As you can imagine, being part of the House & Garden team means we are surrounded by an endless stream of design inspiration, and as such by Christmas our own wish lists are looking rather lengthy. On the other hand, it also means we aren't short of a natty present idea or two for friends and family, be it something a little more niche, or a classic present idea executed well, be it soap, socks or PJs.
Tilly Wheeler, commerce writer
Having curated this year's House & Garden gift guide, I've come across all manner of delightful things that would be a joy to give or receive on Christmas morning. I love the soft, feminine colour palette of Rowen & Wren's Elsie blanket set against the more rigid, geometric checked pattern. I'd love to curl up beneath it with a good book in that limbo between Christmas and New Year's Eve. I tend to buy books at a faster rate than I read them, so while I certainly don't need any more, there's always space to squeeze another on the shelf. I've been wanting to read the controversial new novel by experimental novelist Rachel Cusk, and what a great cover design this US first edition has. Clearly I'm not alone in becoming obsessed with fig scents this year - they seem to have been everywhere, from candles to perfumes. But Diptyque's Philosykos is particularly addictive, and I've had my eye, or should I say nose, on it for a while. Lastly, for something more practical yet still pretty, a smart pair of wooden salt and pepper grinders from Westwing, as I don't currently own any nice ones.
A square silk scarf is such a great gift as it is so versatile; tie it in various ways around your neck, accessorise a bag with it, wear it in your hair. While there are endless colours and prints at all sorts of price points, I was particularly taken by this red one illustrated with a sweet moon print from Liberty. A really good quality, classic striped terry towelling dressing gown is an aptly cosy gift choice for the time of year, and this one from Arket ticks all the boxes. For someone artistic and stylish, this tin of Caran d'Ache coloured pencils with a Paul Smith spin is perfect, while a design lover will appreciate Enzo Mari's iconic desk calendar in a sunny yellow.
Jessica Doyle, features editor
Socks may be the ultimate gifting cliche, but I cannot resist adding good cashmere pair to my Christmas wish list. Hyde & Hare's rib-knit cashmere socks come in 10 colours, and I hope to have some on my feet come Christmas morning. Likewise, a good pair of pyjamas that I can legitimately keep on all day, such as this striped satin set from The White Company. A bit of sparkle never goes amiss at Christmas, and my current jewellery crush is Completedworks; I'd love to find this ear cuff under the tree, and to keep it in, a jewellery case that will look sweet on the dressing table but can also be slipped into a suitcase for trips away. I'd also like a little jewellery for my walls, in the form of The Tapestry Guild's disco-ball needlepoint kit - just the thing to get stuck into over the Christmas holidays.
For fragrance fans, a really gorgeous scented candle is always welcome. Le Labo's new Papyrus 20 candle is a stylish blend of cypriol, ylang ylang and musk, while the new Christmas pine and cedar candle by dbCeramic and Plum & Ashby comes in one of Deborah Brett's pretty hand-painted ceramic pots, which can be used afterwards for flowers or pens. And speaking of pens, the Lumos Pro by Tom's Studio, which comes with 11 different tips (for writing or drawing) and can be refilled with a choice of coloured inks, is a no-brainer for stationery lovers - as is a beautiful journal from Wiltshire-based Compton Marbling.
Lucy Boulton, market editor
I've been travelling a lot recently and have come to realise that my luggage could really use a refresh. And although I'd love to say that I'll have a Christmas tree impressive enough to fit a new suitcase underneath, I think a travel accessory might be a more realistic addition to my Christmas wish list. Having been a fan of Lié Studio's timeless jewellery for quite some time, I was thrilled to see the brand had launched a selection of leather goods, including the Sally Luggage Tag. The powder blue colourway is my favourite as it's both playful and easily identifiable, but it also comes in taupe and black for a more understated look.
A magazine rack is one of those items that makes displaying your reading material a bit more intentional. One design that I love is Soho Home's Meard Magazine Rack. With its mix of brass and leather, it feels elevated but also simple enough to work in lots of different interiors. Of course, this gift wouldn't be complete without a subscription to House & Garden too.
Megan Murray, contributing writer
This question is quite the Pandora’s box. I pretty much always have a running list of beautiful trinkets or sentimental buys, usually from independent brands, that I’m saving up for - or better yet - hoping someone else will treat me to. Right now, that includes Desmond and Dempsey’s new brushed cotton pyjama set that’s turned my head with its palazzo trousers and wrap-around tie panels. Speaking of palazzos, I visited La Posta Vecchia this summer and fell in love with the Italian hotel’s bedding. It is available to buy, but a full set costs £1,095, so I’d be happy with the monogrammed pillowcase at £57. Christmas calls for knits and SKALL’s striped jumper looks unequivocally snuggly, plus it’s spun and knitted in Denmark. Or, for party season, I’m swooning over DÔEN’s shimmering Ginette dress, paired with a brooch from Parisian jewellery brand, Les Néréides. I’ve also recently moved house, so Choosing Keeping’s moiré storage boxes would be appreciated, and indie magazine Blumenhaus’ first ever book, for my coffee table.
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It can be hard to be sure you’re getting it absolutely right, but I have a selection of buys up my sleeve that I know anyone would love. The easiest? A good bottle of red wine. Amie Wine is a London-based independent; I can vouch, from experience, for its incredibly drinkable red.
You can’t go wrong with bathroom treats and I’ve long been a fan of organic bodycare from Austin Austin, founded by a father and daughter team, who have just released ceramic bottles for their hand soaps and lotions. They’re not only beautiful but can be kept for longer. I know I’ll be getting my mum one of Ffern’s seasonal perfume drops as she’s a fragrance fanatic, while my Dad will love Nicholas Mosse’s playful ceramics. For friends, I have my eye on the Cawley Studio sheepskin collection, namely this cosy sheepskin cap. Finally, I know my partner has fallen for NIX by Nicola Harding’s Out For The Count bed, so perhaps that can be a gift for both of us.
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Eleanor Steafel, lifestyle director
I moved house earlier this year and did a big crockery cull. Taking a box of tired, unloved mugs and bowls to the car boot sale was liberating, and we’ve replaced much of it since - slowly building a new collection of functional, beautiful pieces that we genuinely love using. But the one thing I’ve failed to address is pasta bowls. I have had the same plain white pasta bowls for about 15 years, and every single one of them has a chip in it. Given that all my favourite dinners really want to be eaten from a bowl, I’m faced with my sad stack of chipped pasta bowls almost daily. So, I’m longing for new ones. I’ve had my eye on the new homeware collection by Pophams, one of my favourite London bakeries. They stock beautiful pasta bowls by Jack Welbourne, made from red Cornish clay and finished in browns and greens that I imagine would make the food feel even cosier. I also love the oatmeal glazed dishes they sell by ceramicist Grace McCarthy.
I love Sabre’s colourful knives, and while a full set could be a pricey present, I think one of their little butter knives (from just £15) would make for an inexpensive but very chic gesture. Pick up a pat of fancy butter too (and maybe a pot of nice jam or honey) and you have a gift they can genuinely use.
Erin Knight, style assistant
Having recently swapped my family home in the countryside for a London flat, I’m hunting for practical yet beautiful homeware to make my new space feel like home. For me that starts with cute bedding, and I have been eyeing up the Anaïs duvet cover from Tekla. It’s 100% cotton and I love that it is simple yet elevated with the broderie trim. Simple white bedding is great because it's so easy (and fun) to dress it up with throws and decorative pillows.
I think practical gifts are always a winner and this Paper Republic leather journal is just that. A chic take on the classic Filofax, it is refillable meaning it will last you a lifetime. You can also get it embossed with the recipient's initials to add a personal touch. Available in various bold hues, I especially love the rich yellow colour.
Max Summerton, social media manager
As a wannabe star sign enthusiast, this soap hits the self-indulgent sweet spot between superstition and self-care, with its lovely scent as the cherry on top. Alternatively, I've been given fresh flowers quite a few times this year, which has sparked the desire to up my vase game. Currently, I'm using the £20 Ikea vase I purchased in a rush when I moved into my flat, so this Bernadette Antwerp one will be a brilliant upgrade.
What do you get a dad that has everything? Something you secretly want for yourself, of course. This Yeti cool box is perfect for both the gorp-core fashion set and actual mountaineering folk. I have purchased my sister many pieces of jewellery over the years, so this box would provide a lovely way for her to store and rediscover her collection.
Rose Washbourn, digital features writer
I have one of these already and now I think I need one in every room. It might be called a toolbox, but it's actually an all-round organisational saviour. You can use it to deal with the clutter on your dressing table, for cutlery and other kitchen table paraphernalia, for leads, chargers and assorted stationery in your home office, or for children's bits and bobs. The colours are great (I've got my eye on the orange), it's wipeable and the handle means you can whisk it away and pop it in a cupboard when needed. I'm sure Jo Rodgers would approve of this eminently practical gift.
Since reading Marin Montagut's latest book, Forever Paris (which, incidentally, would also make a great gift), I've had his magical illustrations and homeware on the brain. Liberty London has a great collection of his pieces, including this porcelain tray, which would be perfect for jewellery, trinkets or just as a lovely display piece. I know so many friends would love to receive this as it's the sort of thing you rarely buy for yourself so it feels like such a treat.
Gwen Brown, former decoration assistant
I'm slowly building up my collection of proper cookware, and no collection would be complete without stainless steel pans. This set of John Lewis pans looks just right.
I usually make my loved ones a selection of truffles, fudge and florentines for Christmas, and with homemade gifts, presentation is key. I think these boxes would be an ideal receptacle for my confections!
Marco Mansi, former acting features writer
I have a soft spot for beautifully made tableware and I keep coming back to Laboratorio Paravicini’s Monkey dinner service. It is hand painted in Milan and the set has this playful, old world charm that would make any table feel special.
This year is all about cooking at home, so I’m planning to give Staub’s pumpkin cocotte. It is a solid cast iron pot that holds the heat beautifully and it looks great brought straight to the table, which makes it ideal for winter suppers.
