With Christmas just around the corner (36 days, but who’s counting?) we at SPICE reckon it might be time to start thinking about that longer-than-life shopping list.
But, fellas, don’t sweat, as following our theme of ‘tradition’ here on the site, we’re looking at the gifts us girls typically love to receive, and are helping you out by revamping them with a stylish twist – that’s everything from the annually expected new fragrance to the ever-romantic box of chocolates…
See below our top 10 traditional Christmas gifts your lucky lady would love to unwrap;
1. The Gift of Scent
It’s fairly simple, guys: Girls love to smell pretty, and by sticking to the classics – that’s scents that traditionally, us ladies are likely to swoon over – you’ll do well to put a smile on her face.
That’s your “Chanel No.5,” obvs, and for fans of rapper Wale, “Flower Bomb” by Viktor & Rolf – scents that won’t look out of place on the dressing table.
But how about going deeper, seeking out scents with traditional ingredients like Myrhh? Used way back when (during the Middle Kerma period, to be exact) in Sudan’s early history, such scents had evolved from being used in religious ceremonies, cultural rituals and medicinal practices, to become the scent of luxury, with kings having them included in perfumed oils.
Frederic Malle’s “Portrait of a Woman” scent (yours for £145 for 50ml EDP, here) includes traditional Myrhh with a modern, fresh take, and comes highly recommended by those in the know. Have her unwrap a bottle on Christmas Day and you’ll come highly recommended by all her friends.
2. Adult Advent Calendars
Putting a grown up spin on a gift traditionally reserved for children, luxury advent calendars will serve as a stylish alternative to the standard box of chocolates, while satisfying the big kid that’s in us all.
Harrods’ version boasts an assortment of 24 melt-in-the-mouth milk, dark and white chocolates of the exuberant variety, as one might expect from its infamous name. Including snowball white truffle, milk chocolate with honeycomb, dark candied ginger, dark chocolate raspberry cream, dark honey fudge and milk hazelnut chocolates, presented in a beautifully festive box, this calendar will surely make a special gift this Christmas – one that she’ll have fun not sharing with you, since the treats inside are that good. Yours (well, hers) for £29.95, here.
Similarly, Hotel Chocolat are boasting 3 versions of advent calendars, including milk, dark and white chocolate varieties (£12.50) as well as one designed to share (£26). Buy your choice here, though we all know which one you’ll be opting for…
3. Christmas Stockings Shoes
Ok, so a Christmas stocking is cute, and you’re lady would probably “n’awww” at the sight of one hanging over the fire place with her name on it – but let’s be real: Your girl is much more likely to draw sharp breath at the sight of the latest pair of killer heels, dangling from her feet… Are we right, or are we right?
So, without further ado, get yourself to the shops and seek out the best in whatever she’s akin to, be it a kitten heel, a platform, a stiletto or a flat. By just paying attention to what’s on her feet for the next week you’ll have figured out her personal shoe persona, but below is a few of Team SPICE’s current favourites, in case you’re stuck or are feeling mighty generous (We’ll take a UK size 6, please)…
4. Girls Love a Good Gown (Especially those Formed of VLISCO Fabric)
Now, we all know ladies live to get dressed up, and a new dress – especially the one that she’s torn from the page of her favourite magazine – is sure to score you mad ‘Good Boyfriend/Husband’ points.
But, instead of doing the obvious and simply buying the dress of a rail or from a catalogue, why not go the extra mile and choose one of Vlisco’s sumptuous new prints, and gift her with swathes of the dutch wax brand’s new Splendeur fabrics?
As Team SPICE reported back in October when it launched, the collection is simply to die for – and should your significant other happen to unwrap this Vlisco gift pack? Well, you’ll be all that she lives for.
And don’t sweat the choice between colours because guys, you really can’t go wrong, especially not when the pre-made packs come with a pouch full of crystals to embellish whatever type of gown or garment the fabric ends up creating, as well as a silver plated Vlisco tag to add to the finished product, affirming its authenticity (and you as the best present-buyer, ever…)
5. Winter Warmers
Ah, the annual, stocking-filling gift of knitted goods that include the wooly hat, mittens and/or socks. Well, if you’re going to do it, why not go all out, adding a touch of luxe to your gifts, via any of these gorgeous goods by top name designers?
With so many fabulous wooly finds for you to wrap up, the humble sock never looked so enticing…
6. Dolls and Toys
Traditionally, little girls love a good doll for Christmas – and, all grown up and still into coiffing hair, preening and dressing, big girls (and Barbie’s number of Instagram followers) will tell you they still have an affection for the ultimate plastic bae, Barbie – especially when she’s reinventing herself with Karl Lagerfeld or is seen clad on the front of a Jeremy Scott’s “Moschino Barbie” and “Paper Doll” tees (£205, here and here).
But that’s not the only type of toy your fashion girl will shriek for come Christmas Day, as bold, colourful, kid-like iPhone cases will have the same big-grinned effect. Simply shop any of the cool phone cases below because, trust us, they’re still having a fashion moment…
7. Cute Things to Pet
Puppies in boxes? Yes, that’s very sweet – but a bright, furry clutch to unwrap? Well, that’s sweeter still.
Yes, fabulous furs in all sorts of colours are on-trend for Autumn/Winter’14, with playful pet-able pieces appearing under the arms and tables of fashion’s elite. We at SPICE are keeping fingers crossed we’ll be unwrapping one of these beauties this Christmas, but check your girl’s going for that ‘fashion blogger,’ streetstyle vibe before you proceed… If not, you might be best off going for the traditional “here’s a puppy in a box type of gift.”
8. Diamond Earrings
While traditionally, girls do love diamonds, trendy girls have ditched the matching diamond studs for a glistening ear cuff or a mis-matched bar earring with edgy finishes.
If your significant other places special significance on her wardrobe, she may well appreciate your attempt at a fashion twist on a classic, and these ear cuffs and earrings are things of finery she’ll not resist.
9. Luxury Pjs
Everybody sleeps, so everybody needs a good pair of pjs, and these, from the very best in design, are proof as to why they’re so needed.
Simply slip one of these silk offerings under the tree and she may be slipping out of her clothes and into bed with your gift in no time. Because who doesn’t want to look chic while they’re sleeping?
10. Beauty Bits She’ll Go Nuts For
And, with an odd but staple Christmas tradition being the gift of nuts (think almonds and walnuts, mostly), why not work the theme into a range of beauty bits that she’ll be thankful she unwrapped? That’s lotions and potions using the key essential oils of coconut – every woman’s skin and hair’s best friend.
Here’s a few things we at SPICE recommend;
….Or failing the above, why not opt for the old-fashioned option, and go with a big ol’ box of actual nuts, as tradition advises? With beautifying properties considered, via the nourishing oils that real nuts contain which fortify the skin, your loved one’s complexion and appetite will thank you for this tasty treat – and Harrods’ way with presentation make it easy on the eye, too.
Image source: Netaporter.com, Liberty.com, Hotelchocolat.com, Brownsfashino.com, Harrods.com
