkling crystal decanter, then so much the better. There are other lovely decanters available for less than this one, but we do so love that this one has been named after John Augustus Roebling, the civil engineer who designed and built Brooklyn Bridge. If the budget will stretch to it, do bring a bottle of whisky to go with, or arrange for another guest to do so. Buy it.
Birdie Fortescue
The Sensational Stripy Candlestick, £35
The soft flicker of candlelight is the only lighting we’ll consider at Christmas. And a really good candlestick ups the sheer loveliness all the more. We cannot think of a host who would not be enchanted with a stripy bobbin candlestick courtesy of Birdie Fortescue’s collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder. We like the red, but the green is equally delightful too, or indeed you could mix and match. Buy it.
Soapsmith
Bloomsbury Bath Soak, £30
While everybody else relaxes and unwinds, hosts tend to spend a lot of time on their feet over Christmas. Why not, then, give a really beautiful bath soak? Even if they only get to use it after everyone has gone home, they will thank you for it nonetheless. We love this one from Soapsmith. As they say, ‘Our Bath Soaks are handmade in our home in Walthamstow using natural and nourishing ingredients including dead sea salt, coconut milk powder and essential oils to soothe, smooth and revitalise the skin, body and mind. An indulgent scent blend with Rose Water leaves the skin super soft and nourished, and fills the whole bathroom with our unique summer scent.’ Buy it.
Waterstones
Murder At The Holly House By Denzil Meyrick, £16.99
Who doesn’t love a spot of murder at Christmas time? Set in December 1952, festive plans go awry when a dead stranger is found in the chimney of Holly House. Naturally, blizzards cut off the remote village and – as in the finest of cosy crime traditions – there is another death and everyone is found to be hiding something. A total treat of a festive whodunnit – and this exclusive Waterstones edition is all the prettier for gifting. Buy it.
Toast
Patchwork Hot Water Bottle Cover, £45
Give the gift of comfort and joy with Toast’s water bottle cover, which is quite the prettiest we’ve seen in some time. Perfect for cuddling up with at Christmas and well beyond. Buy it.
Freight HHG
Rum & Raisin Torrone Chocolate, £13.50
A sweet treat amidst the onslaught of carnivorous delights will never go amiss – especially if you ensure it is as thoroughly lovely as this dark chocolate torrone, which features nougat wrapped in a rum truffle and rum soaked macerated sultanas. Buy it.
The White Company
Champagne Trug, £105
Without wanting to be presumptuous, if your stay is likely to be sound-tracked by the hiss of corks being prised off bottles, then do consider giving your host a lovely champagne trug so that said fizz may loll in icy splendour. We like this simple but elegant stainless-steel example from The White Company. Buy it.
Daylesford Organic
Cutting Garden Bouquet, £60 – £80
If all else fails, flowers will never not be welcome – and most especially this gorgeous bouquet, which is made to order by the reliably lovely Daylesford Organic. Buy it.
Rowen & Wren
Ember Leaf Candelabra, £49
For the most enchanting of centrepieces, Rowen & Wren’s Ember Leaf Candelabra is a showstopper, and would make a welcome addition to any host’s table. Buy it.
Straw London
Wavy Edge Terracotta Bulb Pot, £38
Picture this prettiest of wavy-edged terracotta pots filled with narcissi for the sweetest-smelling and most darling of gifts. Buy it.
Fortnum & Mason
Christmas Present Iced Biscuits, £29.95
Edible, sweet and endlessly charming, these present-shaped biscuits will be a hit with the whole family. Buy it.
By Nancy Alsop
December 2023
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