The season of gifting can be overwhelming: that frenzied feeling induced by the pressure to buy x hundred presents, piccalilli and parsnips. We all know we don’t really need a lot, that Christmas is about the children and showing kindness in other ways. But it wouldn’t be Christmas without a parcel or two! This year, I’ve turned my back on said frenzy and, instead, I turned to the tastemakers; people I admire in their own fields of work, who all stand for different values but who share a common thread of seemingly knowing when enough is enough and coming up with a few great ideas. In this list, there’s music, there’s a dash of Chanel, a hint of escapism. And if any of their families, friends (and in William Sitwell’s chase, his labrador, Cyrus) are reading….
Francesca Cumani, ITV Racing presenter
I’m hoping for corduroy trousers from the Carrier Company. I am a big fan of the brand, who make really good quality clothes that last – and they are locally made from high quality materials. I actually have these trousers in green and they are really warm and hardwearing, perfect for county life in Yorkshire but also really flattering and a bit different.
£250, Dutch Trouser in Sand Corduroy, Carrier Company
Charlotte Di Cello, commercial director of Waitrose & Partners
Good food really is one of life’s pleasures and has the added superpower of bringing people together. This all means Christmas is a particularly busy time for me at work and at home, so I’ll be getting Angela Hartnett and Michel Roux Jr to cater for my festive get togethers via Dishpatch. And for me, I’ve always worn Chanel perfume, so Gabrielle essence is what I’m hoping for in my stocking. Because, as Coco said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Gabrielle Chanel, £145, Chanel
Bee Tussaud, psychotherapist and clinical director of The Beehive Concierge
The Georgian town of Holt in North Norfolk is my go to place to shop, especially at Christmas. I think I’d love anything from the little shops there; The Holt Bookshop or something sparkly from lovely Webbs Jewellers. I’m not sure if Father Christmas will get the hint, so I might spoil myself with a pretty pair of gloves from Tilley & Grace; or some delicate lingerie from Pollard & Read.
Mollie gloves, £20, Tilley & Grace
George Lamb, co-founder of Wild Farmed
I have an Austrian friend called Robert who’s very chic and he always has lovely things at his house. These chocolates have been a mainstay at Chez Robert for the last 20 years so I’d quite like a box of these!
Or if Father Christmas is feeling really generous I’d love a long weekend at Hotel Drei Berge which my buddy, Ramdane Touhami, opened in 2023; I’m desperate to go. The older I get the more I’m drawn to the solace of the mountains. If that’s a stretch, to be honest I’d be really happy with anything by Es Devlin; a brilliant mind and a constant source of inspiration.
Cofanetto Baci di Cherasco chocolates, €57.00, Barbero
Ruby Hammer, co-founder of Indu Beauty
For me, a course of Vidavii treatments would be the ultimate Christmas wish – self-care is truly the gift that keeps on giving. For a loved one, the Limited Edition Nars Pure Luxury Light Reflecting Cheek and Eye Palette is a showstopper, beautiful in every way. And of course, the Ruby Hammer Mascara & Brow Duo – it’s the one product you never knew you needed until you have it!
Mascara & Brow duo, £28, Ruby Hammer; Pure Luxury Light Reflecting Cheek & Eye Palette, £42 (reduced from £60), Nars
Reena Hammer, co-founder Indu Beauty, daughter of Ruby
I am at the stage of life where I personally value experiences more than things!
A special dinner (Core by Clare Smyth), a wonderful massage (at Claridges) or I’d love to try a Buccal facial! But for gift giving, if it has to be tangible, who doesn’t love cashmere and I love this tie-dye set.
Cashmere Beanie + Socks Set, $250, Sabal
Gucci Westman, make-up artist and founder of Westman Atelier
I am always dreaming of these large Silver Hand Beaten Tumblers (£540, Rose Uniacke). I love that it makes every drink that you could ever desire feel that much more special. Whether it be alcohol or not, drinking from it feels like a very special moment!
Silver Hand Beaten Tumblers, £540, Rose Uniacke
William Sitwell, food critic
As a coffee obsessive my eye is firmly set on Sage’s “The Barista Touch Impress” coffee machine. It’s small, has a touchscreen and it purrs. I think Cyrus, our lab, could get it for my stocking.
If Cyrus doesn’t stretch to that… it’s cold where I sit and write, so as a moth-ridden country bumpkin, I want a new gilet, not too clunky and a bit stylish. Pinpiuma do a reversible one. It looks warm and snazzy which is surely not too much to ask for?
The Barista Touch Impress, £1,199.95, Sage; The Teal Reversible Gilet, £195, Pin Piuma
Alexandra Shulman, author and journalist
I have become obsessed with wanting to play my CD collection. I used to play them in the car but now cars don’t have CD players so I want a good player to link into my amplifier at home and blast the music around the house. CD’s mean you listen to the album as it is meant to be heard, whereas Spotify means it’s too easy to jump around to different tracks from different musicians. I went into Richer Sounds to get some advice and this is what they came up with. It’s high quality and looks good. Fingers crossed.
Marantz CD6007, £349, Richer Sounds
Anya Hindmarch, designer
I hope it’s okay if I wish for something from my own brand! The Mortimer, it’s my favourite piece from the collection. It’s a real grown-up bag that is made to last generations. Even better loaded up with charms, the Choco Leibniz (my son’s favourite biscuit) and Nurofen are my current favourites.
Anya Brands Nurofen Charm, £195; Anya Brands Choco Leibniz Charm, £175; Mortimer Top Handle, £1,750; all Anya Hindmarch