By Penny Goldstone
It’s never too early to start searching for the best gifts for her, especially if you’re after presents that are meaningful and that she will cherish forever (or eat very quickly!). There’s nothing like shopping in real life and hand selecting a gift to make it that much more special, and you can do all that on Oxford Street, though if you’re pressed for time, we have the online equivalents too. Whether the women in your life are into beauty, fashion, food or all the above, we’ve got you covered.
For the woman who has it all, why not sponsor a star and make a sick child’s Christmas more magical for just £10? Oxford Street has teamed up with charity Starlight, which helps make children’s stays in hospital less traumatic through the power of play.
Beauty gifts for her
You can’t go wrong with a beauty gift set, and you’ll be spoiled for choice this festive season. On the skincare side of things, we love the Eclat Skin Rose Quartz face massager and accompanying face cream and serum, perfect for de-puffing your skin and giving it a hydration boost at home. For an ethical beauty gift, try The Body Shop’s Love, Hope and Change, featuring body lotion, scrub, hand cream and more, made with natural ingredients sourced through the Community Fair Trade programme. Introduce fragrance lovers to Arabian Oud’s best-selling Resala fragrance, which has notes of opulent saffron, dark chocolate and vanilla and comes in a gorgeous bottle she’ll want to display. Finally, for something festive, try Lush’s Merry Christmas gift set, which contains Christmas-themed bath bombs.
Jewellery gifts for her
Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to spend a fortune to find some nice jewellery. Pandora and H Samuel have an array of gorgeous styles to suit every budget. Charms at Pandora start at just £25, or you can get these pretty Infinity studs, which come in silver, rose gold and gold plated finishes. Ania Haie’s delicate gold ring at H. Samuel is adjustable so you don’t need to worry about getting the ring size wrong. If money is no object, then a classic Longines watch is the investment of a lifetime , and Swarovski’s pink Millenia necklace, with its dazzling, octagon-cut crystals, is a modern yet timeless statement piece.
Fashion gifts for her
Whether she’s a minimalist or a maximalist, there are womenswear stores to suit all tastes on Oxford Street. River Island has got a great gifting selection, like these festive pyjamas which are perfect for hot chocolate and a movie on Christmas Eve. She’ll be party ready with Dune’s red sparkly court shoes – a big trend for autumn/winter 23. Zara is amazing for trend-led pieces like this dress from the Limited Edition collection. A good look starts with a good foundation, so a new set of lingerie is the perfect place to start if you’re not sure what to buy.
Luxury gifts for her
For the woman who has everything, a designer handbag will never go unwanted, especially if it’s Prada’s iconic Cleo bag in timeless brown. Or, try this gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana teddy coat from Flannels, a great investment piece that will keep her cosy for winters to come. Finally, you can never go wrong with a champagne gift set or a luxury candle – I love Dyptique’s Carousel Baies, which comes in a stunning jar.
Tech gifts for her
Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer is high on most people’s wishlist every Christmas, and for good reason. It’s sleek and dries your hair quickly without damaging it. If she doesn’t own one already, now’s your chance. An Amazon Echo Dot is a great all-purpose gadget, as it does everything from music playing to diary planning and organising your food shop. At the Galaxy store, you can pick up the new Galaxy Tab S9 for all internet browsing, working and more. Or photography enthusiasts will love Kodak’s compact digital camera.
Sports gifts for her
If she’s into fashion and sports, then the Stella McCartney for adidas collection is the perfect gift. These hiking boots are stylish and perfect for winter. Football fans can show their support for the Lionesses with this t-shirt from Sports Direct, and runners will love the sports bras at Under Armour. Whether she’s into running, yoga, hiking or any other sports, you can never have too many leggings, and Asics have some great styles.
Homeware gifts for her
If in doubt, a homeware gift is always a good idea. A Nespresso coffee machine will never go unappreciated by coffee lovers, while Rituals has some lovely home scent gift sets including diffusers and candles. T.K.Maxx is the place to shop for decorating pieces that will zhuzh up any home, and M&S always has lovely Christmas decorations that will deck the halls for years to come.
Food gifts for her
Food and drink gifts might not last for very long, but they’re always appreciated. The sweet tooths amongst them will love a pretty box of Marzipan or a festive chocolate gift bauble from John Lewis. Campari’s gift set isn’t just pretty (it includes tumblers and a stirrer), it’s tasty too. Whilst the shortbread and chocolate in this M&S hamper won’t see the New Year, the cute lantern and candle will adorn her festive table next year.